THE REGION OF LAKES. 



323 



outflow. From the south-west comes the Shelon ; from the south the Lovat, 

 Polist, and Polomet ; from the north-east the Msta, rising in a marshy district on 

 the eastern slopes of the Valdai plateau, near the source of the Volga. All these 

 rivers imiting in one basin, and 



carrying down the detritus of the Kg. 172.— The Luga and Nauova Rivers. 



surrounding hills, rapidly raise Scaie i : soo.oco. 



the bed of the lake, and con- 

 tinually modify its ovitlines. Its 

 waters are always muddy, varying 

 in depth from 7 to 30 feet ; hence, 

 though much larger, it contains 

 a relatively smaller volume than 

 the great lakes of Switzerland. 

 Its outlet, the Volkhov, formerly 

 the Mûtnîy, or " Muddy," re- 

 tains this character throughout 

 its course of 120 miles to Lake 

 Ladoga, of which it is the chief 

 influent. It has a total incline of 

 about 60 feet, descending, like 

 the Narova, through a series of 

 falls and rapids over its last rocky 

 barrier. The Gostniopol rapids 

 descend 30 feet altogether, and are 

 navigable only for rafts or craft 

 specially built for the purjDOse. 



Lakes Ladoga and Onega. 



The Svir, the largest feeder of 

 Ladoga from the east, brings 

 down the outflow of Lake Onega, 

 which itself receives the super- 

 fluous waters of several other 

 lacustrine reservoirs. Many of 

 these would elsewhere in Europe 

 be regarded as little inland seas ; 

 but here they become compara- 

 tivel}^ insignificant by the side of 

 the mighty Ladoga and Onega, 



Depth in fathoms. 



2è. 



Over 5. 

 5 Miles. 



which are often tossed by the storm, and whose perils mariners are warned against 

 by beacons like those of the high seas. The navigation of Onega especially is 

 much endangered by the numerous rocks and reefs skirting its shores, and about 

 eighty sailors are said to have yearly perished here before 187-1, when buoys were 



