SUMMER SPORT IN NOVA ZEMLA. 93 



that to be the table whereon they offered their sac- 

 rifices," &c. From Nordenskiold's observations we 

 learn that this all holds good at the present day ; 

 and that they also carry small idols about with them 

 in their sledges, which are drawn either by dogs or 

 reindeer. Those whom we encountered in Nova 

 Zemla had no reindeer but only sledge -dogs, with 

 which they were well supplied so well, that they 

 sold us six for our use in Franz-Josef Land, if we had 

 wintered there. It is difficult to say whether they 

 worship the idols as actual gods in themselves, or 

 only do them homage as representing something 

 beyond. Professor Nordenskibld remarks that the 

 Eussians whom he found living with the Samoyedes 

 south of Vaygats Island were of opinion that there 

 was no material difference between the Samoyede 

 " bolvan " or idol, and their own holy pictures and 

 charms. 



The Samoyedes, except in rare instances, are al- 

 ways represented as being friendly to Europeans. 

 Those we encountered at Karmakula were uniformly 

 civil and obliging, anxious to barter their furs and 

 skins at moderate prices, and always ready to let us 

 have rides in their dog-sledges along the snow-foot at 

 the base of the cliffs. When we arrived, many of them 

 came on board at once, dressed in their finest skins 

 and coloured cotton cloths, the headman coming in 

 a separate boat, in the middle of which he sat cross- 

 legged, whilst the paddles were plied by two of the 



