72 NOTES ON TEE KURIL ISLANDS. 



rounded or somewhat flattish top, with no prominent peak. Its 

 height is 2950 feet. On its western side there is a crater giving 

 off much steam, in which there is a deposit of sulphur. 



The northern part shows two peaks, which rise to a height of 

 3050 feet. From one of these steam issues, and there is a deposit 

 of sulphur on the north side. The whole coast is rocky, and much 

 kelp grows around the island. 



The best anchorage is on the west side in Otome Bay, in from 

 10 to 14 fathoms, with sandy soundings. A vessel can also anchor 

 off the north shore in from 9 to 15 fathoms. About the middle of 

 the island, on the Pacific side, off the low land, a reef (Otter reef) 

 extends, on either side of which it is possible to anchor, but it is by 

 no means a good place. The bottom is sandy, and the depth of 

 water 15 fathoms. Water can be obtained from two or three small 

 streams which run down over the cliffs at the head of Otome 

 Bay. There is plenty of driftwood on the beach. 



The island, except the higher parts, is covered with grasses and 

 mosses, and there is a small quantity of scrub on its north-western 

 part. Foxes are the only land-animals. Sea-birds, though plenti- 

 ful, are not so numerous as on most of the other islands. There 

 are no sea-lion rookeries. Leopard seals are fairly plentiful. Sea- 

 otters were numerous some years ago, but they have been nearly 

 all killed off or driven away. 



Ekarma, separated from Shiashkotan by Ekarma Strait, is 

 about 3f miles long east and west, by 2^ miles wide north and 

 south. Its area is 5^ square miles. The strait is about S^ miles 

 across at the narrowest part, and is free from dangers. On the 

 western side of Ekarma, a volcanic peak rises to a height of 

 4150 feet. From this a ridge about 2800 feet high extends in 

 an easterly direction, terminating in high steep cliffs. The slopes 

 of the volcano are bare of vegetation, and covered with loose 

 volcanic ejectamenta. The mountain is not active, but at its base 

 on the north side there are warm springs. 



The shores are bounded mostly by abrupt cliffs. The eastern 

 and northern sides have steeply sloping grass-grown cliffs, with 

 a bouldery beach at the foot. The lower parts of the island on the 

 eastern half have a growth of grasses and mosses, with some scrub 

 on the northern slopes. 



The best place to anchor on this island is on the south-eastern 



