RHONE (Rhodanng of the Romans), which takes its rise in the Swiss Alps, on the western side of mount St. Gothard, not far from the sources of the Rhine, is the only important. French river which falls into the Mediterranean. Its entire length, from its origin to the gulf of Lyons at its embouchures. is 6-14 in. end the area of its river basin 28.000 sq. miles. The Rhone is. for its length, probably the most rapid river in the world. On issuing from its- source it runs in a south-westerly direction through the canton of Valais, and after being swelled in its rapid course by the affitix of several tributaries, it takes a sudden turn to the D. near Nartigny, and throws its waters itito the hike of Geneva (q.v.). After issuing from the lake it takes up the turbid stream of the Arve, forcing its passage through a rocky gorge of the Jura chain, disappears below the rocks near tort FEeluse for a length of 800 ft., forming the subterranean channel known as La Jerre du Rhone. At St. Genis the Rhone enters a less mount:dust's district, and passing beyond the Jura district, flows through a low valley to Lyons, where it receives the Satine. From Lyons it follows a southern direction past Vienne, Valence, Montelimart, Avignon, and Arles, bifurcating near Reancsire and Tarriscon into two main streams, the Greater and the Lesser Intone, which inclose the delta known as the Ile de la Cnmargue, and filially merge their waters with t hose of the Mediterranean.
The most important affluents of the Rhone are, on the right, the Ain, Same, Doubs, Ardeche. and Gard; on the left, the Arve, Isere, Dninie, and Durance. From Lyons southward the Rhone is easily navigable for good-sized vessels: but the up-navigation, owing to the rapid tall of the stream, and the sudden shifting of sand-banks, is a fended with considerable difficulty, and is at times almost impracticable. On account of these and other obstructions, which are greatest near the mouths of the river, the communica tion with the Mediterranean is chiefly effected by meaiSS of Canals, wit ich, cnmmmtleatitIg with several shore-lakes, as l'Etang de Besse and others, open a passage between the at Port du Bow and the river at Arles, end thus obviate the necessity of navigating romid the delta. In its upper and middle course the Rhone presents beautiful and varied scenery, enriched with a luxuriant southern vegetation, including grapes of superior quality, from which some of the finest wines of France are obtained: but below Avignon it passes through a broad, arid tract of country, and is bounded by swampy banks. The great natural conimercial advantages of the Rhone have been considerably extended by means of numerous canals, which, by joining it to the Seine, the Loire, and the Rhine, have connected it with the Atlantic and the German ocean.