1779. THE PACIFIC OCEAN. 339 



their Russian and Cossack inmates, who are fond of 

 intermarrying with them, and, as it should seem, for 

 no other reason but that they may be supported in 

 sloth and inactivity. To this want of bodily exertion 

 may be attributed those dreadful scorbutic complaints 

 which none of them escape ; whilst the natives, by 

 constant exercise and toil in the open air, are entirely 

 free from them. 



Referring the reader for an account of the manners, 

 customs, and superstitions of the Kamtschadales at 

 the time the Russians became first acquainted with 

 this country to Krascheninicoff) I shall proceed to a 

 description of their habitations and dress. 



The houses (if they may be allowed that name) 

 are of three distinct sorts, jourts, balagans, and log- 

 houses, called here isbas. The first are their winter ; 

 the second their summer habitations ; the third are 

 altogether of Russian introduction, and inhabited 

 only by the better and wealthier sort. 



The jourts, or winter habitations, are constructed 

 in the following manner : An oblong square of di- 

 mensions proportioned to the number of persons for 

 whom it is intended, (for it is proper to observe, that 

 several families live together in the same jourt,) is 

 dug in the earth to the depth of about six feet. 

 Within this space strong posts, or wooden pillars, are 

 fastened in the ground, at proper distances from 

 each other, on which are extended the beams for the 

 support of the roof, which is formed by joists, resting 

 on the ground with one end, and on the beams with 

 the other. The interstices between the joists are 

 filled up with a strong wicker-work, and the whole 

 covered with turf; so that a jourt has externally the 

 appearance of a round squat hillock. A hole is left 

 in the centre, which serves for chimney, window, 

 and entrance, and the inhabitants pass in and out by 

 means of a strong pole (instead of a ladder), notched 

 just deep enough to afford a little holding to the toe. 

 There is likewise another entrance in the side, even 



z 2 



