236 THE FOREST LANDS OF FINLAND. 



deep, precipitous, and narrow, in proportion to their length. 

 Such is the general character of the lakes in mountainous 

 regions of the Swiss lakes for instance, those of North 

 Italy, of Cumberland, Westmoreland, Scotland, &c. On 

 the other hand, where the upheaving forces have acted 

 more gently, and gradually, and have raised the country 

 with more uniformity, producing extensive plains and low 

 steppes, lakes will not only be more numerous, by reason 

 of the less erosive power of running water to drain them 

 by deepening the outlets, but will effect more rounded 

 forms, and cover the country with shallow pools or ponds 

 void of all picturesque beauty, as we see exemplified in 

 Poland, and in the districts between the Gulf of Finland 

 and the White Sea, which are almost connected by a 

 chain of shallow lakes. Some of them (as those of Onega 

 and Ladoga) very extensive.' 



Finland is situated between the 60th and 70th degree 

 of north latitude, and the 38th and 50th degree of 

 longitude east of the Faroe Islands. ' Its area/ says Dr 

 Ignatius, 'is about 6800 geographical square miles. Its 

 surface presents a singular aspect. In an accurate map it 

 presents such a confused culmination of land and water 

 that one can with difficulty trace dissevering outlines. The 

 coast, extending over 1400 kilometers, is cut up excessively, 

 especially in the south and south-west, and is begirt 

 with an archipelago of rocks and islands innumerable, 

 called the Skdrgdrd or bulwark of Scar rocks. It is impos- 

 sible for a stranger to guide his vessel without a pilot in 

 this labryinth of straits and gulfs, through the islands 

 and rocks which spread out before him, as far as his 

 eye can reach, immediately he approaches these coasts. 

 This archipelago presents an exact counterpart to the 

 general configuration of the country itself in its general 

 features. Here the islands are ridges and hills, the gulfs 

 are represented by valleys, the depths of which are filled 

 with lakes, especially in the interior of the country. In 

 sailing on these lakes one may imagine himself still in the 



