- ASIATIC RUSSIA. 



893 



with great skill, the principal chamber sometimes having above 20 different entrances ; adjoin- 

 ing this are several other rooms, in whicli it deposits its winter stores, as in granaries ; these 

 stores it will not touch until compelled by the approach of tlie cold season, w hen, with its mate, 

 t retires to its well-stored dwellings, and enjoys the I'ruits of its industry. Numerous species of 

 seal, as the Greenland seal [Phoca Gro'/nlandica) , the sea-bear [Otaria ursina) , and sea-lion 

 (O. jubata), throng the Arctic Sea ; the Baikal seal (F. Bolhionica) is found in the lake of 

 that name. An immense species of elephant^ now extinct, formerly belonged to Siberia, and 

 enormous tusks are found, sometimes weighing 000 pounds. The remains of these huge crea- 

 tures are so abundant, that ivory forms an important article of export. 



The animals of the Caucasian regions are, the caracal lynx, chamois and ibex goats, bears, 

 antelopes, a tiger of an unknown species, the bison, long extinct in Europe, the icild sheep 

 (^Oris Jlmmon), &c. 



8. Divisions. The country between the Caspian and Black seas, called by geographers 

 the Caucasian region, is politically divided into 12 provinces, and several districts which are 

 only nominally dependent upon the Russian government. The vast region to the east of the 

 Ural Mountains is known geographically under the name of Siberia, but is politically divided 

 into the four governments of Tobolsk, Yenisseisk, Tomsk, and Irkoutsk, the two provinces of 

 Omsk and Yakoutsk, the two districts of Okotsk, and Kamschatka, the land of the Kirghises, 

 and the land of the Tchuktchi. 



9. Towns. Tijlis, the capital of Georgia, is a handsome town with spacious streets and 

 squares, large barracks and caravanseries, and some elega.it public buildings. It has 20,000 

 inhabitants. Erivan is the capital of Armenia, a Persian province lately conquered by Russia. 

 It suffered much during the war, but has 12,000 inhabitants, and is the residence of the Arme- 

 nian patriarch. Chamaki, the capital of Shirvan, and formerly a great commercial empo- 

 rium of this part of Asia, has about 15,000 inhabitants. 



Tobolsk, on the Irtish, is, like the other towns of Siberia, built chiefly of wood, and is lia- 

 ble to be inundated by the river. The streets are covered with thick planks. The population 

 IS about 25,000, engaged in carrying on an extensive trade, and manufactures of leather, soap, 

 and surgical instruments. In the spring the Russian traders arrive here on their way to the 

 rernote regions of Siberia, and in the autumn return hither to wait till the weather enables them 

 to transport their goods on sledges into Europe. Caravans of Calmucks and Bucharians also 

 spend the winter here. Irkoutsk is the chief place of Eastern Siberia, and is a large town 

 with 25,000 inhabitants. Its manufactures, its learned institutions, and its active commerce 

 give it a European appearance. 



Kiakta, upon the Russian frontier, is a place of much trade and great wealth. Yakoutsk, widi 

 3,000 inhabitants, carries on the fur trade to a great extent, and has several important fairs. Tomsk, 

 capital of the government of the same name, is situated upon the great route to China, and 

 has an active trade, with some manufactures. Population, 10,000. Kohjvan, a small town 

 in the same government, is the centre of a rich silver mine district. Okotsk, capital of the 

 district of the same name, and Petropvlosk, capital of Kamschatka, are small towns with about 

 1 ,000 inhabitants. 



10. Industry. The whole country is thinly peopled, and in many parts inhabited only by 

 rude tribes of hunters or fishermen, or occupied by wandering shepherds. The manufac- 

 tures are few and inconsiderable, and agriculture is little attended to, but the trade with China, 

 Turkistan, Persia, Turkey, and European Russia, is active and important. 



11. Islands. The sea which separates the southern point of the penir»sula of Kamschatka 

 from Japan, contains a number of islands, in a position from northeast to southwest, which are 

 called the Kurile Islands. They are upwards of 20 in number, are all mountainous, and in 

 several of them are volcanoes and hot springs. The principal of these islands are inhabited ; 

 but the small ones are unpeopled. They differ much from each other, in respect both to their 

 situation and natural constitution. The forests in the northern isles are almost entirely com- 

 jiosed of pines ; those in the southern, produce canes, bandooos, vines, &c. In some of them 

 are bears and foxes. Sea-otters appear on the coasts of all these islands, as well as whales, 

 sea-horses, seals, and other amphibious animals. Some of the inhabitants of these islands have 

 a great likeness to the Japanese, in their manners, language, and personal appearance ; others 

 very much resemble the Kamschadales. The northern islands acknowledge the sovereignty of 

 l!ie emperor of Russia ; but those of the south pay homage to Japan. The Knrilians display 



