PLAINS OF THE ELBE, ODEE, AND VISTULA. 



307 



potable water can be scooped up at a distance of 5 miles from its mouth. It is only 

 beyond Heligoland that the sea-water contains the normal quantity of salt. 



The Oder presents a most remarkable feature in its multitude of channels filled 

 with running or stagnant water, or completely deserted. So large is their number 

 that we sometimes fancy the river must lose itself. Such actuall}'^ happens with 

 the Spree below Kottbus. Between that town and Liibben, where it once more 

 flows in a single channel, thxt river has virtually ceased to exist. It is swallowed 

 up by innumerable channels, forming a vast labyrinth. We might fancy our- 

 selves in some part of Holland, if the alluvial islands were not to a large extent 

 covered with elder-trees, ash-trees, and beeches. The Spreewald, with its woods. 



Fig. 176.— The Spkeewald. 

 Scale 1 : 200,000. 



2 Miles. 



meadows, and winding water channels, abounds in charming rural scenery, and 

 visitors are delighted with the Dutch-like cleanliness of its inhabitants. The 

 villages, as in the Netherlands, have canals instead of streets, and the whole traffic 

 of the country is cai'ried on by water. Burg, where the jDcrsecuted Wends of 

 former days fled as to a lacustrine village, consists of several hundred scattered 

 houses raised on artificial soil, and is traversed in all directions by canals, the 

 banks of which are planted with trees. 



Of all German rivers the Oder has hitherto been least subjected to the ruling 

 influence of man. The low and exceedingly fertile district known as the Oder- 

 bruch, which extends from Podelzig, near Frankfort, to Oderberg, a distance of 

 35 miles, was a century ago an inaccessible swamp abounding in lakes. The main 



