ts of Berg it was in 1240 divided. It was burnt in 1376,
1445 and 1583; and in 1678, after the peace of Nijmwegen, the
fortifications were dismantled; rebuilt in 1816, they were again razed
in 1888.

DEUX-SEVRES, an inland department of western France, formed in 1790
mainly of the three districts of Poitou, Thouarsais, Gatine and
Niortais, added to a small portion of Saintonge and a still smaller
portion of Aunis. Area, 2337 sq. m. Pop. (1906) 339,466. It is bounded
N. by Maine-et-Loire, E. by Vienne, S.E. by Charente, S. by
Charente-Inferieure and W. by Vendee. The department takes its name from
two rivers--the Sevre of Niort which traverses the southern portion, and
the Sevre of Nantes (an affluent of the Loire) which drains the
north-west. There are three regions--the Gatine, occupying the north and
centre of the department, the Plaine in the south and the
Marais,--distinguished by their geological character and their general
physical appearance. The Gatine, formed of primitive rocks (granite and
schists), is the continuation of the "Bocage" of Vendee and
Maine-et-Loire. Its surface is irregular and covered with hedges and
clumps of wood or forests. The systematic application of lime has much
improved the soil, which is naturally poor. The Plaine, resting on
oolite limestone, is treeless but fertile. The Marais, a low-lying
district in the extreme south-west, consists of alluvial clays which also
are extremely productive when properly drained. The highest points,
several of which exceed 700 ft., are found in a line of hills which
begins in the centre of the department, to the south of Parthenay, and
stretches north-west into the neighbouring department of Vendee. It
divides the region drained by the Sevre Nantaise and the Thouet (both
affluents of the Loire) in the north from the basins of the Sevre
Niortaise and the Charente in the south. The climate is mild, the annual
temperature at Niort being 54 deg. Fahr., and the rainfall nearly 25 in.
The winters are colder in the Gatine, the summers warmer in the Plaine.

Three-quarters of the entire area of Deux-Sevres, which is primarily an
agricultural department, consists of arable land. Wheat and oats are the
main cereals. Potatoes and mangold-wurzels are the chief root-crops.
Niort is a centre for the growing Of vegetables (onions, asparagus,
artichokes, &c.) and of angelica. Considerable quantities of beetroot
are raised to supply the distilleries of Melle. Colza,