RUSSIAN EMPIRE IN ASIA, 12? 



tivated produce excellent fruits of almost all the kinds known in Eu- 

 rope, especially grapes, tfhich are reckoned the largest and finest in 

 the world. The summers are very dry, and from the end of July to 

 the beginning of October the air is pestered, and the soil sometimes 

 ruined by incredible quantities of locusts. Mr. Bell, who travelled 

 with the Russian ambassador to China, represents some parts of Tar- 

 tary as desirable and fertile countries, the grass growing spontane- 

 ously to an amazing height. The climate of Siberia is cold, but the 

 air is pure and wholesome ; and Mr. Tooke observes, that its inhabi- 

 tants, in all probability, would live to an extreme old age, if they were 

 not so much addicted to an immoderate use of intoxicating liquors^ 

 Siberia produces rye, oats, and barley, almost to the 60th degree of 

 northern latitude. Cabbages, radishes, turnips, and cucumbers, thrive 

 here tolerably well ; but scarcely any other greens. All experiments 

 to bring fruit trees to bear have hitherto been in vain ; but there is 

 reason to believe that industry and patience may at length overcome 

 the rudeness of the climate. Currants and strawberries of several 

 sorts are said to grow here in as great perfection as in the English 

 gardens. Herbs, as well medicinal as common, together with vari- 

 ous edible roots, are found very generally here : but there are no> 

 bees in all Siberia. 



Animals. ...These are camels, dromedaries, rein deers, bears, bi- 

 sons, wolves, and all the other land and amphibious animals that are 

 common in the northern parts of Europe. Their horses are of a good 

 size for the saddle, and very hardy : as they run wild till they are five 

 or six years old, they are generally head-strong. Near Astracan, 

 there is a bird, called by the Russians baba, of a gray colour, and 

 something larger than a swan : he has a broad bill, under which 

 hangs a bag that may contain a quart, or more : he wades near the 

 edge of a river and on seeing a shoal or fry of small fishes, spreads 

 his wings and drives them to a shallow, where he gobbles as many 

 of them as he can into his bag, and then going ashore, eats them, or 

 carries them to his young. This bird is probably a species of the 

 pelican. 



The forests of Siberia are well stocked with a variety of animals, 

 some of which are not to be found in other countries. These supply 

 the inhabitants with food and clothes ; and, at the same time, furnish 

 them with commodities for an advantageous trade. Siberia may be 

 considered as the native country of black foxes, sables, and ermines, 

 the skins of which are here superior to those of any part of the world. 

 Horses and cattle are in great plenty. 



Natural curiosities. ...Among these may be enumerated the ex= 

 tensive desert levels called stepps, which extend several hundred 

 miles wit a no appearance of a mountain and scarcely of a hill. They 

 contain in many places salt lakes, and in others, productive tracts, ca- 

 pable of cultivation. The peninsula of Kamtschatka abounds in vol- 

 canoes, of which however only three have, for several years past, 

 produced eruptions. The same country is likewise said to contain 

 numerous springs of hot water. 



Population, inhabitants, manners, customs. ...The population 

 of Asiatic Russia, notwithstanding its vast extent is not estimated at 

 more than three millions and a half, or four millions. 



The inhabitants of this part of the Russian empire are composed o£ 

 many different nations, principally Tartar tribes, some of whom now 

 live in fixed houses and villages, and pay tribute like other subjects- 



