CHAPTER VIII.

_THE OBI._

Dimensions of river.--Its tributaries.--Province of Tobolsk.--Geographical features.--Population.--Voguls.--Samoyedes.--Intemperance.-- Commercial prospects of Obi.--Siberian produce.--Corn land.--Timber.--Cost of provisions.--Carriage.--Discoveries of Wiggins.--Followed by Nordenskiöld.--Ship-building at Tiumen.--Navigation of Kara Sea.--Books on basin of Obi 96