[78] I met with many of these chiefs, to whom this language was as familiar as their own.
[79] See Vol. I. p. 184.
[80] Nothing is more easy than to distinguish the chamans, who let their hair grow, and tie it behind, from the Yakouts, who wear their hair short.
[81] The instrument which I here style a flute, is a bone hollowed and fashioned somewhat like our flûtes à l’oignon, and its tone is not less acute.
[82] The bark is stripped off, and the stakes either painted various colours, or ornamented with rude sculpture.
[83] In speaking of the saddles, I ought to have added that the stirrups are very short.
[84] Three horses pay here the same as one in Siberia.
[85] There would be no end to my repetitions if I were to mention all the civilities I received from each of these Yakout princes.
[86] The bark of this tree is stripped off in the spring.
[87] I was the first traveller this year from Okotsk that had yet arrived at Yakoutsk. The distance between these places is about fifteen hundred wersts.