Sketch of Kamschatka, c^'C. 31 



south part of the government of Okotsk from the peninsular of Kam- 

 schatka, which is a mountainous sterile region, with bold coasts, and 

 various, and sometimes grand and romantic scenery. It extends 

 from lat. 52° to 64°, and is not more than eighty or one hundred 

 miles wide in the broadest part. A magnificent range of mountains 

 stretches througli the whole length of the peninsula, equidistant from 

 the east and west coasts. The river Kamschatka, navigable for ves- 

 sels of one hundred tons for one hundred and fifty miles, passes from 

 south to north until it reaches the 57° N. lat. when it turns suddenly 

 east, and falls into the sea of Kamschatka, which is that part of the 

 Pacific Ocean between the N. E. shores of Asia, and the N. W. 

 coasts of America. A broad steppe of Arctic desert separates it on 

 the north from the Anadyr, and the Asiatic coast tends north east 

 from the mouth of that river, beyond which a field remains for the 

 examination of future explorers. On that part of the peninsula nordi 

 of the mouth of the Kamschatka river, commences the country of 

 the Koriaks, a fierce and barbarous race, differing materially from 

 the servile and cowardly Kamschatdales. The country is thinly in- 

 habited, and civilization has not improved their condition much be- 

 yond that of their arctic neighbors. The riches of the whole penin- 

 sula consist in furs, which exist in immense quantities ; so prodigious 

 is the number of animals, that there are not inhabitants sufficient to 

 take them. Foxes and Sables are the most valuable, particularly 

 the fiery red fox, the finest of the species. Bears, wolves, reindeer, 

 argali or mountain sheep, otters, beavers, lynxes, and foxes of every 

 variety, are found in the greatest plenty, and aquatic birds are hunt- 

 ed for their feathers, flesh, and eggs. The mode of travelling in 

 Kamschatka and Koriaka, is with sledges drawn by dogs, and next 

 in importance to the furs, are the dogs, who perform the labor of 

 horses, and who almost outnumber the people. The winters are 

 milder than in Siberia, but the climate is unfriendly to corn and 

 vegetables, though timber arrives at perfection in the southern part. 

 The summer is extremely disagreeable, owing to the heavy rains 

 and fogs, and the torrents which descend from the mountains. On 

 the east side of the river Kamschatka are four active volcanos,* rising 

 from the level surface in insulated peaks, many miles apart. 



Pedlars roam over the peninsula, bartering Chinese cottons, teas, 

 tobacco, spirits, and trinkets, for furs, which are first carried to 



* De Lesseps. 



