The universal geography : earth and its inhabitants

138 RUSSIA IX EUROPE.course down stream, have frequently arrested hostileinvasions, and checked thepeaceful pursuits of commerce from hank to hank, while traffic was easily carriedon from basin to basin.The sources of most of the rivers, the Yolga included, are entangled in a vastlabyrinth of waters, and connected by marshy tracts navigable by boats in therainy seasons. Through the numerous affluents of all the main streams, almostcontinuous water highways may be obtained from sea to sea, and Peter the Greatwas able to open a route for the Neva boats all the way to the Caspian. As is stillthe case in the rocky plains of British America, and in the llanos of SouthFia;. 91. Rainfall in East Europe.America, the Russian portages (roloks) were largely used by migratory tribes,thus acquiring considerable historical importance, notwithstanding their comparativelylow elevation. They were naturally chosen as the limits between thetribes occupying the lands on either side of the water-partings. All the northeastof Russia took the name of " Chudic Land beyond the Portages "(Zarolotzkai/aCliud) at a time when it was still tributary to the Novgorod republic. Evennow the portages, like certain Pyrenean passes, are sacred spots, and on manyof them the wayfarers are required to contribute in passing to the accumulatedmounds of grass or heaps of stones.