25 miles N. W. of Valladolid. Long. 4. 43. W. Lat. 42. 4. N. MEDINA SIDONIA, a very ancient town of Spain, in Andalusia, between Cadiz and Gibraltar. It has two churches, six monasteries, a fruitful territory, and about 5000 inhabitants. It has long conferred the title of a duchy; and the families of Medina Celi and Medina Sidonia are now united under one head. 22 miles S. E. of Cadiz. Long. 5. 55. W. Lat. 36. 22. N. MEDINET FARS, a ruined town of Fayoum, in Egypt, situated near the capital of the province. It is supposed to occupy the site of the ancient Arsinoe. MEDINET ABU, a village of Upper Egypt, on the site of which are several temples, which appear to have belonged to the ancient Thebes. See Thebes, ruins of MEDIO, a river of the province of Buenos Ayres, which enters the Parana. MEDIO, RIO DEL, a river of the island of St Domingo, which enters the Jaques a little before this enters the Neiba. MEDITERRANEAN, the great sea which forms the southern boundary of almost the whole of Europe, and is the largest expanse of water in the world that does not come under the name of ocean. It is bounded on the east by Asia, on the south by Africa, and on the west it terminates in a point at the straits of Gibraltar. Its length from east to west is about 2000 miles: its breadth varies greatly, being in one part (between Albania and the coast of Tripoli) fully 800 miles, but its general breadth is from 400 to 500. Its communications are with the Euxine or Black sea on the north-east, and with the Atlantic on the west by the former through the Bosphorus; by the latter through the straits of Gibraltar. The form of the Mediterranean is by no means regular; its northern shore, in particular, is greatly indented by the long projections of Italy and Greece: its southern shore, though less irregular, has many sinuosities. Different parts of this extensive sea are known by particular names. The north-east part, separating Turkey in Europe from Turkey in Asia, is called the Archipelago: the part surrounding Greece on the west and south is the Ionian sea: the long gulf, extending from Albania in the south, to Venice in the north, is the Adriatic: the part that washes the west of Italy is the Tuscan or Tyrrhenian the northern extremity of the last is the gulf of Genoa: and the part adjacent to the Mouths of the Rhone is the gulf of Lyons. Naples on the south-west, and Tarentum on the south-east of Italy, have each their gulfs. The Mediterranean contains a number of islands; Sicily, Sardinia, Corsien, Majorca, Minorca, Malta, Can dia (Crete), Corfu (Corcyra), Negropont (Euboea), Rhodes, and the almost countless islands and islets of the Archipelago. Of the rivers that fall into the Mediterranean, the greatest are the Nile, the Po, the Rhone, and the Ebro. From the Bosphorus a strong current sets regularly into the Mediterranean. In the straits of Gibraltar the middle current flows into it from the Atlantic, while along the northern and southern shores, two weaker currents flow in a contrary direction. This sea differs greatly from the ocean in its tides, which are feeble and irregular. Though its winds are variable, its navigation is in general smooth and easy. MEDLE, a settlement of the island of Cuba, 62 miles N. of St Yago. MEDLING, or MODLING, a town of Lower Austria, with 3200 inhabitants, employed partly in muslin manufactures. 8 miles S. of Vienna. MEDMANN, OF METTMANN, a town of the Prussian states of the Rhine, in the duchy of Berg. Population 4000. It has manufactures of cotton, woollen, and hardware. 6 miles E. N. E. of Dusseldorf. Long. 6. 43. E. Lat. 51. 17. N. MEDNOI, or COPPER ISLE, an island in the Eastern ocean, at the extremity of Asiatic Russia. It derives its name from the massive copper which is found on the western shore. It is about 35 miles in length, and from 2 to 7 in breadth. Its shores on every side present a wall of rocks; yet it has one or two commodious harbours formed by small rivers. It is inhabited. Sea calves and sea lions resort thither in immense numbers. 100 miles from Behring's island. MEDOMSLEY, a township of England, in the county of Durham, 12 miles N. W. from Durham. Population 391. MEDRA, a town of Benin, in Western Africa, situated near the river Cameroon. MEDROSTA, a lake of the United States, in Maine, near the Canada line. Long. 68. 22. W. Lat. 47. 56. N. MEDSTED, a parish of England, in Southamptonshire, 4 miles W. S. W. from Alstin. Population 350. MEDUA, a village in the southern part of Algiers, at the foot of Mount Atlas, 180 miles S. W. of Algiers. MEDUCK, a district of Hindostan, province of Hyderabad, belonging to the Nizam. MEDUCK, the capital of the above-mentioned district. Long. 78. 26. E. Lat. 17. 50. N. MEDVEDITZA, a large river of the southeast of European Russia, which rises about 50 miles to the north of Saratov, flows south and south-south-west, and falls into the Don. MZDY2J11, a fort of Asiatic Russia, in the government of Tobolsk, formed for the defence of the circle of Itchym. MEDVEJII, OF BEAR ISLES, a name given to a small group situated in Behring's straits. MEDVEZEI, a cape on the north coast of Nova Zembla. Long. 69. 34. E. Lat. 77. 20. N. MEDUMACK, a river of the United States, in the district of Maine, which runs into the sea, Long. 69. 15. W. Lat. 44. N. MEDWA, a place on the northern frontier of Darfur, in Central Africa, serving as a station for the caravans, though it affords no water. 80 miles N. of Cobbe. MEDWAY, a considerable river of England, which rising in Surry and Sussex, unites its various branches in Kent, runs eastwards to Tunbridge and Maidstone, thence northwards to Rochester, and falls into the mouth of the Thames in a large estuary at Sheerness or the Nore. The tide flows nearly up to Maidstone; from thence the river has been made navigable to Tunbridge, and a great trade is carried on by means of this navigation. From Rochester bridge to Sheerness, a distance of 17 miles, the channel of the river is so deep, the banks so soft, and the reaches so commodious, that it forms one of the best and safest harbours in the world. At Chatham it is a station for the royal navy. The principal defence of the river is the castle and works at Sheerness. Higher up are the forts of Upnor and Gillingham, on the opposite shores; and there is also a platform of guns at the Swan, and another at Cockhamwood. MEDWAY, a township of the United States, in Norfolk county, Massachusetts, on the river Charles. Population 1213. MEDWIN, a small river of Scotland, in Lanarkshire, one-half of which falls into the Tarth, and this latter into the Lyne, which joins the Tweed, while the other half runs into the Clyde. MEBYN, a town of European Russia, in the government of Kaluga. Population 800. 92 miles S. W. of Moscow. Long. 37. 51. E. Lat. 55. 0. N. MEEGHEOUNG-YAY, a town of the Birman empire, province of Ava. It is situated on the bank of the Irrawuddy river, and carries on a considerable traffic in grain and oil. The country in the vicinity is fertile and well cultivated. Long. 9. 50. E. Lat. 19. 53. N. MEELAH, a small town of Algiers, in the province of Constantina, situated in a country beautifully variegated with hill and dale. It is supposed to be the Milevum of the ancients; and the centre of this city is adorned with a fine fountain of Ronan workmanship. The fruits, particularly POL. IT. PART 1. pomegranates and apples, are here of pect liar excellence, and the market of Constan tina is chiefly supplied from this place. 13 miles N. W. from Constantina. MEEN, ST, a town of France, department of the Ille and Vilaine. Population 1400. 9 miles W. of Montfort. MEENAS. See Jajghur. MEENEES, a small island in the Sooloo archipelago. Long. 121. 35. E. Lat. 6. 32. N. MEERAT, a town of Hindostan, province of Ajmeer, belonging to the rajah of Joudpore. Long. 74. 14. E. Lat. 26. 35. N. MEERCOOT, a town of Afghanistan, province of Cabul. It stands very high, and the climate is remarkably cold. Long. 67. 30. E. Lat. 33. 31. N. MEERGUNGE.There are several towns of this name in Bengal, as three of its go→ vernors bore that prenomen. MEERHOLZ, a town of Germany, in Hesse-Cassel. Population 1000. 35 miles S. W. of Fulda. MEERHOUT, a small town of the Netherlands, in the province of Antwerp. Population 2800. 24 miles N. E. of Louvain. MEERJAOW, a town of the south of India, province of Canara. It stands upon an inlet of the sea, and is supposed to have been the Musiris of the ancients. It was nearly destroyed by Hyder Aly when he invaded the province in 1773. The neighbouring forests abound with teak timber, and black pepper grows spontaneously on the hills. Long. 74. 36. E. Lat. 14. 27. N. MEERKA SERAI, a town of Bengal, district of Chittagong, probably named after the celebrated Meer Joomla, who was governor of Bengal in the middle of the 17th century, and subdued Assam. Long. 4. 14. E. Lat. 26. 35. N. MEERSEN, a town of the Netherlands, in the province of Limburg, with 1100 inhabitants. 3 miles N. E. of Maestricht. MEES, LES, a town of France, department of the Lower Alps. Population 2000. 17 miles S. W. of Digne. MEFFERSDORF, a large village of Prussian Silesia, in Upper Lusatia. Population 2200. MEGALA, a village of Tunis, 3 miles N. E. of Spaitla. MEGANISI, a small rocky island in the Ionian sea, on the east coast of Santa Maura, from which it is separated by a narrow channel. It was formerly called Thelabides. MEGANTICK, a lake of Lower Canada, on the borders of the state of New England. It is one of the lakes from which the river Chaudiere arises. It is nine miles in length, and two upon the average in breadth, running deeply into the land in several bays; closing upon which, and around the lake generally, are some very excellent meadows. The scenery in the vicinity is beautifully picturesque, as the land rises gradually from its borders, clothed with a rich verdure, and embellished by large groups of stately trees ranging above each other until they crest the summit, and exhibit a most enchanting variety of foliage. The waters abound with excellent fish, and the country around this sequestered and romantic spot is the resort of almost every species of game. MEGARA, a town of Greece, in the isthmus of Corinth, formerly of considerable extent, but now an insignificant village. It stands on an eminence, about a mile from the gulf of Egina. The remains of antiquity are not considerable. 18 miles W. of Athens. MEGAYEL, a village of Lower Egypt, 6 miles N. of Rosetta. MEGE, a village of Farsistan, in Persia, 10 miles S. of Ispahan. MEGEN, a small town of the Netherlands, in North Brabant, on the Maese. 15 miles N. E. of Bois le Duc. MEGENA, a small river of Guiana, which enters the Orinoco. MEGEVE, a town of the Sardinian states, in Savoy, with 3100 inhabitants. 20 miles S. E. of Bonneville. MEGGAT, a small river of Scotland, in Dumfries-shire, which falls into the Esk. It is also the name of a small river in Peebles-shire, which falls into St Mary's loch, after a course of 8 miles. MEGNA RIVER. This river is formed by the junction of numerous streams issuing from the mountains which form the northern boundary of Bengal. The principal of these is the Brahmapootra. Below the city of Dacca it is joined by the Issamutty, Dullasary, Luckia, and Ganges, after which it pours its immense volume into the bay of Bengal, forming several large islands at its mouth. Between these islands the tide enters with great rapidity, forming in the spring tides what is called the Bore, and which in a few minutes rises 12 feet high. The sand-banks run nearly 30 miles into the sea, and will probably be one day habitable islands, like Saugor, &c. This appears to be the proper entrance of the Ganges; and if the British had made Dacca the capital of Bengal, no doubt that good passages for ships might have been explored. MEGO, or PULO MEGO ISLE, a very small island, situated off the western coast of Sumatra. Long. 101. 5. E. Lat. 4. S. MEGUIN, a river of Chili, in Guadalabquen, which runs west, and enters the Pacific ocean. MEHAINE, or MEHAIGNE, a river of the MEHALLET KEBEER, a city of Lower Egypt, situated on a canal between the eastern and western branches of the Nile. It is the capital of the district of El Garbie, in the Delta. It is of very considerable magnitude, so as among all the Mehallets to be called Kebeer "the Great." It possesses manufactures of cloth and sal ammoniac, and carries on a great trade. Long. 31. 24. E. Lat. 30. 50. N. MEHALLET IL LOBEN, a village of Lower Egypt, 16 miles S. of Faoua. MEHALLET IL MESHAK, a town of Egypt, 5 miles N. N. E. of Tineh. MEHAMA, one of the smaller Friendly islands, in the Pacific ocean, 4 miles E. of Neeneeva. MEHERRIN, a river of the United States, which rises in Virginia, and unites with the Nottaway, in North Carolina, to form the Chowan. MEHINDRY, a river of Hindostan, province of Gujerat. After passing the city of Ahmedabad, it falls into the gulf of Cambay. Its winding course is estimated at 190 miles. MEHKOOR, a district of Hindostan, province of Berar. It is a populous territory, situated between two ranges of mountains, and subject to the rajah of Nagpore. MEHLIS, a village of Germany, in the duchy of Saxe-Gotha, with 1300 inhabit ants. MEHLSACK, a town of East Prussia, 35 miles S. of Elbing, and 42 S. W. of Konigsberg. Population 2200. It trades in flax, thread, and linen. MEHRINGEN, or MOHRINGEN, a town of Bavaria, 8 miles S. S. E. of Augsburg. Population 1200. MEHUN, a town of France, department of the Cher, on the Evre. Population 1300. 12 miles N. W. of Bourges. MEHWAS, a district of Hindostan, province of Gujerat, situated along the southeast bank of the Puddar river. The inhabitants were formerly Hindoos, but a number of them have been converted to the Mahometan religion. They are all soldiers of fortune, and live by plundering their neighbours. Any person who can command the services of 20 horsemen, considers himself as an independent chief, and sets out on a marauding expedition. They cultivate little of the soil, but breed some horses and cattle. MEI, a town of China, of the third rank, in Shensee. MEIA SAREKIN, a village of Diarbekir, in Asiatic Turkey, 30 miles E. N. E. of Diarbekir. MEIDERICK, a village of Prussian Westphalia, in the duchy of Cleves, with 1350 inhabitants. MEIDLING, a town of Lower Austria, on the small river Wier, 10 miles S. by W. of Vienna. Population 3200. MELDUN, a village of Egypt, to the south of Gize, near which is situated a pyramid, reckoned by Norden the most southerly of any in Egypt, though the narrative of Denon proves this to be a mistake. It is of brick, and built in the form of five retreating steps or stages. It makes a striking appearance from a distance, when the hill on which it is built appears to make part of it. It has been supposed the ancient Nilopolis. 32 miles S. of Cairo. MEIE, a river of England, in Salop, which falls into the Severn at Shrewsbury. MEIENBURG, a town of the Prussian province of Brandenburg, near the borders of Mecklenburg. Population 1100. miles N. of Pritzwalk. 10 MEIG, a river of Scotland, in Ross-shire, which falls into the Lichart. MEIGLE, a parish of Scotland, in Perthshire, about 4 miles long, and from 1 to 2 broad. Population 923. MEIGLE, a town in the above parish, pleasantly situated on a small rivulet of the same name. It is an ancient town, and contains in the churchyard, the remains of a sepulchral monument, said to be of great antiquity. Population 271. 12 miles N.W. from Dundee. MEIGS, a township of the United States, in Adams county, Ohio. Population 835. MEIGS CREEK, a river of the United States, in Ohio, which runs into the Muskingum, 20 miles above Marietta. MEILEN, a village of Switzerland, on the east side of the lake of Zurich. Population 2200. 3 miles S. E. of Zurich. MEILHAN, a town of France, department of the Lot and Garonne. Population 2400. 6 miles W. N. W. of Marmande. MEILLONAS, a town of France, department of the Ain, near the source of the Chevron. Population 1400. 6 miles N.E. of Bourg. MEIMAC, OF MEYNIAC, a town of France, department of the Correze, between the rivers Trivusanne and Luzege. Population 3000. 9 miles W. of Ussel. MEIMUND, a rich village of Egypt, to the south of Gize, containing 10,000 inhabitants. MEINE, a small river of the Prussian states, in the duchy of Cleves. It falls into the Rhine near Emmerick. MEINSHEIM, a small town of the southwest of Germany, in Wirtemberg, near Brackenheim. Population 1000. MEINUNGEN, a principality in the interior of Germany, in Saxony, forming the territory of the duke of Saxe-Meinungen, and divided into the Oberland and the Unterland, two districts situated at some disstance from each other. The superficial extent of the whole is about 448 square miles, and the population 56,000. The Unterland is the larger of the two, containing an extent of nearly 350 square miles, and a population of 40,000. It is traversed by the river Werra, has extensive forests, and mines of iron, coal, and cobalt. Woollens, linen, and hardware, are manufactured on a small scale, but the chief export consists of salt from the mines of Salzungen. The Oberland has only 16,000 inhabitants, and is a hilly district, situated in the extensive track called the forest of Thuringia, and abounding in mines. MEINUNGEN, a town of Germany, in Saxony, situated amongst mountains, on the river Werra. It has been, since 1681, the residence of the dukes of Saxe-Meinungen, who have here a large and elegant castle, with a library, a cabinet of curiosi ties, and a depot of archives. Here is also a lyceum, a council-house, and a house for the meeting of the states. The principal manufacture is black crape. Population 4200. 21 miles N. of Schweinfurt. MEIN-WATER, a small river of Scotland, in Dumfries-shire, which joins the Annan. MEISENHEIM, a small town situated on the Glan, in a district of the same name. Population 1800. 34 miles N. of DeuxPonts, and 30 W. S. W. of Mentz. MEISSAC, a town of France, department of the Correze. Population 1900. MEISSEN, OF MISNIA, a circle of Saxony, extending along both sides of the Elbe from Bohemia on the south, to Prussian Saxony on the north. A considerable part of it was ceded to Prussia at the congress of Vienna in 1815, but it has still an area of 1600 square miles, with 298,000 inhabitants. It is one of the most populous and best cultivated parts of the kingdom, and produces corn, fruit, flax, hops, pasturage, and, in a few districts, wine. It contains also the principal manufactures of Saxony, whether in woollen, linen, or cotton. Dresden, the capital of the kingdom, lies within the limits of this circle. MEISSEN, a town of Germany, in Sax-' ony, the capital of the former margraviate and circle. It stands on the left bank of the Elbe, where it receives the Meissa, in one of the most fertile and beautiful vallies of Saxony. It is divided into the upper and middle towns, and the suburb. On a vast rock on the Elbe, 80 feet in height, stands the remains of an ancient castle, built by the emperor Henry I.; and on the neighbouring rock of Afra stands the ancient monastery of that name. The chief structures in the town are the cathedral, a fine Gothic building, the chapter-house, and a covered bridge over the Elbe. Meissen is best known for its porcelain manufacture, which after being at tempted at Dresden in 1706, was removed to Meissen, the clay being found in that neighbourhood. Population 4100. 15 miles W.N.W. of Dresden. MEISSEN, UPPER and LowER, two villages of the west of Germany, in HesseCassel, bailiwic of Zierenberg. Popula tion 2000. MEISTRAZHEIM, a village of France, in Alsace. Population 1300. MEJAN, CAPE, a cape of France, on the shore of the Mediterranean, near the northwest part of the bay of Marseilles. MEJERDAH, a small seaport of Tlemsan, in Algiers, from which a great quantity of grain is often shipped for Europe. 42 miles W. of Tlemsan. MEJERDAH, a large river of Tunis, the Bagrada of the ancients, and which appears to be the most considerable of any in Barbary. It is formed by the confluence of a number of streams descending from the branches of the Atlas which separate Barbary from the desert. It then runs through the western part of the territory of Tunis, along the borders of that of Algiers, till it falls into the Mediterranean at Porto Farina. The country through which it flows is level, and very rich, in consequence of which it is deeply impregnated with soil, and presents near its mouth the same muddy and discoloured aspect as the Nile. The ground here being entirely flat and alluvial, it appears to have several times changed its channel, and to have even encroached on the sea. A small creek, which about a century ago was situated at its mouth, is now nearly filled up by the mud. MEKAM ALI, a village of Irak Arabi, on the Euphrates, opposite to Bassora. MEKEHOAN, a small seaport of Ommon, in Arabia, on the Persian gulf. 45 miles W. S. W. of Julfa. MEKRAN, a large maritime province of Persia, situated on the shore of the Indian Kerman and Seistan. Of all the provinces of Persia, it has been least traversed by travellers. Alexander the Great, in returning from his Indian expedition, passed through this province, and the sufferings and hardships endured by his army gave the most unfavourable impression of the nature of the country. The northern and inland part is called Baloochistan, under which title it has been described. It is separated from the maritime part by a range of mountains. Captain Grant passed through this last territory, from Gwutter to Cape Jask. He found it to consist of a plain, seldom more than 8 or 10 miles in breadth, between the mountains and the sea. On this plain there was a great deal of excellent pasturage; and where the rainy season was favourable, rice, dates, wheat, barley, joaree, and cotton, are produced. Unless during one march, he did not experience any scarcity of water. There were numerous streams, the beds of which were dry, unless in the rainy season. The province of Mekran is occupied by a great number of independent chiefs, whose power, and the extent of their territory, is continually fluctuating. The whole force of the country may amount to about 25,000 men; but, in its present state, it would be impossible to induce these to act together. The people around Bunpore are migratory, and live in tents of black hair. The women of Mekran are not confined, as in other Mussulman countries. The present capital of Mekran is Kej. MELADA, MELEDA, or MELIT, a small island of the Austrian empire, on the coast of Dalmatia, belonging formerly to the republic of Ragusa. It has a petty town of the same name, a good harbour, and a large monastery. Population 2000. Long. of the east point, 17. 58. E. Lat. 43. 5. N. MELADA, a small island of Dalmatia, situated at the entrance of the canal of Zara, a little to the north of Isola Grossa. It is burren, and inhabited chiefly by fishermen. Long. 15. 56. E. Lat. 44. 35. N. MELAGGE, a river of Algiers, which, in its course, takes the name of the Serratt, and forms one of the principal heads of the Mejerdah. MELAH, a town of Hindostan, province of Ajmeer, belonging to the rajah of Joudpore. Long. 73. 33. E. Lat. 25. 40. N. MELAMPY, a river of the island of Magindano, which falls into the l'elangy, about six miles before the latter falls into the sea. MELASSO, a town of Anatolia, in Asiatic Turkey. It was called anciently Mylasa, and was so adorned with temples and public buildings, as to give rise to the story of the Cryer, who, on entering the market place, instead of saying, Hear, ye |