44 THE FOREST LANDS OF NORTHERN RUSSIA. 
which now, in consequence of the dismantling of the for- 
tress of Nova Dwina, is left without defence.” 
‘ According to the views of Mr Seederoff, there will only 
be required the construction of a canal fifty versts long, 
which, opening on the lake, will make it possible for ship- 
ping to pass from the lake to the White Sea, or from the 
White Sea to Lake Onega, and, consequently, to St. 
Petersburg.’ 
M. Judrae goes on to say, ‘Mr Seederoff has, I think, 
negiected to take into account the rapids of the Svir, 
which, to the accomplishment of such a scheme, would 
require to be passed by a canal; and this would add con- 
siderably to the difficulty of the undertaking. But both 
the Onega and White Sea canal and the White Sea road 
remain at present within the category of projects, and they - 
are likely to remain there for some time, as no one 
seriously believes in the execution of either of them in the 
immediate future. 
‘Returning to details of my journey: After proceeding 
some eighteen versts, or twelve miles, by boat through a 
succession of narrow lakes, I landed at a place where there 
was a very narrow path, which could only be traversed on 
foot. A walk of six versts, or four miles, brought me to 
the village of Morskoy Mosselgie. The road I found 
pleasant. It goes along a picturesque ridge of hills, run- 
ning from west to east some thirty-two versts or twenty- 
one miles north of Povonetz, at an elevation of some seven 
hundred feet above the level of the adjacent country, being 
the greatest altitude in the Government of Olonetz. 
‘ This ridge constitutes the watershed of streams flowing . 
on the one side to the Baltic, and on the other to the 
White Sea. On the former are narrow lakes, which, with 
the rivers connecting them or issuing from them, flow into 
the Onega, while on the latter is the Matkozero, whose 
waters flowing northward follow the course indicated. 
‘On the banks of the Matkozero they fell wood for the 
saw-mills at, Povonetz, transporting it by carts across the - 
Mosselgie ridge, the woodmen going further and further : 
