PARMA, a dutchy in the north of Italy, bounded on the east by Modena, on the south and west by Tuscany, and on the north by the Po, which divides it from Milan. In chiding the districts of Placentia and Guastalla, it contai is 2280 square miles. Its population, according to the cen sus taken by order of the French government, is 377.000 or 165 to the square mile. It presents little diversity of surface, being almost an uniform plain, excepting the southern parts, which are traversed by several branches of the Appenines. The appearance of the country, however, is extremely delightful, the whole being divided into in closures, which are surrounded with rows of mulberries, poplars, and oaks, from whose branches the vines hang in beautiful festoons. It is watered by numerous rivers, which have their source in the Appenines, and which, pro ceeding in a northerly direction, discharge themselves into the Po. The principal of these are the Taro, the Nuova, the Lenza, and Trehbia. The soil is a rich sandy or gra
velly loam, which produces abundantly wheat, maize, vines, and olives, and likewise hemp, saffron, and all sorts of fruits. The pastures are extensive and rich, and support a great number of cattle, which are reared on account of the dairy. The Parmesan cheese has been long held in great estimation, and is exported to almost every country in Europe. In the southern districts, there are some mines of copper, iron, vitriol, and salt, and also some mineral springs. The trade of the dutchy is small, and consists chiefly in the exportation of the raw produce of the soil. The executive power is vested solely in the prince, whose authority is not controlled by any separate order in state. The revenues of the dinchy amount to 170,0001. It extends from 14' to 59' of north latitude, and from 9° 28' to 56' )f east longitude.