THE RUSSIAN FUR-SEAL ISLANDS. 
43 
The driving is made along the beach toward the east, and although not long, the 
entire distance being about 2,000 feet, is somewhat harder than on the North Eookery? 
as the seals have to be driven mostly over sand and round loose stones. Tlie ascent 
to the I'illing-grotinds is steep and high, about 50 feet, leading from the boat landing ni» 
past the house, where the few natives live, and the small salt-house beyond (i)l. 32u). 
The accompanying map of the South llookery (pi. 0), as the title indicates, is but 
little more than a sketch map. The time I had at my disposal was very limited, and 
did not suffice for a very accurate survey, or to measure off a reliable base line. The 
photographs I secured, however, testify amply to the general correctness of the map, 
and it is conlidently asserted that the relative distances and angles are sufficiently 
accurate for all practical puri)oses. It is the first map published of this rookery. 
B.— COPPER ISLAND. 
GENERAL DESCRIPTION. 
Copper Island {Ostrof Miedm), so called from the native copper, of which small 
quantities have been found from time to time near its northwestern extremity, lies 
between 54° 53' 30" and 54° 33' 30" north latitude and 467° 28' 30" and 168° 9' cast 
longitude (approximately). It is very mountainous, long and narrow, the length 
being nearly exactly 30 miles, the average width about 2 miles. The general trend is 
northwest to southeast, like that of Bering Island, from which it is distant only about 
29 miles. 
The northwestern extremity is formed by a projecting cape, continued in two 
characteristic and bold, detached rocks, the Sea Otter Eocks, Bohrovi Knmeni. From 
this point to the southeast end, which is marked by several smaller conical rocks, the 
island consists of a backbone of peaked mountains from 1,000 to 2,000 feet high and 
connected by ridges varying from 500 to 900 feet high. Only in two places is this 
backbone broken, viz, near the northern end, Avhere the Bobrovi Valley, between 
l*estshanaya Bay on the east side and Bobrovaya Bay on the Avest shore, cuts deei) 
doAvii to about 350 feet above the sea, so that Copper Island seen from a distance — for 
instance, from the opposite shore of Bering Island — looks like two distinct islands. 
The other i)lace is near the south end. A very narrow and Ioav neck only !)00 feet 
wide and 75 feet high, very properly named Beresheyeh, or isthmns, separates the 
mountains of the south end from the rest of the island. 
The highest mountain on the island is Preobrazhenskaya Sopka, Avhich rises 
precipitously above the main village. I have measured it with an aneroid twice, the 
height being 1,925 feet.* 
Narrow, deep valleys cut into the sides of the island vertically to its axis. A 
kettle-shaped end with steep walls usually terminates these valleys, Avhence originate 
small creeks or rivulets Avhich occupy the narrow bottom. The sides of the valleys 
are often quite smooth, the detritus consisting of small, shari)-edged pebbles, often 
forming long, unbroken slopes Avith angles from 30 to 40 degrees. The ridges between 
the valleys, if high, are usually very sharp and narrow. 
The shores are mostly high and precipitous. Narrow beaches, covered with largo 
bowlders of rocks fallen down from the cliffs behind, extend with many interruptions 
around the island, but the latter are so numerous as to make traveling along the 
beach for any distance imju’acticable. Cliffs and pinnacles, formed into most fantastic 
July 23, 1883, 1,921 feet; July 30, 1895, 1,929 feet. 
