FLORA. 159 



remains of antediluvian animals, particularly of the mam- 

 moth ; and here were discovered the bones of one of these 

 monsters still covered with flesh and skin. 



To this there succeeds the region of forest and pasturage. 

 By degrees the dwarf trees and brushwood of the mossy 

 region increase in size, until we come to those immense 

 forests, where the hand of man has scarcely as yet dis- 

 turbed the majestic operations of nature. Along the banks 

 of the rivers, and in other spots unencumbered with wood, 

 the grass shoots up with astonishing rapidity ; but the 

 lingering frosts of spring, and the early appearance of 

 those of autumn prevent the cultivation of corn. For this 

 reason the inhabitants of the northern part of this district 

 are principally occupied with the chase, especially that of 

 the squirrel, an animal which seems to be indigenous 

 there, and which forms the principal inducement for man 

 to take up his abode in this inhospitable clime. The 

 abundance of grass in the southern parts affords the 

 means of keeping cattle, while in some sheltered spots 

 appear a few corn-fields, as it were the out-posts of agri- 

 culture. The northern and eastern parts of this region 

 are inhabited by nomadic tribes, then follow the Finns or 

 Finlanders, a settled people, chiefly dependent on pastur- 

 age for support. It would be difficult to mark with pre- 

 cision the southern boundaries of this region, as it falls 

 gradually into the next. 



This is designated by him 'the region of barley and the 

 beginning of agriculture/ The inhabitants of the region 

 extending beyond as well as within that portion of Russia 

 in Europe, which it includes, are Russians, Finns, Zirians, 

 and others having settled habitations ; but, from the insig- 

 nificance of their agriculture, they have recourse to grazing, 

 fishing, and the chase, the floating of timber, &c. ; and in 

 some parts of the Governments of Archangel and Vologda 

 are to be found a very superior breed of horned cattle. 

 The southern limits of this region may be said to extend 

 nearly to the town of Yarensk, in the Government of 

 Vologda, and the parts of a corresponding degree of lati- 



