GALL, St, a canton of Switzerland. It is bounded on the north by the canton of Thurgau, on the north-east by the Lake of Constance, on the east by the Austrian dominions and the principality of Lichtenstein, on the south-east by the Grey Bunden, on the south-west by Uri, and on the west by Schwitz and Zurich. It is 870 square miles in extent, and contains 45,342 houses, with 146,700 inhabitants, about equally Catholics and Protestants. It is divided into eight amtsbezirke or bailiwicks. The greater portion of the land is mountainous; but the districts of Rhinethal, Norschach, and Gossau, have some fine plains intermixed with gentle hills. In the other divisions the mountains are rather lofty, varying in height from 4300 to 7500 feet. None of the mountain regions of Switzerland have been less explored, or are less known, than those of this canton. From them issue many of those rivers which increase the volume and the rapidity of the Rhine before it enters into the Lake of Constance.
Although the cultivation on the plains is good, the canton does not produce sufficient corn for the consumption of the inhabitants; but potatoes are extensively planted, and fruits of all kinds are raised in large quantities and of
excellent sorts, especially apples, which furnish cider as the common drink. The milk of the cows is more used for butter than for cheese. Some wine is made; but for want of care it will not bear to be long kept.
The manufactures of the canton are prosperous and increasing. The muslins, printed calicoes, and cotton goods, find ready sale at the German fairs. There are many large mills for spinning cotton and linen. The chief trade is in the capital, at Utznach, and Sargans. The government is republican, residing in two assemblies chosen by those who possess property to a stipulated amount, whilst the members to be chosen must have a prescribed amount of capital. The canton contributes to the general fund of the confederacy 39,450 francs yearly, and furnishes for the general defence a contingent of 2630 men; but all the population capable of bearing arms are regimented, and taught the use of them.