LOCLE, a town in a district of the same name
in Switzerland, adjacent to Neuchâtel and Vallen-
gin, and united with another named La Ghaux de
Fond. But these districts occupy some valleys formed
by the mountains of Jura; the greatest part of which
not many years ago was one continued forest, though
now converted into fine pasture ground filled with flou-
rishing villages. The inhabitants are remarkable for
their industry, and excel in many mechanical arts, par-
ticularly in watch and clock making; 40,000 watches,
it is said, are made in a year. The most singular ob-
ject at this place, is three subterranean mills, erected
on the river Bied, vertically above one another, and 100
feet below the surface of the ground.