CHAPTER II.

THE STEPPES OF RUSSIA.

Extent and boundaries of the Steppes—The Tchorno-ziemé—Soil and aspect—Their productions—Appearance of the Steppes in spring, summer, and winter—Snow-storms, called “Metel” and “Boura”—“Balkas,” or ravines—Roads, their state in spring—Tumuli or “Kourgans”—False tumuli—The mirage—Tchernomore Steppes—From Don to Moloshna—Moloshna to Dniepr—German colonies—Inhabitants of Steppes—Game—Soroke or Marmot—Biroke—Suslic—The Steppes occupy two-thirds of the Crimea 13