Lake of, Lago di Como, the Lacus Larius of the ancients, in the province of Como, Lombardy, is, from the beauty of its situation and the delightful mildness of its climate, the most celebrated lake of northern Italy. It is formed by the Adda and numerous streams and rivulets which empty themselves into it. The lake is of a very irregular form, about 35 miles in length; its greatest breadth three miles, but its general breadth is only between one and two. The southern portion is divided by the promontory of Bellagio into two branches, the one extending S.W. to the city of Como and retaining the name of Lago di Como, and the other, by which the Adda makes its exit, extending S.E. to Lecco, and hence called the Lago di Lecco. Steamers ply between its principal towns, but its navigation is frequently rendered hazardous by sudden squalls. The banks are formed of precipitous mountains from 2000 to 3000 feet in height, in some places overhanging the water, in others partially covered with wood and studded with hamlets, cottages, villas, chapels, and convents. The most beautiful point of view is undoubtedly at Bellagio. The upper waters are there seen winding up to the very foot of the higher chain of the Alps, and terminating within a short distance of the terrific pass of the Splügen. The loftier hills bordering the lake of Lecco rise on one side, while on the other the wider expanse of the lower lake retires behind the beautiful foreground rocks and hanging woods that form the promontory of Bellagio. Numbers of trading boats are seen gliding under the broad reflection of the gigantic mountains, their white sails occasionally gleaming in the sunshine; while several little villages lie scattered along the shores.—Sketches of Italy.

province in the Austrian kingdom of Venetian Lombardy, bounded on the N. by Switzerland and Valtenine, on the E. by Bergamo, on the S. by Milan, and on the W. by the kingdom of Sardinia. Being towards the foot of the Alps, the northern part is mountainous, and the southern undulating. Between the spurs of the mountains are some beautiful and fertile valleys. It extends over 1000 square miles, and in 1851 had 423,206 inhabitants. The chief productions are, corn, wine, fruit, and fish. The manufactures are silk and linen articles; but the inhabitants of many of the districts subsist by making looking-glasses, spectacles, and mathematical, surgical, and physical instruments. The purity of the atmosphere attracts many of the richer families of Italy to the district, where they have built numerous rural villas.

Como, city of. See Comum.