a delegation of the Papal States, bounded on the N. by those of Perugia and Camerino, E. by that of Ascoli and the kingdom of Naples, S. by the delegation of Rieti, and W. by that of Viterbo; area, 1130 square miles. The eastern part of the country is occupied by the central chain of the Apennines, including the two loftiest peaks within the Papal dominions; Monte della Sibilla (7300 feet), and Monte Vittore (8130 feet). Various branches of this main ridge extend towards the west, and the delegation is thus, as a whole, mountainous. The greater part of the country is watered by affluents of the Tiber; but a small portion, east of the water-sheds of the Apennines, sends its waters into the Adriatic by the Tronto. On the west, the Maroggia flows northwards and joins the Topino, an affluent of the Tiber; and the Nora, a little to the east of the former river, flows southwards and falls into the Tiber. Between these two rivers rises a ridge called the Mountains of Somma. The valley of the Maroggia is the most fertile part of the whole country; it produces in abundance maize, wheat, pulse, wine, oil, and various fruits. The forests afford much valuable timber. Large numbers of cattle are reared, and much cheese is made. Among the minerals of the country are limestone, marble, gypsum, and potter's clay. Hardly any manufactures or trade are carried on here. Pop. (1853) 134,939.

the capital of the above delegation, on the side of a steep hill above the Maroggia, 61 miles N.N.E. of Rome. It consists of narrow, crooked streets, lined with houses, not very well built. In a commanding position stands the cathedral, an edifice erected in the time of the Lombard dukes of Spoleto, and still retaining some traces of its original Gothic architecture in five pointed arches, which are now supported by Grecian pillars, introduced by Bramante. In the interior are many interesting monuments and works of art. There are in the town several other churches, a citadel, originally built by Theodoric, king of the Goths, a town-hall, and a fine palace, belonging to the Arcajani family. Spoleto is the seat of a bishop, and has a college, manufactories of hats and woollen cloth, and some trade in corn, wine, and oil. It occupies the site of the ancient Spoletium, which does not seem to have existed before the Romans established a colony here in 240 B.C. In the second Punic War, after the battle of Lake Trasimenes, Hannibal made an assault on the town, but was repulsed with vigour, and the colony remained faithful to the Roman cause throughout the whole of the war. While the Western Empire continued, Spoletium remained a large and flourishing town. It was partly destroyed by the Goths; but under the Lombards it became the capital of a duchy, which continued to exist independently till the 12th century. There are some interesting Roman remains at Spoleto. Pop. 8500.