e

48
76. Valdai Hills.

Where are the Valdai hills? Where does the
Volga river rise ? Into what sea does the Volga flow ?

The Valdai hills rise only a little above the
great plain of Europe. They
contain the sources of
many large streams.

The Volga river
rises in a marsh
in the hill re-
gion, and flows
into the Cas-
pian sea. The
basin of the
Volga is the
largest river basin
in Europe, : but it

 
  
  
  
 
   
  
  
  

‘BRITISH ISLES.

‘The Caspian sea is often swept by cold winds from

the north. In winter the mouth of the Volga is

closed by ice. During the open season many vessels

trade at the ports by the sea and on the rivers.

The Caspian sea and the streams that flow into
it are very rich in fish. Among
these is the sturgeon.
This fish often grows to
the length of ten feet.
Part of its body is
covered with bony
plates. Its mouth
is small and tooth-
less, and is under
the long snout.
Many. thousand
people earn their
living by catching
fish in this sea and
in the streams that

 

is not one half so large

as that of the Mississippi.
What: seas receive streams

from the region of the Valdai hills?

The vast plain that spreads round the Valdai hills
is crossed by a network of canals. These connect
with the rivers, and form the main highways of
trade.

The canals reach lumber and fur regions on the

north, rich mines of gold andisilver in the moun-.

tains that lie to the east, and. Rntile exainnelde on.
all sides.

In return for the Saeduas of these regions, the
canals carry cloth, tea, sugar’and farming tools to
the people of the plain.

77. The Caspian Sea.

The Caspian sea is the. largest body of water
havimg no outlet to the ocean.

  

flow into: it.

Sturgeon Fishing.

78. British Isles.

What islands are west of the mainland of
Europe? .
A. few low ranges cross the British Isles.

These. are the most important islands on earth.
The ‘trade between the people of the: British Isles
and of the United States is very large. :

Ben-Nevis is the highest mountain in the British
Find it on the key map, page 47. :

Isles.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Its area is much larger than that |
of the Great Lakes of North
America.

The Caspian sea is ate and its |
surface is a little below the level |
of the ocean.

    

Ben-Nevis, Scotland.

A Highland Cottage.