That portion of Russia which lies north of a lino drawn from Uleaborg to the extremity of the Gulf of Kandalankaya comprehends Russian Lapland, which is described under LAPLAND. According to meteorological observations taken at Enontekie, in Itumian Lapland (63' 30' N. lat.). the mean annual temperature does not exceed 27' Fahr.; that of the winter is 0', of the spring 25', of the summer 55', and of the Autumn Fahr.
On the southern coast of the Gulf of Cialend, the shores urfr com posed, ef limentone, and rite abruptly fron the sea like a wall te. an elevation of 60 to ISO feet. From this elevated coax; the country extends is • level plain from 30 to 40 miles southward, and then deeeirmis to the plain of Livonia by a gradual slope. The surface of the plain mg-crest with a layer of mould of indifferent fertility, pro duciag moderate crops of rye and barley. A part of the plain is covered with woods, colt:Wang commonly of birch, but frequently inteemixed with and llme-trees; the last...mentioned treed con astute, In some places. extensive forests. The plain is furrowed by watetrourses, which lie many yards below the surface, and the rivers which flow in them liars a very rapid course, so as to be unfit for navigation, at least in several place*. There are no swamps in this recioit, but farther watt there are many. [Cowart :in; EarnoNta.
Though both the northern and southern shores of the Gulf of Finland are elevated and rocky, the country that surrounds its inner moot feces. on both sides of the river Neva forms a depression which eaten& round the southern shores of the Lake of Ladoga, and continues to the southern extremity of that of Onega. Towards the south it reaches, near 59' N. lat., the hilly tracts that branch off from the table-land of Valdal. A moderately thin layer of mould covers a subsoil of rock. The surface is level and very swampy, and though the soil Is not devoid of fertility, great labour he required for its sue armful cultivation. Though situated in the immediate vicinity of one of the largest and most populous towns of Europe, only a very small proportion of the surface of this region is under cultivation, and about 20 miles from St. Petersburg the forests commence, which occupy nearly the whole of the country. The forests consist almost solely of fir and birch. Immense boulders of granite are dispersed through these forests. The mean annual temperature of St. I'eteraburg is only 37° : the mean of the winter is /6' of the spring 324°, of the summer 50', and of the autumn 37i'. mean annual quantity of rein which
falls in that city is between 17 and /8 inches ; but it must be remem bered that out quantities of snow fall in the winter.
The table-land of Valdai and the elevated tract which exteuds from the river Sista to the lake Bjelo-Oaero (both these countries surround the plain above noticed on the south and south-east) were formerly covered with extensive forests of elm, birch, and poplar, the greater part of which have been cleared. The surface is undulating, and the rocky eminences which rise on it only attain a height of 100 to 200 feet above their bare. Grain succeeds very well, and crops are abundant; but a great part of the produce is used for the maintenance of horses, which are in great request, as eeeeral well-frequented roads and three lines of canal traverse this region. The elevated and broken region which is contiguous to the table-land of Valdai on the west, and occupies the greeter part of the governments of Pskow and Vitepsk, is similar in its natural features, but the surface exhibits greater variety, lakes being very numerous.
A ridge of eletated ground of considerable width commences on the banks of the Diana near Diinaburg, not far from which town the last rapids in the river occur. It extends northward on both sides of 27' E. long., and terminates on the shore of Lake Peipus south of Dorpat Its average elevation is about 600 feet above the sea, but in some places there are hills which are from 300 to 600 feet higher. This sandy and eterile ridge eeparatee the elevated table-laud of Vaepsk and Pakow from the low plain of Livonia, which extends westward from it to the chorea of the Gulf of Riga. The eastern portion of this plain, east of 26° K long., is in general undulating, but in many places contains hills 400 or 500 feet high. In this tract the soil is chiefly loamy, and has a considerable degree of fertility. lu the forests the birch prevails. To the west of 26° E. long., the country is nearly a level, with the exception of the southern districts between the Dtins and the river As., where there are some hills. The soil of the lava portion of the plain is much less fertile, it yields however grain, hemp, and lie. The forests consist mostly of pine, and occupy a considerable portion of the level ground. It terminates on the sea with a low, flat, and sandy shore.