TARN-ET-GARONNE, a department in the south of France, is bounded N. by the department of Lot, F.. by those of Aveyron and Taro, S. by Haute-Garonne, and W. by Gore and Lot-et-Garonne. Its form is irregular; the greatest length is from north-east to south west, 54 miles ; the greatest breadth at right angles to the length is 41 miles. The area is square miles. The population in 1S41 was 239,297; in 1851 it amounted to 237,553, which gives to the square mile, or 91 below the average per square mile for the whole of France.
Tide department was formed by a senatus-cousultum under the reign of Napoleon L in 1808. It has no mountains and scarcely any hills; slight undulations alone vary its surface. The greater part is occupied by the tertiary formations of the basin of the Gironde: the most eastern district on the Aveyron is occupied by secondary forma tion... Among the mineral products are coal, iron, marble, freestone, limestone, marl, and potters-clay.
The department belongs altogether to the basin of the Garonne. The Gastosxz itself enters it on the south side, a little below Gre nade, and has about 49 miles of its course iu this department, navigable throughout The Tarn enters the department on the south-east : it flows north-west and west to the Garonne, which it joins on the right bank : its whole course in this department is 40 miles, navigable throughout These are the only navigable rivers. Of smaller streams the Garonne receives on the left bank the Lambon, the Ginione, and the Serre, above the junction of the Tarn; and the Larax, or Rats, below the junction of that river. The Barguelone joins the Garonne on the right beak. The Avznmox, a considerable feeder of the Tarn, which it joins on the right bank, between Montauban and La-Franeaise, has the lower part of its course in this department or along the bound ary. The Tarn receives also the Teecou (of which the Tescounet is a feeder) and the Lemboulas (of which the Latta is a feeder), both on the right bank. The Aveyron receives the Seye, the Bonnette, and the Lem, on the right bank; and the Verre end the Tnuse on the left bank.
Highway accommodation is afforded by 7 imperial, 17 departmental, and a great number of communal roads. The railway in course of construction from Bordeaux to Cette passes through Moissac and Montauban.
The climate is generally mild but variable. Rains are frequent in spring : the summer heat increases gradually towards the end of July, when it is very great : autumn is the pleasantest season of the year : winter, though sometimes very cold, is generally dry. Snow rarely falls.
The area of the department may be estimated at about 910,000 acres in round numbers, of which about 575,000 acres, or above six tenths, are under the plough. The soil is various ; in some parts stiff and clayey, in others light and sandy ; ao sandy in some places as to be incapable of cultivation. The greater part however is very fertile: the plains and alluvial tracts which line the banks of the Garonne, the Tarn, and the Aveyron, are among the richest in France ; but those aloog the banks of the Garonne are liable to be injured by the inun dations of that river. The farms are generally separated by quick hedges, and adorned with clumps of the wild quince-tree. The most important article of agricultural produce is wheat, which is of lent quality. It is ground into flour, especially at Montauban ; and large quantities are exported to America. Barley, oats, rye, maize, pulse, potatoes, vegetables of excellent quality, rape, flax, hemp, and tobacco are also cultivated to a considerable extent.
The meadows have an extent of about 43,000 or 44,000 acres, the heaths and open pastures of more than 41,000 acres. The number of horned cattle and pigs 13 considerable. Sheep are few. Horses, fitted for the light cavalry, are roared ; and a considerable number of mules are bred for the Spanish market. Ducks, geese, turkeys, and other poultry ere numerous. Quills and feathers are important articles of trade.