Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1878-12-20
THE SWEDISH ARCTIC EXPEDITION
Professor NOrdenskjOld's Report of
His Observations in the Nova ZembIa
Region.
London Times

EOnuOU lllhts.
The northeast passage expedition in
the Vega, under Professor Nordenskjold,
reached the mouth of the Lena in the
latter part of August, and we may every
day expect news of its safe arrival ut
Yokohama.
Meantime, Mr.. Oscar Dickson, ofGot
tenpurg, tine generous supporter Of the
expedition has published i letter from
Professor Nordenskiold, giving some Of
the results obtained in the Novaya Xom-
Iva region. While detained IL lugor
STRAIT, to the south Of Novava Iemya,
visit was paid to tine Samocidc village
Of Chabarova. DR.. StuXberg collected
many specimens Of the fauna OF the
strait, including some remarkably large
ciiclous spongcs. Many specimens of
various kinds OF fish were bought from
the natives. DR.. kjelIman collected
numerous specimens of the flora ofthe
region, and direc ted his attention speci-
ally to the morphology and develop
ment OF the phanerogamous plants of
the arctic regions, subject hitherto Int
tie studied. Lieutenant Nordqvist de-
voted bis attention to insects, while DIR.
Almqvst examined the SamooideS with
regard 70 their sense Of color, and found
it normally developed in them.
Professor Nordenskjold bought some
costumes, untcnsils, etc, from the
Sanoeides, and after some difficulty.
succeeded in obtaining specimens OF
their gods" They ut first eyaded
his inquiries but mt last an old Samoeide
woman consented to show him some.
She drew them from II bag, where they
We're packed with much care in lein-
deer skins. Professor Nordenskiold ut
last succeeded i'll persuading the old
woman to sell him several idols at the
price of Z roubles. Each of them had
Il different purpose and aspect. One.
for example, was composed of II stone,
which fine rags transformed into kind
OF doll; another was n marionetto, with
Il plate of copper for face; i third was
il fur, adorned with earrings and pearls.
In general, these objects If vcnemtion
and alteration Of the Samocides resem-
BILE the rude rag dolls Of children who
are unable to obtain anything better.
Chabarova is inhabited III summer
by nine Russians, who, in spring, come
from Poustoserek, where are their wives
and children. They depart in autumn.
During their sojoum, these Russians
carry on II barter traffic with the Sa-
moeides, and engage in fishing and in
rearing reindeer. The Russians inhabit
little wooden cabins, low and covered
with turf, while the indigenes have
tents Of reindeer skin, similar in form
to those of the Lapps, The Russians
have formed II company to fish the
white dolphin, two out of the twenty
two shares OF the company being re-
served for st. Nicholas, to secure his
blessing. In spite Of this, their enter
prise has not been very successful.
Or. Norden>kiold, guided by one ofthe
Russians, visited one 81 the sacricia
affairs Of the Samocides, who, although
baptized Christians, retain many Of
their old heather customs. This altar
is on promontory Of Nalgatl Island,
in u cave regarded as sacred by the
Samoeides. Notwithstanding that an
archimandrite thirty years ago destroy
ed the original altar and erected cross,
the Samoeides have chosen Il neighbor-
ing spot, where DR.. Nordenskiod saw
many signs of recent sacrifices to the
native gods, many images Of which
We're fixed around. The Island OF VS.
gatz DR.. Nordenskjold describes as very
regular, about ninety kilometers long
and forty broad. II may be considered
rs single plateau, terminating pcr-
pendicularIy in the sea. The slurian
and limestone beds contain many fos-
sis, and the island as Il whole form IL
good pasturage for reindeer.