The American sailors when they have liberty on shore in these northern regions, invariably indulge in reindeer rides, to the disgust of the animals and their owners.

The deer generally comes to a halt in the first twenty yards, and nothing less than building a fire beneath him can move him from his tracks.
There is a peculiar mushroom in Northeastern Siberia spotted like a leopard and surmounted with a small hood.

It grows in other parts of Russia, where it is poisonous, but among the Koriaks it is simply intoxicating.

When one finds a mushroom of this kind he can sell it for three or four reindeer.

So powerful is this fungus that the fortunate native who eats it remains drunk for several days.