BACK TO SCHAROK 307 
refracted. For, rising as it seems in quite a clear sky, 
its slope is oval (depressed above and below), and its 
upper and lower edges all jagged. As it rises this con- 
dition gradually changes, till you have a circular moon 
with clear-cut rim. Seen through my little telescope it 
really seems that you could just step down into its valleys 
—they are so sharp. Behind our tent the gully’s sides 
are covered with snow, much of which is pink with 
protococcus nivalis. 
‘A merlin flew close by the tent this evening, turning 
its head, and looking in at the door as it passed. 
‘They trimmed some calves’ ears to-day (z.e. cut off 
the tips for marking purposes), and the women forth- 
with skinned and ate the bits. 
‘A yellow-ringed humble-bee stunned itself by flying 
against the tent rope.’ 
Ustynia, I should explain, did not drive her own 
sleigh to-day, but sat behind her father on his because 
she went to her betrothal. Young On Tipa, whom 
she was to marry, was not a bad young fellow, but 
consumedly conceited because, as his father was the 
richest man in Kolguev, he had been the catch of the 
island. 
The curious part of this Samoyed courtship was that 
we never saw the man and his girl together. I never 
saw On Tipa the younger inside Uano’s choom, and I] 
cannot remember that I ever knew him and Ustynia 
to exchange three words with one another. 
