190 THE POLAR WORLD. 



Towards the end of February, when the Ostiaks have retired into the woods 

 where they hunt or tend their reindeer herds until the opening of the fishing- 

 season recalls them to the Obi the trader prepares for his journey to Irbit, 

 where he hopes to dispose of his furs at an enormous profit, and Obdorsk is 

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



