a circle in the European-Russian government of Slobodsk-Ukraine, extending over 1192 square miles. It comprehends four cities, 104 towns and villages, with 135,500 inhabitants. The soil is good, and produces abundance of fruit, corn, and cattle. The chief place is the city of the same name on the river Merla, which contains four churches, 1048 houses, and about 7000 inhabitants. Long. 35° 35' E. Lat. 50° 10' N.