Elbe

a river of Germany, one of the largest in Europe. It rises on the S. W. slopes of the Schneekoppe or Snowcap, one of the Riesengebirge, between Bohemia and Silesia. From this ag flows nearly due 8. into Bohemia for about 50 miles, when it turns to the W., and after about 40 miles takes a general N. N. W. direction till it falls into the North Sea, intersecting Saxony, a considerable portion of Pru ia, and in the latter part of its course separating Holstein on its right from Hanover on the left. The length, including windings, is upward of 780 miles. Its navigation is free to ships of all nations.