512 FAMILY PHOCIDiE. 



birtli to their young. The hunt on the " Winter Coast " begins 

 at this time, and continues till the end of March. The chase 

 extends over a district .two hundred and thirty miles in length ; 

 here numerous huntsmen assemble " from the districts of Arch- 

 angel, Piuega, and Mezene. The princixjal place of meeting, and 

 at which generally two thousand huntsmen assemble, is called 

 Kedy, and is located twelve ' versts ' (about seven miles) from 

 Cape Voronov. The huntsmen have built at this place about 

 one hundred huts, where there is constant excitement from Feb- 

 ruary till the end of March, while during the rest of the year 

 these huts are deserted. 



"About the middle of March, the young phocse are large 

 enough to leave the ice and swim toward the open sea, whither 

 the old ones do not follow them. They assemble in the Gulf of 

 Mezene, where they rest on the ice and pair. The pieces of ice 

 in the gulf are sheltered from the wind, and are not carried 

 about by the waves, although they melt a little, especially dur- 

 ing the rainy periods. 



"Numerous societies of huntsmen assemble in the beginning 

 of April at the mouth of the river Kouloi, in order to follow for 

 several weeks the chase of the phocse on the ice. They use sail- 

 ing-vessels 22 feet long, with an iron-plated bottom. Every 

 vessel is manned by several huntsmen, is completely equij^ped, 

 and furnished with provisions and fuel. The huntsmen all leave 

 the shore at the same time ; and having reached the floating ice, 

 they draw their vessels on the ice, and there establish a vast 

 encampment. The younger and more active huntsmen are sent 

 out to reconnoiter. Provided with snow-shoes, they hasten in 

 all directions to search for the phocae. As soon as they observe 

 a flock, they advise the other huntsmen of the fact, and then 

 aU run towards the spot, drawing their boats after them. Hav- 

 ing arrived within gunshot distance, the most expert are placed 

 in the front rank and commence the chase ; for every shot must 

 kiU, and not merely wound, lest the cries of the wounded phocse 

 frighten the whole flock and make them speed away. The ani- 

 mals which are killed are then placed in the boats, and the 

 huntsmen return to the shore sometimes on the ice, sometimes 

 in the open sea to deposit there the result of the chase, and 

 bring new provisions to the comrades who had been left there. 



"The huntsmen usually receive from their master, provisions 

 and clothing for the whole season, and must give him in return 

 half, or even two-thirds of all the animals which have been killed. 



