BOTANICAL INFORMATION. 145 
If nature has been scanty in supplying larger ligneous plants, she has 
fully made up for it in the distribution of perennials ; nearly all the 
plants I collected were such: annuals seem to be scarce on account of 
the short duration of the summer, and the suddenness with which the 
cold season sets in, which undoubtedly must prevent a great many 
seeds from arriving at maturity. Among the officinal plants Kamt- 
schatka produces, the following are deserving of notice. The Schela- 
manik, or Intoxicator (Spiræa Kaimtschatica, Pallas), is a fine perennial, 
attaining not uncommonly the height of six or eight feet, and produ- 
cing a corymb of conspicuous white flowers. A strong liquor is pre- 
pared from its root, although prohibited by the laws of the country. 
In the spring the young shoots, which have strong astringent properties, 
constitute, when mixed with fish or seal-oil, a favourite dish of the 
inhabitants. The young leaves of sage Scoticum are boiled and 
eaten, (as those of Urtica dioica and ZEgopodiwm Podagraria in Ger- 
many,) and in Kamtschatka and other parts “of Siberia, the plant is 
called Marschownik, and by some Slatkaja trawa, signifying Sweet herb. 
A species of Boletus, vernaculary termed Guba, is made into tinder, 
and, when burnt, its ashes are used instead of snuff. 
The soil in the Bay of Awatscha consists everywhere of the richest 
vegetable mould; but, in spite of this advantage, agriculture is still in 
its infancy. The inhabitants live almost entirely on wild berries and 
fish, especially herrings and salmon. It is only around their houses 
that little patches, cultivated with potatoes, cabbage, radish, lettuce, 
and turneps are met with. The cabbage and turneps are excellent, but 
the potatoes are very watery, probably the soil is too rich. 
All the plants collected in Awatscha Bay amount to one hundred 
and thirty; but I do not think there are many, if any, new species 
amongst them.. There is, however, a considerable number different 
from those enumerated in the Botany of Beechey's Voyage, which cer- 
tainly, considering they were gathered in such a hurry, leads to the 
conclusion. that there still exist many unknown to us. But if the 
coast affords such riches, what must not the interior of the peninsula 
produce ? 
Gladly would I have undertaken a journey with this object, but my 
present situation is unfavourable for such explorations. Our stay 
port is always very short ; and even if I get leave for any time, it is so 
limited, that the expences, on account of the quickness with which 
VOL, I. 
