HE territory comprised under the name of Italy is bounded on the north by France and Switzerland, on the south by the Mediterranean, on the west by France and the Mediterranean, and on the east by the Ionian and Adriatic Seas. The Alps, which extend in a curved line from the Gulf of Genoa to the head of the Adriatic, form its northern frontier. The Apennines, which stretch through the entire length of the Italian peninsula, are the most important among the subsidiary chains of

In

the Alpine system. Their average height varies from three to five thousand feet, but in the middle portions of the range, several summits rise to between seven and eight thousand feet in height. Mount Corno, the highest, attains a height of upwards of 9,500 feet above the level of the sea. the spaces between the mountains and hills lie valleys remarkable either for their wild romantic beauties or the fertility of their soil. Between the Alps and the northern portion of the Apennine chain is the plain of Lombardy, which has a gradual slope towards the head of the Adriatic. The

lower part of this plain is nearly a perfect level, and the most richly cultivated and populous portion of Italy. The other great plains are those of Piedmont, the Venetian plains, the plain of the Campo Felice, on which stands Vesuvius, the Apulian plain, and the long narrow Neapolitan plain of the Basilicata, stretching along the Gulf of Tarento.

A volcanic zone traverses the peninsula from the centre to the south, of which the most remarkable active summits are Vesuvius near Naples, Etna in Sicily, and Stromboli in the Lipari islands.

The principal rivers of Italy are the Po, the Adige, the Arno, and the Tiber.

The mountain lakes of Italy are famed for their beauty. The principal are Maggiore, Lugano, Como, Iseo, and Garda.

The climate is generally healthy and dry. In the northern provinces it is temperate, salubrious, and occasionally severe in winter; in the centre it assumes a more genial character, while the heat of the southern extremity is of almost tropical intensity. The olive, the orange and the lemon flourish luxuriantly, and the sugar-cane, tobacco-plant, the Indian fig, the papyrus and the date-palm are abundant on the low and warm plains.

The rains are less dispersed throughout the year than in more northern latitudes, but fall with great violence at particular seasons and swell the mountain torrents with almost inconceivable rapidity.

The drawbacks of the climate are the tramontana or mountain winds, and the malaria which issues from the Maremma of Tuscany, the Pontine Marshes, and the Venetian lagoons. The mean annual temperature at Milan is 53.6°, at Florence

59.4°, at Rome 60°, at Naples 62.2°.

The kingdom of Italy is divided into fifteen territories and sixtynine provinces. At the last census, December 1876, it had a population of 27,580,174.

The mineral productions are varied and of great value. Gold and silver occur in the valleys of Sesia and Aosta, and between Reggio and Scilla. Tuscany possesses valuable mines of copper, lead, quicksilver, and a great number of minerals. There are rich iron mines in Sessera, Susa, Tuscany, Vermenagna and Abruzzo-Ultra, and in the island of Elba. Beautiful marbles of various hues are found in the Genoese and Tuscan territories.

The staple manufactures are silks, velvets, damasks, ribbons, &c. Corn, olives, hemp, flax, and cotton are largely grown, and the sugar-cane is successfully cultivated in the two Sicilies.

The wines of Italy are numerous, but, owing to the defective mode of their manufacture, are unfit for exportation. The most superior oil and olives are furnished by Tuscany, Lucca, and Naples; the oil of Florence and that of Gallipoli and Puglia being unequalled for purity and sweetness. The fruits of the two Sicilies are exquisite in flavour, and embrace several tropical species.

MONEY.

The currency of Italy is the same as that of France, Belgium and Switzerland: 100 centimes equal 1 lira (equal to the French franc). The lira equals 9 pence English, or say 20 cents in United States money.

The most convenient coins for use in any part of Italy are Napoleons, which are everywhere

current.

ROUTE 163.

PARIS TO TURIN, GENOA, AND ROME.

DIRECT.

HE train which leaves Paris every evening at 8 o'clock, reaches Modane the following day at 3 o'clock, Turin at 6, Genoa at midnight, and Rome at 1.15 on the following afternoon. Stops are made at Macon, 20 minutes; Culoz, 30 minutes; Modane, one hour; Turin, one hour; Genoa, 30 minutes; and Pisa, 15 minutes.

For description of that part of the route from Paris to Turin, see page 363. Turin to Genoa, see Route 167. Genoa to Pisa and Rome, Route 172.

ROUTE 164.

MODANE TO TURIN.

67 miles; 1st class, 12.95 francs; 2nd, 9-20 francs; 3rd, 6.60 francs.

EAVING Modane, we soon enter the great Mont Cenis tunnel, which is 7 miles in length. It is 19 feet high and 26 feet wide, and is lined almost throughout with masonry. Halfan-hour is required for the transit. The air in the tunnel is not disagreeable. At the south end is the station of Bardoneccia, soon

after leaving which we enter the valley of the Dora Riparia. Several tunnels and four small stations are passed before Bussoleno, where a branch line goes off to Susa at the foot of the Mont Cenis Pass. At Avigliana the valley broadens into a plain and we soon reach

TURIN (67 miles), (Hotels: see "HOTEL LIST"). It is beautifully situated in an extensive and fertile plain, surrounded by the Alps, at the confluence of the Dora-Susina with the Po.

Turin is remarkable for the regularity of its streets, which, with few exceptions, intersect each other at right angles.

The PALACE, built by Charles Emmanuel II., and designed by Castellamonte, is a huge structure, with its large courts bounded by open porticos. Its exterior, which is perfectly bare of ornament, forms the western portion of the Piazza Castello. The bronze equestrian statues of Castor and Pollux, which decorate the pillars of the gateway, are by Sangiorgio. The apartments, to which the vast staircases conduct, are handsome, and are sumptuously furnished. The library contains 50,000 volumes and many interesting manuscripts. The armoury contains many interesting objects, among others, the sword carried by Napoleon at Marengo. It was laid out by Le Notre, so well known as the designer of the garden of the Tuileries, at Paris.

The principal Place is the Piazza Castello, situated in the best quarter of Turin. It derives its name from the castle, known as the Lady Palace, or Palazzo Madama, built in the centre, and now used for Government offices. The place is environed with the Royal Palace, the theatre, and many other edifices of suitable architecture. It is crossed by