FLORA. 159 
remains of antediluvian animals, particularly of the mam- 
moth ; and here were discovered the bones of one of these 
monsters still covered with flesh and skin. 
‘To this there succeeds the region of forest and pasturage. 
By degrees the dwarf trees and brushwood of the mossy 
region increase in size, until we come to those immense 
forests, where the hand of man has scarcely as yet dis- 
turbed the majestic operations of nature. Along the banks 
of the rivers, and in other spots unencumbered with wood, 
the grass shoots up with astonishing rapidity; but the 
lingering frosts of spring, and the early appearance of 
those of autumn prevent the cultivation of corn. For this 
reason the inhabitants of the northern part of this district 
are principally occupied with the chase, especially that of 
the squirrel, an animal which seems to be indigenous 
there, and which forms the principal inducement for man 
to take up his abode in this inhospitable clime. The 
abundance of grass in the southern parts affords the 
means of keeping cattle, while in some sheltered spots 
appear a few corn-fields, as it were the out-posts of agri- 
culture. The northern and eastern parts of this region 
are inhabited by nomadic tribes, then follow the Finns or 
Finlanders, a settled people, chiefly dependent on pastur- 
age for support. It would be difficult to mark with pre- 
cision the southern boundaries of this region, as it falls 
gradually into the next. 
This is designated by him ‘the region of barley and the 
beginning of agriculture.’ The inhabitants of the region 
extending beyond as well as within that portion of Russia 
in Europe, which it includes, are Russians, Finns, Zirians, 
and others having settled habitations ; but, from the insig- 
nificance of their agriculture, they have recourse to grazing, 
fishing, and the chase, the floating of timber, &c, ; and in 
some parts of the Governments of Archangel and Vologda 
are to be found a very superior breed of horned cattle. 
The southern limits of this region may be said to extend 
nearly to the town of Yarensk, in the Government of 
Vologda, and the parts of a corresponding degree of lati- 
