VIII.] IMPORTANCE OF THE SEA-ROUTE TO SIBERIA. 
371 
In order to give an idea of the influence which this sea-route 
may have on the commerce of the world, and the new source of 
fortune and prosperity which thereby may be rendered accessible 
to millions, I shall in a few words give an account of the nature 
of the territory which by means of this sea-communication 
will be brought into contact with the old civilised countries 
of Europe. 
YAKUTSK IN OUR DAYS. 
(After a recent Russian drawing.) 
If we take Siberia in its widest sense, that is to say, if we 
include under that name not only Siberia proper, but also the 
parts of High Asia which lie round the sources of the great 
Siberian rivers, this land may very well be compared in extent, 
climate, fertility, and the possibility of supporting a dense 
population, with America north of 40° N.L. Like America, 
Siberia is occupied in the north by woodless plains. South of 
this region, where only the hunter, the fisher, and the reindeer 
B B 2 
