one of the United States of North America, lying between N. Lat. 42° 30' and 46° 58', W. Long. 87° 8' and 92° 54'; bounded on the N. by Lake Superior and the State of Michigan, E. by Lake Michigan, S. by the State of Illinois, and W. by those of Iowa and Minnesota. Length, from N. to S., about 302 miles; greatest breadth, 258; area, 53,924 square miles. This extensive region may be generally described as an undulating plain, varying in elevation from 600 to 1200 feet above the level

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1 The Orgyynmale Cronykil of Scotland, bo Androw of Wynytown, Prior of Sanct Serfs Ynche in Loch Levyn, &c. Lond. 1765, 2 vols. 4to and 8vo. 2 Of Winton's Chronicle a considerable number of MSS. are mentioned by Macpherson, but several others are known to be preserved. There is one in the Lansdowne collection, lately added to the British Museum, another in the library of the University of St Andrews, and a third in that of Captain Wemyss of Wemyss. Wisconsin, of the sea. It is interrupted by no heights that can be called mountains; but three distinct watersheds are indicated by course of the rivers. The loftiest of these is on the extreme N. of the state, separating the affluents of Lake Superior on the N. from those of the Mississippi on the S. This range of hills is known by the name of the Wisconsin Mountains. North of them the country is wild and rugged, and the rivers, which are short and swift, descend by many rapids and cataracts to Lake Superior, the shores of which are, for the most part, lined with steep and bare rocks. The second watershed is near the southern border of the state, and separates the Wisconsin and its affluents from the Rock river, and others flowing to the south. To this belong several isolated hills called mounds,—the highest of which, Blue Mound, is estimated at 1770 feet above the level of the sea. The third watershed of Wisconsin is on the S.E. of the state, and separates the rivers that flow directly into Lake Michigan from those that flow into Green Bay, a large arm of that lake.

The largest river connected with Wisconsin is the Mississippi, which forms a large part of the western boundary of the state. It flows through a valley which, for the most part, is 10 or 12 miles broad, and bounded by steep cliffs from 300 to 600 feet high. The valley is occupied partly by rich meadows and partly by wooded tracts; and is interrupted here and there by isolated hills. Beyond the cliffs that bound the Mississippi valley, the country assumes the same general appearance that prevails in the greater part of the state. Numerous rivers, affluents of the Mississippi, traverse the land, and their course generally lies through deep and narrow valleys. The St Croix river issues from a lake of that name, near the extreme north of the state, and flows at first south-west and then south, forming, for a great part of its course, the western boundary of Wisconsin. It receives a large number of affluents, especially in the upper part of its course, and falls into the Mississippi. The Chippewa, farther east than the former, also waters the north of the state, and falls into the Mississippi. Its length is 200 miles. Farther down in its course, the Mississippi receives the Black River, which is about 150 miles long. But its largest tributary in the state is the river from which the state takes its name. The Wisconsin rises by two branches not far from the source of the Chippewa, in the north-east of the country, and flows in a very irregular course, at first generally south for 200 miles, and then west for 100 more. Of the rivers that fall into Lake Superior, none are of any size or importance. But there are some deserving notice in the east and south of the country. The Neenah, or Fox River, takes its rise near the point where the Wisconsin turns to the west, and flows in a very irregular course, generally north-east. After traversing several small lakes, it enters that of Winnebago on its west side, and, issuing from it on the north, flows north-east, and falls into the head of Green Bay. Its largest affluent is the Wolf river, which flows from the north, and joins it in a lake called Grande Buttes des Morts, connected with that of Winnebago. To the south of Lake Winnebago rises the Rock River, which flows south, receives several affluents from the State, and finally falls into the Mississippi in that of Illinois.

The lakes of Wisconsin are very numerous, especially in the north-west; but these are of comparatively small size, varying from 2 to 10 miles in circumference. The largest in the state is that of Winnebago, which has been already mentioned. It is about 28 miles long and 10 broad. South of the Wisconsin lie the Four Lakes, in an isthmus among which stands Madison the capital, in the midst of rich and beautiful scenery. A remarkable depression extends across the south of the state from Green Bay to the Mississippi, formed by the lower valley of the Wisconsin and that of the Fox River. These approach at one point within 2 miles of each other; and the ground between is not more than 223 feet above the level of Lake Michigan. A large Wisconsin grant has been made by the United States Congress for the construction of a canal, which will open up a new line of communication between the St Lawrence and the Mississippi, as the Wisconsin is navigable up to this point, and the Fox, which is obstructed by some falls and rapids, might, without much difficulty, be made so too.

The most prevalent geological formation in the southern part of Wisconsin is limestone, which is interrupted here and there by deposits of sandstone. North of this lie strata of Potsdam sandstone and metamorphic deposits; while, in the extreme north of the state, granitic and other primitive rocks prevail. The mineral resources of the country are very great. In the south-west there are extensive and valuable deposits of lead, forming part of the great lead region of the Upper Mississippi, which lies partly also in Illinois and Iowa. Along with the lead ore, copper, zinc, and some silver, are also found: on the banks of the Black River, and some other affluents of the Mississippi, some iron is found; and in the primitive region in the north there are mines of copper, probably the richest in the world, and, to all appearance, almost inexhaustible. Sandstone, white marble, gypsum, saltpetre, and various precious stones, are also among the valuable minerals of Wisconsin. Although the country has not been long settled, mining operations have already been carried on to a considerable extent. The soil is in general exceedingly fertile, and well suited for cultivation; and even in the best mining districts the land, as is not usual in similar regions, is good for farming, and especially for grazing. The less fertile tracts are generally covered with forests, which afford abundance of excellent timber, especially pines; but as the greater part of the country consists of open prairies, on which the exuberant vegetation is annually burned up, there is no need of the laborious process of clearing which in many other parts of America the settler has to perform. The climate resembles that of New York and New England; but the average annual temperature is not so low as in these countries. Compared with that of Europe, it is more extreme both in heat and cold, the thermometer sometimes descending below zero, which it rarely does in southern Sweden; while in summer the heat is considerably greater than in central Europe. The winters are long and severe; but the temperature rapidly rises in spring, while it falls as rapidly in autumn. Notwithstanding the number of lakes and marshes, Wisconsin is eminently a healthy country,—a benefit which it probably owes to its pure and dry atmosphere.

Agriculture is the principal branch of industry carried on here; and the nature of the country affords great facilities for it. The extent of cultivated land, in 1850, was 1,045,499 acres; and on this there were produced 4,286,131 bushels of wheat, 3,414,672 of oats, 1,983,970 of maize, 1,402,077 of potatoes, 3,633,750 lbs. of butter, 610,976 of maple sugar, and 275,662 tons of hay. Wheat, maize, oats, potatoes, and butter, are the staple productions of the country; and large numbers of live stock are also reared. Among the wild animals of the country are bears, wolves, foxes, beavers, otters, and musk rats. In the lakes and rivers both fish and water-fowl abound. An important branch of industry here is the sawing and preparing of timber. Besides pine, which is most abundant, the country contains great quantities of oak, hickory, walnut, maple, lime, ash, elm, and other trees. Vast quantities of timber are conveyed by means of the various rivers to the Mississippi; and the timber of Wisconsin has now got entire possession of the market in the whole valley of that river, to the exclusion of all from other sources. The amount annually sawn and sent down the rivers is estimated at 200,000,000 feet. This occupation, lumbering as it is called, forms, along with farming and mining, the chief employment of Wisconsin. Manufactures are as yet very little advanced here. They have, however, been introduced to some extent; and, in 1850, the state contained 1273 manufactories, each producing annually L.100 worth of goods or upwards. Among these were 16 ironworks, employing 288 hands, and producing goods to the value of L.50,813; 9 woollen factories, employing 25 hands, and producing stuffs to the value of L.18,330; and a number of breweries and distilleries, producing 127,000 gallons of whisky, and 3120 barrels of beer and ale. The numerous rivers of the country, many of which have rapids and falls, afford abundance of water-power for the driving of mills; and the timber and iron found here furnish materials for ship-building, which is carried on to some extent. In the year ending June 30, 1858, there were built in Wisconsin 5 vessels, with a tonnage of 951. Commerce is greatly facilitated by the rivers and lakes, by means of which every part of the state has easy access to the St Lawrence or the Mississippi. The principal articles exported are wheat, flour, hides, beef, pork, timber, bricks, and lead; and the imported articles are made up of the merchandise suitable for a newly settled country, and the household property and agricultural implements of settlers here. The former amounted, in the year ending June 30, 1858, to L.113,180; and the latter to L.22,206. The principal lake-ports in the state are Milwaukee, Green Bay, Racine, Kenosha, Sheboygan, and Ozaukee.

Wisconsin was admitted into the Union as an independent state in 1848; and its constitution, like that of all the other states, is democratic. At the head of the executive stands a governor, who, along with a lieutenant-governor and other officers of state, is elected by a popular vote for the period of two years. The legislature consists of a senate of 30, and a popular assembly of 97 members; the former elected for 2 years, and the latter annually. The judicial establishments consist of a supreme court, circuit courts, county courts, and justices of the peace. The public receipts for the year ending October 1859 were L.233,207; and the expenditure L.207,232. The public debt amounted, in January 1859, to L.20,800. The total number of places of worship in the state is 245; with 78,532 sittings. The most numerous sect here is the Roman Catholics, who have 67 churches; next to them come the Methodists, 84; Independents, 33; Baptists, 28; Presbyterians, 21; Episcopalians, 19; and Lutherans, 18. Most liberal provisions are made by the state for education. About 100,000 acres of land have been set apart for raising a school fund, the proceeds of which, as they are gradually sold, amounted, October 1, 1858, to L.647,389; bearing interest at 7 per cent. A portion of this is applied to normal school purposes, but the greater part to the erection and maintenance of common schools throughout the land. In the year ending August 31, 1858, according to returns from all the counties but 2, there were 3482 schools, attended by 167,180 children, between 4 and 20; out of a total of 264,078, between these ages in the state. There is also a large university fund, the interest of which is applied to the state university, founded at Madison in 1851. There are also in Wisconsin 3 other colleges, an Episcopalian theological seminary, and a medical school. A normal department is attached to the university. The internal resources of the country are developed by numerous roads and railways; there being of the latter, in January 1859, 702 miles in operation. The capital of Wisconsin is Madison; and the state is divided into 45 counties. Pop. (1850) 305,391; (1855) 532,451, of whom 789 were negroes.