AUSTRALIAN ALPS-AUSTRIA-HUNGARY.

expense involved in federation and possible encroachments on her legislative independence. New South Wales feared that federation with less prosperous or progressive colonies would prove an incumbrance." On April 2, 1891, the "Australian Federation Convention" at Sydney, New South Wales, drew up a constitution to be submitted to the colonies, and adopted the name "Commonwealth of Australia" for the federated colonies. Land Legislation.-In 1884 Parliament was occupied with the land laws to take the place of the Robertson system, which was condemned by popular majority in the election of 1882. "The bill passed was a symmetrical and simple measure, which aimed to strike a balance between the interests of the squatters, or lessees of State lands, whose enormous flocks constitute a large portion of the public wealth, and those of the small graziers or agriculturists who desire to obtain farms by free-selection and purchase. Under the Robertson laws the tenant could only acquire a freehold title to the maximum of 640 acres, and lands on which he made improvements. For every pound's worth of improvements he could purchase at an appraised price a pound's worth of land. This provision enabled squatters to practice one of the worst abuses of the leasehold system. They secured not only sites on which they placed dams and wells for present needs, but by the expedient of putting up movable huts they monopolized all similar spots in advance of their increasing flocks over a wide area. These great runs were thus rendered secure against the entrance of other settlers. The bill proposed to divide all the runs into two parts. One half of each was to be left open to free-selectors, and the other half secured to the tenant, on a long lease at a low rental, without compensation for improvements. The public domains cover 160,000,000 acres, a large portion of which are leased to squatters. Of the 40,000,000 acres that have been sold, the largest part is not fully paid for." Silver Discoveries.-A. has not hitherto been classed among silver-producing countries. Ores have been worked in Victoria and in New South Wales, but the aggregate yield down to 1883 was less than a million ounces. The recent discovery of silver-bearing rock of unexampled richness promises to place A. ahead of the U. S. in this industry. "Like the silver-mines of Nev., A.'s wealth of silver lay hidden in a vacant and barren region-in the Barrier range, a cluster of low, naked peaks in New South Wales, on the South Australian border. The stony stream-beds in the deep valleys are dry for yrs. together. On the E. side is the Darling River region, which pastures numerous flocks and herds with the help of dams and wells of supply water. Several lodes of rich galena ore were discovered. One trial yielded 695 ounces of silver, 20 per cent. of lead, and 6 per cent. of copper per ton. Several others averaged 40 ounces of silver and 67 per cent. of lead. Claims were entered and capitalized for vast amounts before a shaft was sunk. For one claim, an acre in extent, £50,000 was paid. In a few weeks the mining camp of Silverton sprung up from the wilderness into a town of 2,000 inhabitants. In the Thackaringa district, on the South Australian side of the boundary, thick seams were discovered which assayed £9 to £30 per ton. The ore-beds extend over an area 60 m. 1. and from 20 to 30 m. w. Rich as are some of the galena ores, it is the black silver or sulphate ores that constitute the peculiar wealth of this region. Black rock assayed as high as one third of its weight of pure silver. In the Apollyon mine is a mass of mineral 80 ft. 1. and 50 ft. deep, the poorest of which contains 7,000 ounces of silver to the ton, and the best 22,000 ounces.' Gold Discoveries.-Deposits of gold were made known in Western A. in 1886, and, while their richness was at first much overrated, investigation proved them to possess considerable value. See the articles QUEENSLAND, WESTERN A., VICTORIA, NEW SOUTH WALES, etc.

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brothers of the ex-queen, but did not long enjoy the fruits of her perfidy; d. 560.

Austregisilla, Saint, commonly Saint Austrille, or Saint Outrille, 551-624; b. at Bourges, France. After having filled different offices at the court of Gontran he was ordained a priest; was 20 yrs. abbot of Saint Niziers, at Lyon, then Bishop of Bourges 611. His relics, exhumed 1334, were burned in the 16th c. by the Protestants.

Aus'tria, Archduch'y of, the cradle and nucleus of the Austrian Empire, lies on both sides of the Danube, from the mouth of the Inn to Presburg, on the borders of Hungary, and embraces an area of about 13,000 sq. m., with a pop. of 3,621,140. It now forms 3 of the crown-lands, or administrative provinces of the empire; namely, Lower and Upper A. (or A. below and A. above the Ems,) and the Duchy of Salzburg. The chief towns besides Vienna are WienerNeustadt, Salzburg, Steyer, Linz, and Ischl.

Austria-Hungary, or Austro-Hungarian Monarchy, (Oesterreichisch-Ungarische Monarchie,) a compact territory in the interior of Europe with a circumference of about 5,350 m., though it has about 500 m. of sea-coast on the Adriatic, bordering on Italy, Switzerland, Bavaria, Saxony, Prussia, Russia, Roumania, Servia, Turkey, and Montenegro. Geography, etc.-Three fourths of Austria is mountainous or hilly, being traversed by three great mountain chains-the Alps, Carpathians, and Sudetes, (q. v.,) whose chief ridges are of primitive rock. The Rhætian and Noric Alps stretch from Switzerland to the Danube, and contain the highest points of the Austrian territories, the Ortler Spitze rising to 12,779 English ft. Their h. declines gradually toward the E., where the Leitha Hills, (3,000 ft.,) overlooking the plain of Vienna, form the transition to the Carpathians. This chain rises on the left bank of the Danube, near Presburg, and sweeping in a curve, first E. and then S., through Transylvania, again meets the Danube. The highest point is Butschetje in Transylvania, where a h. of 9,528 ft. is reached. The central part, or Tatra Mountains, are vast granitic masses, resembling the Alps in character; the highest of these is the Lomnitz, in the longitude of Cracow, 8,133 ft. The Alps are accompanied, N. and S., by parallel ranges of calcareous mountains, covering whole provinces with their ramifications. The Carpathians are lapped on their N. side by sandstone formations; mountains of the same character also occupy Transylvania. Springing from the N.-W. bend of the Carpathians, the Sudetes run through the N.-E. of Moravia and Bohemia, in which last the range is known as the Riesengebirge, or Giant Mountains. The boundary between Bohemia and Prussian Silesia passes over the Schneekoppe, the highest peak of these mountains, 5,275 ft. in h. Continuous with this range, and beginning on the left bank of the Elbe, are the Erzgebirge, or Ore Mountains, on the confines of Saxony; and veering round to nearly S.-E., the range is further prolonged in the Bohemian-Forest Mountains, between Bohemia and Bavaria. The chief plains of the A.-H. Empireare the great plains of Hungary and the plain of Galicia. The chief lakes are the Platten See, (about 400 sq. m.,) and the Neusiedler See, (about 100 m.,) both in Hungary. The first is navigable by steamers, and both are rich in fish, and have fruitful vineyards around them. The Alps and Carpathians inclose numerous mountain lakes. The Long Lake in the Tatra Mountains lies at an elevation of 6,000 ft. The most remarkable of all is the Zirknitz Lake in Illyria. There are extensive swamps or morasses in Hungary. One connected with the Neusiedler See covers some 80 sq. m. Much has been done in draining morasses. The leading rivers that have navigable tributaries are: the Danube, which has a course of 849 m. within the Austrian dominions, from Passau, at the mouth of the Inn, to Orsova, on the frontier of Wallachia; and receives, on the right, the Inn, Traun, Ens, Leitha, Raab, Drau, and Save; and on the left, the March, Waag, Neutra, Gran, Theiss, Bega, and Temes; the Vistula, with its tributary the Bug; the Elbe, with the Moldau and Eger; the Dniester and Adige have no navigable tributaries; this last, which rises in the Rhætian Alps, and flows past the famous city of Trent, enters Lombardy above Verona, and confers on that country the benefits of what commercial importance it possesses-being navigable only up to a point below Legnago. The Rhine bounds the empire for only about 14 m. above Lake Constance. The Isonzo, Zermagna, Kerka, and Narenta flow into the Adriatic. The canal sysAustregilde, second wife of Gontran, King of Burgundy; tem of A.-H. is not extensive. The Vienna and Neustadt at first simple attendant to Queen Marcatrude, but managed Canal, in Lower Austria, has a 1. of 40 m.; the Bacser or to cause her repudiation and to step into her place 556. Franz Canal, between the Danube and Theiss in Hungary, 69 She even induced Gontran himself to put to death the two | m.; and the Bega Canal, constructed by the Romans, between

Australian Alps, the highest mountains of Australia, Mount Kosciusko, the highest peak, reaching to 7,176 ft.; called Warragong Mountains by the natives.

Austra'sia, or the "East Kingdom," the name given under the Merovingians to the eastern possessions of the Franks, embracing Lorraine, Belgium, and the right bank of the Rhine, and having their central point at Metz. Under Charlemagne's successors A. merged into Germany.

Austreberta, Saint, 633-704; b. at Artois, France; daughter of Badefroy, kinswoman of Dagobert. She became prioress of the abbey of the Port, then abbess of Pavilly, and gave, through her whole life, an example of piety.

the Bega and Temes, 83 m. Extensive lines are still capable Charlemagne, in which a crop of winter wheat is followed by of being opened, affording communication with many places one of summer grain, and that by fallow. In Hungary the now inaccessible, and rescuing tracts of arable land from in- Magyar adheres to his primitive husbandry, but German and undations. The climate of A.-H. is, on the whole, very favor- Slav are adopting rational methods. Rice is cultivated in able; but from the extent and diversity of surface, it pre- the Banat, but not enough for the consumption. Potatoes sents great varieties. In the warmest southern region, between are raised every-where, and in elevated districts are often the 42°-46° lat., rice, olives, oranges, and lemons ripen in the sole subsistence of the inhabitants. Horticulture is carried better localities, and wine and maize are produced every- to great perfection, and the orchards of Bohemia, Austria where. In the middle, temperate region, from 46°-49°, which Proper, Tyrol, and many parts of Hungary produce a prohas the greatest extent and diversity of surface, wine and fusion of fruit. Great quantities of cider are made in Upper maize still thrive in perfection. In the northern region, beyond Austria and Carinthia, and of plum-brandy in Slavonia. In 49°, except in favored spots, neither wine nor maize thrives, Dalmatia, oranges and lemons are produced, but not sufficient but grain, fruit, flax, and hemp thrive excellently. The mean for the requirements of the country; twice as much olive-oil temperature of the yr. is, at Trieste, 58° Fahr.; at Vienna, is imported as is raised in the monarchy. In the production 51°; at Lemberg, in Galicia, 44°. Productions.-The raw of wine Austria is second only to France. With the exception products of Austria are abundant and various, and in this re- of Galicia, Silesia, and Upper Austria, the vine is cultivated spect it is one of the most favored countries in Europe. What in all the provinces; but Hungary stands first, yielding not one province lacks, another supplies. Its mineral wealth is only the finest quality of wine, but of the whole prodnot surpassed in any European country; it is only lately that uce of the empire. The average produce of the whole emRussia has exceeded it in the production of gold and silver. pire is estimated at about 200,000,000 gallons, consumed Mining has been a favorite pursuit in Austria for centuries and mostly by the inhabitants themselves. Of plants used in has been encouraged and promoted by the government. Bo- manufactures and commerce, the first place is held by flax hemia, Hungary, Styria, Carinthia, Salzburg, and Tyrol take and hemp. Flax is cultivated almost universally; white the first place in respect of mineral produce. Except platina, hemp in Galicia, Moravia, and Hungary. Tobacco is raised none of the useful metals is wanting. The mines are partly in great quantities, especially in Hungary, which is first also State property and partly owned by private individuals. The in the cultivation of rape-seed. Bohemia raises hops of the value of their yearly produce is estimated at about $45,000,000. | first quality, which are partly exported, though other provOf this sum, coal yields about 4, iron, salt, and gold and inces require to import from abroad. The indigo-plant has silver together. The number of persons employed in been lately successfully acclimatized in Dalmatia. Nearly mines and smelting-works is about 150,000, a third in Hun-of the productive surface is covered with wood, (66,000 gury. Gold is found chiefly in Hungary and Transylvania, sq. m.,) which, besides timber, yields secondary products, as aal in smaller quantity in Salzburg and Tyrol. The same tar, potash, charcoal, bark, cork, etc. As to animals, bears countries, with Bohemia, yield silver. The discovery of are found in the Carpathians, Alps, and Dalmatia; wolves, quicksilver at Idria first brought this branch of mining indus- jackals, and lynxes in the same districts, and also in the try into importance. This metal is now also found in Hun- Banat, Croatia, Slavonia, and the Military Frontiers.-The giry, Transylvania, Styria, and Carinthia. Copper is found marmot, otter, and beaver also are found in Dalmatia. in many districts, tin in Bohemia alone. Zinc is got chiefly Game has of late sensibly diminished. The wild goat lives in Cracow and Carinthia. The most productive lead mines in the highest, the chamois and white Alpine hare in the midare in Carinthia. Iron is found in almost every province of dle, regions of the Alps and Carpathians. More productive the monarchy, though Styria, Carinthia, and Carniola are than the chase are the fisheries of the Danube, Theiss, and chief seats. The production, though great, is not yet equal numerous streams, lakes, and ponds. The chief sea-fishing to the consumption. Antimony is found only in Hungary; is in Dalmatia. Leeches, procured chiefly in Hungary and arsenic is found in Salzburg and Bohemia; cobalt in Hun- Moravia, are an article of trade. For foreign commerce the gary, Styria, and Bohemia; sulphur in Galicia, Bohemia, most important branch of rural industry is the rearing of Hungary, Salzburg, etc., though not enough to supply home silk. Austria produces about a quarter of a million of silk consumption. Graphite is abundant in Bohemia, Moravia, cocoons annually. The silk-trade is very extensive in the Carinthia, etc. The useful earths and building-stones are in Tyrol, the yearly supply of cocoons in that country being great profusion; all sorts of clay up to the finest porcelain 32,000. The breeding of domestic animals has not yet earth, (in Moravia, Bohemia, and Hungary ;) likewise marble, equaled what home wants require. In some districts it is gypsum, chalk, etc. Of precious and semi-precious stones excellent, in others neglected. Horse-breeding is promoted are the Hungarian opal, (which passes in commerce as Oriental,) by what are called "military studs." Besides a number of Bohemian garnets, (the finest in Europe,) carnelians, agates, imperial studs, there are many private establishments, espeberyl, amethyst, jasper, ruby, sapphire, topaz, etc. Austria is cially in Hungary, for the same purpose. The supply of blackpeculiarly rich in salt. Rock-salt is in immense beds on both cattle is not equal to the demand; great numbers are fursides of the Carpathians, chiefly at Wieliczka and Bochnia in nished by Hungary and Galicia. The breeding of sheep, like Galicia, and in the county of Marmaros in Hungary, and in that of horses, has been a special object of care to the govTransylvania. The annual produce of rock-salt is greatly ernment. The finer wools are furnished by Moravia, Boabove 3,000,000 cwt. Salt is also made at State salt-works hemia, Silesia, Lower Austria, and great part of Hungary and by evaporating the water of salt-springs. The chief works Galicia. The great mass is, however, composed of what is are those at Ebensee, Aussee, Hallstadt, Ischl, Hallein, and Hall known as middling and inferior sorts. Goats are reared in Tyrol. From 2,000,000 to 3,000,000 cwt. are thus produced chiefly in Dalmatia, and swine in Hungary. Constitution annually. A considerable quantity is made also from sea- and Government. Since the year 1867 the Austro-Hungarian water on the coasts of the Adriatic. The sale of salt is in monarchy forms a bipartite state, consisting of a "Cisleithan " Austria a government monopoly. Of other salts, alum, sul- empire and a "Transleithan" kingdom, the former officially phate of iron, and sulphate of copper are the chief. There designated as "die im Reichsrathe vertretenen Königreiche und are inexhaustible deposits of coal, but they have not yet been Länder," commonly named Austria, and the latter as rightly explored, nor are nearly all that are known yet worked. Länder der ungarischen Krone," commonly named Hungary. They are spread over all the provinces; but the richest are Each of the two countries has its own parliament, ministers, in the mountain-systems of Moravia and Bohemia. Of recent and government, while the connecting ties between them conyrs., however, much has been done to develop this branch sist in the person of the hereditary sovereign, in a common of mining. Austria has an abundance of mineral springs, army, navy, and diplomacy, and in a controlling body known frequented for their medicinal qualities; 1,600 are enumer- as the Delegations. The Delegations form a parliament of ated, some of them of European reputation, as the sulphur- 120 members, one half of whom are chosen by the parliament ous baths of Baden in Lower Austria, the saline waters of Karls- of Austria, and the other half by that of Hungary, the Upper bad, Marienbad, and Ofen, etc. Flora and Fauna.-The House of each returning 20, and the Lower House 40, delevegetable productions, as might be expected from the vast gates. On subjects affecting the common affairs the Delevariety in the soil and position of the different provinces, are gations have a decisive vote, and their resolutions require extremely various. Although of the surface is mountain- neither the confirmation nor approbation of the representaous, more than is productive, being used either for tillage, tive assemblies in which they have their source. The ordimeadows, pasture, or forest. Grain of all kinds is cultivated, nary mode of procedure for the Delegations is to sit and vote most abundantly in Hungary and the districts S. of it on the in two chambers, the 60 deputies of Austria Proper forming Danube, in Bohemia, Moravia, Silesia, and Galicia. Agricult- the one, and the 60 of Hungary the other. But it is proure is not far advanced; the prevailing system is still what vided that if no agreement can be arrived at in this manner, is called the 3-field system, introduced into Germany by the two bodies must meet together, and, without further

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