J*P*C 
Photul 
17. Enaml. 
Rick CULTURE IN JApAN 
The Northern Isles.-—Here are great extremes_of temperature, 
and during the long winter the isles are covered with snow. On account 
of dangerous currents, prevalent fogs, and ice-drifts brought south in 
winter by the Arctic current, navigation is difficult along the coasts. 
Sca-fishing is, however, a staple industry, and_salmon are caught in the 
short rivers and edible seaweed collected along the shores, 
The mountains are clad with forests of o8k, elm, birch, etc., and at 
one time were the home of many fur-bearing animals now hunted nearly 
to extinetion. A few cereals are raised, and Hokkaido is rich in coal and 
sulphur, Population is sparse, but -temporarily increased during the 
fishing season by immigrants from Hondo. The majority of the in- 
habitants are Japanese, but on Hokkaido there still exist some remnant of 
a race called Ainu, who are thought to belong to the Caucasian group, 
and are remarkable for their hairy appearance. The chief town in 
Hokkaido is Hakodate, which has an excellent harbour, 
Northern and Western Hondo.—-Here, too, the _climate is cx- 
treme, owing to the north-west winds of winter. which bring some snow