12 THE FOREST LANDS OF FINLAND. 



After some twelve Lours steaming through among these 

 numerous and multiform richly-wooded isles, all of them 

 picturesque and beautiful, we reached Nyslot, which is 

 situated at a point which marks the connection between 

 the lower and the upper portion of the lake, or system of 

 lakes. 



Nyslot, or Newcastle, according to Murray, apparently 

 must have taken its name from the outer works surround- 

 ing an old castle on a small island adjacent to nie tower, 

 built in 1475. Nyslot was ceded to Russia by the treaty of 

 Abo, and the outer works, the ruins of which remain, were 

 constructed by Saranoff, in expectation of a war with 

 Sweden. In 1788 the castle was blockaded by the Swedes, 

 but not taken. The two principal towers of the castle 

 are severally called Kirch and Koch, and the former was 

 frequently used as a State prison. Skeletons with chains 

 attached to them were found some years ago in the ruins 

 of the walls, supposed to be remains of prisoners who had 

 been immured. The tower is situated on a promontory 

 in the narrow strait between the two principal basins of 

 the Saima See. It attracts many visitors, who come 

 hither to enjoy the beautiful views which open out in 

 every direction. Here are situated extensive saw mills, 

 the Nyslot Sag, or Savolinner tSulia, belonging to Messrs 

 Hood & Co., of London. 



At Nyslot we pass from what is known as the Saima 

 Lake, and enter on the upper series of lakes connected 

 with it, and connected with others bearing different 

 names, but not always separated by well-defined manifest 

 boundaries. Amongst others of these upper northern 

 lakes are Lake Kallavesi, upon a peninsula projecting 

 into which is situated the town of Kuopia; and the lakes 

 Paapavesi, Haukivesi, Pihlagavesi, Puruvesi, and Pielis- 

 jaervi. The last-named is about 75 miles in length from 

 north-west to south-east, and 15 miles in extreme breadth. 

 On its south bank is the town of Eno, about 90 miles east 



