344 
A VOYAGE TO 
1779- I have already obferved, that the dogs of this country are? 
in fhape and mien, exceedingly like the Pomeranian, with 
this difference, that they are a great deal larger, and the 
hair fomewhat coarfer. They are of a variety of colours; 
but the moft general is a light dun, or dirty cream-colour. 
Toward the end of May, they are all turned loofe, and left 
to provide for themfelves through the fummer, being fure 
to return to their refpecftive homes when the fnow begins 
to fall. Their food, in the winter, confifts entirely of the 
head, entrails, and back bones of falmon ; which are put 
afide, and dried for that purpofe ; and with this diet they 
are fed but fparingly. The number of dogs mull needs be 
very great, fince five are yoked to a fledge, and a fledge 
carries but one perfon ; fo that on our journey to Bolche- 
retfk, we required no fewer than an hundred and thirty- 
nine, at the two ftages of Karatchin and Natcheekin. It is 
alfo to be remarked, that they never make ufe of bitches 
for the draft, nor dogs, but thofe that are cut. The whelps 
are trained to this bufinefs, by being tied to ftakes with 
light leathern thongs, which are made to ftretch, and hav¬ 
ing their victuals placed at a proper diftance out of their 
reach ; fo that, by conftantly pulling and labouring, in or¬ 
der to come at their food, they acquire both the ftrength of 
limbs, and the habit of drawing, that are neceftary for their 
future deftination. 
The coaft and bays of this country are frequented by al- 
moft every kind of Northern fea-fowl; and amongft the 
reft are the fea-eagles, but not, as at Oonalafhka, in great 
numbers. The rivers inland (if I may judge from what I 
faw in our journey to Bolcheretfk),are ftoredwith numerous 
flocks of wild-ducks of various fpecies ; one kind of which, 
in particular, has a moft beautiful plumage, and is called, 
by 
