454 



EXPEDITION TO JAPAN. 



more particular reference to the climate ; for, if true, as Golownin says, that the inhahitants of 

 the island of Yesso are subject to scurvy, it will be necessary for vessels to provide against the 

 chances of this disease. It is quite probable that the statement of G-olownin may be correct, as 

 occasionally a scarcity of vegetable f - d — a frequent source of scurvy — might occur towards 

 spring, as the winters are so long, and the space so short for culture, which, moreover, is the 

 exceptional occupation of the people along the coast, who are mostly engaged in commerce and 

 the fisheries. Vessels, therefore, on a long cruise, should make provision for the possible want 

 of vegetable supplies at Hakodadi. 



The town contains from six to eight thousand inhabitants, and, from their manly occupations 

 in connexion with the sea, are a comparatively vigorous and spirited people. 



There are still some of the indigenous race of Ainos existing upon the island of Yesso, hut they 

 are rarely seen in the neighborhood of Hakodadi. There was, however, during the expedition sent 

 by the Commodore to Volcano Bay, an opportunity of obtaining a casual glance at these strange 

 people, who are described as being of a stature less than that of Europeans, averaging a little 

 over five feet in height, but well proportioned and with intelligent features. Their color is 

 quite dark and their hair black and coarse, which is clipped behind but allowed to straggle in 

 thick matted locks down in front, in a confused cluster with their long beards, which are never 



Watev-bo, 



cut or shaven. Their legs are bare of artificial covering, but are grown over with a plentiM 

 crop of coarse hair, which, together with the abundant growth on their heads and faces, has 

 given them the name, by which they are better known, of " Hairy Kuriles." Their dress was 

 a coarse and ragged blue undergarment reaching below the knees, over which was thrown 

 carelessly a brown sack with wide sleeves, made of grass or skins. Their dishevelled hair and 



y 



