Newfoundland

(nu-fund-land',) an island belonging to Great Britain, situate bet. N. Lat. 46° 30′-51° 39′, and W. Lon. 52° 15′-59° 60', on the N.E. side of the Gulf of St. Lawrence, and separated from the mainland of Labrador by the Straits of Belle-isle, abt. 12 m. broad. It is about 1,000 m. in circumference, and embraces an area of 40,200 sq. m. Its form is that of an equilateral triangle of which Cape Race constitutes the S.E. point. Surface rugged and mountainous, with an indifferent soil, watered by the Humber and Exploit rivers. The deep-sea fisheries form the chief source of wealth and industry. C. St. John's. E. and S.E. lie the greatest submarine plateaux known, which, under the title of the Banks of Newfoundland, embrace a tract of ocean-surface nearly 600 m. long, by 200 broad, with a depth of water varying from 20 to 108 fathoms. This island, discovered by John Cabot in 1497, despite many attempts remained un colonized till the early part of the 17th cent., when Sir George Calvert (Lord Baltimore) settled in the great peninsula in the S.E., and named it the Province of Avalon. Its history during the remainder of that cent., and part of the 18th, is little more than a record of rivalries and feuds bet. the English and French fishermen, till, by the Treaty of Utrecht in 1713, ratified by that of Paris in 1763, the island was entirely ceded to England. Pop. 146,536. Newfoundland Dog. (Zool.) A noble species of the canine race, which has no superior for faithful attachment to his master, great strength, sagacity, and perseverance; for good temper, patience, and quiet fondne to all who belong to the household; as well as for being the fearle protector of whatever may be entrusted to his vigilant care. In his native country he serves to convey light loads of wood or provision, on sledges, over many a rugged track; nor is he a contemptible a istant to the aquatic sportsman, either there or here, in rescuing his birds from the water. With so many excellent qualities, we may well excuse him if he sometimes shows impatience of restraint at being kept chained up, or if, apparently unprovoked, he should bite the hand that has been accustomed to care him. There are several varieties of the N. species, differing in size, and in the character and color of the fur. In general, the muzzle is broad, the head raised, and the carriage majestic; the color is black and white, the latter generally predominating; the hair waved or curly; the tail thick, bushy, and the end of it curled upwards. New Georgia, (-jör'je-ah,) a name formerly given to all that portion of the W. seaboard of N. America, included bet. the Gulf of Georgia and the Columbia river, on the W. and S. respectively, and embracing Vancouver Island within its limits. New New New Fig. 494.NEWFOUNDLAND DOG. [s. 640]