a seaport in the south of France, department of Hérault. N. Lat. 43° 25'; E. Long. 3° 40'. It stands on a peninsula formed by the Mediterranean and the lake of Thau, which are connected by a canal passing through the town. It possesses a deep and commodious harbour, a spacious dock, and handsome quays. The entrance to the harbour is defended by two strong forts, that of St Pierre on the left side, and that of St Louis on the right. Cette has tribunals of commerce and of primary instance, a public library, and a college, besides extensive salt-works and ship-building yards. It communicates by canal with Lyons and Bordeaux, and by rail with Marseilles, Nimes, and Avignon. From its vicinity to the great wine districts of the south of France it has an important trade, and exports largely wine, brandy, sugar, glass, wine-casks, &c. The imports consist of corn, wool, cotton, hemp, timber, and iron. The cod and oyster fisheries off the coast engage a large number of hands. In 1853 the number of vessels that entered and cleared the harbour amounted to more than 4000. Pop. about 20,000.

CEUTA, or SEPTA, a Spanish fortress on the coast of Fez, Africa, on a peninsula opposite Gibraltar. N. Lat. 35° 56.; W. Long. 5° 18. It is built on the Monte del Hacho (the ancient Abyla, one of the pillars of Hercules), and six smaller hills that run along the coast. The town is well built, and is chiefly important as a military and convict station. It contains a cathedral, the bishop of which is suffragan to the archbishop of Seville, several religious houses and a hospital. It has a small harbour, and imports provisions and military stores from Spain. Pop. 9237, exclusive of the garrison, which may be estimated at 5000 men. Ceuta was taken from the Moors by John I., king of Portugal, in 1415, and passed into the hands of the Spaniards on the subjugation of Portugal by Philip II., in 1580. It has been several times unsuccessfully besieged by the Africans.