32 Sketch of Kamschatha, Kurile Islands, ^c. 



Okotsk, and thence distributed as markets invite the various proprie- 

 tors. One skin out of every forty is paid, as a tribute to the Emperor. 

 St. Peters and St. Pauls is the chief towTi of Kamschatka, a miser- 

 able place consisting of fifty seven dwellings, on the east side of the 

 peninsula, one degree of latitude from its southern cape. Of rocks 

 and minerals, it can scarcely be said, tliat any thing is known. De 

 Lesseps saw talc in large plates or leaves, and it is said tliere are 

 hot springs at Natchikin, in the south, near which are iron, copper, 

 sulphur, calcareous earth, and rocks of limestone ; but of their rel- 

 ative position, or of the mountain formations, notliing is known. 



KUlllLE ISLANDS. 



These islands south of Kamschatka, are doubtless a continuation 

 of the hills of the peninsula, which have been separated from it or 

 which have been raised by volcanic convulsions, as volcanic remains 

 are found on those which have been visited ; and the opinion is support- 

 ed by the fact, that they are on the same meridian with the volcanoes on 

 the east side of Kamschatka, and that earthquakes are of frequent oc- 

 currence. The islands are without rivers, and but few of them inhab- 

 ited. Their number is not well ascertained, but probably from four- 

 teen to twenty five, part subject to Russia, and the remainder to 

 Japan. They abound in fine pastures and some cattle, with great 

 multitudes of water fowl, from whose skins and feathers, the inhabi- 

 tants make their warm clothing, which is extremely beautiful. Foxes 

 are said to be the only animals of the chase, found there, and they 

 are very numerous and of all colors. From these a small revenue 

 is derived for the Emperor. 



Chinese Frontier. 



For forty or fifty miles between Irkutsk and the Baikal Lake, 

 hundreds of traders with carts and horses, laden with furs and ivory 

 from the north, and v/ith silks, teas, and nankeens from the south, go- 

 ing to, and coming from the great fair of Kiakhta, within die Chinese 

 border, declare the vicinity of tlie celestial empire. 



Immense mountains of porphyry shooting into spires and pinnacles, 

 overhang the Chinese river Selenga, while villages and fertile valleys 

 occupy some of its banks between the ranges, until it yldmately lose;? 



