THE APEX OF THE CHINA STATION. 



137 



has never yet received. It is a partially settled country. The Kamchatdales are \ 

 good-humoured, harmless, and semi- civilised race, and the Russian officials and settlers 

 at the few little towns would gladly welcome the traveller. The dogs used for sledging 

 in winter are noble animals, infinitely stronger than those of Alaska or even Greenland. 

 The attractions for the Alpine climber cannot be overstated. The peninsula contains a 

 chain of volcanic peaks, attaining, it is stated, in the Klutchevskoi Mountain a height 



PETROPAULOVSKI AND THE AVATCIIA MOUNTAIN^ 



of 16,000 feet. In the country immediately behind Petropaulovski are the three 

 peaks, Koriatski, Avatcha, and Koseldskai; the first is about 12,000 feet in height, 

 and is a conspicuous landmark for the port. A comparatively level country, covered 

 with rank grass and underbrush, and intersected by streams, stretches very nearly to 

 their base. 



And now, before leaving the Asiatic coast, let us, as many English naval vessels 



have clone, pay a flying visit to a still more northern harbour, that of Plover Bay, 



which forms the very apex of the China Station. Sailing, or steaming, through Bering 



Sea, it is satisfactory to know that so shallow is it that a vessel can anchor in almost 



18 



