The History of Kamtschatka, and the Kurilski Islands, with the Countries Adjacent

A fascinating and detailed account of a huge area virtually unknown to the western world, published in English in 1764.

Stepan Petrovich Krasheninnikov (Author), James Grieve (Translated by)

9781108075428, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 20 November 2014

316 pages, 3 b/w illus. 2 maps
25.4 x 17.8 x 1.7 cm, 0.55 kg

James Grieve (1703–63), physician to Catherine the Great of Russia, and translator of this book, published posthumously in English in 1764, apologises in his 'Advertisement' for the crudeness and rambling nature of Stepan Krasheninnikov's original work, which nevertheless contains 'many very useful remarks, greatly contributing to the improvement of the trade, geography, and natural history, of the country he describes'. In 1755, Krasheninnikov (1711–55) had published his account of an expedition to Kamchatka between 1733 and 1743, under Vitus Bering, to increase knowledge of regions to the east, in particular whether a sea route to North America could be established. Krasheninnikov was to serve as a naturalist on the expedition, but he also took a keen interest in the geography, history and people of the lands he passed through. His narrative is a fascinating and detailed account of a huge area virtually unknown to the western world.

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The Russian editor's preface
Part I: 1. Of Kamtschatka
2. Of the roads in Kamtschatka
3. Of the Kurilski islands
4. Of America
Part II: 1. Of the soil
2. Of the volcano's or burning mountains
3. Of the hot springs
4. Of the metals and minerals
5. Of trees and plants
6. Of land animals
7. Of the Vitimsky sables, and the method of hunting them
8. Of the sea beasts
9. Of fishes
10. Of the birds
11. Of insects
12. Of the tides in the Penschinska Sea and eastern ocean
Part III: 1. Of the natives of Kamtschatka in general
2. Some conjectures concerning the names of the Kamtschadales
3. Of the ancient state of the natives of Kamtschatka
4. Of the ostrogs, or habitations, of the Kamtschadales
5. Of their household furniture, and other necessary utensils
6. Of the labour appropriated to the different sexes
7. Of their dress
8. Of their diet and liquors, together with their method of cooking
9. The method of travelling with dogs
10. Of the Kamtschadales' method of making war
11. The opinions of the Kamtschadales concerning God, the formation of the world, and other articles of religion
12. Of their shamans, or conjurors
13. Of their ceremonies
14. Of their feasts and diversions
15. Of their friendship, and hospitality
16. Of their courtship, marriages, etc.
17. Of the birth of their children
18. Of their diseases and remedies
19. Of the burial of the dead
20. Omitted
21. Of the nation of the Koreki
22. Account of the nation of the Kuriles
Part IV: 1. Of the first discoveries made of Kamtschatka, and the planting of Russian colonies there
2. Of the mutiny of the Cossacks, and their discovery of the islands lying between Kamtschatka and Japan
3. Of the commissaries who succeeded Vasili Kolesof
4. Of the rebellion of Kamtschatka
5. The present state of the forts and villages of Kamtschatka
6. Of the manner in which the Cossacks live there
7. Of their trade
8. Of the different roads between Jakutski and Kamtschatka
Index.

Subject Areas: Historical geography [HBTP]