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 NETHERLANDS 243 and divides into two branches, of which the southern, taking the name of the Waal, runs "W. for a considerable distance till it joins the Maas. The N. branch, after running N. W. a few miles, divides into two streams, of which one, called the Leek, runs W. and joins the N. branch of the Maas near Rotterdam ; and the other, called the Yssel, runs N. and falls into the Zuyder Zee. The Maas enters the Nether- lands from Belgium near the S. E. corner of the kingdom, and flows at first N., then N. W., and finally W., and below Gprkum divides into two branches, one of which, the Mer- wede, again divides, and after flowing around the island of Ysselmonde falls into the North sea; the other branch, flowing more to the south, also divides into two smaller streams and falls into the same sea. The Scheldt enters from Belgium in the southwest, and divides into two branches, one of which, called the Eastern Scheldt, flows N. between Zea- land and North Brabant, and then W. by many channels, enclosing numerous islands, to the sea ; the other branch, the Western Scheldt, flows W. in a broad estuary to the sea. The Vecht enters from Germany on the northeast, and falls into the Zuyder Zee at no great dis- tance from the mouth of the Yssel. All these rivers are kept within prescribed channels by embankments, and are connected by canals, which serve not only for navigation but to pre- vent inundations by draining off the superfluous waters. The Netherlands originally abound- ed in lakes, about 90 of which have been arti- ficially drained and converted into cultivable land, while others by inundations have been changed into gulfs of the sea. Among the latter is supposed to be that great inlet of the North sea, the Zuyder Zee, which covers about 1,200 sq. m. in the N. part of the kingdom, and is thought to have been originally a large fresh-water lake. The lake of Haarlem, be- fore it was drained, covered 70 sq. m. (See DRAINAGE, and HAARLEM MEEE.) The Dollart, a lake between Groningen and the Prussian province of Hanover, was formed by irrup- tions of the sea in 1277 and 1287, and oc- cupies about 60 sq. m. The surface of the country is almost everywhere a dead level, and such natural elevations as exist are little more than small sandy hillocks. But the monotony of the surface is relieved by the numerous canals crossed by frequent bridges, and lined with willows and other trees, with which also the roads are bordered ; by large and handsome towns at short intervals; and by countless villas and farm houses, all of which are kept in a state of the utmost order and neatness. The country is everywhere well peopled, and no population in the world exhib- its a more uniform appearance of wealth, com- fort, and contentment. The soil in some places, especially in the waste lands of Gelderland and Drenthe, is naturally poor, but by cultiva- tion has been rendered as rich and productive as the other parts. Wheat, rye, barley, oats, peas, beans, buckwheat, madder, rape seed, hops, tobacco, clover seed, mustard seed, flax, and hemp are extensively raised. Dutch hor- ticulture has long been famous, and among the flowers tulips and hyacinths are especially cultivated. Pulse and garden vegetables are everywhere raised in great abundance. Very large orchards of apple, pear, and cherry trees are found, especially in Gelderland. Of the entire area about three fourths is productive land, and more than one half of this consists of meadows and pasture. The woodland com- prises only about 9 per cent, of the produc- tive soil. In South Holland the pasture land is twice as extensive as the arable, while in Friesland the proportion is more than 8 to 1, and the rearing of live stock and dairy hus- bandry are more productive and profitable than tillage. In 1870 the country had 252,054 horses, 1,410,822 cattle, 900,187 sheep, and 329,058 hogs. Upon the excellent meadows created by draining bogs and lakes vast herds of cattle, some of which are brought from Denmark and Germany in a lean state, are fattened for market. Immense quantities of butter and cheese of the best quality are pro- duced and exported at high prices. Another important product of the soil is peat, which is largely used -for fuel. The climate is variable, and subject to great extremes of heat and cold. The temperature has sometimes fallen to 23 below zero, and risen to 102. In winter the rivers and canals are sometimes frozen for three months. The country, is subject to vio- lent gales ; the atmosphere is generally damp, dense fogs prevail, and agues, pleurisies, and rheumatisms are frequent. Consumption is not uncommon. The pleasantest months are August and September. From the nature of the soil, which is almost everywhere alluvial clay and sand, there are necessarily no mines, though a little bog iron has been found. The eastern provinces, especially Gelderland and Overyssel, have some forests of oak, elm, and beech, but in general the country is destitute of trees except those which have been plant- ed by man. Plantations, however, are very numerous, and serve greatly to embellish the vicinity of the towns and villages ; and the level scenery is also diversified by groups of wind mills, mostly employed in draining the low grounds. There are no large wild animals and few game birds, though partridges, hares, and rabbits are plentiful. Storks are very numer- ous, and remain from the middle of February till the middle of August. They are favorites with the people, and severe penalties are im- posed on those who destroy them. Water fowl are extremely abundant, and the waters of the coast are frequented by vast shoals of cod, turbot, and other fish. The population of the Netherlands is composed mainly of Dutch, with about 250,000 Walloons, Frisians, and ermans, and about 68,000 Jews. The Dutch belong to the great Germanic family of man- dnd. The men are generally of middle stature,