SEINE-ET-OISE, a department in France, bounded N. by the department of Oise, E. by Seine-ct-Marne, S. by Loiret, \V. by Eure et-Loir, and N.W. by the department of Euro. The department of Seine is entirely inclosed by this department The greatest length of Seine-et-Oise, from north-west to south-east, is about 70 miles ; the greatest breadth, at right angles to the length, 62 miles. The area of the department Is 2163.5 square miles. The population in 1841 was 470,948; in 1851 it increased to only 471,882, which gives 218.11 inhabitants to a square mile, being 43.53 above the average per square mile for the whole of France. The department is formed out of portions of the province of Ile-de-France, and is named from its two chief rivers.
The surface is undulating; the hills, which are of only moderate height, being of gentle slope, and admitting of cultivation to the summits. A narrow strip along the western border is occupied by the cretaceous formations, and the rest of the department by the tertiary formations of the chalk basin of Paris. Excellent freestone for build ing, lithographic stones, gypsum, chalk, marl, potters'-elsy, and peat are dug. There are mineral waters at Enghien-les-Bains ; in the valley of Montmorenci, 12 or 13 miles north of Paris; and at Montlignon, in the same neighbourhood.
The whole department belongs to the basin of the Seine, which river enters the department on the east aide, not far from Corbeil, and flows through it in a north-western direction, but with many remarkable bends, until it finally quits it below the junction of the Epte. All the course of the river between these points does not however belong to this department, but part of it belongs to that of Seine, which, as already observed, is inclosed by this. The Marne has a small part of its course in the eastern part of this department ; and the Oiae flows for some miles through the northern part, from above Beaumont-sur Oise to its juntion with the Seine. These aro the principal rivers, and all three of them are navigable throughout this department Of smaller etreams, the Yeres and the Epte flow into the Seine on the right bank, and the Essonne and the Urge on the left : in the west of the department is the Vesgre, a feeder of the Eure. The Ourcq Canal
crosses the east eido of the department, from the department of Seine et-Marne to that of Seine. The department is crossed by all the great lines of railroad which converge on Paris [Fluxes, vol ii., col. 1077), and by the lines that connect the capital with Versailles, St-Germain, and Corbel The department is also traversed by the 26 great lines of high roads which lead to Paris from all parts of France ; by 52 departmental roads ; and by n great number of communal roads.
The climate is temperate and healthy. The soil, generally speaking sandy and by no means fertile by nature, is rendered productive by manure. About 906,000 acres, or about two-third. of the area of the department, are under the plough. The principal crops are—wheat, barley, rye, mixed grain, oats, vetches, lentils, potatoes, and all kinds of pot-herbs. Pulse of every kind and hemp are cultivated.
The meadow and grass lands amount to 50,000 acres. The number of horses is very considerable. The ass is common. The number of milk-cows is very great ; they are chiefly house-fed; their milk con tributes to supply Paris and Versailles. The number of oxen and of bulls is small. Veal-calves are fed. Sheep are very numerous, and of good breeds.
The vineyards occupy about 41,000 acres : the wine is of inferior quality. Market-gardening is a profitable occupation; the gardens and orchards occupy above 22,000 acres. Filberts, walnuts, figs, peaches, apricots, cherries, strawberries, grapes, apples, pears, and other common fruits are grown abundantly and in great perfection. The apple and pear are cultivated in the north-west of the depart ment, where the vine does not thrive, for making cider and perry which form the common drink of the inhabitants.