The universal geography : earth and its inhabitants

KAZAN TATARS. 407Bulgarliks. Differing from the Astrakhan, Crimean, and Lithuanian Tatars, whobelong to other branches of the Turki stock, they are generally of middle stature,with broad shoulders, rigorous frames, fine oval features, straight nose, black andpiercing eyes, cheek bones slightly prominent, scant beard, short thick neck. Thewomen are conforming more and more to Eussian usages, those of the poorer classesmoving about freely with half-unveiled features, others occasionally visiting thetheatre and assisting at the public festivities. Polygamy is diminishing, butmarriage still remains a pure contract, in which the engaged couple take no part.In other respects the women are better treated than their Russian sisters, and arenever obliged to perform field operations. In Kazan many Tatars carry onimportant manufactures ; others are artisans, waiters, and especially traders andFig. 212.Ethnological Chart of the Middle Volga and Kama.Scale 1 : 7,000,000.UU EZ3 mGreat Russians. Chereuus&ia Chuvashes. Votyaks. Tatars. Bashkirs. White Russians.^^__^^^__ 100 Miles.carriers. The export trade in such articles as salt, leather, corn, preserved meats,is monopolized by them, and as dragomans they are the natural agents between theEussian merchants and Mohammedan buyers from Bokhara, Khiva, and Persia.The population of the Kama basin is no less diversified than that of the MiddleVolga.In the government of Viatka alone there are about ten different nationalities,exclusive of the Jews, Gipsies, and Polish and German colonists. TheGreat Russian element doubtless prevails over all the others, but this is partlydue to the number of natives who have become Eussified with the progress ofcivilisation.The Ziryaniansof the Upper Petchora and Yichegda basins are also representedby numerous groups on the Upper Kama and its tributaries. But here thePermians of kindred stock form the bulk of the indigenous population. Both speakE E 2