There are a greater variety of plants at Oonalashka, and most of them were in flower the latter end of June.  Several of them are such as we find in Europe, and in other parts of America, particularly in Newfoundland; and others of them, which are also met with in Kamtschatka, are eat by the natives both there and here.  Of these, Krascheninicoff has given us descriptions.  The principal one is the saranne, or lily root, which is about the size of a root of garlic, round, made up of a number of small cloves, and grains like groats.  When boiled, it is somewhat like saloop; the taste is not disagreeable, and we found means to make some good dishes with it.  It does not seem to be in great plenty; for we got none but what Ismyloff gave us.  We must reckon amongst the food of the natives, some other wild roots; the stalk of a plant resembling angelica, and berries of several different sorts; such as bramble-berries, cran-berries, hurtle-berries, heath-berries, a small red berry, which, in Newfoundland, is called partridge-berry, and another brown berry, unknown to us.  This has somewhat of the taste of a sloe, but is unlike it in every other respect.  It is very astringent, if eaten in any quantity.  Brandy might be distilled from it.  Captain Clerke attempted to preserve some; but they fermented, and became as strong as if they had been steeped in spirits.

There were a few other plants, which we found serviceable, but are not made use of by either Russians or natives.  Such as wild purslain, pea-tops, a kind of scurvy-grass, cresses, and some others.  All these we found very palatable, dressed either in soups or in sallads.  On the low ground, and in the vallies, is plenty of grass, which grows very thick, and to a great length.  I am of opinion, that cattle might subsist at Oonalashka all the year round, without being housed.  And the soil, in many places, seemed capable of producing grain, roots, and vegetables.  But, at present, the Russian traders, and the natives, seem satisfied with what nature brings forth.

Native sulphur was seen amongst the inhabitants of the island; but I had no opportunity of learning where they got it.  We found also ochre, a stone that gives a purple colour, and another that gives a very good green.  It may be doubted, whether this last is known.  In its natural state, it is of a greyish green colour, coarse and heavy.  It easily dissolves in oil; but when put into water it entirely loses its properties.  It seemed to be scarce in Oonalashka; but we were told, that it was in greater plenty on the island Oonemak.  As to the stones about the shore and hills, I saw nothing in them that was uncommon.[22]

[Footnote 22:  Very probably the stone that gave a green colour was an ore of copper; but the scanty description renders it difficult to ascertain the species.  The other, which is said to have given a purple colour, may also have contained the same metal.—­E.]