SEVRES, DEUX, a department of France, bounded N. by Maine et-Loire, E. by the department of Vienne, S.E. by that of Charente, S.W. by that of Charente-Iuf,lrieure, and W. by that of Vend6e. Its greatest length from north to south is 79 miles ; from east to west about 41 miles. The area of the department is estimated at 2316.5 square miles. The population in 1841 was 310,203 ; in 1851 it was 323,615, giving 1391 inhabitants to a square mile, or 34.88 below the average per square milo for the whole of France. Tho department was formed out of Upper Pollen, and is named from two rivers which traverse it.
The department is traversed by a chain of low granitic hills, which extends from the central group of Auvergne to the month of the Loire, beariug in part of its course the name of the Heights of °Mine. These hills enter the department from the department of Vienne on the south-east side, and extend into the department of Vend6e on the west aide; they separate tho basin of the Loire from the basins of the* Charente, Sevre-Niortaise, and Lay. The average height of these hills is about 450 feet. So much of the departmeut as lies north-west of a line drawn from Fontenay in the department of Vend& eastward to StsMaixent, and from thence northward, by Parthenay and Thouars, is occupied by the primary and lower secondary formations. The east and south of the department are occupied by the oolitio formations. Iron is found at various parts, and coal on the Vendean border. Marble, antimony, freestone for building, and mill-atones are dug. There are some mineral-waters, but none of great repute.
The portion of the department which belongs to the basin of the Loire is drained by the Sevrc-Nantaise, the Thouet, and the Dive, which last skirts the eastern border. The Sevre-Nantaise rises iu the G/ttino Hills, west of Parthenay, and, flowing north-west through this department and that of Vend6e, throws itself into the Loire opposite the city of Nantes. It is not navigable. The Dire is navigable for a short distance. The Maud receives the Cebron, the Thourt, the Argenton, and some other streams. The rest of the department is drained by the Boutonne and one or two other feeders of the Charente, and by the Sevre-Niortaise and its feeders the Mignun, the Autise, and the Vend& The Sarre-Niorlaise rises north of the town of Melle, near the source of the Nroune, a feeder of the Boutonne, and runs in a very tortuous course, and in a general western direction, past the town of Niort, from which it takes its distinctive name. From its
junction with the Mignon to its mouth, in the Pertuis-Breton, it divides the department of Vend6o from Charente-Inf6rieure. It is navigable for barges up to Niort; but in its lower eourso vessels of 100 tons go up with the tide to Marans [Crienexresticekniennu]; and by a canal vessels of even 300 tons can reach that town. The river flows in its lower course through an alluvial and marshy soil, in which it divides into several arms, many of which unite at Marans. The marshes in this part of its basin have been extensively drained and formed into polders. The Mignon is navigable for 7 miles above its junction with the Sevre-Niortaise. There are many ponds and marshes in the Cathie Hills.
The department is crossed by 9 imperial, 0 departmental, 5 military, and a great number of communal roads. It has no railways, but the Paris-Bordeaux line between Poitiers and Buffos runs close upon the eastern boundary.
The temperature in the northern part of the department is colder than in the southern. In the southern part the winters are mild. The south-eastern part is considered the healthiest ; iu the north fevers and inflammation of the lungs are common; and the Inhabitants of the marshy parts arc affected by skin diseases.
The soil sallies much ; part of it is unproductive ; one-third of the best land is constantly in fallow; yet the graln-harvest exceeds the oonemrption of the department. The area of the department is about 1,500,000 a=rts, of which two-thirds are under the plough. The chief productions are wheat, rye, barley, oats, flax, and hemp. The rine Is grown chiefly in the south-west part, where the vintage is con verted Into brandy. In the north-eastern part about Thouars some tolerable white wine is grown, but in small quantity. The vineyards occupy above 50,000 acres; the gardens and orchards about 24,000 acres Fruit-trees eucceed very well except among the hills; the walnut is extensirely cultivated. A considerable portion of heath is in the valley of the Sevre-Nantaise, where the land is very poor. On the pasture panda and open heaths a great number of cattle is fed. The breed of horned cattle is very good, and a considerable number are sent into Normandy, there to be fattened fur the markets which snpply Paris. Sheep are also numerous, but the wool is of ordinary quality. The asses and mules which are bred in the neighbourhood of Melia aro considered to be among the but in Europe. Swine aud poultry are numerous.