236 SPRINGS, RIVERS, CANALS, LAKES, 



habitants amounting, according to Mr. Coxe, to twenty-four thou- 

 sand souls; whilst Zurich, which comes next to it in respect of 

 population, contains scarcely thirteen thousand. 



The lake ot ZURICH is one of the largest in Switzerland (those of 

 Constance and Geneva excepted), it being, according to Mr. Coxe, 

 near ten leagues in length, and about one in breadth. The prospect 

 from it is extremely delightful, the little eminences by which it is 

 bordered being all over diversified with corn-fields, vineyards, vil- 

 lages, and towns : farther back is a gradual ascent of larger hills, 

 terminating in the stupendous mountains of Claris, Schwitz, and the 

 Orisons, whose summits are always covered with snow ; the whole 

 forming a scene truly picturesque, lively, and diversified. The Rhine 

 waters the north side of the canton of Zurich, where it is joined by 

 the Thur, the Toss, and other smaller streams. Out of the lake of 

 Zurich issues a river, which flows through the town, and having a 

 little be low it received the Hill, begins to be called the Limmat ; 

 till traversing the country of Baden, it at last loses, itself in the 

 Aar. 



The lake of YVERDUN, or NEUCHATEL, stretches, from south 

 to north, about twenty miles in length, and in some places about 

 live miles in breadth. According to M, de Luc, this lake is a bun. 

 dred and fifty-nine French feet above that of Geneva. 



The lake of BOURGET, in Savoy, is remarkable for breeding a 

 fish which is unknown in other countries, called laiaretta*, which 

 frequently weighs four or five pounds, is sold for a good price, and 

 is extremely well flavoured. 



The lake of UflANA, in Dalmatia, which is seated on the north, 

 eastern coast of the Adriatic Sea, and is described by the Abbe Foi tis 

 as of twelve miles extent, deserves to be mentioned on account of a 

 project which was formed by a private person, and partly put in exe- 

 cution, to cut a passage by which the water might be discharger! 

 into the Adriatic : the course was to be cut through an isthmus of 

 solid marble for half a mile ; the attempt, however, was soon aban- 

 doned. The object in view by making this outlet, was to drain, 

 and, if possible, to render fit for cultivation, about ten thousand 

 acres of land, which lay overspread with water. The Abbe inspected 



* This >s the common opinion : but it is not quite correct. The lavaret is 

 wet with also in many other parts of Europe towards the north. It is a ipcciet 

 f jjuinia, the silmo lavurcttus uf Linneus, EDITOR, 



