CHAPTER IV. 
LAKE ONEGA. 
Art the issue of the Svir from Lake Onega is Vosnisenya, 
one of the principal centres of inland navigation by a 
widely extended system of canals, of which there are three 
‘connecting the Baltic and North Sea with the Volga and 
the Caspian. One of these commences here, where are 
collected barges and vessels from all parts of Russia, 
including: an extensive region of Siberia. In this respect 
it resembles the town and port of Schlusselburg on Lake 
Ladoga, it being the fort from which that town takes its 
stame, and not the town itself, which is situated on an 
‘island in the river. 
In the month of June last (1883) were formally opened 
-at Serumaxa on the Svir two new canals, connected with the 
rivers Svir and Siass, the formal opening taking place in 
the presence of the Emperor and Empress, who were 
accompanied by several Ministers. The Svir Canal has 
‘been named after the Emperor, and the Siass Canal after 
the Empress. Both canals are 8 feet deep, and will allow 
of the passage of large vessels, thus rendering possible the 
transport of goods to the harbours of St. Petersburg in ten 
days less time than hitherto. 
Vosnisenya is called by the inhabitants The St. Peters- 
burg Gate. I received much kind courtesy here, and I am 
indebted for much information and assistance in my en- 
quires to Forst-Meister Dltitofsky. Here I had an opportu- 
nity of penetrating a little way into the forests, along 
with Forst-Meister Herman Goebel, from whom I received 
much information in regard to forestry in Russia, and 
more especially in regard to planting operations on 
