WINTER IN PETROPAULOWSK. 
61 
%vest side, it is sheltered by a mountainous narrow peninsula, 
and on the south side, by a small gut of land, consisting of 
pebbles, and called Koschka. Between that peninsula, and 
Koschka, one must run into the harbour. The breadth of this 
straight is 40, and the depth, from seven to nine fathoms. The 
bottom is muddy. 
On the Koschka there are eight dwelling-houses, interspersed 
with several buloganen ; or log-houses, and on the north shore 
of the haven are four, together with a wooden building for an 
hospital, and the store-houses built during the expedition of 
Commodore Behring, which are still in good condition. The 
number of the inhabitants is limited to eleven Kamtschadales, 
one ensign from the army, and 23 Kosaks. The country around 
the haven is mountainous, but the north and east sides have suf- 
iicient level ground for 300 houses. 
CHAP. X. 
ARRANGEMENTS FOR WINTERING IN PETROPAULOWSK. 
-REMARKS ON THE FISHERY, AND THE CATTLE OF 
KAMSCHATKA.-JOURNEY WITH DOGS TO THE FOR¬ 
TRESS OF BOLSCHERESK.-KAMTSCHADALE DANCE.- 
PRESENT CONDITION OF THE KAMTSCHADALES. 
We entered the haven of Petropaulowsk on the 5th of Oc¬ 
tober, and moored our vessel by the magazines, in which all our 
stores and provisions were deposited. We were distributed in 
the dwellings, as well as the smallness of the place would ad¬ 
mit. Mr. Billings took possession of the imperial building, 
which was spacious and commodious. Lieutenant Hall, Ba- 
kow r , and I, took up our lodgings at no great distance, in a Ko- 
sak’s house; but it was so narrow, as to hold little more than 
our bamocks at night. The height was proportionable to the 
size; for we could scarcely stand upright without striking our 
heads against the ceiling. The doctor and the surgeon resided 
in an adjoining house, and the others were accommodated on 
the Koschka. 
For the relief of the inhabitants, vve resolved on building a 
large jurt, a bathing-room, and a forge, on the north side of the 
haven. The only timber w r e could find for this purpose was 
birch, which grows very abundantly in the surrounding country. 
Our undertaking, which was commenced and executed in a short 
time, was greatly favoured by the weather, that remained very 
warm to the first of November. We had hitherto seen ao 
snow, but what had been lying on the mountains. 
The shore, indeed, had lost the enchanting verdure of spring 
