38 THE FOREST LANDS OF NORTHERN RUSSIA. 
ground: towards the lake; and they present generally the 
characteristics of mountain streams. The most striking 
feature of the country is the great quantity of boulders 
upon its surface, the number of which, if stated, would be 
almost incredible. They consist exclusively of granite and 
other primary or transition formations, covered partially - 
by drift, in which is a red sand in considerable quantity. 
There are also projecting from the ground granite hills in 
whole or in part quite bare, or covered only with lichens. . 
Having examined the works I proceeded further. On the 
right hand was a magnificent view of the Onega Lake, the 
breadth of which at this place is above 80 versts (about 54. 
miles), On the left side of the road were hills, the 
continuation of those of Finland, which pass. into the- 
Government of Olonetz, but fall away towards the south 
till they present an altitude not exceeding 420 feet above 
the level of the country around. The surface of the hills.. 
seen from this point is covered with forests, which consist 
of four different kinds of trees, intermixed in varying. 
proportions—fir, pine, birch, and aspen. The height of, 
these trees, judging by the eye, seemed to be low compared 
with like vegetable productions. The only impression I | 
have retained of the course of the whole journey to Petro- - 
zavodsk, with such opportunities of observation as I had,, 
was a feeling that.I had gotten into a comparatively. 
northern region, and that I must be- nearing the polar 
circle; granite hills and interminable forests, a stony soil, 
with abundance of waters but a sparse population—these . 
are my remembrances of my first acquaintance with the. 
Government of Olonetz. 
‘Every twenty or, thirty versts (14 and 20 miles) there - 
were small villages inhabited by Karrells, a tribe of Finns_ 
who have retained the Finnish language, but in every. 
other respect they are like the population from Novgorod, 
found in the south and east, and in parts of the central. 
portion of this government. : 
‘Within two weeks after my arrival at Petrozavodsk I- 
was.once more on the road in, my Aibitka speeding onward, 
