THE P A"C I F 1 C OCEAN. 
339 
der their balagans , the remainder of the fummer, treat it 
like hemp. They then fpin it into thread with their fingers, 
and twift it round a fpindle ; after which they twine feve- 
ral threads together, according to the different purpofes for 
which it may be defigned. 
Though there is little doubt but that many parts of this 
peninfula would admit of fuch cultivation as might contri¬ 
bute confiderably to the comfort of the inhabitants, yet its 
real riches muff always confift in the number of wild ani¬ 
mals it produces; and no labour can ever be turned to fo 
good account as what is employed upon their furrieries. 
The animals, therefore, which fupply thefe, come next to 
be confidered : and thefe are, the common fox ; the float, or 
ermine ; the zibeline , or fable ; the if at is, or ar£tic fox; the 
varying hare; the mountain rat, or earlefs marmot; the 
weafel; the glutton, or wolverene ; the argali , or wild fheep; 
rein-deer ; bears; wolves; dogs. 
The fox * is the mod: general object of the chace; and 
they are found in great numbers, and of variety of colours. 
The molt common is the fame in fpecies with the Euro¬ 
pean, with this variation, that the colours are more bright 
and fhining ; fome are of a dark chefnut; others are flriped 
with dark-coloured bars; others have the belly black, and 
the reft of the body of a light chefnut. Some again are of 
a very dark brown ; fome black ; others of a ftone colour; 
and there are a few quite white; but thefe laft are very 
fcarce. Their fur is exceedingly thick and fine, and of a 
quality much fuperior to thofe either of Siberia or Ame¬ 
rica. A variety of artifices are made ufe of by the hun¬ 
ters to catch this animal, which, in all climates, feems to 
preferve the fame chara6ter of craftinefs and cunning. 
1779. 
October. 
* Cams vulpes . 
X X 2 
Traps 
