a department of France, lying between N. Lat. 45.18. and 46.16., E. Lon. 2.27. and 3.57., bounded on the N. by the department of Allier, E. by that of Loire, S. by those of Haute-Loire and Cantal, and W. by those of Corrèze and Creuse: length, from N.W. to S.E., 85 miles; average breadth, about 50; area, 3002 square miles. The surface is undulating, and has a general slope towards the north, a great part of the area being occupied by the valley of the Allier, which is known by the name of La Limagne. This valley extends from S. to N., and is bounded on either side by lofty branches of the Cévennes, from which smaller valleys descend, each watered by an affluent of the Allier. The western part of the department is mountainous, and contains two volcanic groups called the Monts Dômes and the Monts Dorees. The former, which is also called the Chain of Puy, lies more to the north than the other, and reaches its culminating point in the Puy-de-Dôme, which gives its name to the department, and attains the height of 4805 feet above the sea. It has the form of a truncated cone, and has an uneven summit, with no trace of a crater. The whole mountain is covered with green and luxuriant vegetation; and the only traces of volcanic agency are the projecting blocks of lava here and there to be seen. The other summits of this group, about sixty in number, are of the same form and character, and in general have open craters. Of the Monts Dorees the highest summit is the Puy de Sancy, 6196 feet above the sea. The slopes of all these mountains, as well as of those of Forez, which bound the Limagne on the E., are exceedingly fertile and beautiful; and the whole valley of the Allier, diversified with isolated hills and slopes, covered with corn-fields, vineyards, and meadows, studded with towns and villages, presents a most picturesque appearance. The rivers of the department are the Allier, with its affluents, the chief of which are the Dore on the E., and the Sioune on the W. The Dordogne rises in this department, and forms part of its western boundary. The mineral riches of Puy-de-Dôme are very great; antimony, argentiferous lead, iron, coal, marble, granite, basalt, &c., being among its productions. The extent of arable land in the department is about 677,000 acres, of meadow land 165,000 acres, of vineyards 32,000 acres, of wood 151,000 acres, and of waste land 361,000 acres. Although agriculture is in a backward state, from the unwillingness of the people to depart from their old methods, yet the fertility of the soil prevents any deficiency in the quantity of the crops; corn, wine of good quality, potatoes, fruits, hemp, &c., are produced. Cattle are raised in large numbers, as well as horses of a small size, but much esteemed for riding. Silk-worms and bees are also reared.

Puy-de-Dôme contains about 13,000 horses, 198,000 horned cattle, 528,000 sheep, 68,000 pigs, and 21,000 goats. Boars, deer, hares, rabbits, foxes, and other wild animals, are found here. Wolves, also, though much diminished in numbers, are still to be met with; and eagles, vultures, &c., haunt the mountainous districts. The forests produce large quantities of timber and firewood, especially pine, oak, and beech. The climate of the department is different in its different parts. In the Limagne the summers are very warm, and the winters short, though sometimes severe; but the higher regions are exposed to cold and inclement weather, often to violent storms. Besides farming, the industry of the people is chiefly employed in the working of mines and quarries. The manufactures of the department are not of much importance; cutlery, nails, paper, woollen cloth, hempen stuffs, &c., are the chief articles produced. A great number of the inhabitants of the mountainous districts leave their homes during the winter season, and travel through France in the pursuit of their several occupations. The principal articles of commerce are agricultural produce, cattle, hides, confectionary, paper, timber, &c. Numerous fairs and markets are held in the department. Puy-de-Dôme forms the diocese of Clermont, and has at that town a Protestant minister and a Jewish rabbin.

There is an imperial court at Riom, five tribunals of the Paylaurens first instance, and other courts of law in the department. Its educational establishments include an academy, a lycée, five colleges, and 508 primary schools. It is divided into five arrondissements as follows:

| Canton | Communes | Pop. (1850) | |--------|----------|-------------| | Claremont-Perrand | 14 | 108 | 177,834 | | Ambert | 8 | 52 | 88,210 | | Issoire | 9 | 116 | 97,570 | | Riom | 13 | 128 | 152,323 | | Thiers | 6 | 39 | 76,025 |

Total | 50 | 443 | 590,682

PYULAURENS, a town of France, in the department of Tarn, arrondissement and 13 miles S.E. of Lavaur. It has silk-mills, and a considerable trade in horses and mules. Pop. 6095.