134 ISLANDS BELONGING TO RUSSIA, IN ASIA. 



Sasignam, comprehends, 1, Beering's Island ; 2, Copper Island ; 3, 

 Otma ; 4, Samyra, or Shemyia ; 5, Anakta. The second group is 

 called Khao, and comprises eight islands, viz. 1, Immak ; 2, Kiska ; 3, 

 Tchetchia ; 4, Ava ; 5, Kavia ; 6, Tschangulek ; 7, Ulagama ; 8, Am- 

 tschidga. The third general name is Negho, and comprehends the 

 Islands known to the Russians under the name of Andreanoffski Os- 

 trova ; sixteen of which are mentioned under the following names : 1, 

 Amatkinak ; 2, Ulak ; 3, Unalga ; 4, Navotsha ; 5, Uliga ; 6, Ana- 

 gin ; 7, Kagulak ; 8, Illask, or Illak ; 9, Takavanga, upon which is a 

 volcano; 10, Kanaga* which has also a volcano; 11, Leg ; 12, Skets- 

 huna; 13, Tagaloon; 14, Gorleoi; 15, Otcht; 16, Amla. The fourth 

 group is called Kavalang, and comprehends sixteen islands ; which 

 are called by the Russians Lyssic Ostrova, or tn° p x Islands ; and 

 which are named, 1, Amuchta ; 2, Tschigama ; 3, 'J^chegula ; 4, Un- 

 istrai 5, Ulaga; 6, Tauagulana ; 7, Kagamin ; 8, Ki* a lea ; 9, Shel- 

 maga ; 10, Umnak ; 1 1, Agun-Alashska ; 12, Unimma ,"13, Uligan ; 

 14, Anturo Leissume ; 15, Semidit ; 16, Senagak. 



Some of these islands are only inhabited occasionally, and for some 

 months in the year, and others are very thinly peopled ; but others 

 have a great number of inhabitants, who constantly reside in them. 

 Copper Island receives its name from the copper which the sea throws 

 upon its coasts. The inhabitants of these islands are in general of a 

 short stature, with strong robust limbs, but free and supple. They 

 have lank black hair and little beard, fiattish faces, and fair skins. They 

 are for the most part well made, and of strong constitutions, suitable 

 to the boisterous climate of their isles. The inhabitants of the Aleu- 

 tian Isles live upon the roots which grow wild, and sea animals. They 

 do not employ themselves in catching fish, though the rivers abound 

 with all ljinds of salmon, and the sea with turbot. Their clothes are 

 made of the skins of birds, and of sea otters. 



The Fox islands are so called from the great number of black, 

 gray, and red foxes with which they abound. The dress of the in- 

 habitants consists of a cap, and a fur coat which reaches down to the 

 knee. Some of them wear common caps of a party-coloured bird- 

 skin, upon which they leave part of the wings and tail. On the fore 

 part of their hunting and fishing caps they place a small board like 

 a skreen, adorned with the jaw-bones of sea bears, and ornamented 

 with glass beads which they receive in barter from the Russians. At 

 their festivals and dancing parties they use a much more showy sort 

 of caps. They feed upon the flesh of all sorts of sea animals, and 

 generally ej.t it raw. But if at any time they choose to dress their 

 victuals, thty make use of a hollow stone : having placed their fish 

 or flesh therein, they cover it with another, and close the interstices 

 with lime or clay. They then lay it horizontally upon two stones, 

 and light a fire under it. The provision intended for keeping is 

 dried without salt in the open air. Their weapons consist of bows, 

 arrows, and ^arts, and for defence they use wooden shields. 



The most perfect equality reigns among these islanders. They 

 have neither chiefs nor superiors, neither laws nor punishments. 



effected by all (he efforts of the crown. The investigation of useful knowledge 

 has also been greatly encouraged by the late empress of Russia : and the most dis« 

 tant parts of her vast dominions, and other countries and islands, have been ex- 

 plored, at her eipence, by persons of abilities and learning ; in cpnsegutnee of 

 which considerable discoveries have been made* 



