PACIFIC AND BEERING’S STRAIT. 
525 
are most anxiously looked for ; and if they are detained they occasion CHAP, 
great inconvenience. XVIII. 
W e endeavoured to supply some of the deficiencies of the place by j„iy 
presents of flour, rice, tea, and bottled porter, and three large turtle, ^^ 27 . 
with some water-melons. Both the last-mentioned were great curiosities, 
as they had never been brought to the place before, or indeed seen by 
any of the inhabitants, except those in the government service. Much 
curiosity was consequently excited when the turtle were landed ; and 
very few would at first believe such forbidding animals were intended 
to be eaten. As no person knew how to dress them, I sent ray cook on 
shore, and they were soon converted into an excellent soup, some of 
which was sent round to each of the respectable inhabitants of the 
place; but, as may be imagined, after having brought the animals so far, 
we were mortified at hearing several persons declare their preferezice for 
their owm dishes made of seals’ flesh. These turtle were the last of the 
supply we had taken on board at Port Lloyd, three having died upon 
the passage, and the ship’s company having continued to consume two 
every day, which on an average was about five pounds a man. This 
lasted for about three weeks, during which time we saved half the usual 
allowance of provision. 
The season at Petrapaulski was more backward than the preceding 
year ; and though it w as the beginning of July, the snow lay deep upon 
some parts of the shore, and the inhabitants were glad to keep on their 
fur dresses. 
The little town, which has been repeatedly described since King’s 
visit, has been removed from the spit of land which forms the harbour, 
to a valley at the back of it, where there are several rows of substantial 
log-houses, comfortably fitted up inside, and warmed with large ovens in 
the centre, furnished with pipes for the conveyance of hot air. Glass 
for windows has partly superseded the laminae of talc, before used for 
that purpose. Neat wooden bridges have been thrown over the ravines 
which intersect the town, and a new church has been built. A guard- 
house and several field-pieces command the landing ; and a little to the 
northward there are magazines for powder and stores. Among other 
buildings in the town there is a hospital and a school. The yourts 
