248 THE ZOOLOGIST. 
more than a single nest; they seem entirely to float on the water, 
which is from twelve to twenty feet in depth. ‘These nests were 
generally at some distance from one another, and generally in 
places covered with the water milfoil (Myriophyllum). The large 
numbers of Terns flying about seemed, however, to be out of all 
proportion to the few nests we saw. The breeding birds were 
rather shy. Sterna nigra and hybrida were also seen several 
times. At the opposite bank we looked in vain for the entrance 
to the ‘‘Girla” which leads to the fishing-hut. Several times 
we penetrated the labyrinth of floating islands, but were always 
compelled to turn back. In this way the time passed, and we 
were obliged to give up our plans. It wanted but two hours of 
dusk, and we could not possibly delay longer our return journey. 
We thought we knew exactly the direction we had to take, and 
had no idea of the extraordinary difficulty of finding one’s way 
in this treacherous wilderness. We rowed back across the lake 
towards the opening we had come out of—but where was it? It 
could not have been anywhere else but here, and with all our 
might we forced our boat into the thicket of reeds. With infinite 
trouble we made our way for about a hundred yards, until it was 
impossible to get any farther. Now back again to the lake! but 
where is the path we have just forced our boat along? The 
yielding reeds have closed over and concealed it. Only he who 
has convinced: himself with his own eyes can form any idea of 
this enormous wilderness. The whole Balta—who knows its 
extent ?— consists of nothing else but floating islands; not a 
single firm spot is to be found, not even one of a square foot in 
size. All turns, moves, unites and separates. The islands vary 
considerably in size; all bear the wildest vegetation — reeds 
(Phragmites) from twelve to twenty feet high, and ferns (Aspidiwm 
thelypteris) from four to six feet in height. The latter represents 
the underwood, as it were. Water-hemlock (Cicuta virosa) and 
Rumex of different species are there most conspicuous. Stachys 
palustris, Scutellaria galericulata, and Polygonum persicaria and 
hydropiper, and sometimes Epipactis palustris, grow now singly, 
now in batches, on the margins. Each separate island is a 
charming group of plants, than which no gardener could compose 
a more beautiful one—the whole is of exquisite beauty. Magical 
sunlight flows through the great solitude. Not a breath of air is 
stirring, but mysteriously the reeds rustle on and on; only the 
