ETHNOLOGY OF THE PRESENT DAY. 181 



Tcliouktclics, Koriaks, Kamschatkians, Aleutcs, Yakoutcs, Tungouses, Burates, 

 Ostiaks, and Samoyedes. 



The Tchoiihtctics, inhabitants of the extreme north-eastern portion of 

 Asia, belong to the Mongolian race, and are related to the Koriaks, who 

 live soutlnvardly from the peninsula of the Tchouktches, in the north of 

 the peninsula of Kamschatka. Some of them are nomadic, others have 

 fixed places of abode ; and although subjects of Russia, they have preserved 

 a considerable degree of liberty. They have stout frames, and are of 

 medium size. Their head is small, with a dusky brown, spare, round face. 

 Their hair is black, and is worn short by the men, whilst the women twist 

 theirs into two pendant braids. The women tattoo two black semicircles 

 upon each cheek, which are connected by a cross-line. The warriors, who 

 are estimated at 4000 to 5000, ornament their arms and legs with various 

 figures. Their dress consists of long coats of skins, doe-skin breeches, and 

 long or short boots. The women wear wide jackets, to which the trowsera 

 are sewed. Both these articles, as well as the boots, are made of doeskin. 

 Their finery consists of necklaces and ear-drops of beads, and brass or iron 

 rings. Flesh, fish, and train oil, with berries in summer, are almost their 

 only food, bread being very expensive. The nomads have herds of rein- 

 deer, sometimes consistino; of from 1000 to 10.000 head : those having fixed 

 places of abode are engaged in hunting and fishing. The sleighs are 

 drawn by dogs ; and for navigation they use boats made of driftwood, 

 whalebone, and morse-skin. These boats are called " baiders," and are 

 prevented from upsetting by means of bladders, filled with air, fastened to 

 the sides. Summer residences consist of a frame of slender poles or bones, 

 covered with the skins of animals ; for winter habitations, however, whale 

 ribs are employed as beams, and are covered with grass and earth in such a 

 manner as to give to the huts, when seen from a distance, the appearance of 

 mounds. 



The Kamschatkians live to the south of the Koriaks, in a large, inhospi- 

 table territory. In the interior, however, there are valleys favorable to vegeta- 

 tion, and producing even trees that furnish timber for shipbuilding. The num- 

 ber of the Kamschatkians is said not to exceed 6000. They have adopted the 

 Russian customs and ceremonies, and even their disposition is essentially Rus- 

 sian. The dress and dwellings also are similar to those of the Russians. 

 They belong to the Mongolian race, are short, have large heads with a flat 

 broad face, and small sunken eyes, that are frequently inflamed b}' the daz- 

 zling snow. The lips are thin, and the scanty hair is black. The females are 

 well formed, and highly respected by the men. Hunting and fishing are the 

 chief employments of this people, who from laziness shun cattle-breeding and 

 agriculture as beino; too laborious. 



The inhabitants of the Aleutian Islands, about 3000 in number, live in 

 large caverns, are good natured, wear bones adorned with beads in the perfo- 

 rated ears, nose, and lips, and support themselves by hunting and fishing. 



The YaJxOutes are found on both sides of the Lower Lena. The 

 wealthier among them dress in reindeer skins, the poor in horsehides. 

 When going abroad they attach to their girdle a knife fastened to a long 



ICONOGRAPHIC ENCVCLOPyEDIA. VOL. HI. 23 353 



