topaz, chrysolite, beryl, onyx, and garnet. Lapis lazuli and malachite also occur; and a remarkable and useful product is afforded by the mines of talc, which mineral is used as a substitute for glass, in the whole of Asiatic, and in part of European, Russia.

The vegetation of Siberia bears a general resemblance to that of Northern Europe; though the scarcity of hardwood trees, such as the oak, beech, &c., forms a striking feature in this region. The birch may be considered as the preponderating tree of this class; and of this we meet with several species. Willows are likewise very numerous; both in some of the steppes, and occurring among the plants approaching the last limits of vegetable life, in the cold and more elevated districts. Siberia also numbers among its trees, the Siberian crab (fig. 59), the poplar (fig. 112), which is found on the banks of the rivers; and the aspen (fig. 113). On the declivities of the Altai Mountains, grow the Siberian pine (fig. 142), Siberian silver fir (fig. 148), Siberian cedar (fig. 154), larch (fig. 156), and juniper (fig. 162).

The peninsula of Kamtchatka, might, from the parallel of latitude in which it is situated, be expected to possess a climate similar to that of Great Britain; but, placed on the eastern side of the continent, and deprived of the various conditions which temper the climate of our favoured island, and also of Western Europe generally, and being at the same time traversed from north to south by a range of snow-clad mountains, it possesses an arctic climate, scarcely enjoying three months exemption from frost; and all attempts to raise the hardiest species of grain, have proved unsuccessful. Berries of various kinds, however, and some roots, afford a supply of vegetable aliment.

The deficiency of vegetable food in Kamtchatka, and in Northern Asia generally, is, however, in some degree compensated by the abundant provision of animal food, afforded by the vast numbers of land animals, as well as marine mammalia, and the countless flocks of grouse, woodcocks,

wild geese, and ducks, which frequent this region. The valuable rein-deer is found in every part of Siberia, but more especially on the bleak shores of the Northern Ocean. The elk is also an inhabitant of this region; where we likewise meet with the arctic fox (fig. 25), and polar bear (fig. 27). The most characteristic feature in the zoology of this region, is, however, the abundance of the smaller fur-bearing animals, such as the ermine (fig. 35), sable (fig. 36), &c.: these territories, which, from their chilly climate, are incapable of nourishing most of the valuable productions of more genial climates, being thus amply stocked with suitable inhabitants, protected from severe cold, either by the richest and softest, as well as most beautiful furs, or by an internal defence of fat, or some other unctuous substance. The skin of the ermine, found on the banks of the rivers Witim and Olekma, is esteemed the finest in the world. That curious little animal, the economic mouse, is an inhabitant of Siberia. Endowed with the most extraordinary extinct, this little creature burrows in soft turfy ground, in which it deposits its stores in summer, thus providing an ample supply for its wants, during the long and rigorous winter of its native country. Among the domesticated animals, the Siberian dog holds an important place; being much employed both in Kamtchatka, and in various parts of Siberia, for drawing sledges over the dreary and snowcovered surface.

263

CHAPTER XVII.

VOLCANIC REGION FROM THE ALEUTIAN ISLANDS ΤΟ THE

MOLUCCAS.-VOLCANIC LINE FROM FORMOSA TO THE CASPIAN.

-VOLCANIC REGION FROM THE CASPIAN TO THE AZORES.ICELANDIC VOLCANIC REGION.

Where the slumbering earthquake

Lies pillowed on fire;

And the lakes of bitumen

Rise boilingly higher.-BYRON.

HAVING now come to a termination of our rapid travels over the surface of the vast territories of Europe and Asia, let us, ere directing our attention to Africa, consider some of the most striking evidences of the present energy of subterranean heat, in the regions we have been considering; confining ourselves (with very few exceptions) to notices of volcanic eruptions, and convulsions of the earth, recorded as having occurred within the last hundred years.

The portion of the globe we have already traversed, besides other indications of volcanic action, includes two of the marked volcanic bands; that from the Aleutian Isles to the Moluccas; and that from the Caspian to the Azores; and also, the Icelandic volcanic region.

The volcanic region from the Aleutian Isles to the Moluccas, claims our first attention. This may be considered as connected with the volcanos in the peninsula of Alyaska, to which we shall have occasion to recur, when our attention is directed to the American volcanic region. In our present line, the volcanic band extends at first in a westerly direction, for about two hundred geographical miles*; it is then prolonged southwards without interruption, through a space of sixty or seventy degrees of latitude, to the Moluccas, where it branches off in different directions. In the Aleutian Archipelago, almost every island appears

* Nearly 230 British statute miles.

to be volcanic, and earthquakes of the most terrific description, continually agitate and alter the surface of the land, and the bed of the ocean. A new island, four miles in circumference, and the summit of which is said to be 3000 feet in height, rose at once from the sea, in the year 1806. Another new island of considerable size, and with a peak of equal elevation, was formed in 1814.

The volcanic line is continued in the peninsula of Kamtchatka, which is subject to severe earthquakes, and which contains no less than thirteen volcanic peaks. Seven of these volcanos, or sopki, are in a state of activity; and they are mostly of great elevation, their isolated and conical forms towering proudly above the rugged mountain range, which traverses the peninsula. The peak of Klutchefskaia is 15,825 feet above the sea.

The Kurile Islands constitute the next continuation of the volcanic band, there being a train of volcanic mountains in these islands, nine of which are known to have been recently in a state of activity. Earthquakes have also at various periods convulsed and altered the whole area.

From hence the volcanic line is prolonged in the Japanese group. The island of Yesso, or Jesso, contains some active volcanos; and in Nifon, or Nipon, the number is very considerable. Slight earthquakes also are almost incessant, and violent convulsions are experienced at distant intervals. Such was the tremendous earthquake which occurred in August, 1783, and which was accompanied by a volcanic eruption.

Between the Japanese and Philippine Islands, the volcanic chain is continued, and displayed in several small insular volcanic vents. Sulphur Island, in the Loo Choo Archipelago, contains a sulphuric volcano, which emits white smoke, accompanied with a strong smell of sulphur. The island of Formosa is volcanic, and suffers greatly from earthquakes; and there is an active volcano in the Bashee Islands, which was in eruption in January, 1838.

Luzon, the largest of the Philippines, contains three