of its quadrilateral figure will not average more than about 125, and as such give a superficial ex- tent of 15.625 sq. m.
Since 1751 it lias been divided into the 12 fol- lowing circles, named after 12 of the principal towns, (exclusive of Prague, the metropolis of the whole territory, which has a separate jurisdiction :) viz. Leutmeritz, Bunzlau, Konigingratz, Chrudim Tchaslau, Bechin, Prachin. Bohemia is consider- ed the most elevated part of Europe, no rivers running into it. The Spree, the Neisse, and the Bober, running north through Lusatia and Silesia, have their sourcexc2xbbon the frontiers of the ciicles of Bunzlau and Konigingratz, and the Elbe has its source in the latter circle near the frontier of Silesia, running south into the circle of Chrudim, and then takes a north-west course, bounding the circle of Buntzlau on the south, intersectingLeut- meritz towards Dresden in Saxony. The Mol- dau rises near the frontier of Austria at the south extremity of the circle of Bechin, and runs near- ly due north past Prague, into the Elbe at Melnik in Buntzlau. Several streams have their sources in the circle of Pilsen, which unite near the town of that name, and there form the Beraun, which runs into the Moldau a little below Prague. The Eger intersects the circle of Saaz from south-west to north-east, falling into the Elbe a little below the town of Leutmeritz. These rivers, with their several tributary streams, contribute alike to the diversity and fertility of the country. There are also several small lakes in the south part of the circle of Bechin. The frontiers on all sides, ex- cept on .that of Moravia, are mountainous and woody, whilst the whole of the interior possesses a soil of great capability ; but as a species of feudal tyranny pervades the whole territory, it naturally precludes all excitement to social exertion, and its productions are consequently confined to a bare means of subsistence. It grows a considera- ble quantity of flax, which, as well as their wool, is manufactured into linens and cloths, for domes- tic use, and some on the side of Lusatia and Silesia for exportation. Almost every kind of mineral is found in one part of the country, or the other, and having but little external intercourse, every branch of manufacture is carried on as domestic occupa- tions for internal supply. It has several mineral springs, but it is deficient in the essential article of salt, part of the supply being obtained from external sources.
On the subjugation of Bohemia by Austria, the ancient form of government was retained, but it was merely the form : and absolute and despotic dictation nullified whatever was calculated to jus- tify or vindicate the rights of man, and the con- duct of blind, passive obedience, may now be con- sidered as firmly established in Bohemia, as in any part of Europe, or the world. The establish- ed religion of Bohemia is the Roman Catholic, and before the year 1731 the Protestants were not permitted the free exercise of their worship: at present all religious creeds are tolerated. Out of
a. population of about 3,000,000, the dissentients from Catholicism do not exceed 100,000, about half of whom are Jews. In time of peace, about
50,000 men are maintained in arms, to support whom, and other state pretensions, exactions, equal to about 9,9-D.flOO American dollars, are im- posed on the productive labours of the people. The original language of Bohemia seems to have been Sclavonic, a dialect of which is still common in the country ; but the German or high Dutch is spoken with considerable purity.
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Bohmcncald, a dense mountain forest, forming the south-west boundary of Bohemia. The term implies Bohemian Forest, Baum in German signi- fying wood; Bohm is probably a corruption of that term in Bohemia, and may have given name to the country, signifying a winody country, and the two following places as situated in woods.
Bohrnisch Aiche, a towin of Bohemia, in the cir- cle of Bunzlau, 20 m. N. of Jung Bunzlau.
Bohrnisch Brod, a towin of Bohemia, in the cir- cle of Kaurzim, 14 m. E. S. E. of Prague.
Bohol, one of the Philippine islands, to the north of Mindanao. Long. 124. 5. E. lat. 10. 0. N.
Bohol, or Bool, a towin at the month of a river of the same name, falling into the Sooloo Sea, on the north coast of the isle of Celebes.
Bohus, or Bahus, a small district of West Goth-- land, Sweden, bordering on the Cattegat, north of Gottenburg. Stromstadt, on the coast, in lat. 53. 5G. N. and 11. 15. E. long, is the principal towin.
Bojador, a cape on the west coast of Africa, doubled by the Portuguese in 1433. Long. 14. 27. W. lat. 20. 12. N.
Boiano, a town of Naples, in the Molise, at the foot of the Apennines, on the east, near the river Tilerno In 1808 it suffered greatly by an earth- quake, and most of the inhabitants were destroy- ed. It is 45 in. N. N. E. of Naples.
Bois Blanc, an island in Michigan Teritory, in Detroit river, opposite Amherstburg.
Bois le Due, a fortified city of Dutch Brabant, capital of a district of the same name, which con tains also the towins of Helmont, and Eyndhoven It has a castle named Papen-briel, and a little to the south are two forts, called Isabella and St. Antony. It wins taken by the French in 1894. It is situate among morasses, on the river Dom- mel, where it receives the Aa. 22 in. E. by N. of Breda, and 45 S. S. E. of Amsterdam. Pop. about 13,000.
Boiscommun, a town of France, in the depart- ment of Loiret, 25 m. N. E. of Orleans.
BoitztnJhtirg, a towin of Lower Saxony, in Meck- lenburg, at the confluence of the Boitze with the Elbe, 30 m. S. W. of Schwerin.
Boitzcrtlmrg, a towin of Brandenburg, in the Ucker Mark, 10 m. W. of Prenslow.
Bokhara, a city of Usbec Tartar}7, in Bokharia. It stands on a rising ground, surrounded by a slender winll of earth, and a dry ditch, on the south side of the river Sogd. The houses are low, and mostly built of mud; but the caravan- seras and mosques, which are numerous, are all of brick. The bazars, or market-places, have been stately buildings, but the greatest part of them are now in ruins. Here is also a stately building for the education of the priests. Great numbers of Jews and Arabians frequent this place; and the trade w7ith Russia and Persia is considerable. In 1220, Bokhara wins taken by Jenghis Khan, with a numerous army, who burnt the city, asd demolished the castle; but after the city had remained in ruins some years, he at length ordered it to be rebuilt. It is 138 m. W. by S. of Samarcand. Long. G2. 56. E. lat. 39. 4. N.
Bokharia, or Bucharia, a country of Usbec Tar- tary, bounded on the north by Turkestan, east by Cashgar, south by Hindoostan and Persia, and wrest by Chorasan and Charism. It is fertile in corn and fruit, and the best cultivated of any part of Tartary. This country comprehends the ancient |