Page:Notes upon Russia (volume 2, 1851).djvu/73

and Viatka, but on account of the tribes of Czeremisse, which rove about in search of plunder. Hence the road by Vologda and Ustyug, though longer, presents greater facilities and security for travelling. Viatka is one hundred and twenty miles distant from Ustyug, and sixty from Kazan. The district derives its name from a river, on whose banks are situated Klinova, Orlov, and Solovoda. Orlov lies four miles below Klinova. Six miles lower down to the west lies Solovoda. Cotelnitz is eight miles from Klinova on the river Rhecitza, which flows from the east between Klinova and Orlov, and empties itself into the Viatka. The region is marshy and barren, and forms a sort of asylum for fugitive serfs; it abounds in honey, wild beasts, squirrels, and fish. It was formerly under the dominion of the Tartars; and, indeed, up to the present day, the Tartars hold rule over the country on both sides of the Viatka, especially about its mouths, where it falls into the Kama. Journeys in that country are reckoned by czunckhas. The czunckha is equal to five versts. The river Kama empties itself into the Volga twelve miles below Kazan. The province of Siberia is watered by this river.

Permia is a large and extensive province lying at a distance of two hundred and fifty, or, according to some, three hundred miles directly north-east of Moscow. It has a city of the same name on the river Vischora, which ten miles below it flows into the Kama. It is scarcely possible to travel thither by land, except in winter, on account of the numerous marshes and rivers; but in summer, the journey thither is made with tolerable facility in boats by the Vologda, the Ustyug, and the river Vitzechda, which flows into the Dwina twelve miles from Ustyug. Those who travel from Permia to Ustyug must go in boats up the Vischora, and after making the passage of several rivers, have to transport their boats to other rivers, and so at length come down to Ustyug, at a distance of three hundred miles from Permia.