CONTENTS. 



CnAPTER XV 11. 



SIBERIA — FCR-TRADE AND GOLD-DIGGCGg. 



Siberia.— Its immense Extent and Capabilities.— Tiic Exiles.— MentsLhikoff.—Dolgoro-kv.—Miinich.— 

 The Criniinal-i.— Tile free Silierian I'easant.— Extremes of Heat and Cold.— Eur-beaiini,' Animals.— 

 The Sable.- The Ermine.— The Siberian Weasel.- The Sea-otter.— The black Fox.— The Lynx.— 

 The S<iuirri-1. — Tiie varying llaie.— The Suslik.— Importance of tiic Fur-trade for the Northern 

 Provinces of the Kussian Empire.— The Gold-di<;gin^s of Eustern Siberia.— The Taiga.— ILxpenses 

 and Dirticulties of searchinj; Expeditions.— Costs of Produce, and enormous Profits of successful 

 Speculators.— Their senseless Extravi>j;ancc.— First Discovery of Gold in the Ural Mountains. — 

 Jttkowlew and Uemidow.— Nishne-TayiLk I'age 204 



CHAPTER XVIII. 



MIDDENDORFF'3 adventures IK TAISnjRLAND. 



For what Purpose was Middendnrflrs Voyat;e to Taimurland undertaken? — Difficulties and Oljstacles. — 

 Ex|Kdiiitin down the Tainmr Kiver to the Polar Sea. — Storm on Tainiur Lake. — Loss of the Boat. — 

 Widdeiidorfl" ill and alone in 75° N. Lat. — Saved bj' a grateful Samoiede. — Climate and Vegetation of 

 Taimurland 220 



CHAPTER XIX. 



THE J.i^ICnTS. 



Their energetic Nationality. — Their Descent. — Their gloomy Character. — Summer and Winter Dwell- 

 ings. — The .lakut Horse. — Incredible Powers of Endurance of the Jakuts. — Their Sharpness of Vis- 

 ion. — Surprising local Jlemory. — Their manual Dexterity. — Leather, Poniards, Carpets. — Jakut 

 Gluttons. — Superstitious Fear of the Mountain-spirit Ljeschei. — Offerings of Horse-hair. — Improvised 

 Songs.— The River Jakut 228 



CHAPTER XX. 



W RANG ELL. 



His distinguished Scn-iccs as an Arctic Explorer. — From Petersburg to Jakutsk in 1820. — Trade of 

 Jakutsk. — From Jakutsk to Nishnc-Kulymsk.— The Badarany. — Dreadful Climate of Nishne-Ko- 

 lymsk. — Summer Plagues. — Vegetation. — Animal Life. — Reindeer-hunting. — Famine. — Inundations. 

 — The Sit>crian Dog. — First Journeys over the Ice of the Polar Sea, and Exploration of the Coast 

 beyond Cape Shelagskoi in 1H21. — Dreadful Dangers and Hardships. — Matiuschkin's Sledge-journey 

 over the Polar Sea in 1822. — Last Adventures on the Polar Sea. — A Run for Life. — Return to St. 

 Petersburg 233 



CHAPTER XXI. 



THE TCNGCSI. 



Their Relationship to the Mantchou. — Dreadful Condition of the outcast Nomads. — Character of 

 the TungiHi. — Their Outfit for the Chase. — Bear-hunting. — Dwellings. — Diet. — A Niglit's Halt with 

 Tungusi in the Forest. — Ochotsk 244 



CHAPTER XXIL 



GEORGE WILLIAM STELLER. 



His Birth. — Enters the Russian Service.— Scientific Journey to Kamchatka.— Accompanies Bering on his 

 second Voyage of Discover}-.— Lands on the Island of Kaiak.— Shameful Conduct of Bering.— Ship- 

 wreck on BfHng Island.— Bering's Death.- Return to Kamchatka. — Loss of Property.— Persecutions 

 of the Siberian Authorities. — Frozen to Death at Tjumen 248 



CHAPTER XXIII. 



KAMCHATKA. 



Climate.— Fcrtility.—LuxuriantVegctation.— Fish.— Sea-birds.— Kamchatkan Bird -catchers.— llic Bay 

 of Avatscha.— Petrop.iylosk.— The Kamchatkans.— Tiieir physical and moral Qualities.— The Fr'i- 

 tiUaria Sarrana. — The Muchamor. — Bears. — Dogs 254 



