240 THE FOREST LANDS OF FINLAND. 
Suomenselki ; it then takes a south-west direction, and 
finally arrives at the promontory of Sideby, between the 
provinces of Satakunta and of East-Bothnia where it 
gradually sinks to the sea-level. It constitutes the boun- 
dary to the north and north-west of the interior of Finland, 
a country characterised by inequalities of soil, cut up by 
elevations and lakes, and it separates it from the low and 
continuous plain which forms the south coast of East 
Bothnia. Three branch chains separate themselves from 
the Soumenselka; these are the Savonselka, the Haemeen- 
selka, and the Satakunnanselka; they take a southem 
direction, and combine at their extremity with the Sal- 
pausselka, enclosing thus the whole central portion of 
Finland, which they divide into three basins, of which 
the lakes of Savolaks-Karélie in the east, and ‘of Tavaat- 
land in the west, fill the lowest lying parts,’ 
