LOHEK. 415 LOIR-ET-CHER. ticipation in the political agitations of the time he was imprisoned by the Prussian Government, but afterwards was acquitted. In 1853 he was made professor of the university at GiJttingen, and in 1855 in the University of Munich. His v.iirks include: Oeschichtc der Deutschen in Anierika (1848) ; fiystem des preussischen Land- I rlits ( 1852) ; Land und Leute in der alien und ,-' lien Welt (1854); Beitriige zur Geschichtc und Tolkerkunde (1885); Kiilturgeschiclite der iJditschrn im Mittelalter (18'Jl-94); and a few volumes of travel. LOHMEYER, lo'mi'er, Julius (1835-1903). A German writer of juveniles, humoresques, and novels. He was born at Xeisse and was edu- cated at Breslau. He early devoted himself to political and then to juvenile writing. His first fame came from his patriotic poems written in 1870 and 1871. His later works include: Tier- struwelpeier (1886); Prinzenreise (1888); Kin- derlieder und lieime (1897); Unter dem Drei- zack (1901) ; the comedies Die Freunde aus der Provinz (1883) and Der fitammhalter (1882); the novel Junges Blut (2d ed. 1883) : and the poetry Ordichte eines Optimisten (1885) and Flottenlieder und Seepoesien (1900). LOIGNY, Iwa'nye'. A village of France, in the Department of Eure-et-Loir, noted as the scene of a battle, December 2, 1870, in which the Germans, under the Grand Duke of Mecklenburg, won a signal victory over the left wing of the French Army of the Loire, led by General Chanzy. The German loss amounted to 4000 men, that of the French to 15.000. As a result of the battle the city of Orleans fell into the hands of the Germans. LOIR, Iwar. A river of France rising in the Department of Eure-et-Loir. and flowing in a generally southwest course to it? jtmction with the Sarthe, a tributary of the Maine (ilap: France, G 4). Its length is 186 miles and it is navigable by means of locks for over seventy miles. LOIRE, Iwiir (Lat. Liger). The longest river of France (Map: France, J 4). It rises in the CCvennes in the Department of Ard&che at an altitude of about 4500 feet, and flows in a northern direction partly through a mountainous region to its junction with the AUier (q.v.), near Xevers, where it turns northwest and main- tains that direction to Orleans. From there it flows southwest to Tours, and the rest of its course runs in a general westerly direction, emptying into the Atlantic l)y a wide estuary at Saint- Kazaire. Its total length is over 620 miles, and its basin occupies nearly one-fourth of the area of France. Its chief tributaries arc the Allier, Cher. Indre, Vienne. and Thouet, from the left, and the Arroux and the ilaine, which is formed by the union of the Sarthe and JIayenne from the right. Only the estuary of the Loire from the sea to Xantes (31 miles) is accessible to sea ves- sels, hut boats ascend as far as Roannes. about 400 miles from the mouth. Xavigation is greatly impeded by the insufficient depth of the river at certain periods of the year. The melting of the snow in the mountains and rains cause a rise in the tributaries of the Loire with the result that the main stream swells to many times its usual volume, not infrequently overflowing its banks with disastrous results. To guard against these floods, dikes were constructed along the river as early as the Middle Ages. In the first half of the nineteenth centurj- a canal about 125 miles long was constructed along the river to provide a reservoir for the overflowing water. Canals also connect the Loire with the SaOne and the Seine, and there is a canal connecting Xantes with the harbor of Brest. LOIRE. A southeastern department of France, formerly part of the Province of Lyonnais (Map: France, L 6). Area, 1838 square miles. The basin of the Loire, which flows through this de- partment, is meagrely productive, but the moun- tains are rich in iron and lead, and the coal- fields are among the richest in France. Loire is also noted for the rearing of silkworms, and for the excellence of its silk manufactures. The weaving of hemp and flax is also largely carried on, and there are important manufactures of hardware, machinery', cutlery, and small arms. The mineral springs of the department are in great, repute, especially those of Saint Alban, Sail-sous-Couzan, and Saint Galmier. Capital, Saint Etienne, which replaced Montbrison in 1855. Population, in 1896, 625,330; in 1901, 647,333. LOIRE, Haute. See Haute-Loire. A department of France. LOIRE-INFERIEURE, ax'fa're-er'. A mari- time department in the west of France, formerly part of Southern Brittany. Area. 2654 square miles (Map: France, E 4). The interior is. on the whole, flat and centrally traversed by the Loire. The soil is fertile, producing wheat, rye, and barley, and yields in some parts rich pastur- age. There are also some fine forests. Salt marshes are numerous in the west : and south of the Loire, into which it is drained by the arti- ficial Cheneau, is Grand Lieu, a shallow lake covering 26 square miles. The vineyards yield large quantities of mne. Ship-building is carried on at Xantes. The coast fisheries and general export trade of the department are extensive. Capital. Xantes (q.v.). Population, in 1896, 646.172; in 1901, 664,971. LOIRET, Iwa'ra'. A central department of France, formerly the eastern portion of the Prov- ince of Orleanais (Map: France, J 4). Area, 2614 square miles. The coimtrv' is for the most part an elevated and fruitful plain known as the Plateau of Orleans, abounding in corn and wine. Its chief rivers are the Loire and Loirol. The district along both banks of the Loire, called the Sologne, was formerly a barren, sandy tract, but has been greatly improved by the planting of fir-trees. Loiret contains several large forests. Cattle, sheep, and bees receive attention. Min- eral springs are numerous. Capital, Orleans (q.v.). Population, in 1890, 371,019; in 1901, 300.G00. LOIR-ET-CHER, Iwar'S-shar'. A central department of France, formerly part of the old Province of Orleanais. Area. 2452 square miles (Map: France. H 4). The department is almost a uniform plain, centrally divided by the Loire, and broken only by vine-clad hills of trifling elevation. The northern part, watered by the Loire, is more fertile than the south, which is traversed by the Cher. Forests cover one-sixth of the entire surface. The chief products are com, fruits, hemp, wine, and vegetables. The rearing of sheep and poultry and hee-kjeping are profit-
