INHABITANTS OF THE KUFdLS. 13 



on many occasions been amongst them. I have also had some 

 experience of those inhabiting Yezo, Saghalin, and the Northern 

 Kurils. 



The Yetorup natives were, and are still, nearly all employed 

 by the Japanese fish merchants. During the spring they take cod, 

 later on salmon trout and salmon. The winter is chiefly occupied 

 in wood-cutting. 



The Ainu houses of Yetorup are similar to those of Yezo, 

 being made of grass or reeds lashed upon a framework of wood. 

 Sometimes slabs of bark are placed outside the grass. The roofs 

 are high, of steep pitch, and thatched with grass. The windows 

 are small and closed generally by a board, and the entrance is 

 closed by a mat. There is a firehole in the centre of the house, 

 and the smoke escapes through a hole in the roof. 



On Yetorup I never met with Ainu occupying the half-under- 

 ground dwellings, like those used by the natives of the islands 

 farther north. The remains of these pit-dwellings are, however, 

 very common. 



For clothing these Ainu chiefly wear garments made of a cloth 

 made from bark fibre, like those used by the Yezo natives, and 

 mocassins reaching to the knee, made of salmon-skins. 



The Yetorup Ainu are without treasures like old Japanese 

 lacquered bowls, trays, tubs and boxes, etc., such as are seen in 

 many native houses in Yezo. 



These natives, like those of Yezo, are a broad-shouldered, thick- 

 set, well-set-up, stalwart race, and, if washed and combed, might 

 be counted handsome. Their shaggy heads and beards give them 

 a wild appearance ; but all idea of ferocity is at once dispelled 

 on making their acquaintance, when one notes the gentle expression 

 of their large soft brown eyes, and their low musical voice. 



Many of the girls are comely and attractive, having clear fair 

 skins, full European-looking eyes, well-formed limbs and bodies, 

 and voices naturally softer and more musical than those of the 

 men. Notwithstanding the hard life they lead, working just 

 as hard as the men, they arc brimful of fun and merriment. 



The hairiness of the Ainu has, I think, been much exaggerated. 

 As a rule the Ainu men have fine beards and moustaches, which 

 they allow to grow to the fullest extent. They are also hairy 

 about the body and limbs, but not more so than very many 



