52 THE FOREST LANDS OF FINLAND. 
the boundary between Russia and Sweden, and after the 
peace settled at Nystad in 1721, separated the Govern- 
ment of Wyborg from the other part of the Russian 
empire, and which forms now the boundary between the 
Province of Finland and the Government of St. Petersburg, 
‘There are also artificial water communications by 
canal in Finland. The only canals made by the Russian 
Government hitherto are those which were constructed 
for military strategy after the peace of Abo, in 1743, to 
enable the fleet of the Saima to be brought from Willman- 
strand to Nyslot without touching on Swedish territory ; 
with this view four canals were constructed, namely—those 
by Kutwelentaipale, Kayhké, Kukontiapale,and Telataipale, 
And these, now that all Finland is united, have lost their 
importance. : 
‘Although Finland is destitute of such canals as pro- 
mote commerce, much has been done to facilitate inland 
navigation, by clearing the rivers from obstructions, remov- 
ing stones from waterfalls and rapids, and by deepening 
the shallower water-courses. 
‘By these means also has the superficial extent of the 
waters been diminished. A number of lakes have been 
drained, marshes have been dried, and extensive stretches ; 
of fertile land, suitable for agriculture, and more especially 
for the growth of grass, have been gained.’ 
Such is Finland—I shall not say a land, but a country, 
a large proportion of which is covered with water! I have 
endeavoured to follow literally the statements of Dr. Rein. 
They relate to 1839, a time, it should be noted, previous 
to the construction of the Saima Canal. : 
