no longer considered as belonging to the Waldenses. The length of the whole is about 24 iniles; the breadth from 8 to 11; the population about 20,000. The inhabitants of this sequestered spot are remarkable as having been the first community in the west of Europe that separated from the church of Rome.

WALDERSHARE, a parish of England, in the county of Kent, 4 miles N. by W. of Dover. The church is a sinall building.

WALDERSHOF, a town of Germany, in Bavaria, 62 miles N. of Ratisbon. Population 1000.

WALDHAUSEN, a small town of Upper Austria, 4 miles E. S. E. of Zwet!.

WALDHEIM, a town of Germany, in Saxony, on the river Zschopau, 30 miles W. of Dresden. Population 1800.

WALDHUTTE, a village of Germany, in Lower Austria, near Burkersdorf. Popula

tion 1200.

WALD-HWOZD, a very mountainous district of Bohemia, in the circle of Prachin, on the confines of the Upper Palatinate.

WALDINGFIELD, GREAT, a parish of England, in the county of Suffolk, 3 miles N. E. by E. of Sudbury. Population 577.

WALDINGFIELD, LITTLE, another parish in the above county, 4 miles N. E. of Sudbury. Population 347.

WALDITCH, a parish of England, in Dorsetshire, about 2 miles E. by S. of Bridport.

WALDKAPPEL. See Cuppel.

WALDKIRCHEN, a town of Germany, in Baden, on the Elz, with 2100 inhabitants. WALDKIRCHEN, a small town of Lower Bavaria, 14 miles N. N. E. of Passau.

WALD-LEININGEN, a town of the Bavarian circle of the Rhine, in the district of Spire, with 1800 inhabitants.

WALDMICHELBACH, a village of the west of Germany, in Hesse-Darmstadt, 15 miles N. N. E. of Heidelberg. Population

1100.

WALDMOHR, a small town of the Bavarian circle of the Rhine, in the duchy of Deux Ponts.

WALDMUNCHEN, a town of Bavaria, in the Upper Palatinate, 31 miles N. E. of Ra tisbon. Population 1300.

WALDNIEL, a town of Prussian Westphalia, in the duchy of Juliers, two miles E. of Ruremond. Population 1100.

WALDOBOROUGH, a seaport of the United States, in Lincoln county, Maine. It is a considerable town. The shipping belonging to this port, in 1816, amounted to 19,743 tons. 22 miles E. N. E. of Wiscasset, and 180 N. E. of Boston. Population

2160.

WALDRIDGE, & village of England, in Buckinghamshire, near Aylesbury.

WALDRIDGE, a hamlet of England, county of Durham, S. W. of Lumley Castle. WALDRINGFIELD, a parish of England, in Suffolk, 3 miles S. by E. of Woodbridge.

WALDRON, a parish of England, in the county of Sussex, 5 miles E. S. E. of Uckfield. Population 840.

WALDSASSEN, a town of Germany, in the Upper Palatinate, 69 miles N. by E. of Ratisbon. Population 1400.

WALDSEE, a town of Germany, in Wirtemberg, 62 miles S. S. E. of Stutgard. Population 1400.

WALDSHUT, a town of Germany, in Baden, on the Rhine, at the entrance into the Black Forest. Population 1100. 20 miles W. by S. of Schaffhausen.

WALDSTADTERSEE.See Lucerne, Lake of WALDSTETTEN, a town of Germany, in Bavaria, 7 miles S. W. of Burgau. Population 1000.

WALDSTETTEN, a village and parish of Germany, in Wirtemberg, 29 miles E. of Stutgard. Population 1500.

WALDTHURN, a small town of Gerinany, in Bavaria, near the borders of Bohemia, 24 miles N. E. of Amberg.

WALDUBBA, a track of hot and level country, extending along the northern frontier of Abyssinia, upon the banks of the Tacazze. It is about 80 miles long, and 30 in its greatest breadth. It contains a great number of Jews, while the marshy districts are occupied by bands of savage Shangalla.

WALEN, EL, a town of the Sahara, in Central Africa, in the district of Tuat or Twat. 115 miles W. of Gadamis.

WALES, a principality in the west of the island of Great Britain. It forms nearly a peninsula, being washed on the north and west by the Irish sea, on the south and south-east by the Bristol channel, and limited on the east by the counties of Monmouth, Hereford, Salop, and Chester. It is situated between 51. 20. and 53. 25. of north latitude; and between 2. 41. and 4. 56. west longitude from Greenwich. The length from north to south extends from 130 to 180 miles; and the breadth from 50 to 80; comprising an area of about 8125 square miles, equal to 5,206,900 acres of land; and, according to a recent census, the number of inhabitants amounted to 544,375, or nearly 67 persous to each square mile. From the reports to the board of agriculture, it appears, that of the land, 900,000 acres are subject to the plough, and 2,500,000 under pasturage, leaving 1,700,000 acres in a state of waste; of which quantity 700,000 acres have been reported as capable of being brought into cultivation. The principality of Wales is divided into North and South Wales,

containing twelve counties. The division of North Wales, comprehending the counties of Anglesey, Caernarvon, Denbigh, Flint, Merioneth, and Montgomery; and South Wales, the counties of Brecknock, Cardigan, Caermarthen, Glamorgan, Pembroke, and Radnor.

The general aspect of Wales is bold, romantic, and mountainous, consisting of almost continued ranges of lofty mountains and impending craggs, intersected by numerous deep ravines, with extensive vallies, and affording endless views of wild nountain scenery. To enumerate all the particular mountains would be tedious; a general view of their main ridges, with the multifarious ramifications into which they diverge, is all that can be attempted in the brief sketch to which we are confined. Of these mountainous chains which intersect the country, it may be generally observed, that they extend in a direction from south-east to north-west, having their most abrupt declivity facing the latter quarter. Numerous projecting ridges laterally expand on various parts of the compass, in countless ramification; many of which are surmounted by lofty eminences, that are formed into so many distinct mountains; so that, like the Alps, they seem to be mountain piled upon mountain. In other instances they suddenly rise, in solitary and majestic grandeur, from the bosom of deep vallies; and by the abruptness of their elevation, and the craggy contour of the sides, assume a terrific appearance, as they elevate their summits to the sky. The principal range in North Wales is that which is denominated the Snowdonian chain, from the circumstance of the lofty mountain Snowden occupying its centre. Commencing at Bardsey island, in the southwest extremity of Caernarvonshire, the line, varied at irregular intervals by conical peaks, extends in a north-easterly direction to the promontory of Penmaenbach, in the bay of Conway. The intermediate parts consist of the loftiest mountains in Wales. For though Snowden stands pre-eminent, yet others ascending gradually, approximate in height. The greater part of the rocks composing the Caernarvonshire mountains, are schistose hornblende, schistose mica, granite, and porphyry, inclosing considerable blocks of quartz. The western side is very precipitous, consisting of hornstone, upon which are placed a number of basaltic columns, more or less regularly pentagonal, standing perpendicularly to the plane of the horizon. The coluinns are of different lengths, about four feet diameter, with transverse joints from six to eight feet asunder, and considerable depositions of thin lami ated quartz in the joints. The

Ferwyn chain occupies the eastern part of Merionethshire, and branches out into Denbighshire. Its length is about sixteen miles, and the breadth varies from five to ten. Cader Ferwyn, Cader Fronwen, and the Sylattin, are the most elevated points. Another line diverges off into Montgomeryshire, and joins the Breddin chain, extending into Shropshire. The substance of which these mountains is composed is primitive schistus, that is, such as does not contain iron pyrites, or any remains of impressions of organised bodies, the position of the strata being generally nearly perpendicular to the plane of the horizon. Another chain, or rather a continuance of the same, extends in a south-west direction from Pennant, near the vale of Tanad, in Montgomeryshire, to the sea-coast near Llangyllinin in Merionethshire. In this extensive ridge are conspicuous several lofty mountains, known under the appellation of the Arrans and the Arrenigs; the most eminent of which are Arran-ben-llyn, and Arran-fowddy; and the extremity of the line is grandly marked by the triple head of the lofty Cadair Idris. Except the latter, the principal elevations of this chain consist of schistus and shale, intermixed with mica and spar, or indurated argil. Cadair Idris is composed of nearly similar substances to those of Snowden, viz. granite, granitell, porphyry, hornblende, felspar, and quartz. Over this immense assemblage of mountainous obstructions to the traveller, a communication is formed with the northern and southern sides of the ridge, by a narrow defile. The celebrated Plinlimmon proudly elevates his lofty crest above a range of table land, extending from the vicinity of Llanvair in the north-east, till they decline in the south-west, and end in the abrupt cliffs which bound part of the bay of Cardigan, near Aberystwith. Among particular elevations in this line, after the sovereign of the group, the Carno mountains stand the most pre-eminent. Plinlimmon comprises granite, granitell of Kirwan, composed of quartz and shorl, siliceous and schistose porphyry, intersected with numerous and expansive veins of pure quartz. The secondary hills chiefly consist of primitive schistus, accompanied with quartz. Some of the schistus is of a fine texture, and laminates into excellent slate; but the greater part is of a coarse kind. South Wales, though not equally mountainous with the northern part of the principality, nor so distinguishable for its alpine heights, yet is far from being deficient in elevations and depressions. An extensive chain of mountains stretches from Bleddw forest, north-east of Llar drindod wells in Radnorshire; crosses the northern part of

Brecknockshire; continues in a south-west erly direction through Caermarthenshire; and terminates in the conspicuous ridge of the Prescely or Presceleu mountain, in the county of Pembroke. The most distinguished eminences in this line are the group called the Yellow mountains, Cwm Rhysglog, Pen y cader, Mynydd castell, Newydd 'Carreg Wen, and Llanvernach. The Fothoc hills on the eastern side of Brecknockshire commence another line, principally known under the general appellation of the Black mountains, from the appearance given to them by the dark vegetable covering of heath and ling. Among individual elevations remarkable for their height, are Tre beddw mountain, Pen Mallard hills, the Black mountains strictly so denominated, and the high table laud, which in the south part of Caermarthenshire is closed by the isolated mountain called Penbre hill. These mountainous tracks abound with various kinds of valuable minerals, mines of which are worked in numerous places; and abounding, as they do, with multifarious, rare, and scarce vegetable productions, afford an ample field for botanical researches. In many instances also they are accompanied with the most delicious and romantic vallies, through which innumerable rivers and streams, flowing from countless lakes, in meandering courses, deliver their waters to the sea; vallies which, in point of fertility, beauty, and picturesque scenery, stand unrivalled.

Numerous lakes are scattered among these mountains, which it would be useless to enumerate. They amount, according to some accounts, to between 50 and 60, and in a manuscript description of North Wales, 62 are mentioned under their proper appellations. The most distinguished for extent, or the beauty of the surrounding scenery, in North Wales, are, Llyniau Nantle, Lyn Cywellin, Llyniau Llanberris, and Llyn Conway, in Caernarvonshire; with Pimblemeer and Tallyllyn, in Merionethshire. In South Wales, Llyn Bychlyn, in Raduorshire; and Llyn Savathan or Langors pool, in the county of Brecknock.

Wales is remarkable for the profusion of flowing streams with which it is watered. These, issuing from considerable lakes, or aided by their waters, meander through the country, and form excellent harbours at their confluence with the sea. The principal rivers are the Severn, the Wye, the Conway, the Towy, and the Dee, which have not only attained pre-eminence in fame for the utility of their navigation; but, as the theme of poets, have been celebrated in song. The former constitutes the eastern, and the latter the north-eastern

boundary of the country, between the em bouchures of which many others, though less distinguished in a commercial point of view, yet highly valuable for their fisheries, and other properties, fall into the sea, through an extensive line of coast.

The climate of Wales differs materially from that of the portion of England lying in the same parallel of latitude; assimilating more with the northern parts of the island. Considerable variations, however, are discoverable within the confined limits of this narrow region. In a general view the air is sharp; in the mountainous parts bleak; moderately mild in the vales, and those parts adjacent to the ocean, especially on the southern coast, and particularly in the celebrated vale of Glamorgan. From the greater degrees of cold prevalent in the Cambrian atınosphere, snow is more frequent in Wales than in England, lies much deeper, and is seen covering the tops of the highest mountains for many months in the year. It is observable, when no snow falls, so as to lie, in the track of country eastward of the Severn, the sides of the Welsh hills may be seen with a hoary covering for several days together. Notwithstanding the general humidity of the climate of Wales, the air is in general highly salubrious, and the country healthy.

The numerous lakes, rivers, and streams of Wales, teem with almost every kind of fresh-water fish; while the sea, environing the coasts, affords a luxuriant addition. Ot the feathered tribes, many species, not found in other parts of the island, are inhabitants of this; and some animals rarely to be met with, still frequent the wilds of this diversified country. The goat is here found in his wild state, and is far superior in size, and both in the length and fineness of his hair, to that of most other mountainous countries. The horns of a Cambrian hegoat are sometimes three feet two inches long, and three feet from tip to tip. Though this useful animal has been long domesticated, yet many of the inhabitants in North Wales, particularly in Caernarvonshire and Merionethshire, suffer the goats to run in a wild state, to browse the Alpine shrubs, and bound from crag to crag. These they are accustomed to kill during autumn, for the sake of their fat and skins, either by shooting them with bullets, or running them down with dogs, like deer. Thus goat-shooting and goat-hunting still remain among some of the favourite diversions of the people in Wales. Roe-bucks were anciently numerous, but of late they have been confined to the most intricate parts of the country, and instances of seeing any extremely rare. The pine martin, in Welsh called bela goed, inhabits some of the

wooded parts of Merionethshire and Caernarvonshire. The beaver, or the broad tailed animal, is no longer to be found; but the otter is constantly to be found in the lakes. Among the land and sea birds, Wales has numbers in common with England, and some peculiar to itself. Of the latter description is the golden eagle, that breeds among the Snowdonian mountains; and the peregrine falcon, which furnished the amusement of falconry to our ancestors, breeds prolifically among the rocks in Caernarvonshire. With respect to plants, such is the profusion with which nature has displayed her powers in these Alpine regions, that to enumerate them would be to compose a botanical nomenclature.

Wales is distinguished for the abundance and value of its mineral productions, which form an inexhaustible source of wealth. These are found in great profusion throughout its mountainous districts. Silver is found in Cardiganshire, though not exclusively in what may be called silver mines. One of the mines produces silver ore, lead ore, and quartz; and from the rich produce of the more precious metal formerly obtained, it received the appellation of the Welsh Potosi. Other mines in the same county contain similar substances, though they are not equally productive in silver. Llanvair is at present the richest mine worked in the principality; comprising silver, lead, quartz, spar, with a small portion of copper, and yields about one-sixth of lead ore. About 60 to 80 ounces of silver are extracted from a ton of ore, and twelve hundred and a half weight of lead. There is a mine of copper in Cardiganshire, the ore of which contains one-twentieth part of pure metal. Several trials for working this mine were made at different times, but none succeeded till the year 1773, when the vein of copper was first discovered, and about 20 tons of ore were raised; but though the ore in the year 1791 sold as high as L.25 per ton, yet the valuable concern has been for several years entirely neglected. In Llanymynech rock, Montgomeryshire, consisting of limestone, are shallow pits, the remains of Roman copper works, and numerous pieces of copper lie loose about the surface. Indeed, the whole mass of the bill seems more or less impregnated with this metal; for wherever it is uncovered, evident cupreous marks are clearly visible. Lead is found in a variety of places throughout Wales, but particularly in the counties of Flint, Caernarvon, Montgomery, Caermarthen, and Cardigan; indeed the latter may be considered as the most extensive and richest mining field in Britain. A mineral track stretches from Pen pr allt or Bryn digri, in a line to the west

ern borders of the parish of Holywell in Flintshire, and is known under the name of the Whiteford rake. The ores differ in quality; the lamellated or common kind, usually named potter's ore, yields from 1400 to 1600 of lead, from 2000 of the ore; but the last produce is rare. The veins are found either in chert or limestone rocks; and some of the best ore has been dug at the depth of 90 yards. In this track several levels have been driven, and shafts sunk, and lead continues to be obtained in very considerable quantities. Between Gwydir and Capel Cerrig, in Caernarvonshire, within an extensive dip between lofty mountains, are very extensive lead works. The principal iron-works are Merthyr Tydvil, Aberdare, and Cyfartha in Glamorganshire; and the Union, Llanelly, Beaufort works, and Hirwain furnace, in Brecknockshire. It has generally been remarked, that wherever iron is discoverable, coal is not far distant; either underlaying it, or lying in collateral strata. This eligible substitute for ligneous fuel is found in every county of Wales, except Cardigan, Merioneth, and Caernarvon; and perhaps time will evince, that those are not destitute of this primary article of convenience. In North Wales, the principal coal-works are in the vicinity of Caergwrle, at Bagilt, near Holywell, and Bychton and Mostyn in the parish of Whiteford, Flintshire; near Chirk, Ruabon, and Wrexham, in the county of Denbigh; at several places along the line of the canal in Montgomeryshire, and Maltraeth, Anglesea. So plentiful are coals in the four southernmost counties of the principality, that it is only to sink in certain directions, to be assured of ultimate success. The coal sometimes underlays the calcareous strata, or in the miners' phrase, has a limestone roof; but more frequently it is found on the northern or southern side of a limestone ridge; and when a track of low land is included between two such ridges, it may be inferred that coal lies beneath. Two parallel lines of calcareous strata extend through South Wales in an easterly direction, from St George's channel across the whole country. These are accompanied by two lines of coal. Both are not uniformly visible together, but often where the coal appears near the surface, the limestone dips or inclines towards the centre of the earth, and vice versa. Upon the first or upper line coals have been found in different points, viz. at Johnston, Picton, Jeffreston, and Begeley, Pembroke shire. Thence keeping on the southern side of the limestone ridge, it crosses the Towy, forming the bar at the mouth of that river; and passing through the upper part of Caermarthenshire, Brecknockshire,