Geographical Callectionijk IMt 



in dimensions to the Onega. Lastly, those of Bielo-Ozero, of Peipous, and of 

 Pskof, are remarkable for their size. The first, situated in the government of 

 Novgorod, and in a very cold climate, is 25 leagues in circumference, and Lake 

 Peipous, called by the Russians Lake of the Tchoudes, situated between the go- 

 vernments of Pskof, of Sti Petersburgh, and of Esthonia and Livonia, anciently 

 formed the natural limits of Russia properly so called, and a kind of rampart 

 against the Tchoiidese tribes, as well as the sword-bearing knights of Livonia. 

 It is 20 leagues long, by 15 broad. 



These and other lakes feed immense rivers, which originate in vast reservoirs 

 on marshy uplands, where the waters derived from the melting snow accumulate. 

 By establishing a communication between the great seas which bathe on all sides 

 the coasts of this colossal empire, where they form gulfs or bays, these rivers both 

 receive in their course other great rivers originating in the less elevated parts of 

 the lofty uplands, and a great number of lesser rivers also bring to them the tri- 

 bute of their waters. In this multitude of currents of water, we can only describe 

 tlie great rivers, taking in the first place those which follow a northern direction. 

 They are, to begin by the west, the following : 



The Onega. This originates in Lake Latcha, and traverses the eastern part 

 of the government of Olonetz, as well as the western part of that of Archangel, to 

 its junction with the White Sea. 



Several rivers mingle their waters with it in its course, but the cataracts which 

 interrupt its stream at different places, prevent its being rendered navigable, — 

 rafts and small craft alone descend in spring time as far as the town of Onega. 



It is not so with the northern Duina, which the Russians so name to distin- 

 guish it from the Duna, which in their language also receives the name of Duina. 

 It is a very great river, which, when the harbour of St. Petersburgh was not in 

 existence, formed the ordinary communication between Russia and the countries 

 of the west by Archangel, and is at present of the highest importance to the 

 commerce of Russia. It is formed in the environs of Oustioug-Veliki, town 

 of the government of Vologda, by the union of the Joug with the Soukhonia. 

 It traverses, on quitting the former government, that of Archangel in its whole 

 extent, to empty itself, after a course of 140 leagues, into the White Sea, Its 

 waters, every where considerable, are much increased by the junction of many 

 rivers that unite themselves with it, as the Vouitchegda and the Pinega, and on 

 its left the Vaga. The Soukhonia, which is its principal element, issues from 

 Lake Goubinskii, near Vologda, capital of the government which it courses 

 through, to its junction with the Joug. This last rivCT is £dso very considerable, 

 originating in the environs of Nikolsk, to the south of the same government. It 

 courses over a space of nearly 90 leagues before its union with the Soukhonia, 

 when it forms one of the greatest rivers in Europe. 



The Mezen, which traverses immense solitudes, takes its origin in the marshes 

 which cover the frontiers of the government of Vologda and that of Archangel ; 

 it waters this latter to its issue into the White Sea, near the town whose name is 

 similar to that of the river. 



The Petchora is a considerable river, whose source is on the western acclivity 

 of the Uralian Alountains, in the northern part of the government of Perm. In 

 a course of more than 1 00 leagues, it traverses large deserts belonging to the go- 

 vernments of Vologda and of Archangel, to the point where it throws itself, by 

 several mouths, into the Arctic Ocean. 



The Ob issues from Lake Teletski, in the territory of the Kalmuks, near tlie 

 frontier of the Chinese monarchy, under the 52° of north latitude. Insignificant 

 near its source, it at first goes by the name of By, and only takes that of Ob after 

 its union with the Katounia river, which comes from the west ; advancing after- 

 wards to the north, it is more and more enlarged by powerful streams, and be- 

 comes more rapid. In the government of Tobolsk, which it traverses from north 

 to south, in its whole length, it is already na\'igable though the Tom and the 

 Ket, which, coming from the east, discharge themselves with other smaller 

 streams, are only of an inconsiderable size ; but in the centre of the government 



