Note 7 — Chapter XLVI · THE GILYAKS.

“Cats,” says Mr. Knox, “have a half-religious character, and are treated with great respect. Since the advent of the Russians, the supply is very good. Before they came, the Manchu merchants used to bring only male cats, and those mutilated. The price was sometimes a hundred roubles for a single mouser, and by curtailing the supply, the Manchu kept up the market.”