Valdosta
a city of Georgia, and the county-seat of Lowndes co., about 150 miles southwest of Savannah, on the Atlantic Coast Line, the Georgia and Florida, and other railroads. There are manufactories of buggies, cloth, cottonseed oil, fertilizers, lumber products, naval stores, etc. It is the center of a prosperous agricultural region, raising cotton, fruit, and general farm products. The South Georgia Normal College, high schools, and a Carnegie library are among its prominent educational features. Pop. (1910) 7,656; (1920) 10,783.
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Valence
a town of France, capital of the department of Drôme; on the Rhône; 57 miles S. of Lyons. It is surrounded by orchards, vineyards and woods; has an important trade; and manufactures of silk goods, metal goods, etc. Its principal edifices are the cathedral, with the tomb of Pope Pius VI., barracks, citadel, court house, prison and theater. It has a communal college, a public library, school of artil lery, school of design, dock for shipbuilding, cotton printing and dyeing establishments, etc. Pop. commune, about 00 30,000.
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Valenciennes
a fortified city of France, in the department of Nord; at the junction of the Rhondelle and the Scheldt. It is noted for its manufactures of lace. It contains a citadel, a fine town hall, a communal college, civil and military hospitals, a library, museum, theater, arsenal, etc. Before the World War'its industries were varied, comprising manufactures of batiste, linens, lawns, printed muslins, lace, beet sugar, gold and silver tissues, toys and leather. It also had foundries, rolling-mills, distilleries, glass works and dye works. It was taken in 1793 by the English and Austrians after a siege of six weeks. It was the birthplace of Froissart, Watteau and Pujol. The city was taken by the Germans in 1914, and was held by them during the World War. Pop. about 35,000.
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Valens
FLAVIUS, Roman emperor of the East; born in Pannonia, in 328; declared emperor of the East by his brother Valentinian I., who had already been elected emperor. The chief event of his reign was the war with the Goths under Athanaric, which lasted during the whole of Valens' reign. The Goths were several times defeated, and sued for peace, which was granted them (370). In 377 the Goths, driven S. by the Huns, asked and received permission to settle on Roman territory. Irritated by the treatment they received at the hands of the imperial officials, they soon took up arms, and in 378 defeated Valens and destroyed the greater part of his army. Valens was never seen or heard of afterward.
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Valentia
or VALENCIA, a small fertile island off the S. E. coast of Ireland, belonging to County Kerry, about 5 miles long by 2 miles broad. It has slate and flag quarries, and productive fisheries. The British Atlantic telegraph cables to Newfoundland start from Valentia, and there is here a lighthouse.
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Valentinianus First
The son of Gratian, who was raised to the throne by his merit and valor. He obtained victories over the Barbarians in Gaul and in Africa, and punished the Quadi with severity. He broke a blood-vessel and died, A. D. 375. Immediately after his death his son, Valentinian the Second, was proclaimed emperor, who was remarkable for benevolence and clemency. He was robbed of his throne by Maximus, but regained it by the aid of Theodosius, emperor of the East. He was strangled by one of his officers. The third Valentinian was made emperor in his youth, and on coming to maturer age he disgraced himself by violence and oppression. He was murdered A. D. 454. Valerianus, Publius Licinius . A celebrated Roman emperor, who, on ascending the throne, lost the virtues he had previously possessed. He made his son Gallienus his colleague in the empire. He made war against the Goths and Scythians. He was defeated in battle and made prisoner by Sapor , king of Persia, who put him to death by torture.
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Valeric
or VALERIANIC ACID, C5H10O2, an organic acid present in valerian root, angelica root, in the berries of Viburnum opulus, and probably in many other plants. It is prepared artificially by oxidation of ordinary amyl alcohol (C6H12O), two atoms of hydrogen being removed and one of oxygen added. The most advantageous method of effecting the oxidation is to treat the amyl alcohol with a mixture of sulphuric acid and potassium dichromate. After a series of operations the acid separates as an oily liquid lighter than water and having the composition C5H10O2H2O. The water is driven off by distillation, and the pure acid obtained as a mobile colorless oil. It has a sharp acid taste, reddens litmus, and burns with a bright but smoky light. It has a density of .973, and boils at 175°. It forms valeriates with metallic oxides, but its compounds are not of much importance. Ethyl valerate (C₂H.CH₂O2) is formed by passing hydrochloric acid gas into an alcoholic solution of valeric acid.
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Valetta
a strongly fortified seaport and capital of Malta; on the N. E. coast of the isl island; on an elevated neck of land, with a large and commodious harbor on each side. The town has wide streets paved with lava, spacious squares, and fine quays, lined with elegant buildings. From the inequality of the site the communication between the different streets is maintained by flights of steps. The cathedral, built in 1580, contains the tombs of the Knights of Malta or of St. John, and in a chapel are the keys of Jerusalem, Acre and Rhodes. Other notable buildings bu are the governor's residence, formerly the palace of the grandmasters; the library, museum, university, and the military hospital. The dockyard is capable of admitting the largest men-of-war. Some shipbuilding and various other industries are carried on, and the trade includes grain, wine, fruits, cotton, and other manufactures, coals, etc. The mail steamers for Alexandria, Constantinople, etc., call here, and it is the chief station of the British fleet in the Mediterranean. Pop. about 25,000. See MALTA.
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Valhal
VALHALLA, or WAL- HALLA, in Northern mythology, the chief hall in Asgard, the banqueting house of the Æsir, there entertained by Odin along with the Valr or Einherjar chosen by the Valkyrjur. Valhal has 540 doors, through each of which 800 Einherjar may pass abreast. In front is the grove Glasir, whose leaves are golden. W. of the door is a great wolf, and overhead a crouching eagle. Gleaming swords light up the hall. The roof trees are spears, the roof itself is formed of shields, and the seats are covered with shirts of mail. The Einherjar eat the flesh of the boar Sæhrîmnir, which is cooked every day, and at night is restored whole as before; and drink mead, which flows from the udder of the goat Heidrun. Every day the Einherjar, as soon as dressed, array themselves in armor, and go forth into the fields to fight and fell one another. This is their pastime; as it draws to breakfast time they ride back to Valhal, where they sit down to feast. After Odin's Valhal is named the Walhalla or Temple of Fame built by King Ludwig I. of Bayern at Donaustauf, near Regensburg.
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