498 TRAVELS OF A NATURALIST 



by no means so stupid as has been considered. Many, 

 indeed, are extremely sharp and clever, even amongst the 

 pure race, or those who have not intermarried with the 

 Russians. 



But when a Samoyede gets vodky he becomes in 

 measure mad and very dangerous, and will kill a Russian 

 or others of a different race whilst under the influence of 

 it. We are strongly advised not to give them any spirit, 

 even in small quantities, as a very little affects them. 



They are most afraid of a revolver or fire-arms, but are 

 also put ' in terrorem ' by using the word ' Imperator ' 

 and producing a printed or written paper, and making 

 them understand that one is under the protection of 

 Government. (The Government by fear, not love !) 



They intermarry freely with Russians, and at Ijma 

 there is a rich Samoyede with Russian blood in his veins, 

 personally known to Captain Engel, who owns 10,000 

 reindeer, and who drinks out of silver cups (?) 



It is not the case that when under the influence of 

 liquor they cut or maim themselves. 



The Samoyedes on the Tundra east of Petchora, as 

 observed by Captain Engel himself, appear to have great 

 facility, like most savages, in finding their way by natural 

 signs, known only to themselves, from place to place. 

 The Captain on one occasion, when travelling with Samo- 

 yedes over the snow-covered tundra, observed the head 

 Samoyede of the party stoop down, after scraping the 

 snow away with his feet, and pluck a piece of moss or 

 grass and examine it. Then he immediately turned his 

 reindeers' heads and proceeded in a course at right angles 

 to their former one. 



They are accustomed to read the stars also, but Captain 

 Engel could not say how, or whether or not they acquired 

 their knowledge from intercourse with other people. 



The hair of the head becomes grey with age. Herr 



