The Hon. Mr. Strangways on the Geology of Russia. \9 



high level, to the east of those I have ah*eady mentioned. It is designed to 

 connect the lakes Onega and Bieloe Ozero (or White Lake) by means of the 

 river Vitegra, which flovi^s into the former. The latter lake empties itself by 

 tlie Shexna into the Volga at Ribinsk. In this case two canals are required ; 

 it being necessary not only to connect the Vitegra with the river that runs 

 into the Bieloe Ozero, but also to avoid that lake, by cutting a canal round 

 one half of its circumference to join the feeding with the emptying stream. 

 For the Bieloe Ozero is merely a shallow pool in the sand, of a regular oval 

 figure; and, like most of the lakes of northern Russia, would be considered as 

 rather a faulty spot in an improved system of navigation, though it may 

 probably have been very useful in an incipient one. 



Still further to the eastward, between Vologda and Kostroma, about sixty 

 versts from the former town, is quarried a dark hard limestone of very good 

 quality. Not being able to describe either the stone or the quarry from 

 personal inspection, I mention it only to hazard the conjecture, that it may 

 be a continuation or re -appearance of that of Borovichy*. 



Here my acquaintance with the Valday chain terminates ; but I believe it 

 to be prolonged to some distance further in the same direction. This 

 eastern portion of it is thickly wooded, and supplies a great part of the 

 timber used in the interior of Russia, where its want is becoming daily more 

 and more sensible, and also of that demanded by the northern export trade. 



A branch of the Oural Mountains is described as projecting into the 

 government of Vologda, with which it is possible the Valday chain may be 

 connected on the east. 



Central Salt District. 



The very extensive tract of country which I designate under this name 

 will scarcely admit of any precise geographical boundary. I shall hoAvever 

 endeavour to give an idea of it, by following the course of the Volga from 

 Tver to Cazan, in a direction nearly east and west; and by giving such a 



* According to Gmelin, some limestones, much of the same character as those of Borovichy, 

 and, like it, containing a sort of coal, are found at Uryefskoy and Coudroszovo in the govern, 

 ment of Tver. This government is celebrated for the beauty of its siliceous fossils, found in loose 

 boulders of chert scattered over the surface of the country. As chert has been found in situ at 

 Borovichy accompanying limestone, and containing fragments of the same organic remains, may 

 not these limestones of the government of Tver, which are charsicterized by the same cncrinites, 

 &c. as those of Borovichy, be connected with the chert boulders, to which no place has yet been 

 assigned, and whose organic remains, shells, &c. agree with those of the limcstoue of Borovichy, 

 though not yet found in the chert of that place ? 



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