that part of the abdomen next the thigh.

GRÖNINGEN, in Architecture, the angular curve formed by the intersection of simple vaults crossing each other at any angle, and leading to a common centre or apex. See plates to ARCHITECTURE.

GRÖNINGEN, a province of Holland, forming the N.E. extremity of that kingdom, and bounded on the N. by the German Ocean, E. by the estuary of the Ems, the Dollart, and Hanover, S. by the province of Dantzig, and W. by that of Friesland. Its greatest length from S.E. to N.W. is 50 miles, and its extreme breadth in the northern part 34 miles. Area, 883 square miles. The surface is level and everywhere intersected by canals and ditches, whilst it is protected by continuous dykes against the inundations of the sea. The soil is generally heavy and marshy; and in several parts, especially in the S.E., are extensive swamps. The principal rivers are the Hunse and the Aa. The climate is humid and unhealthy. Along the shore there extends a tract of land from 18 to 20 miles in breadth, which, by being well drained and embanked, bears excellent crops of oats and some barley. The land farther from the shore is generally sandy heath, affording much turf, and yielding with care a supply of potatoes. The pastures constitute the chief wealth of this province, and support a great number of excellent cattle. The butter and cheese are, however, inferior to those of the provinces of Holland and Friesland. The manufactures are few and insignificant. The only town of importance is the capital. The province is divided into three arrondissements—Gröningen, Winschoten, and Appingedam. Pop. (1854) 199,563.

GRÖNINGEN, the capital of the above province, and the most important town in the northern part of Holland, is situated on the Hunse, 92 miles N.E. of Amsterdam. It is neat, clean, and regularly built, and is surrounded by walls and ditches. It has twelve churches, the finest of which is St Martin's, a handsome Gothic edifice, surmounted by a lofty spire. The town-hall is an elegant modern structure, in the Bree-market, one of the grandest squares in the kingdom. The university, founded in 1614, has an excellent museum of natural history and a botanic garden, and is attended by about 400 students. Gröningen has an academy of painting, sculpture, and architecture; schools for the blind and the deaf and dumb; societies of natural history, chemistry, and literature; a public library, &c. It has an active trade in cheese, butter, cattle, corn, and other agricultural products; and ship-building is carried on. There are paper-mills, and some factories of woollen and silk stuffs, but, generally speaking, the manufactures are inconsiderable. Pop. (1850) 33,695.