Ivan the Terrible.--Strogonoff.--Yermak, the Robber and Conqueror.--His Expeditions to Siberia.--Battle of Tobolsk.-- Yermak’s Death.--Progress of the Russians to Ochotsk.--Semen Deshnew.--Condition of the Siberian Natives under the Russian Yoke.--Voyages of Discovery in the Reign of the Empress Anna.--Prontschischtschew.--Chariton and Demetrius Laptew.-- An Arctic Heroine.--Schalaurow.--Discoveries in the Sea of Bering and in the Pacific Ocean.--The Lächow Islands.--Fossil Ivory.--New Siberia.--The wooden Mountains.--The past Ages of Siberia. 191 CHAPTER XVII. SIBERIA--FUR-TRADE AND GOLD-DIGGINGS. Siberia.--Its immense Extent and Capabilities.--The Exiles.-- Mentschikoff.--Dolgorouky.--Münich.--The Criminals.-- The free Siberian Peasant.--Extremes of Heat and Cold.-- Fur-bearing Animals.--The Sable.--The Ermine.--The Siberian Weasel.--The Sea-otter.--The black Fox.--The Lynx.--The Squirrel.--The varying Hare.--The Suslik.--Importance of the Fur-trade for the Northern Provinces of the Russian Empire.-- The Gold-diggings of Eastern Siberia.--The Taiga.--Expenses and Difficulties of searching Expeditions.--Costs of Produce, and enormous Profits of successful Speculators.--Their senseless Extravagance.--First Discovery of Gold in the Ural Mountains.--Jakowlew and Demidow.--Nishne-Tagilsk. 204 CHAPTER XVIII. MIDDENDORFF’S ADVENTURES IN TAIMURLAND. For what Purpose was Middendorff’s Voyage to Taimurland undertaken?--Difficulties and Obstacles.--Expedition down the Taimur River to the Polar Sea.--Storm on Taimur Lake.--Loss of the Boat.--Middendorff ill and alone in 75° N. Lat.--Saved by a grateful Samoïede.--Climate and Vegetation of Taimurland. 220 CHAPTER XIX. THE JAKUTS. Their energetic Nationality.--Their Descent.--Their gloomy Character.--Summer and Winter Dwellings.--The Jakut Horse.-- Incredible Powers of Endurance of the Jakuts.--Their Sharpness of Vision.--Surprising local Memory.--Their manual Dexterity.--Leather, Poniards, Carpets.--Jakut Gluttons.-- Superstitious Fear of the Mountain-spirit Ljeschei.--Offerings of Horse-hair.--Improvised Songs.--The River Jakut. 228 CHAPTER XX. WRANGELL.