, 1886-02-23
WINTER SIGHTS ON TIE nevA.
The samoieds from tho Icy zonc-rhe
suin-Footed siberian Reindeer.

The Sanoieds from ths ley Ionr-rhe
s~win-Footed siberian Reindeer.
Every year, at the beginning Of Jan.
uary. a number Of Samoicd families
tribes inhabiting the shores Of tine Arctic
ocean-make their appearance in st. Pc
tcrshurg. bringing some thirty or forty
rcindecn and a dozen roughly-con-
structei sleighs. They erect q teut
upon the banks Of he frozen Ncva, and
near it corral their eind,crs with a Sim
pie ripe guard. Their object Is TO fur
nish slcighing parties with the rarc sport
Of riding after the wing-footed Siberian
deer. Their costume il well adapted to
their home in the lev M over n com-
mon shirt is worn "A suit of reindeer
skins. consisting Of a baggy pair ~ pant
aloons and a jacket, the hairy side Of the
skin being outside. Tho jacket. which
reaches nearly to the knee, Is buttoncd
up behind. The cap Of deer skin IL wei
wadded and ornaincnted with long fur
ear-lais. The high and roughly-con-
structed boots, also of deer skin. reach to
the knee, and have thick solost The cf-
feet Of this picturesque garb is
destroyed by covering il with
a long, common cotton print gown. well
well wadded and quilted, with sleeves ~.
wide that no movement Of the arm is
dlscernible.
Their slcighs. consist Of a box. about
three feet wide and seven long. resting
upon pegs about three feet high, fitting
into wooden runners, which turn mp in
front to the height of foim or Eve feet
and end in sharp points. 4 light stick
serves as the whinletrce, which Is fas.
tened to the runners Reindeer skins
ove the board seats. and reindeer skins
cover the patronizing public. During
the time not engaged the deer stand upon
the ice, warm and painting. with their
tongues hanging from their mouths. in
dicating that even "A 81. Petersburg win
ter is tropical to them. Their harness Is
also composed Of the skins Of the rein
deer. and remind The spectator 81 70 mnlo
harness in old plantation days. with the
exception that strip Of hide take the
place Of cornstnlks. No traces arc used.
but a strong strap attached to a ring in
the collar ADD brought between the legs
% tho deer Is fastened 81 The whinletree-
\ Russian agent IL employed "a, inter
prefer. and standing at tho side of the
Arctic vchiclch he invites the curious pub
lie t. take % ride ON the NcYa. for "a
small consideration Isl hich j. not au
small after all. When "a number OF
patrons are secured the sleigh Is brought
M. a Samoied seats himself on the
right side, takes his long line in one
hand. a willow rod ON the other, and
signifies his readiness to start. On. such
ride generally satisfies the seeker after
fun. as the slippery seats covered with
the hniry skins are hard 10 retain under
him, and he is in continual fear Of slid
ing oil. The speed of these deer is god,
hut not 80 great AS we have been lel TO
suppose. they being generally bcaten by
the little horses Of Finland. Curiosity
seekers are prohibited from approaching
too near the corrnled deer. az % vicious
animal is capable Of inhicting great in
jury upon the visitor with his long horns,
the Samoieds being held responsible by
the police for any harm done Ia sight
seers.
The tent erected to accommodate their
families has much the resemblance of an
Indian hut Of the American frontier. of
the game shape. aud covered with deer
skins. The interior Is made comfortable
with felt and fur mats. The fre is al
ways placed in the middle OF these tents.
From a high pole hangs "a chain attached
TO n kettle in which provisions ARE
cooked. During heavy storms the OPEN
ing Mt the top Of the tent for the escape
Of the smoke must he closed, so that the
female md juvenile portion 81 the col
nny are not very prcpossessing in out
ward appearance. their gaudy dress,
brass chains. brass buttons, brass arm
aud car rings Notwithstanding.
In the latter part OF February they he
take themselves hack 10 their Arctic
abodcs, keeping only enough reindeer to
transport them thither. The others arc
slaughtered, and the meat preserved for
the homcwnrl journey. As soon as
killed, the women and children fall upon
the bones, split them and ~voruciously
anck the marrow from them while the
animal is still warm. The brnin Is also
eaten with great gusto. The eyes Of the
deer are then token 10y the women and
buried. whoro it will not happcu that a
married woman or iull-grown girl walks
over them, as such an occurrence might
bring great fatality to the whole samoied
tribe The 81. Petersburg curiosity seek
crs often buy whole nov suits Of these
frigid zoncrs for purpo~es at masquerade
ing, while their boots and shoes sell
readily ON accomt of their %impcrvious-
ness to wet SNOW MANY Of these Sam
oieds who have thus exhibited them
selves, and through their reindeer sleigh
ing ON the Neva, nave accumulated small
fortunes.
Loci. .f an .,h.,. u,hr