INTRODUCTION. 



The Kuril Islands being but little known geographically or 

 otherwise, the following notes may perhaps be of some small 

 value. 



They are the outcome of many visits, extending over a 

 number of years, in the course of which every island has been 

 visited, and each one circumnavigated many times. 



The remarks upon the physical features of the islands, the 

 climate, winds, currents, inhabitants, fauna and flora, are all 

 from personal observations. For a few general particulars as to 

 their discovery, annexation by Russia, eruptions of volcanoes, etc., 

 I am indebted to various authorities. 



The heights of the mountains given are from sextant obser- 

 vations, and are generally tlie result of an average of a number 

 of sights, taken at various times, and at different distances ; so 

 they may, I think, be taken as approximately correct. 



On the charts * accompanying these notes the positions and 

 forms of many of the islands will be found to differ considerably 

 from any hitherto published. 



These maps, although not absolutely correct, will I trust be 

 sufficient for all practical purposes of navigation. 



Many of the bays, capes, islets, and mountains of the Kurils, 

 not being named on any published charts, in describing them 

 I 'have called them by the names by which they are generally 

 known to the hunters frequenting the islands. 



H. J. SNOW. . 



Japan, 



* By permission of the Hydrograplier, the Admiralty Charts of the Kuril 

 Islands, with Captain Snow's corrections, accompany this memoir. 



