DESCRIPTION OF EACH ISLAND AND THE STRAITS. 77 



of which is Fuss peak, which stands on a small peninsula on the 

 western side of the southern part of the island. This mountain is a 

 magnificent solitary cone, with gracefully sloping sides, ending in 

 steep cliffs around the shores at its base. It is one of the loftiest 

 mountains in the islands, its height being 6900 feet. Mount 

 Chikuratski, lying about 10 miles further to the east-north-east, is 

 another grand volcano rising to a height of 6400 feet. From this, 

 extending in a southerly direction, is a ridge of high mountains 

 with many peaks of rather less elevation than Chikuratski. 



The northern end of Paramushir shows a mass of mountains. 

 They are highest on the western side, where they reach an elevation 

 of 4700 feet. The only visible volcanic activity on the island is in 

 this group, steam issuing from a crater near the centre. Mount 

 Levacheff, on the Pacific side of the north-east end, is an old volcano 

 3300 feet high. The middle part of the island has mountain 

 ridges of less elevation, with many peaks. 



The north-western or Okhotsk Sea side of Paramushir, like this 

 side of all the other islands, is the boldest and steepest. It ends 

 mostly in high cliffs with bouldery beaches at their bases. There 

 are few rocks on this side. 



The Pacific or south-east coast of Paramushir is less steep, with 

 less depth of water oft' it, and there are many rocks. 



The south-east corner of the island is low, ending in Cape Henry. 

 The water to the eastward and north-east of the point is shallow, 

 and there are roofs and rocks off it to a distance of nearly 2 miles. 

 To the westward of Cape Henry, anchorage may be got in from 

 12 to 16 fathoms. Cape Kajoari is low, and many rocks lie oft' it. 

 The remains of an old Ainu settlement are to be seen here. 



There is no timber on Paramushir, but scrub, pine, alders, etc., 

 grow in profusion on the lower slopes of the hills. 



Bears, foxes, and a small rodent comprise the land-animals of this 

 island. The bears arc the same as those of Kamchatka. They are 

 fairly numerous. Ptarmigan are found, but other land-biids are 

 not numerous. Some shore-birds and waders are to be met with, 

 and the lagoons and streams are frequented by water-fowl. The 

 usual sea-fowl common to the other islands are found around the 

 coast. 



Leopard seals are common, and sea- otters scarce. Sea-lions 

 frequent the coast, but there are no rookeries on the island. 



