a department in central France, lying between N. Lat. 44° 37' and 45° 26', and between E. Long. 2° 3' and 3° 18': bounded north by the department of Puy-de-Dôme; east by the Haute-Loire and Lozère; south by Aveyron; west by Corrèze and Lot. Area 1950 square miles.

It is formed of the ancient province of Upper Auvergne, and received its name from the Plomb-du-Cantal, the central peak of a bare and rugged chain which traverses the whole department. Near the Plomb, which attains a height of above 6000 feet, are the Col-de-Cabre, and other peaks belonging to the same system. They are evidently of volcanic origin; and volcanic agency may be traced in the strata of lava with which several valleys have been filled up, and which are exposed in the sides of the water courses. The slopes of the higher mountains are steep and bare, and the more elevated valleys thinly peopled. In summer they afford pasture for the flocks and herds which migrate thither from the low countries. Most of the streams of the department have their sources in this central ridge, and fall by a short and rapid course into the rivers which traverse the extensive valleys on either side. The Aragon, which rises on the east, is a tributary of the Allier; the Celle and Truyère are tributaries of the Lot; the Cône and the Rue, into which the Santeoire falls, are tributaries of the Dordogne. The climate of the department varies considerably in the different localities. In the alluvial plain between Murat and St Fleur, and in the S.W. in the arrondissement of Aurillac, the climate is generally mild and dry; but in the northern and central portions the winters are long and severe, and the hurricanes peculiarly violent. The internal resources of the department are considerable; but, from the difficulty of land-carryage over a rough and broken surface, they are prevented from being sufficiently developed. The hills and valleys are stocked with game, and the streams with fish. In the botanical kingdom it produces a vast variety of aromatic and medicinal plants; and its mineral products include coal, copper, lead, iron, antimony, granite, slate, &c.; but of these natural sources of wealth little advantage is taken by the inhabitants. The cold and damp of the climate are insuperable obstacles to the successful cultivation of corn, which has therefore to be imported from the neighbouring departments; but the extent and richness of the pastures render the rearing of cattle and horses for exportation a profitable source of remuneration. Butter and cheese are made in large quantities, and the wool of the district is of a very superior quality. The manufactures of Cantal are inconsiderable, consisting chiefly of coarse woollen and linen stuffs, paper, brazier's work, cooper's work, glass, and leather. The inhabitants are a rude and uncultivated race, accustomed to live on the scantiest fare, and plying the meanest handicrafts for a considerable part of the year in their migrations to Paris and through the provinces. The principal articles of food are rye, buckwheat, and chestnuts.

The department is comprised within the military division of Clermont-Ferrand, and the tribunals hold of the royal court of Riom. It forms the see of a bishop, who is suffragan to the archbishop of Bourges.

The divisions and population of the department are as follows:

| Arrondissements | Cantons | Communes | Pop. (1831) | |-----------------|---------|----------|------------| | Aurillac | 8 | 93 | 96,433 | | Mauriac | 6 | 57 | 63,346 | | Murat | 3 | 34 | 35,200 | | Saint Fleur | 6 | 74 | 58,241 | | **Total** | **23** | **258** | **253,329** |