240 THE FOREST LANDS OF FINLAND. 



Suomenselka ; it then takes a south-west direction, and 

 finally arrives at the promontory of Sideby, between the 

 provinces of Satakunta and of East-Bothnia where it 

 gradually sinks to the sea-level. It constitutes the boun- 

 dary to the north and north-west of the interior of Finland, 

 a country characterised by inequalities of soil, cut up by 

 elevations and lakes, and it separates it from the low and 

 continuous plain which forms the south coast of East 

 Bothnia. Three branch chains separate themselves from 

 the Soumenselka ; these are the Savonselka, the Haemeen- 

 selka, and the Satakunnanselka ; they take a southern 

 direction, and combine at their extremity with the Sal- 

 pausselka, enclosing thus the whole central portion of 

 Finland, which they divide into three basins, of which 

 the lakes of Savolaks-Karelie in the east, and of Tavast- 

 land in the west, fill the lowest lying parts.' 



