22 NOTES ON TEE KURIL ISLANDS. 



remain Russians after the exchange of territory, these natives 

 possessed skin-covered bidarlds, such as are used by the Aleuts. 

 All these, however, seem to have disappeared with the Russian 

 contingent. 



The Kurilsky inhabiting the central islands frequently shifted 

 their quarters from one island to another. When this " flitting " 

 took place, it was a matter of serious consideration. The weather 

 had to be watched very closely, both for storms and fogs. Should 

 the latter set in when they were at sea, there was great risk of 

 them not being able to find their destination, as they possessed no 

 compass, and the currents were strong and uncertain. On these 

 voyages the women and youths did most of the rowing, whilst an 

 old chief captained each boat, steering with an oar. 



The natives who remained on the northern Kurils after they 

 became Japanese territory, continued to reside in their old settle- 

 ments for several years, and then, much to their sorrow, were 

 removed by order of the Japanese Government to the island of 

 Shikotan. 



Their dogs were all killed, and their boats left behind. They 

 were located at Shakotan, a small bay on the north side of the 

 island. Here a village was laid out and built ; they were made to 

 work, and encouraged to cultivate plots of land. Some cattle and 

 sheep also, which they had to attend to, were placed on the island. 

 They were allowed so much rice, and a doctor and teacher were 

 provided for them. 



Notwithstanding this change — for the better, one would think — 

 they were very unhappy, and pined for their northern home with 

 all its dirt and discomforts. The change from an almost wholly 

 animal diet to one of rice and a few vegetables and fish did not 

 suit them, and many died the first year. 



The Japanese ofiicials placed over them were very arbitrary, 

 and the poor creatures were in great fear of them. They told me 

 they dare not leave the settlement, go out in a boat, kill a seal, or 

 do anything out of their ordinary routine, without first obtaining 

 permission from the ofiicial. 



The last time I saw any of these natives was in 1889. I was 

 lying in Anama Bay, some 6 miles or so from their village. One 

 of them, hearing that my vessel was there, secretly left the settle- 

 ment, made his way over the hills to where we lay, and came on 



