a circle in the Prussian government of Minden, and province of Westphalia. It extends over 262 square miles, or 167,650 acres, and contains four towns, fifty-one villages, sixteen hamlets, and 28,228 inhabitants. It is generally a very poor district, but affords some iron, lead, and salt. The chief place, from which the circle takes its name, stands on the Alme, where it joins the Allite. Before the expulsion of the Jesuits it was the property of that order, and contains now only 1380 inhabitants.