The New York herald., 1879-10-16


entered. and tho ship made good way to st. Law
renee Bay. at the mouth Of which, It full Of
ice. anchor dropped. After what time was
necessary had been devoted to scientific observa
tions. and visit had been paid to neighboring
Tschuktschi VILLAGE the vessel proceeded to Port
Clarence the American side OF the Strait. for the
purpose of permitting comparison of its fora with
that of Northeastern Asia. Here some Northwestern
Esquimaux were encountered. They quite dis
tinct from the Tschuktschi. with whom. however.
they seem to have been confounded by some English
writers.
THE EsQUIMAUx.
The modes OF life of the two people similar.
The American Esquimaux very good to our
travellers. who exchanged with them their winter
stock of clothes against valuable chronological col
lection. Members OF the tribe possessed Remington
guns, which in striking contrast with their
stone weapons. curious habit of ornamentaton
exists among these people; they make holes in tho
lip each sido OF tho mouth big enough to pass
finger through and wear in them carved pieces of
bone or stone. some showing high degree of skilled
workmanship. 1t seems now that this custom ia
giving place to the European OF wearing earrings.
Higher esteem is bestowed by these Esquimaux
upon money than the Tschuktschi accord to it. 4
few tribes OF tho latter said to be living on the
American continent further north than Port Clar-
Asiatic coast and entered scncavens Sound south of
St. Lawrence bay. which was still choked with
ice A good chart OF this locality drawn
up by Admiral Rodgers. United States Navy.
and found Of much utility by Nordenskj0ld.
The coast ut Leneaven found uninhabited, ex-
cept by two Tschuktscht families. with reindeer.
A little distance inland there high mountains,
mostly volcanic and plutonic; and the fora Of the
region is very luxuriant. Thence the expedition
visited St. Lawrence Island. belonging to the United
States, whore several Esquimaux were found.
Nordenskjold intended next to explore portion of
Kamtchatka. but abandoned the project. the wind
was unfavorable and there was not much coal left
on board. when released the Vega had eighty tons
of fuel and about twelve months provisions
malning.)
HospiTALITIEs At BRHnISG's ISLAND.
The next place touched at Behring's Island.
sadly famous for the disastrous death Of the dis
tinguished commander whose name it bears. It is
occupied by the kussans. and the American
Alaska Trading Company have valuable station
there. By tho representatives Of each nationality
tho voyagers were well received and Hospitality
entertained.
RyTINA sTELLARIs.
The Professors special object in going there was
to collect the remains of the gigantic animal. the
rytina stellaris extinct but alive in the days Of
Behring. He was successful in finding many bones.
enough to constitute several almost perfect skele
tons. with which he proposes to endow European
museums. At present no specimens are found ex-
cept in some Russian collections. It further
intended ana effected to Institute comparison bo-
tween the condition of life actually observable
on the island with the lively descriptions of the
celebrated and unfortunate Russian Stellar.
who wrote upward of one hundred years ago. The
American agent supplied the party with fresh meat.
giving them whole COW. and refusing to take any
payment.
The most important industry of the island is the
export Of the skins of the bear (otaria ursina
which animal some years ago bid fair to become
obsolete as the rytina. but 10 thriving and null
tiplying under wlse and bcnehcent system OF pro-
lection. On one promontory alone the naturalist
saw as many two hundred thousand Of the ami
mails whose fur is in such great request in American
and European cities. From thirty to fifty thousand
are slaughtered on Behring's and Copper islands
annually. but only at the time when tho hair is in
tho best order No young or females are allowed to
be killed. and otherwise stringent regulations
forced for the preservation of valuable species.
The result Is that their numbers are now augment
ing. and they display no fear or anxiety on the
approach of men.
AT YOKOHAMA.
From Behring Nordensj0ld came direct to Yoko-
hama where he arrived on the I'd Of September. OK.
periencing no trouble on the passage. with the
ception OF severe thunder storm almost at the
termination of tho journey. The maintop split by
lightning. which pervaded the vessel for an instant
that almost all board felt distinct shock. de-
ivored from powerful electric battery. AZ matter
OF course and right the gallant explorer and his
train have been eted and honized All sorts OF en-
tertaiuments have devised in their honor they
nj nd tad
by the Emperor. and Japanese officials have outdone
themselves in the graceful and profuse hospitality
which they are happy to show to distinguished
meritorious strangers.
PEN SKETCH OF THE EXPLORER.
Nordenskjold Is q man Of medium height and
robust frame. with hair Of the true Viking color
hale. fair complexion and clear. bright eye. whose
powers of vision. however. are somewhat dimmed.
II wearing spectacles Is any criterion. His air and
manner are candid and straightforward and inspire
those who meet HIM with . prompt feeling Of ad-
miration and confidence. 1t Is not astonishing that
his followers should have the affection for him and
trust in his Judgment which they openly express
and practically evncc. AS he is several years less
than half century old he may still aspire to the
of fresh realms in the world Of science.
and his active brain is still revolving fresh schemes
of research. though he might now woll rest on the
laurcs to him from his recent great achieve.
mont which must certainly rank with the grsndest
deeds Of this age OF discovery and exploit.
COMMERCIAL RESULTS FoREsHApowKD.
His opinion upon the navigability of the Siberian
Sea and the future result OF his abors follows
Ho thinks that tho northeast passage between the
Atlantic and Pacific oceans may probably be made
every year. and will certainly be often repeated. At
tho same time he holds that trade between the two
oceans can only indirectly benefit by his discovery.
But he thinks that he can efiectually demonstrate
that there difficulty in the way Of properly or
ganizcd trade communication between Ycnisei and
Europe. and that such commerce can be SO con-
ductod that will willingly take risks
ON vessels engaged in 1t they to insure against
tho accidents of tho China Sea. Again. he appre.
,onds no obstaclos in the way of experienced naviga