a canton of Switzerland. It is bounded on the north by France and by Basel, on the east by Basel and Zurich, and on the south and west by Berne. It extends over two hundred and fifty-eight square miles, comprising two cities, one market-town, and one hundred and thirty-seven villages, with 59,122 inhabitants, of whom 54,000 are catholics, and the remainder protestants. The revenues amount to 180,000 francs, and the yearly expenditure to 164,000. It is bound to contribute 904 men, and 1365 francs to the general confederation. The mountains are a continuation of the Jura range, and none of them exceeds 3900 feet in height. The river Aar receives the smaller streams. There are no extensive lakes. The climate is temperate, and the soil produces good corn, hemp, flax, fruit, and wine. The chief employment is agriculture and cutting the extensive woods, which supply some fuel and building timber for exportation.

a city of Switzerland, the capital of the canton of that name. It stands at the foot of the Jura mountains, on both sides of the river Aar. It is surrounded with walls and defended by bastions, is well, but irregularly built, and contains 560 houses, with 4470 inhabitants. It has a college with five professors and a good public library. Solothurn contains several manufactories for making and printing cotton, and some other goods. Lat. 47. 12. Long. 7. 26. E.