CHAMOUNI, shi-moo-ne, or CHA MONIX, sha-mo-ne, derived from champs munis or Lat. campus munitus, fortified grounds, in allusion to the natural mountain fortifica tions, a celebrated valley of southeastern France, in the department of Haute-Savoy, in the Pennine Alps, fully 3,000 feet above sea level. It is about 12 miles long, and only about half a mile wide; lies southwest to northeast, its east side formed by Mont Blanc and other lofty mountains of the same range,'and its west side by Mount Brivent and the Aiguilles Rouges. It is traversed in its whole extent by the Arve, which leaves the valley by a narrow gorge at the southwest end, through which also passes, high above the river, the highway to Sallanches and Geneva. At its north end the valley communicates with Canton Valais by two roads and a bridle-path, the latter crossing the Col de Bahne; and it may also be left by other passes, as the Col du Geant, but they are difficult and dangerous, and only suited for practised and daring pedestrians. The moun tains on the west side of the valley, though at taining a height of 8,500 feet above sea-level, are not covered with snow in summer; but those on the east side, in the range of Mont Blanc, being from 10,000 to upward of 15,000 feet high, are always snow-clad, excepting where the peaks are too perpendicular for snow to lie. From the snowy range proceed the glaciers, some of which approach close to the cultivated fields. They are very numerous, and of different sizes; but the two most important are the Glacier des Bossons and the Mer de Glace, the latter one of the largest glaciers in the Alps. From its lower extremity, called the
Glacier des Bois, the meltings of the glacier flow off, in greater or less volume according to the season of the year, from under a naturally formed ice-arch, the source of the Arveyron, the name given to the stream thus formed, which is an affluent of the Arve. The lower slopes of the mountains are covered with tim ber, through which is frequently to be seen the devastating course taken by the avalanche. The soil is not fertile, but it is assiduously i cultivated; and the who are gathered together in numerous villages, of which Chamouni or Le Prieure is the chief, raise barley, oats, spelt, flax, potatoes, etc., raise cattle and keep bees. During the winter, yarns, cloths, hats and implements are made, and many articles of wood are carved. All the valley is famous for its scenery, which was first brought to public notice by Windham and Pococke, two Englishmen who visited it in 1741. It presents various points from which the whole mass of Mont Blanc may be seen at one view. The village of Chamouni (3,415 feet), 39 miles east-southeast of originated in a Benedictine priory founded about 1090. It has several hotels, and is sup ported mainly by visitors to the scenery of the valley. The ascent of Mont Blanc is most commonly made from this village. There is a monument to De Saussure, who did much to bring the valley before the notice of travelers. Pop. 2,850.