236 Dk. Blackie on Russian AcquisUions in MaticJiooria, 



which they are succeeded by granite, mica-slate, chlorite-slate, serpen- 

 tine, talc, and then clay-slate, the last forming large rocks, overhanging 

 the rivers on the right side, traversed by veins of quartz of various 

 colours. The strata on the left side of the river, and likewise on the 

 mai'gins of the smaller streams pom'ing into it, give evidence of the 

 existence of the nobler metals. SUver is wrought near Shilkinsk, 

 where there are furnaces for smelting the ores. For the last 130 miles 

 of its course, the banks of the Shilka are wild, inhospitable, and unin- 

 habited, a character which the Amoor itself maintains as far as the 

 junction of the greater Grorbiza, or Amasar, a distance of about forty 

 miles below Ust-strelotschnaja. " Here," says Permikin, " the Amoor 

 flows smoothly in a deep arm, in which large vessels and steamers could 

 sail." Very little change is to be observed in the banks of the river 

 till we reach Albasin, a further distance of about 120 miles. Between 

 Ust-strelotschnaja and Albasin, the river passes through the Yablonoi 

 mountains in a very winding and irregular course. Mica and clay-slate 

 form the chief strata to be observed, and the vegetation is hmited to a 

 few species. On the hills, pines and larches prevail, and on the margin of 

 the stream the sand-wUlow abounds, the former — for what reason does 

 not appear — are said to be ruthlessly destroyed by the nomadic Tunguses 

 frequenting this region. The masses of stones on the banks are pro- 

 tected from the cold of winter, and from the short continued but strong 

 heat of summer, by a thin coating of moss. Here and there open out 

 meadows and valleys, each of which is traversed by a stream frequently 

 plentifully supplied with fish. In the rainy season, these valleys pour 

 out such quantities of water that in two or three days the level of the 

 Amoor is often raised more than fourteen feet. Islands standing singly and 

 in groups, are numerous, generally in the bends, and only separated 

 from the land during floods. They are frequently submerged, and their 

 soil being thus fructified, they produce the service berry, which forms 

 one of the chief articles of food on which the nomades of the district 

 depend for subsistence. 



After leaving Albasin, the islands increase in number, and as they 

 occupy often the middle of the stream, assume the appearance of an 

 Archipelago, forming a very picturesque and characteristic feature, 

 but one not very favourable to navigation. The hills are not now so 

 close upon the stream as they are higher up, but leave open banks, 

 and assume a more rounded form. At times they approach again close 

 in upon the river, and rise from its bosom in steep cliffs, and again 

 becoming more distant, lower gradually down till they change into a 

 range of steep isolated heights. This change in the direction and 

 position of the mountain spurs is specially to be remarked from the 



