TO OONALASHKA. 249 



and fields of snow, and tlirough a marshy moor. 

 Ice and snow have maintained their rule here since 

 last year, and in this state we find the whole coast; 

 while, in America, even the summits of the 

 highest mountains are free from snow ; there the 

 navigator sees the coast covered with a green car- 

 pet J while here, black, mossy rocks frown upon 

 him, with snow and icicles. 



It is really a frightful thought to pass one's life 

 here, and yet the inhabitants feel themselves happy 

 and contented, even on this soil, which is deserted 

 by nature. AVe found twelve summer-habitations, 

 which consist of frames, of long poles fastened to- 

 gether at the top, and covered with the skins of 

 several sea-animals ; the fire is made in the middle, 

 and at the top is an opening to let out the smoke. 

 These dwellings were larger than those we had 

 previously seen j they were twelve paces in diame- 

 ter, and' from two to three fathoms high ; the 

 inhabitants seemed to belong to a roving tribe, as 

 I inferred, by a number of sledges, in which they 

 had come to collect, during the summer, their 

 stock of whale-blubber, and other marine animals, 

 for the winter. When this business is finished, 

 they return to their herds of rein-deer, in the 

 interior. The huts stood all in a row, and the 

 middle one belonged to the chief, a venerable old 

 man, of a very good appearance, but- who had 

 lost the use of his legs. They had, probably out 

 of fear, all retired to their dwellings, where they 

 appeared to me to keep their arms in readiness j 



