4 XOTES ON THE KURIL ISLANDS. 



the top of it, there is considerable driftwood. Again, Shiashkotan, 

 ironi appearances, was originally two islands. It has a mountain 

 mass at each end which slope with a long sweep towards the 

 middle of the island, where it is not more than half a mile wide, 

 Hat on top, and only about 100 feet above sea-level. Steep cliffs 

 bound it on both sides, and on these, in places near the top, water- 

 worn boulders marking old beaches are to be seen. 



The process of island formation is still going on in the Kurils, 

 and on more than one occasion I have witnessed submarine eruptions 

 which are evidence of this process. 



The total area of the Kuril Islands is 2860 geographical square 

 miles. * The area of each island, arranged according to size, is as 

 follows : — 



Yctonip 



raramusbir ... 

 Kunashir 



Urup 



bimushir 



Onekotan 

 iShumsbir 

 Shikotan 



Alaid 



Kctoi 



Shiashkotan 



Eashau 



Makanrushir 



^latau and PulVin Ishuui 



Carried forward ... 2823 j Geographical square miles 2860 



The cluster of low llat islands lying between Cape Xoishaf, the 

 extreme eastern point of Yezo, and Shikotan, can scarcely be con- 

 sidered as belonging to the Kurils proper. They once formed part 

 of the cape, through which the sea made breaches and scoured out 

 channels, forming five islands and numberless islets, reefs, and 

 rocks. Their total area is 28^ square miles: Shibotsu, 17 J ; 

 Suisho, of ; Taraku, 3^ ; Yuru, 2^ ; Akiyuri, Harukaru, and the other 

 islets together making about 1 square mile. 



* In tlic •' Encyclopaedia Britannica," the area of Yclorup is given as 265G squafc 

 miles; Parainusliir, 1135; Urup, 503; Onekotan, 214; Sbumshir, 22(j ; and yiuiushir, 

 161. How these areas were arrived at it is difficult to imagine. In the majority of the 

 areas givfn the quantities are double what they should be, and in the case of Yetorup 

 three times, or therabouts. 



