PEZENAS, a place in France about 24 miles from
Montpellier. The soil about it is sandy. The rock is
limestone. The fields are open, and produce corn, wine,
and oil. There are to be seen at this place the exten-
sive ruins of a castle, which formerly belonged to the
Montmorency family. This strong fortress was hewn
out of the rock on which it stands, and appears to have
been complicated and full of art. The walls are lofty,
and above 8 feet in thickness. The rock, which is per-
pendicular, is a mass of shells, such as turbinites, oysters,
cockles, with a calcareous cement. From hence the
circumjacent plain, decked with luxuriant verdure, and
shut in by rugged mountains, affords a most delightful
prospect. E. Long. 3. 35. N. Lat. 43. 18.