or Menorca, the second in size of the Balearic Islands, is situated between 39.47° and 40.4°. N. Lat.; and 3°. 48. and 4°. 20. E. Long.; 27 miles E.N.E. of Majorca, 140 miles S.E. of Catalonia, the nearest European coast, and 180 miles N. of Bujia in Africa. Its surface is uneven,—flat in the S., and rising irregularly towards the centre, where the mountain named El Toro has an altitude of 5250 feet. Owing thus to want of shelter from mountains, the climate is not so equable as that of Majorca, and it is Exposed in autumn and winter to the violence of the N. winds, this want of shelter also, and the sterility of the soil, are the causes of the scarcity of trees and of the frequent failure of the crops. The surface is rocky, and the soil of very unequal quality; that of the mountains being light, fine, and fertile, and producing regular harvests without much labour or cultivation; while that of the plains is chalky, scanty, and alike unfit for pasture and the plough. Some of the valleys have a good alluvial soil; and where the hills have been terraced, they are cultivated to the summit. The wheat and barley raised in the island are sometimes sufficient for home consumption; rarely is there a surplus. Wine, oil, potatoes, legumes, hemp, and flax are produced in moderate quantities; fruit of all kinds, including melons, pomegranates, figs, and almonds, is abundant. Horned cattle, sheep, goats, &c., are reared, and the island abounds with small game. Stone of various kinds is plentiful; a soft stone, easily quarried, and acquiring hardness by exposure is used for building. In the district of Mercadal and in Mount Santa Agueda are found marbles and porphyry superior to those of Italy. Lead, copper, and iron are said to be abundant, but owing to the scarcity of wood, would not repay the expense of working. There are manufactures of the wool, hemp, and flax of the island; and formerly there was a good deal of boat-building, but, with the exception of agriculture, all branches of industry are in decay.

The coast is deeply indented, especially on the N., with numerous creeks and bays, that of Port Mahon, the capital, being the most considerable; after it come those of Addaya, Formells, Ciutadella, and Nitja.

Port Mahon is situated on the E. coast, in 39° 52' N. Lat., 4° 20' E. Long., and occupies an eminence on the S. side, and 2 miles from the mouth, of a bay a league in extent. Its lofty position gives it a picturesque appearance, and contributes to its extreme salubrity. The city is of modern construction, and contains some fine public buildings, four churches, two ex-convents, two hospitals, a normal school, and one for higher instruction, with other private schools. The bay forms the finest and most capacious harbour in the Mediterranean, and one of the largest in the world, as a saying of Andrea Doria testifies—

"Junio, Julio, Agosto y puerto Mahon, Los mejores puertos del Mediterráneo son."

"June, July, August, and Port Mahon are the best harbours of the Mediterranean." On one side stand the fine large lazaretto and the marine arsenal; and on the largest island in the bay is the naval hospital, begun by the English in 1722 and finished in 1795. Of the fort of San Felipe, famous in the history of the island, and once deemed impregnable, no vestige remains since 1805. A road of 29 miles in length, S.E. to N.W., connects Port Mahon, by Alayor, Mercadal, and Ferrerias, with Ciutadella, the second city in the island; this road was constructed in 1713 by Brigadier Kane, to whose memory a marble monument was erected at the first milestone. The surrounding country produces abundant crops of wheat, some barley, excellent cheese, and honey; horned cattle are reared in considerable quantity, and there are fisheries. There are manufactures of tackle, soap, earthenware, &c.; these, together with the commerce, now confined to the coasting trade, are in a state of progressive decay. Pop. (1846) 13,280.

Minorca was taken possession of in 1287 by Alfonso, grandson of Jayme, the conqueror of the Balearic Isles, and continued under Spanish rule till 1708, when Port Mahon was taken by the English under General Stanhope, and the island secured to them by the peace of Utrecht. In 1756 it was invaded by a force of 12,000 French, who, after defeating Admiral Byng, captured Port Mahon. Re-

stored to England in 1769 by the peace of Versailles, the island remained in our possession till 1782, when it was retaken by the Spaniards. Again taken by the English in 1798, it was finally ceded to Spain by the peace of Amiens in 1803.

The Menorquins, especially those of the district of Mahon, who have been under English influence, are an enterprising and industrious, grave, and religious people. The general decay of manufactures and commerce has caused of late years a large emigration, chiefly to the French colony of Algeria, where they prosper. In 1846 the population amounted to 31,443.