a province on the S.W. coast of Sicily, occupying an area of about 1200 square miles. Ramifications of the Neptunian mountains cover most of its surface, rising highest in the north, and rapidly descending towards the southern shore. Among the mountain ridges there are numerous beautiful and very fertile valleys, producing in rich abundance oranges, lemons, corn, wine, and oil. The valleys and uplands afford also excellent pasture, which gives richness to the abundant dairy produce, especially to the cheese, which has long been famous. The principal streams are the Salso, the Belice, and the Platani—the Salso bounding the province on the S.E., the Belice on the N.W., and the Platani traversing it near the centre in a W.S.W. direction. The mineral products found in greatest abundance are salt, sulphur, naphtha, and bitumen, as well as some fine agates. The manufactures and trade of this province are unimportant. It is divided into three administrative districts—Girgenti the capital, Bivona, and Sciacca, which are subdivided into sixteen circondarij. The population is rather more than 250,000.

a town on the S.W. coast of Sicily, capital of the province of the same name. It stands near the site of the ancient Agrigentum (which is described under that head), on the slopes of Mount Camicus, in the Val-di-Mazzara, nearly 3 miles from the shore, and 60 S.S.E. of Palermo. The modern town is about one-tenth of the size of the ancient city, and though irregularly built, it presents rather an imposing appearance standing at an elevation of 1100 feet above sea-level. The streets are, however, mean and dirty; and they are so steep, narrow, and wretchedly paved, that they are impassable by wheel-vehicles. It contains a cathedral, 45 churches, 17 convents, one seminary, one orphan hospital, a lyceum, and a monte-di-pietà. The harbour, once capable of admitting large vessels, has now only 12 feet water on the bar. It was formed in 1752 by the erection of a fine mole; and its latitude and longitude are respectively 37° 15' 36" N., and 13° 31' 45" E. The principal objects of commerce are fruit, oil, sulphur, and grain, of which last large quantities are stored in caverns in the rock. Four miles north of Girgenti is the mud volcano called Maccaluba. The present population of the town is nearly 18,000, consisting chiefly of agriculturists and priests.