South Aeea, L. M. 43 to 45; N. 44, 45; O. P. 43 to 45; Q. B. 44, 45 ; S. 44.
South East Centeae Gaeleby, M. 41, 42.
Commissioners in London , Peoeessob Bolleyavau, K. Eiohholzeb, St. Gall ; Peofessob D. Coleadoh, Geneva .
Switzeblahd is a federal State composed of twenty-two cantons, which, till 1847, formed independent anddistinctive States, possessing a commercial tariff and customs of their own. In 1850 these cantons submittedto a systematic tariff of customs, equally enjoyed by the whole of the confederation : these tariff's are atpresent undergoing some modifications. The statistical importation and exportation tables of Switzerland ,compared with other countries, are extremely uncertain, and in the present introduction and subsequent notes weare frequently compelled to confine ourselves to simple and general facts.* Since the 1st of January 1851Switzerland has adopted an uniform currency, which is called the federal franc, of the same value and thesame subdivisions as the franc of Prance. They are at present giving their attention to an uniform system ofweights and measures, and it is very probable that analogous decimal measures to those of Prance, Belgium and Lombardy , will before long be adopted. The quintal is equivalent to 50 kilogrammes, or about 110 lbs.avoirdupois.
Switzerland possesses many metallurgical mines, of which only a very small number are worked. Manyhave been abandoned, owing to the produce of the metals not paying the expenses of working them. Minesare still worked with some advantage yielding the following metals: iron, copper, nickel, cobalt, argentiferouslead and zinc; but not in sufficient quantity for home consumption.
Berne, Soleure, Schaffhausen, St. Gall, Grisons, and Valais , are the principal cantons that produce iron.The iron produced at Berne has a high reputation for its tenacity, malleability, and resistance to fire. Duringthe reign of Napoleon Bonaparte the iron of this canton was much used for the manufacture of gun-barrels.
The manufacture of wire is also of importance, and the celebrated suspension bridge of Fribourg , with asingle span of nearly 900 feet, was made of the wire of the Bernese Jura. The canton of Schaffhausen is cele-brated for the excellence of its cast and wrought steel, easily distinguished from the other kinds. Thecanton of Valais possesses many rich beds of iron, which is exported to St. Etienne in Prance, where it ismanufactured into cast steel. The importations of cast and manufactured iron, zinc, copper, tin, lead, &c., areconsiderable. These metals come from England, Belgium, Prance, and various States of Germany , &c.
Switzerland possesses many salt-mines or saline springs ; the most important are those of Bale-Campagne,Vaud, and Argovie . These mines do not suffice for above half the demand.
There are but few coal-mines, and these of little value ; coals are imported from Prance. The canton of Neuf-chatel possesses some bituminous lime mines, from which they extract asphalte, and export in small quantities.
Beds of slate, gypsum, numerous varieties of marble, and various minerals, are likewise to be found in thiscountry.
Switzerland has a considerable number of manufactories of earthenware, the produce of which is largelyexported from the cantons of Zurich, Berne, and Schaffhausen. The potteries of Winterthour and Schaffhausen are justly celebrated for the beauty and variety of their productions. China , and the finer kinds of earthenware,are manufactured at Vaud, Geneva, and Argovie. The finer earthenware and china is imported from Germany ,Prance, and England.
Switzerland possesses in abundance clay for the manufacture of bricks and tiles, the demand for which,however, is very limited, owing to the low price of stone, slate, and wood. There are about fifteen glassfactories, which are employed principally in the manufacture of bottles and glass for windows ; the annualimportation of glass and crystal is about 20,000 quintals of 50 kilogrammes. Common glass is imported fromthe Duchy of Baden and Savoy, the finer kinds from France, Bavaria, Bohemia , and England.
by M. S. Franscini, anil the works of I)r. de Gonzenbaeh, may be consulted.