a valley in Switzerland, which extends from the source of the river Rhone to the lake of Geneva. It is near 100 miles in length, but the breadth is very unequal. It is bounded on the north by the Alps, which separate it from the cantons of Bern and Uri, on the east by the mountains of Forche, on the south by the duchy of Milan and the Val d'Aoste, and on the west by Savoy and the republic of Geneva. The inhabitants profess the Roman Catholic religion, and are subject to the swelling of the throat called bronchocle; and idiots are said to abound among them more than in any other place of the globe. They are naturally hardy, enterprising, and good-natured. It is surrounded on all sides by very high mountains, most of which are covered with snow and ice that never thaw. However, the soil is fertile in corn, wine, and good fruit. The mule-fat-wine, which is produced here, is excellent, and well known all over Europe. There are mineral waters, plenty of game, and some mines. This country comprehends 55 large parishes, to which one bishop only belongs, whose see is at Sion the capital. The mountains afford good pasture for their cattle in summer, and their harvest continues from May to October; it being sooner or later according to the situation of the place.