DUMBARTONSHIRE (anciently, Lennox, Levenax, or Leven's field), a sickle-shaped co. in the w. of Scotland, bounded e. by loch Lomond, Stirling, and Lanark; s. by Renfrew and the Clyde estuary; w., by loch Long and Argyle; and n., by Perth. It is ;35 in. long, and 15 (average 7i) broad, with 35 in. of coast; area, 297 sq. miles. On the e., it has a detached part -of 12 sq.m., inclosed by Stirling and Lanark. The s. coast on the Clyde is mostly low and sandy. Loch Long forms 20 m. of the w. border. The Gare loch, one mile broad and 6 long, forms, with loch Long, the Roseneath peninsula in the s.w., studded with beautiful villas. Loch Lomond for 24 in. bounds the e. side of the co., the hills rising from a low, narrow, and wooded shore. Here is the romantic scenery of part of Rob Roy's country described by Scott. The n. of the co. is mountainous or hilly, rising in Ben Voirlich 3,300 ft. The scenery of D. is very romantic, and the co. forms the route to the w. highlands of Argyle and Perth. The ancient ferry from the lowlands to the highlands was between port Glasgow and Card ross. There are many streams, and 9 fresh water lakes, the largest being loch Lomond.
b The chief rivers are the Clyde, along the s. border; and the Leven, the outlet of loch Lomond, and running 6 m. into the Clyde, at the foot of Dumbarton rock. The rocks
are mica•slate, talc-slate, clay-slate, trap, coal-measures, and carboniferous limestone. The mineral products are coal, freestone, limestone, ironstone, and slates. The climate is mild and humid. The arable lands lie chiefly s. of loch Lomond, and along the Clyde e. and w. of Dumbarton castle. On the hills are reared highland cattle and black-faced sheep, and on the plains Ayrshire cattle and Cheviot sheep. In 1875, 45,674 acres were under crops and grass, the chief crops being oats, turnips, barley, wheat, beans, and potatoes. D. has extensive and valuable woods. The chief branches of industry are ship-building and marine-engine making, and bleach ing, calico-printing, and dyeing; there are also iron-foundries, breweries, tanneries, and rope-yards. D. is divided into 12 parishes. There are about 70 churches, Established, Free, and United Presbyterian. Pop. '71, 58,659: valuation of the co. in 1877-78, £304,240. D. sends one member to parliament. A portion of the Roman wall of Antoninus runs through the s.e. corner of the co., and ends at Kilpatrick. At Luss is the cairn of St. Kessock, a martyr in 520. There are remains of Roman forts, and of a Roman bridge at Duntocher. Stone coffins and Roman vases and coins have been found.