EASTERN ORIGINAL SIBERIA. 43 



amdiints to 73 per square mile, being almost equal to that of the Altai minini? district with 

 which it has the greatest similarity. The indigenous population is however much larger and 

 aiiiounis to 21 per cent, as this region was inhabited by the Mongolian tribe of Buriats as 

 early as the thirteenth century. Tlie population of those districts comprising the wood indus- 

 try zone of Eastern Siberia, excepting the Touroukhansk district, the southern part of which 

 may be annexed to the forest zone, amounts to 120 thousand of both sexes, or about 7 per square 

 mile, which is comparatively still less than that of the forest zone of Western Siberia and is 

 due to unfavourable conditions. The wliole of the Touroukhansk region does not contain more 

 than 9,00() inhabitants, and of these over 90 per cent are natives, which is sufficient to sliow 

 that the polar tundra zone is entirely unsuitable for a settled population. 



In Eastern Siberia the relative population of the towns is souiewliat higher than in 

 the west, and amounts to 10.5 per cent; this clearly shows that agricultural colonization is 

 less developed. The population of the regular towns is as follows: IrkiUsk 44 thousand, Krasno- 

 yarsk 15 thousand, Miiuissinsk 10 thousand souls. 



The distribution of domestic animals depends upon the density, mode of life and tlisiri- 

 biition of the inhabitants, and in this respect the conditions of Eastern and Western Siberia 

 are very similar. In the former there are 72 horses for every 100 inhabitants, or 3 to 4 horses 

 for every grown man, in all 640,000 lun'ses, or more than in Western Siberia. There is 

 a still gi-eater proportion of large-horned cattle, namely, 70 head for every 100 inhabitants, 

 or 630,000 head of cattle in all, which amount to no less than 3 cows per every married 

 couple, whilst in Western Siberia there are only 52 per lOt) inhabitants. The proportion of 

 small cattle is still more favourable in the east being 135 per 100 inhabitants, or over 

 1,200,000 head, and in Western Siberia it is only 85 per 100 inhabitants. This difference is 

 explained by the fact that cattle raising is in a high slat(> of development among the 

 Buriats who number 18 per cent of the total populaliim of Eastern Siberia. As regards the 

 reindeer, the total number of head of this species does not exceed 34 thousand in Eastern 

 Siberia, as there are very few breeders, not more than about 6 thousand. The innnber of 

 reindeer is about the same as in Western Siberia or 600 for every 100 inhabitants. The draught 

 dogs are of great use to the inhabitants of the polar tundra zone. These animals are sharp- 

 nosed, with elevated ears and downy hair; they are of dilferent ccdours, white, black, spot- 

 ted, gray and brown; they never bark, are very hardy and slmnu, with a fine scent, and are 

 satisfied with a very small amount of inost unappetizing food. They are harnessed in numbers 

 from 3 to 11, without any reins or bridles, with one dog as an outrunner to show the 

 way, the driver being only provided with an iron-[)oiiited rod which serves as a break. Each 

 dog will draw a load of 3 ponds; they run in harness at a speed of 10 to 15 versts 

 per hour. The outrunning dogs are the most highly prized and they cost from 60 to 70 roubles 

 apiece. 



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