SIBERIA. lo7 



noes clashing in amongst them, the terror of the frightened animals, the 

 perilous situation of the huntsman, the shouts of warning or of ap- 

 plause from their friends, the blood-stained water, these, and other ac- 

 companiments form altogether a spectacle, which no one can picture to 

 himself without having seen it." Jn the preparation of birds, beasts, and 

 fishes for their long season of inactivity, the inhabitants, rejecting salt, 

 either dry them in the air, or smoke or freeze them. 



The only plants and roots made use of are the wild Thyme and a 

 farinaceous root called Makaischa. In addition to this, when the season 

 is favorable, a few berries are gathered, during their brief Summer, which 

 are preserved in a frozen state for winter use. When therefore the win- 

 ter is unusually long or the season of harvest has not been sufficiently 

 productive, want and starvation are the inevitable consequences. It is 

 true that the Russian government has established a magazine for the sale 

 of rye flour, but in consequence of the immense distance of transporta- 

 tion occupying two years, the cost of the article is so raised that the 

 greater number cannot buy it. The introduction of steam navigation 

 upon those large rivers would not only be an act of charity to the mis- 

 erable natives, but would be a source of increased revenue to the gov- 

 ernment. 



Besides the hunting and fishing, the Summer is the season to prepare 

 the traps and snares with which the fur animals are taken. These furs 

 constitute the only article of export, if we except the tusks of the ele- 

 phant and rhinoceros, which are found in certain localities in immense 

 quantities. Skill in setting a trap is highly valued, and the best fur- 

 hunters are known far and wide. But those who are distinguished by 

 success in the chase of the bear and elk are held in still greater esteem. 

 Such warriors in truth are worthy of greater admiration, than they who 

 have become distinguished for sliedding the blood of their fellow men. 

 The adroitness, courage, and strength shown in such encounters, are 

 favorite §^bjects of conversation. Some of the stoi*ies related are truly 

 extraorduiary. Take tlie following as an illustration : "Two hunters, 

 father and son, had gone out on horseback to hunt foxes ; they had 

 very poor sport, and were returning almost empty handed, when by ac- 

 cident they came upon a bear in his den : and though unprovided with 

 proper weapons for attacking him, they resolved to attempt it. The 

 father placed himself at one entrance of the den and stopped it with his 

 broad shoulders, while the son, armed only with a light spear, attacked 

 the animal at the other. More tormented than injured by the weapon, 

 the bear sought to escape by the first opening, but neither his claws nor 

 his teeth could pierce the thick, smooth, well-stretched, double, fur jacket 



