THE PACIFIC OCEAN, 
329 
In computing the feafons, the fpring ought certainly not 
to he taken into the account. From the middle of June, to 
the middle of September, may be properly faid to conftitute 
the fummer. October may be confidered as an autumnal 
month; from thence, till the middle of June, it is perfect 
winter. It was toward the end of May that we made our 
journey between Bolcheretfk and Awatfka, over the fnow 
in fledges. 
It is faid that the climate, in the country adjoining to the 
river Kamtfchatka, is not lefs ferene and temperate, than in 
many parts of Siberia that are under the fame latitude. This 
variation is probably owing to the fame caufes, to which the 
fuperior fertility of the foil in thofe parts has been before 
attributed. But it is not in the fterility of the ground alone 
that the Kamtfchadales feel the unfavourable temperature 
of their climate. The uncertainty of the fummer feafon 
fometimes prevents their laying up a fuflicient flock, of dried 
flfli for their winter’s provifion, and the moifture of the air 
caufes worms to breed in them, which not unfrequently 
deftroy the greateft part. 
I do not remember that we had either thunder or light¬ 
ning during our flay, excepting on the night of the eruption 
of the volcano ; and, from the account of the inhabitants, 
they are very feldom troubled with ftorms of this kind, and 
never but in a flight degree. The general feverity of the 
winter, as well as the dreadful hurricanes of wind and fnow 
that feafon brings along with it, cannot be queftioned, from 
the fubterraneous habitations the natives are under a necef- 
fity of retiring to, for warmth and fecurity. Major Behm 
told us, that the cold and inclemency of the winter of 1779 
was fuch, that, for feveral weeks, all intercourfe between 
the inhabitants was entirely flopped, every one being afraid 
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