306 



THE VOYAGE OF THE VEGA. 



[chap. 



better catcli and collected a greater stock. Only some of them 

 accordingly removed during winter. 



The following encampments lay at a somewhat greater dis- 

 tance from our winter quarters, but so near, however, that we 

 were often visited by their inhabitants : 



Pidlin, on the eastern shore of Kolyutschin Bay, four tents. 



Kolyutschin, on the island of the same name, twenty-five tents. 

 This village Avas not visited by any of the members of the Vega 

 Expedition. 



E-irajtinop, situated six kilometres east of Pitlekaj, three tents. 



Irgunnuk, seven kilometres east of Pitlekaj, ten tents, of 

 which, however, in February only four remained. The in- 

 habitants of the others had for the winter sought a better 

 fishing place farther eastward. 



KAUTLJKAU, A CHUKCH GIRL FROM IRGUNNUK. 



Front face and Profile. 

 (Aft"r photographs by L. Palander.) 



The number of the persons who belonged to each tent was 

 difficult to make out, because the Chukches were constantly 

 visiting each other for the purpose of gossip and talk. On an 

 average it may perhaps be put at five or six persons. Including 

 the inhabitants of Kolyutschin Island, there thus lived about 

 300 natives in the neighbourhood of our winter quarters. 



When we were beset, the ice next the shore, as has been 

 already stated, was too weak to carry a foot passenger, and the 

 difficulty of reacliing the vessel from the land with the means 

 which the Chukches had at their disposal was thus very great. 

 When the natives observed us, there ivas in any case im- 

 mediately a great commotion among them. Men, women, 



