m the violence of the stronger sex. This, however, is
so far from being the case that criminal statistics have been
rendered impossible for want of crimes, if we except acts of
violence committed under the influence of liquor.

[Illustration: CHUKCH BUCKLES AND HOOKS OF IVORY. Half the natural
size. ]

During the winter the _Vega_ was visited daily, as has been stated
in the account of the wintering, by the people from the neighbouring
villages, while our vessel at the same time formed a resting-place
for all the equipages which travelled from the western tent-villages
to the islands in Behring's Straits, and _vice versa_. Not only our
neighbours, but people from a distance whom we had never seen
before, and probably would not see again, came and went without
hindrance among a great number of objects which in their hands would
have been precious indeed. We had never any cause to regret the
confidence we placed in them. Even during the very hard time, when
hunting completely failed, and when most of them lived on the food
which was served out on board, the large _depot_ of provisions,
which we had placed on land without special watch, in case any
misfortune should befall our vessel, was untouched. On the other
hand, there were two instances in which they secretly repossessed
themselves of fish they had already sold, and which were kept in a
place on deck accessible to them. And with the most innocent
countenance in the world they then sold them over again. This sort
of dishonesty they evidently did not regard as theft but as a
permissible commercial trick.

This was not the only proof that the Chukches consider deception in
trade not only quite justifiable, but almost creditable. While their
own things were always made with the greatest care, all that they
did specially for us was done with extreme carelessness, and they
were seldom pleased with the price that was offered, until they
became convinced that they could not get more. When they saw that we
were anxious to get ptarmigan, they offered us from their winter
stock under this name the young of _Larus eburneus_, which is marked
in the same way, but of little use as food. When I with delight
purchased this bird, which in its youthful dress is rare, and
therefore valuable to the ornithologist, a self-satisfied smile
passed over the countenance of the seller. He was evidently proud of
his successful trick. Some prejudice, as has been already stated,
prevented the