CALEDONIAN CANAL. The chain of fresh-water lakes —Lochs Ness, Oich and Lochy—which stretch along the line of the Great Glen of Scotland in a south-west direction from Inver ness, early suggested the idea of connecting the east and west coasts of Scotland by a canal which would save ships about 400 m. of coasting voyage round the north of Great Britain through the stormy Pentland firth. In 1773 James Watt was employed by the government to make a survey for such a canal, which was con structed by Thomas Telford and opened in 1822. From the north ern entrance on Beauly firth to the southern, near Ft. William, the total length is about 6o m., that of the artificial portion being about 22 m. The number of locks is 28, and their lift is in general about 8 ft., but some of them are for regulating purposes only. The navigation is vested in and managed by the commissioners of the Caledonian canal, of whom the speaker of the House of Com mons is ex officio chairman. Any profits must be expended on renewals and improvements of the canal, but parliament is occa sionally called upon to make special grants. The canal is now little used owing to its small size and the increased power and range of steam fishing vessels. In the commissioners is also vested the Crinan canal (q.v.).