1 copper kopeck = 1 silver kopeck. 2 copper kopecks = 1 grösh. 3 copper kopecks = 1 alteen. 5 copper kopecks = 1 peetak. 5 silver kopecks = 1 peetak. 10 silver kopecks = 1 greevnah. 15 silver kopecks = 1 peteealtin. 20 silver kopecks = 1 dvoogreevenik. 25 silver kopecks = 1 chetvertak. 50 silver kopecks = 1 polteenah. 100 silver kopecks = 1 ruble. The silver ruble is nearly equal to seventy-five cents in our coin. The paper ruble fluctuates in Russia from forty to fifty cents, specie value; in Alaska it was rated at twenty cents, silver. Much of the “paper” currency in Alaska during Russian rule was stamped on little squares of walrus hide. A still smaller coin, called the “_polooshka_” worth ¼ kopeck, has been used in Russia. It takes its name from a hare-skin, “_ooshka_,” or “little ears,” which, before the use of money by the Slavs, was one of the lowest articles of exchange, _pol_ signifying _half_, and _polooshka_, _half a hare’s skin_. From another small coin, the “_deinga_” (equal to ½ kopeck in value), is derived the Russian word for money, _deingah_ or _deingie_. [5] $7,200,000 gold was paid by the United States into the Imperial treasury of Russia for the Territory of Alaska; it is said that most of this was used in St. Petersburg to satisfy old debts and obligations incurred by Alaskan enterprises, attorneys’ fees, etc. So, in short, Russia really gave her American possessions to the American people, reaping no direct emolument or profit whatsoever from the transfer. CHAPTER II. FEATURES OF THE SITKAN REGION. The Vast Area of Alaska.—Difficulty of Comparison, and Access to her Shores save in the Small Area of the Sitkan Region.—Many Americans as Officers of the Government, Merchants, Traders, Miners, etc., who have Visited Alaska daring the last Eighteen Years.—Full Understanding of Alaskan Life and Resources now on Record.—Beautiful and Extraordinary Features of the Sitkan Archipelago.—The Decaying Town of Wrangel.—The Wonderful Glaciers of this Region.—The Tides, Currents and Winds.—The Forests and Vegetation Omnipresent in this Land-locked Archipelago.—Indigenous Berries.—Gloomy Grandeur of the Cañons.—The Sitkan Climate.—Neither Cold nor Warm.—Excessive Humidity.—Stickeen Gold Excitement of 1862 and 1875.—The Decay of Cassiar.—The Picturesque Bay of Sitka.—The Romance and Terror of Baranov’s Establishment there in 1800-1805.—The Russian Life and Industries at Sitka.—The Contrast between Russian Sitka and American Sitka a Striking One. “For hot, cold, moist and dry, four champions fierce Strive here for mastery.”—MILTON.