The Collected Works of Sir Humphry Davy Volume 3 (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1875 Excerpt: ...of 70,568 men. There are also, in case of war, 1,234,460 mobilized troops in readiness to be called out. The navy of the Russian Empire is composed of 261 vessels, 1585 guns. The Bali tic fleet comprises twenty-seven iron-clads of different species, and one hundred and thirty-five other vessels. There are thirty-two vessels in the Black Sea; thirtyone in the Caspian; and thirty-nine in the Siberian fleet. The whole tonnage is 210,000. The imports of the empire in 1870 amounted to 315,000,000 rubles, and the exports to 351,000,000 rubles--thirty-six million rubles in favor of the empire. The natural wealth of Russia is very considerable, both in the mineral and vegetable kingdoms; iron, lead, gold, copper, sulphur, arsenic, and salt are found in many parts of the empire. Coal, however, is very scarce, if we except the valley of the Donetz (the principal tributary of the Don). This want, however, is somewhat compensated for by the immense forests which exist in most parts of the country; in fact, it is estimated that they cover fully two thirds of the empire. The Scotch fir is one of the most serviceable of its trees; in addition to its use as fuel, the peasantry construct with it their cottages, boats, and fences. The Russian potash is obtained from its ashes, while an abundant supply of turpentine is extracted from its roots by distillation. All the wild animals native to Europe abound in various parts of Russia, the skins of which are in extensive demand in all the different markets. The lakes of Russia are among the largest in Europe. Those of greatest extent being the Ladoga, Onega, Ilmen, Peipus, Bielo, and the Saima in the province of Finland. The rivers are numerous and magnificent, and are among the largest on the face of the globe. The entire course...