THE RUSSIAN FUE-SEAL ISLANDS. 43 



The driinng is made along the beach toward the east, and although not long, the 

 entire distance being about 2,000 feet, is somewhat harder than ou the North ilookeryj 

 as the seals have to be driven mostly over sand and round loose stones. The ascent 

 to the killiiiij grounds is steep and high, about 50 feet, leading from the boat- lauding up 

 past the house, where the few nativi'S live, and the small salt-house beyond {pl.32«). 



The accomi)anying map of the South Eookery (pi. 0), as the title indicates, is but 

 little more than a sketch map. The time I had at my disposal was very limited, and 

 did not sudice for a very accurate survey, or to measure off a reliable base line. The 

 photographs I secured, however, testify amply to the general correctness of the map, 

 and it is confidently asserted that the relative distances and angles are sullicieutly 

 accurate for all [)ractical purposes. It is the lirst maji published of this rookery. 



B.— COPPER ISLAND. 

 GENERAL DESCRIPTION. 



Copper Island {Ostrof Micdni), so called from the native copper, of which small 

 qnautities have beeu found from time to time uear its northwestern extremity, lies 

 between 54-3 53' 30" and 54° 33' 30" north latitude and 167o 28' 30" and lOS-^ »' east 

 longitude (approximately). It is very mountainous, long and narrow, the length 

 being nearly exactly 30 miles, the average width about 2 miles. The general trend is 

 northwest to southeast, like that of lieriug Island, from which it is distaut only about 

 29 miles. 



The northwestern extremity is formed by a projecting cape, continued in two 

 cliaracteristic and bold, detached rocks, the Sea Otter Hocks, Bobroci Kameni. From 

 this point to the .southeast end, which is marked by several smaller conical rocks, the 

 island consists of a backbone of i)eaked mountains from 1,000 to 2,000 feet high and 

 connected by ridges varying from 500 to 900 feet high. Only in two places is this 

 backbone broken, viz, near the northern end, where the Bobrovi Valley, between 

 Pestshauaya Hay on the east side aiul Bobrovaya Bay on the west shore, cuts deep 

 down to about 350 feet above the sea, so that Copper Island seen from a distance — for 

 instance, from the oi)posite shore of 15ering Island — looks like two distinct islands. 

 The other place is near the .south end. A very narrow and low neck only 000 feet 

 wide and 75 feet high, very properly named Pcreslieycli, or isthmus, separates the 

 mountains of the south end from the rest of the island. 



The highest mountain on the island is Preohrazhemkaya Soplca, which rises 

 precipitously above the main village. I have measured it with an aneroid twice, the 

 height being 1,925 feet.' 



Narrow, dcej) valleys cut into the sides of the island vertically to its axis. A 

 kettle-shaped end with steep walls usually terminates these valleys, whence originate 

 small creeks or rivulets which occupy the narrow bottom. The sides of the valleys 

 are often quite smooth, the detritus consisting of small, sharp-edged pebbles, often 

 forming long, unbroken slopes with angles from 30 to 40 degrees. The ridges between 

 the valleys, if high, are usually very sharp and narrow. 



The shores are mostly high and precipitous. Narrow beaches, covered with large 

 bowlders of rocks tallen down from the cliffs behind, extend with many interruptions 

 around the island, but the latter are so numerous as to make traveling along the 

 beach for any distance impracticable. Cliffs and pinnacles, formed into most fantastic 



» July 23, 1883, 1,021 feet; July 30, 189.5, 1,929 feet. 



