372 
A VOYAGE TO 
1779 - 
Oftober. 
guifhed from the latter by their features and general figure, 
than by their habits and caft of mind. Of the perfons of 
the natives, a defcription hath been already given, and I 
fhall only add, that their fhature is much below the com¬ 
mon fize. This Major Behm attributes, in a great meafure, 
to their marrying fo early; both fexes generally entering 
into the conjugal Rate at the age of thirteen or fourteen. 
Their induftry is abundantly confpicuous, without being 
contrafted with the lazinefs of their Ruffian and Coffiack in¬ 
mates, who are fond of intermarrying with them, and, as 
it fhould feem, for no other reafon, but that they may be 
fupported in floth and inactivity. To this want of bodily 
exertion may be attributed thofe dreadful fcorbutic com¬ 
plaints, which none of them efcape; whilft the natives, 
by conftant exercife and toil in the open air, are entirely 
free from them. 
Referring the reader, for an account of the manners, cuf- 
toms, and fuperftitions of the Kamtfehadales, at the time 
the Ruffians became firffc acquainted with this country, to 
Krafcheninikoff, I ffiall proceed to a defcription of their ha¬ 
bitations and drefs. 
The houfes (if they may be allowed that name) are of 
three diftindt forts, jourts r balagans , and loghoufes , called 
here ifbas. The firfl: are their winter, the fecond their 
fummer habitations ; the third are altogether of Ruffian 
introduction, and inhabited only by the better and weal¬ 
thier fort. 
The jourtS) or winter habitations, are conftructed in the 
following manner: An oblong fquare, of dimenfions pro¬ 
portioned to the number of perfons for whom it is intended 
(for it is proper to obferve, that feveral families live toge¬ 
ther in the fame jourt) is dug in the earth to the depth of 
about 
