Andesite, Andesine

( Min.) A triclinic mineral, of the Felspar group. Spec. gr. 2-736 to 2.651. An'desville, in Pennsylvania, a post-office of Perry co. Andi'ra, n. ( Bot. ) See DALBERGACEE. Andiron, or HAND IRON, n. [From hand - iron or brand iron.] A fire-dog. Formerly used for burning wood on an open hearth; they consisted of a horizontal bar raised on short supports, with an upright standard at one end. A pair were used, one standing at each side of the hearth, whilst the logs of wood rested acro the horizontal bars. The A. is of general use in France, where it is called chenet. Owing to the general adoption of coal as a fuel for domestic purposes, the A. is seldom seen in this country, except as a furnishing for ornamental fireplaces. And or'no, a town of N. Italy, in Piedmont, 6 m. from Biella, situate in one of the most prosperous districts of Piedmont; pop . upwards of 4,000, employed in the lead, copper, and iron mines of the neighboring mountains. -The painter Cagliari was born here. Andorra, or ANDORRE, (VAL D'.) (Ar., thick with trees.) A small independent, neutral state; which, under the suzerainty of France, shelters itself in the heart of the Pyrenees, between the French dep. of the Ariège and the Spanish Cerdagne. It takes its name of Val d'Andorra, (valley of Andorra,) from Andorra its principal city. Ext . 30 m. long, and nearly the same in breadth. Area , 191 sq. m. Desc. Amongst the wildest districts of the Pyrenees, having little arable land, but exhibiting extensive pastures, with mountains entirely surrounding it. Little grain is grown, the inhabitants being mostly shepherds, who live an austere life, remete from the luxuries of cities. Manf . These are few aud of the most primitive description. Iron is produced in the mines, and some rude implements and tools are made, but nothing that deserves the name of manufactures, as these are now understood in larger and more advanced communities. Gov. Under the protection of France, but the administration is carried on by twenty four consuls elected by the whole population. - ComмMERCE. Exp . Iron to Spain, and wool and skm to France. Imp . The nece aries of life; and an active contraband trade is carried on by the republic between Spain and France; cap . Andorra; pop . 10,000. - In 790, Charlemagne defeated the Moors in a neighboring valley, with the a istance of the Andorrans, and from that period they date the independence of their little State. As a recompense for their services, the French monarch allowed them to make their own laws, a privilege which they have continued ever since to enjoy.