190 



THE POLAR WORLD. 



Towards the end of Februaiy, wlien tlie Ostiaks have retired into the woods 

 — where they hunt or tend their leindecr herds until the opening of the fisliiiig- 

 seasoii recalls them to the Obi — the trader jjrepares for his journey to Irl)it, 

 where he hopes to dispose of his fui's at an enormous profit, and Obdorsk is 

 once more left until the foUowiuG: winter to its death-like solitude. 



