Ch. ix. Siberia, Northern and Southern. 167 



the small-pox is very fatal. In Kamtschatka, 

 according to M. de Lesseps, it has carried off 

 three fourths* of the native inhabitants. 



Pallas confirms this account ; and, in describing 

 the Ostiacks on the Obi, who live nearly in the 

 same manner, observes that this disorder makes 

 dreadful ravages among them, and may be con- 

 sidered as the principal check to their increase^ 

 The extraordinary mortality of the small-pox 

 among these people is very naturally accounted 

 for by the extreme heat, filth and putrid air of 

 their underground habitations. Three or four 

 Ostiack families are crowded together in one hut ; 

 and nothing can be so disgusting as their mode 

 of living. They never wash their hands, and the 

 putrid remains of the fish, and the excrements of 

 the children, are never cleared away. From this 

 description, says Pallas, one may easily form an 

 idea of the stench, the foetid vapours and humidity 

 of their Yourts.J They have seldom many chil- 

 dren. It is a rare thing" to see three or four in 

 one family; and the reason given by Pallas is 

 that so many die young on account of their bad 

 nourishment.^ To this, perhaps, should be added 

 the state of miserable and laborious servitude to 

 which the women are condemned,|| which cer- 

 tainly prevents them from being prolific. 



* Travels in Kamtschatka, vol. i. p. 128. 



f Voy. de Pallas, torn. iv. p. C8. 4to. 5 vols. 1788, Paris. 



X Id. p. CO. 



§ Id. p. 72. 



!l Id. p. GO. 



