VOSGES

VOSGES, a department of the N.E. of France, formed out of the S. part of the old province of Lorraine, bounded on the N. by the departments of Meuse and Meurthe, E. by those of Bas and Haut Rhin, S. by that of Haute Saone, and W. by that of Haute Marne. Length, from E. to W., 76 miles; mean breadth, 38; area, 2304 square miles. It derives its name from the Vosges mountains, a chain which forms the W. boundary of the valley of the Rhine, running northwards along the borders of Haut and Bas Rhin on the E., and of Haute Saone, Vosges, and Meurthe, on the W.; and extending beyond the boundaries of France into Rhenish Bavaria, where it terminates at Mont Tonnerre, on the left bank of the Rhine. These mountains are connected by various ramifications with the Jura range in the S., with the mountains of the Cote d'Or in the S.W., and with the Ardennes in the N.W. Their average height is from 3000 to 4000 feet; and some of the summits, which from their rounded forms are called ballons, are covered with snow for several months in the year. The two loftiest peaks in the chain are the Ballon de Guebwiller, 4650 feet, and the Ballon d'Alsace, 4116 feet, both in the S.E. border of the department of Vosges. Another range, called the Faucilles, diverges from the Vosges towards the W., and traverses in that direction the S. of the department. The rest of the department is hilly, and is known by the name of the Plain. Vosges

belongs almost entirely to the basin of the Rhine, and it gives rise to the Moselle, one of the principal affluents of that river. The Moselle rises in the S.E. of the department, about the point where the Faucilles diverge from the Vosges, and flows in an irregular course generally towards the N.W. Its principal affluents here are the Vologne and the Mosellette from the right. The Meurthe, which joins the Moselle from the right, and the Madon from the left, beyond the limits of this department, both have the upper part of their course in Vosges. A small portion in the extreme N.E. is watered by the Bryche, which flows into the Ill near Strasburg; the Saone rises in the Faucilles, in the S. of the department; and the Ornain, an affluent of the Seine, in the N.W. None of the rivers in Vosges are navigable; but many of them are highly useful for irrigation, and for affording water-power to manufactories. The geological structure of the Vosges and of the eastern part of the Faucilles is granitic; but further west, sandstone, limestone, marl, and oolite rocks occur. The mineral riches of the country are considerable, consisting of excellent iron, coal, marble, manganese, granite, millstones, and potter's clay; and there are some highly esteemed mineral and thermal springs. The soil of the less elevated portions is fertile, and much attention is paid to agriculture; but the produce is hardly sufficient to supply the wants of the dense population. Wheat, maize, hemp, flax, and potatoes, are the principal crops raised. Vines are cultivated; but the wine made is insufficient in quantity and poor in quality. Extensive cherry plantations are kept up for the making of kirsch-wasser, for which this country has obtained a great name. Upwards of a third of the whole area is occupied by arable land. Another source of wealth is the forests, which are very extensive, especially on the slopes of the mountains. From them abundance of timber is obtained, and upwards of 300 saw-mills worked by water are kept in employment. The rearing of live stock is also an important branch of industry. Horses and cattle are numerous, but both of small size; sheep are comparatively few; but swine form an important article of exportation. The department holds a high place among the manufacturing districts of France; and among the articles produced are wrought iron, steel, nails, cutlery, musical instruments, lace, embroidery, cotton cloth, paper, glass, and pottery. All these goods, as well as timber, cheese, butter, &c., are the objects of an extensive trade. The department has for its capital Epinal, and it is divided into five arrondissements as follows:—