— 6 — 



the Kamennaja river. The sea-cow, which disappeared in 

 historical times, but comparatively not very long ago, 

 was found (in most cases) along the Eastern shore of 

 Behring Isl. at a distance from the present boundary of 

 the strait's level. The position of their skeletons tying 

 parallel with the shore prove, that they were deposited 

 there by the waves, which came as far as the foot of 

 the sloping hills and were then buried by heaps of sand 

 and pebblestones, washed in by the sea. The receding 

 sea left behind it a rising wall consisting of pebblestones 

 and sand; two such walls exist along the Eastern shore 

 of Behring Isl., one in immediate vicinity to the foot of 

 the mountain-chain. The strip of shore being so narrow 

 did not afford a possibility of forming lake-basins, which 

 were bordered from the sea by a wall, errected by the 

 same. The place, where Behring's expedition was ship- 

 wrecked and on which out of the wreck of the vessel, a 

 new one was built-is at present occupied by sand-hills, 

 which are just forming. In these, remains of the expedi- 

 tion, are to be found in the shape of beads, jet, broken 

 pots, metal parts of fire-arms and amunition etc. 



Several times a year the Commander Islands are sub- 

 ject to earth quakes of various natures, but generally 

 slight. Most frequently they occur in February and July 

 and are chiefly felt then. It was observed, that the seve- 

 rest (wave-like) shocks were felt in the direction from 

 S. W.— N. E. (the general direction of the coast of the 

 Kamtchatka peninsula). The reason of the occurence of 

 these earth quakes in vulcanic or tectonic forms, which 

 is an open question — as there are no scientifically 

 founded observations made. Though it is more cornet 

 to say, that the earth — quakes are in connection with the 

 vulcanic activity of the northern group of the Kamtchatka 

 vulcanoes. As collateral result of earth-quakes one may 

 observe a large drift of sea-forms on to the shore, which 

 live in a great depth and which are otherwise rarely 

 washed in by the sea. 



