**Palencia**, a province in Spain, forming part of the ancient kingdom of Leon. It extends 145 square leagues, and the number of its inhabitants is 118,064, a density of population much greater than the general average of the kingdom presents. As the province is well watered, the riches and population, which in Spain must arise from the abundance of that element, are on the advance. The rivers that water it discharge themselves at last into the Duero, and are the Pisueña, the Carrion, the Arlanza, and the Arlanzon. The country is generally fertile in the valleys, and yields wheat, barley, and wines. There are some coarse woollen manufactories scattered over the province, as well as in the capital city. The Canal of Castille runs through this province as far as it is executed. This, like the Canal of Aragon, is designed to promote two important objects, that of internal navigation and that of irrigation. The part of this valuable and costly work that is completed begins in the village of Alar del Rey, in latitude 42. 51., taking its water from the Pizueña, the left bank of which it follows. It enters the kingdom of Leon by crossing that river, and then continues on its right bank, crossing also the Cieza, when it makes a turn to the city of Palencia, and terminates in the Carrion, a little below it. A branch called the Canal de Campos runs from it to the westward, towards Beceril. The masonry of this work is stupendous and well executed, as are all the locks, sluices, and other appendages. Such great operations always proceed slowly in Spain, and the recent struggles have created considerable impediments; but if the project be successfully pursued, and the original plan completed, this canal will connect itself with that of Aragon, and thus create an internal navigation across the whole of Spain. There are made in this province 500,000 hogsheads of wine, and 2000 of brandy. It possesses 3050 horses, 6500 mules, 3800 asses, 9300 oxen, 318,500 sheep, 11,300 goats, and 5500 pigs. It is in the captain-generalship of Zamora, and enjoys the privileges and laws of Castille.

**Palencia**, a city of Spain, the capital of the province of Leon. It is situated on the banks of the river Carrion, after that river has been increased by the junction of the Cieza. It is the see of a bishop, and has a large and ancient cathedral. The country around produces good wheat, barley, and wine, especially in moist summers; but it has a barren appearance, from being almost wholly destitute of trees. It is a manufacturing place, and furnishes blankets, coverlets, baize, serges, and hats, to a great portion of the inhabitants of its own and the surrounding provinces. It is not considered as a healthy city, from its vicinity to a most pestiferous stagnant lake called Na-va. It is situated in longitude 4. 34. west, and latitude 42. 10. north, has a population of 8892 souls, and contains five churches, eleven monasteries, and two hospitals.

**Palenga**, a village of Hindustan, in the province of Sindie, situated in the route from Hyderabad to Luckpur Bundar. Lat. 24. 19. N.

**Palermo**, a province or intendency of the island of Sicily, belonging to the kingdom of Naples. It is formed out of the Val di Mazzara, and some portions of the Val di Demona. It is situated on the sea-shore, which is its western boundary, and is bounded on the east by Messina, on the south by Calataniferra and Girgenti, and on the east by Trapani. It is divided into four districts, viz. Palermo, Cefalu, Corleone, and Termini, and contains 410,000 inhabitants. The capital of the island, as well as of the intendency, is the city of Palermo. It stands upon a beautiful gulf of the same name near Cape Gallo. It has a fine mole running out nearly a quarter of a mile from the arsenal, with a lighthouse, which forms a convenient harbour. The city is built upon a fertile plain; and the air in general is salubrious, but in some parts malaria is generated in autumn. Most of the houses have fountains, which contribute much to cleanliness. It is a well-built and not inelegant city. The most prominent buildings are the royal palace and the cathedral. There is an university, with a library, and a good observatory. Many fine specimens of Moorish architecture are still to be seen. The trade is considerable, and includes many articles produced in the island. It contains about 180,000 inhabi- tants. Long. 13. 20. 15. E. Lat. 36. 6. 44. N.

**Pales**, in Pagan worship, the goddess of the shepherds, to whom they offered milk and honey, in order that she might deliver them and their flocks from wild beasts and infectious diseases. This goddess is represented as an old woman. Her festivals, called *Parilia*, were celebrated on the 21st of April, the day on which Romulus began to lay the foundation of the city of Rome; the ceremonies consisting in burning heaps of straw, and leaping over them. Some call the festival *Parilia* (quasi a pariendo), because the sacrifices were offered to the divinity for the fecundity of the flocks.