a circle in the Prussian government of Posen, and formerly a part of Poland. It extends over 408 square miles, or 261,120 acres, and contains seven towns and 158 villages, with 33,530 inhabitants. The soil is sandy, bearing little corn, except rye and oats. The chief place, a city of the same name, stands on the Obra, and contains 1867 inhabitants, of whom about one fourth are Jews.