KURIL or KURILSKI ISLES, extending from N. Lat. 51. to 45. which probably once lengthened the peninsula of Kamtschatka before they were convulsed from it, are a series of islands running south from the low promontory Lopatka, between which and Shoomska the most northerly is only the distance of one league. On the lofty Paramouser, the second in the chain, is a high peaked mountain, probably volcanic; there is also a volcano on the fourth, called Aurummakutan; and there are others on some of the smaller islands. Japan also abounds with volcanoes; so that there is a series of spiracles from Kamtschatka to Japan, the last great link of this extensive chain.—The Russians soon annexed these islands to their conquests. The sea abounded with otters, and the land with bears and foxes; and some of the isles sheltered the sable; but now, it is said, the furs of the sea otters have become extremely scarce both here and in Kamtschatka.

Of the 21 islands subject to the Russian empire, no more than four are inhabited, which are the first, second, thirteenth, and fourteenth, as they are distinguished. guished from each other by numbers instead of names. The inhabitants pass the winter on No. 14, and the summer months on No. 13. The rest of these islands are wholly uninhabited; but visited occasionally, for the purpose of hunting otters and foxes. Between the islands the currents are extremely violent, especially at the entrance of the channels, some of which are blocked up with rocks on a level with the sea. The population of the four inhabited islands may amount to 1400. The natives are hairy, have long beards, and subsist entirely on the produce of the chace, on seals, and other species of fish. At the time when Perouse visited this island, the people were exempted for ten years from the tribute paid to the emperor of Russia, because the number of otters was greatly diminished; a pleasing proof of the mildness of that government, which has been so often represented as rigidly despotic. The people of these islands are represented as poor, but virtuous, given to hospitality, and docile, and all of them believers of the Christian religion. They extend from 51° to 45° N. Lat.