Nettle Tree

Collier's New Encyclopedia (1921)

natural order Urticaceæ, a deciduous tree, with simple and generally serrated leaves, much resembling those of the common nettle, but not stinging. It has a sweet fleshy drupaceous fruit. NEUFCHÁTEL, or NEUCHATEL (nuh-chä-tel) (in German Neuenburg), a Swiss canton, bounded by France, Vaud, the Lake of Neufchâtel, and Bern, having an area of 312 square miles. Neufchâtel was an independent principality as early as 1034. After various vicissitudes it came into the hands of the King of Prussia, as heir of the house of Orange. In 1814 it was received into the Swiss Confederacy, and was the only canton with a monarchical government. This it preserved till 1848. After threatened war in May, 1857, the King of Prussia renounced all his rights in Neufchâtel. Several ridges of the Jura run through the country. The Lake of Neufchâtel, 24 miles long by 8 broad, communicates through the Aar with the Rhine. Grazing and dairy farming are extensively carried on in the canton; wine, fruits, hemp, and flax are produced. The chief manufactures are lace, cotton, watches and clocks (specially at Chaux de Fonds, Neufchâtel, and Locle). The religion is Protestant. The language is French, but German is also spoken. Pop. about 150,000. The capital, al, of the same name, is 24 miles W. of Bern, on a steep slope above the N. W. shore of Lake Neufchâtel. It has an old Gothic church of the 12th century; many charitable institutions; a gymnasium or college, containing a valuable natural history collection founded by Professor Agassiz, a native of the town, etc. It has various manufactures and an extensive trade. Pop. about 25,000.