AUVERGNE, a southern central district of France, was before the revolution a sep arate province, composing almost exclusively the modern departments of Cantal and Puy-de-Dome. Between composing Allier and the upper course of the Dordogne and the Lot, A. rises into a highland region, having Bourbonnais, Limousin, and Rimergue, as ter races of descent into the western plains, while on the e. it joins the Cevennes and the southern highlands. Not only do the cone and dome-like shapes of the summits betray a volcanic formation, but also the great masses of basalt and trachyte that break through the crust of granite and gneiss, render it probable that this was a chief focus of plutonic action. Among the summits that have apparently been at one time volcanoes, the most remarkable are Cantal (6093), 3lont-d'Or (6188), Puy-de-I:Mine (4806). and Pariou; the latter, adjoiningPuy-de-Diline, is basin-shaped on the top, and one of the finest speci mens of an ancient and extinct volcano; ad are now covered with verdure. A. falls naturally into two divisions—upper A., to the s., and lower A., to the n. ; in which last the valley of Limagne, on the left bank of the Allier, is distinguished for extraordinary fertility. The climate is colder in the mountainous districts than the southern position, with a less elevation, would lead us to expect, and is remarkable for furious winds and violent thunder-storms; but in the deep valleys the heat of summer is often oppressive.
The lava-covered plateaus are desert, but the pulverized volcanic earths that cover the slopes and valleys form a rich and fruitful soil, as is shown by the crops of grain, garden produce, fine fruits, wine, abundance of chestnuts in the s., and of walnuts in the n., as well as by extensive thriving forests, along with flax and hemp fields and meadow-lands, in the poorer districts. Agriculture is in a rather neglected condition; but the breeding of cattle, especially of mules, is well managed. A. produces iron, lead, copper, antimony, and coal, and is rich in mineral springs.
The Auvergnesc are a highland people, rude in their manners, poor, ignorant, at the same time honest and kind, though not free from the propensity to revenge. They live by cattle keeping and agriculture, and by going to Paris as laborers. Domestic manu factures, therefore, remain confined to weaving, tanning, and paper-making. A. has, however, produced distinguished men. It was the native place of statesmen and war riors of the 15th and 16th centuries; and also of the Arnauld (q.v.) family, so distin guished in the history of Port Royal and of Jansenism. In more recent times, Lafayette and Polignac may be named. Chief towns, Clermont and Aurillac (q.v.). The country derived its name from the Averni, who long defended their fastnesses against Caesar, as later against the Goths, Burgundians, and Franks, with whom they at last coalesced.