Their ancient History and Conversion to Christianity.-- Self-denial and Poverty of the Lapland Clergy.--Their singular Mode of Preaching.--Gross Superstition of the Lapps.--The Evil Spirit of the Woods.--The Lapland Witches.--Physical Constitution of the Lapps.--Their Dress.--The Fjälllappars.-- Their Dwellings.--Store-houses.--Reindeer Pens.--Milking the Reindeer.--Migration.--The Lapland Dog.--Skiders, or Skates.--The Sledge, or Pulka.--Natural Beauties of Lapland.--Attachment of the Lapps to their Country.-- Bear-hunting.--Wolf-hunting.--Mode of Living of the wealthy Lapps.--How they kill the Reindeer.--Visiting the Fair.-- Mammon Worship.--Treasure-hiding.--“Tabak, or Braende.”-- Affectionate Disposition of the Lapps.--The Skogslapp.--The Fisherlapp. 156 CHAPTER XIII. MATTHIAS ALEXANDER CASTRÉN. His Birthplace and first Studies.--Journey in Lapland, 1838.-- The Iwalojoki.--The Lake of Enara.--The Pastor of Utzjoki.-- From Rowaniémi to Kemi.--Second Voyage, 1841–44.--Storm on the White Sea.--Return to Archangel.--The Tundras of the European Samoïedes.--Mesen.--Universal Drunkenness.--Sledge Journey to Pustosersk.--A Samoïede Teacher.--Tundra Storms.-- Abandoned and alone in the Wilderness.--Pustosersk.--Our Traveller’s Persecutions at Ustsylmsk and Ishemsk.--The Uusa.--Crossing the Ural.--Obdorsk.--Second Siberian Journey, 1845–48.--Overflowing of the Obi.--Surgut.-- Krasnojarsk.--Agreeable Surprise.--Turuchansk.--Voyage down the Jenissei.--Castrén’s Study at Plachina.--From Dudinka to Tolstoi Noss.--Frozen Feet.--Return Voyage to the South.-- Frozen fast on the Jenissei.--Wonderful Preservation.-- Journey across the Chinese Frontiers, and to Transbaikalia.-- Return to Finland.--Professorship at Helsingfors.--Death of Castrén, 1855. 168 CHAPTER XIV. THE SAMOÏEDES. Their Barbarism.--Num, or Jilibeambaertje.--Shamanism.-- Samoïede Idols.--Sjadæi.--Hahe.--The Tadebtsios, or Spirits.--The Tadibes, or Sorcerers.--Their Dress.--Their Invocations.--Their conjuring Tricks.--Reverence paid to the Dead.--A Samoïede Oath.--Appearance of the Samoïedes.--Their Dress.--A Samoïede Belle.--Character of the Samoïedes.-- Their decreasing Numbers.--Traditions of ancient Heroes. 179 CHAPTER XV. THE OSTIAKS. What is the Obi?--Inundations.--An Ostiak summer Yourt.-- Poverty of the Ostiak Fishermen.--A winter Yourt.--Attachment of the Ostiaks to their ancient Customs.--An Ostiak Prince.-- Archery.--Appearance and Character of the Ostiaks.--The Fair of Obdorsk. 185 CHAPTER XVI. CONQUEST OF SIBERIA BY THE RUSSIANS--THEIR VOYAGES OF DISCOVERY ALONG THE SHORES OF THE POLAR SEA.