Note 9 — Chapter XXV · YAKUTSK.

Mr. Erman describes the killing, during his journey, of a wild sheep, and the joy of the Yakutes at the prospect of getting fresh meat for supper. One of them cried out characteristically, “I will stay awake the whole night, and eat till we set out.” Whilst the carcase was being prepared, every one cut for himself some thin wooden skewers, on which he spitted a row of little bits of meat. These were only appetizers, to be followed by large pieces boiled in the pot. The hunter, however, who had killed the sheep claimed as his perquisite the animal’s head; the brains, as a special delicacy, he sucked out raw, and cut out the eyes to be dressed for his own exclusive benefit.