or ORLOV, a government of European Russia, lying between N. Lat. 51. 55. and 54., E. Long. 32. 40. and 38. 50., is bounded on the N. by the governments of Kaluga and Tula, E. by Tambov, S.E. by Voronetz, S. by Kursk, and W. by Tchernigov and Smolensk. Length from N.W. to S.E. 262 miles; breadth, varying from 28 to 112 miles; area, 18,258 square miles. Though elevated throughout, the surface is not broken by any mountains; only some chains of limestone hills, and heights along the river-banks, intersect the country, forming in some places deep and picturesque valleys. Nearly a third part of the government is covered with forests; but there are very few barren, heathy, or marshy tracts. The principal rivers are the Desna, a tributary of the Dnieper, which flows in a southerly direction across the west of Orel; the Oka, which flows through the centre and north of the government to join the Volga; and in the east the Osma, an affluent of the Don, flowing N.E. There are also numerous smaller streams; but no lakes of any size. The soil is for the most part light and sandy, but well suited for all kinds of grain, which it produces in larger quantities than the wants of the inhabitants require. The climate of Orel is temperate and healthy. Agriculture is extensively carried on; all kinds of corn, hemp, flax, hops, and tobacco are grown. The extent of arable land in the government in 1849 was 5,608,392 acres; of meadow land, 918,274 acres; of wood, 2,599,206 acres; and of waste land, 2,239,696 acres. Gardening is carried on here to a large extent, and is better understood than in any other part of Russia; and fruits and vegetables are grown in large quantities. The trees most common in Orel are, limes, birches, alders, aspens, firs, elms, &c. Foxes and hares are abundant, and are frequently hunted. The rearing of cattle is well attended to in Orel. Of horses, which are of excellent breed, suited either for riding or for farm labour, the government contained in 1849, 590,955; of horned cattle, 368,824; of sheep, 1,038,721; of swine, 535,760; and of goats, 2171. Great numbers of bees are kept. Many valuable minerals are obtained here, such as iron, lime, mill-stones, grindstones, alabaster, &c. Few manufactures are carried on, as the peasants make for themselves those articles that they need. There were, however, in 1848 thirteen beet-root sugar manufactories, using 4435 tons of beet-root, and producing 2660 cwt. of sugar. Orel contains also a few other manufactories, where coarse woollen and linen stuffs, cordage, earthenware, soap, iron, &c., are produced. The trade is considerable, consisting in the exportation of grain, flour, hemp, spirits, honey, iron, hardware, and other articles. The imports from foreign countries all enter the government by way of Moscow. The inhabitants are frugal and industrious; but ignorant, and strongly prejudiced in