THE SWEDISH ARCTIC EXPEDITION.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1529, 11 January 1879, Page 3

THE SWEDISH ARCTIC EXPEDITION.

As our readers know, the North-east Passage Expedition in the Vega, under Professor Nordenskjold, reached the mouth of the Lena in the latter part of August, and wo may every day expect news of its safe arrival at Yokohama. Meantime Mr Oscar Dickson, of Gottenburg, the generous supporter of the expedition, has published a letter from Professor Nordenskjold, giving some of the results obtained in the NovayaZemlya region. While detained at Yugor Strat, to the south of Novaya Zoralya, a visit was paid to the Sameeide village of Chabarova. Dr. Stuxberg collected many specimens of the fauna of the Strait, including some remarkably largo cilicioua sponges. Many specimens of various kinds of fish wore bought from the natives. Dr. Kjellman collected numerous specimens of the flora of the region, and directed his attention specially to the morphology and development of the phanerogamous plants of the Arctic regions, a subject hitherto little studied. Lieutenant Nordqvist devoted his attention to insects, while Dr. Almqvisfc examined the Samteides with regard to their sense of colour, and found it normally developed in thorn. Professor Nordenskjold bought some costumes, utensils, &c., from the Sameoides, and after some difficulty succeeded in obtaining specimens of their “gods.” They at first evaded his inquiries, but at last an old Sameeide woman consented to show him some. She drew them from a bag, where they wers packed whh much care in reindeer skins. Professor Nordenskjold at last succeeded in persuading the old woman to sell him several idols at the price of seven roubles. Each of them had a different purpose and aspect. One for example was composed of a stone, which fine rugs transformed into a kind of doll; another was a marionette with a plate of copper for a face ; a third was in fur, adorned with earrings and pearls. In general, these objects of veneration and adoration of the Samccidea resemble the rude rug dolls of children who are unable to obtain anything better. Chabarova is inhabited in summer by nine Russians, who in spring come from Poustosersk, where aro their wives and children. They depart in autumn. During their sojourn these Pun sians carry on a barter traffic with fchc Samceides, and engage iu 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 a company to fish the white dolphin, two out of the twenty-two shares of the company being reserved for St. Nicholas, to secure his blessing. In spite of this, their enterprise has not been very successful. Dr. Nordenskjold, guided by one of the Russians, visited one of the sacrificial altars of the Sammides, who, although baptised Christians, retain many of their old heathen customs. This altar is on a promontory of Vaigatz Island, in a cave regarded as sacred by the Samceides. Notwithstanding that an archimandrite thirty years ago destroyed the original altar and erected a cross, the Samccides have chosen a neighbouring spot, where Dr. Nordenskjold saw many signs of recent sacrifices to the native gods, many images of which were fixed around. The island of Yisgatz Dr. Nordenskjold describes as very regular, about ninety kilometres long and forty broad. It may bo considered as a single plateau, terminating perpendicularly in the sea. The silurian and limestone beds contain many fossils, and the island as a whole forms a good pasturage ground for reindeer.