SAONE, Haute

SAONE, Haute, a department of France, bounded on the N. by that of Vosges, E. by Haut-Rhin, S. by those of Doubs and Jura, W. by Côte-d'Or, and N.W. by Haute Marne. Length from N.E. to S.W. 70 miles, greatest breadth 38; area 2064 square miles. The eastern part is occupied by the Vosges Mountains and their branches; the main ridge forms for a short distance the N.E. boundary, and has two principal summits here, the Ballon de Ser-

vance, 3967 feet, and the Ballon de Lare, 3718 feet high. This portion of the department is rugged and barren; but not so the remainder, which occupies the centre of the wide basin of the Saône. This basin is enclosed on the north and north-west by the Faucilles, the chain of Langres, and the Côte-d'Or; on the south-east by the hills of Laumont, a branch of the Jura Mountains. All these ranges are outside the limits of the department, but some of their offshoots extend into it; its surface, however, except in the north-east, is not mountainous, but consists of gentle slopes and level plains. Through the centre of the country flows the sluggish stream of the Saône, into which flow all the rivers that water the department. The Oignon rises among the Vosges on the N.E. frontier of Haute Saône, and flows south-west, separating for the greater part of its course this department from Doubs and Jura. It joins the Saône at Pontailleur in the department of Côte-d'Or. In its geological character, Haute Saône is not uniform. The eastern portion consists of the primitive rocks of the Vosges; to the south and west of this lie beds of sandstone, and beyond these again there are strata of the various kinds that lie between the sandstone and the chalk formation. Iron, coal, granite, porphyry, and freestone are the most valuable minerals obtained in the country. Mineral and saline springs exist at various places. The climate is more moderate than in the surrounding departments, being neither so hot in summer nor so cold in winter. The autumns are very fine, but sudden changes of weather are not uncommon in spring. The soil in the loflier regions is not very good, and the mountains are almost all covered with forests; but the more level districts are of great fertility. Fine meadows occupy the plains; and the sloping hills are covered with vines and corn-fields. Although agriculture is not very far advanced, the produce of the country in corn and wine is more than sufficient for the consumption. About half of the area consists of arable land, and about a fourth is occupied by wood—oak, beech, and fir being abundant. About 150,000 acres are occupied by meadows and pasture-land, and 55,000 by moors and heaths. The vineyards, which cover an area of 30,000 acres, produce wine of a very ordinary quality. Wolves, foxes, squirrels, and otters, are among the wild animals of the country. Game is plentiful, and the rivers abound in fish. The rearing of cattle is much attended to, as well as of horses and pigs, and the breeds of all these animals are good; but sheep are neglected. It is calculated that the department contains 150,000 horned cattle, 32,000 horses, 110,000 sheep, 80,000 pigs, and 12,000 goats. The manufactures comprise iron, for which there are from 35 to 40 furnaces, 60 foundries, and 2 steel manufactories, ironmongery of all kinds, glass, pottery, leather, cotton thread and cloth, paper, oil, brandy, &c. Some trade is carried on in wine, corn, and other rural produce, horses, cattle, timber, and iron. Large quantities of the produce are floated on rafts of timber down the Saône, which forms one of the principal means of internal communication. There are numerous roads throughout the department; and a railway is in course of construction, which will traverse the country. Haute Saône belongs to the diocese of Besançon, and, besides Roman Catholic churches, contains 4 Protestant ones, and 3 synagogues. It has law-courts, subject to the Court of Appeal at Besançon, a normal school, 4 colleges, 7 upper, and 1100 elementary schools. There are three arrondissements, subdivided as follows:—

The capital of the department is Vesoul.