272 



EUSSIA IN EUEOPE. 



"Water Systems. 



In the south the Ukranians are skilful in collecting the waters of the smaller 

 streams and rivulets, but have not yet learnt to utilise the large rivers. There 

 will be no lack of moisture as soon as the upper basins are tapped, and the 

 stagnant waters, now corrupting the atmosphere, drained to the arid tracts farther 

 south. Nearly the whole of Polesya, forming the upper basin of the Pripet, is 

 one of those half-lacustrine regions which may yet be reclaimed and converted 

 into extremely fertile lands. It forms a perfect labyrinth of lakes, swamps, peat 

 beds, and upheaved rocks, known collectively as the Pinsk Marsh. Prevented by 



Fig. 130.— Lake Jin. 

 Peale 1 : 300,000. 



L.ofP. 



°*^ f^BTiran ovifc'h°i o° ■.' 



o ^ Dâko°vit°ch°io:°o' 



^ 5 Miles. 



the Yolhynian granite heights from flowing freely to the Dnieper, the waters have 

 lodged in the low grounds, where they formerly expanded in one vast lake, now 

 replaced by sluggish streams whose banks can scarcely be distinguished amidst 

 the surrounding sedge and aquatic vegetation. Here the Pripet ramifies into a 

 thousand channels, ultimately finding their way to the marshy Lake Lubaz, below 

 which the main stream is again lost in innumerable drains, reuniting 60 miles 

 farther down at the junction of the Yalsolda. During the rains nearly all these 

 streams overflow their banks, flooding the land for miles. In this watery realm 

 the characteristic fauna are the beaver, otter, leech, and a hare differing in its 



