a department in the central part of France, lying along both sides of the river Yoane. The soil is fertile, and produces grain of all kinds, hemp, legumes, fruits, and vines. Wine is a principal article of commerce in this department. Wood and pasturage also abound. The manufactures, which consist of woollens, cottons, hosiery, leather, paper, glass, ironwork, &c., are not of great importance. The extent of this department is 729,226 hectares, and the population in 1817 amounted to 325,994. Auxerre is the chief town.