Hesse

or He e-Darmstadt (993), a grand-duchy of the German empire, lies partly in, and partly on the border of, SW. Pru ia; consists of two large portions, divided by a strip of He e-Na au, and 11 enclaves; half the land is under cultivation, and the greater part of what remains is covered with forest; its many rivers belong mostly to the Rhine system; corn is raised in large quantities, iron and manganese are found, and there are flourishing manufactures of leather, upholstery, tobacco, .; the legislative power is vested in two chambers; Mainz is the largest town, and Darmstadt the capital.