by Wallcnstein in 1027. and by the Swedes in rU44 and KJ.iT. Pop., 18!)0. 19,503; 1901, 31,4G2.
AALESTJND. See Alesund.
AALI PASHA, a'k^ pn-shii' (1815-71). A Turkisli statesman and diplomat. He entered the public service at liftoen years of age; was churyc d'affaires in London in ISliS, and from 1841 to 1844 Ambassador to Great Hritain. He then became Minister of Foreign Affairs, and several times after 1852 was Grand Vizier. He was also promoted to the rank of Field-Marshal and Pasha. In 1850 he represented the Porte at the Congress of Paris, and in 1871 took a prominent part in the London conference for the settlement of the Bhick Sea question, lie was favorable to progress, and strove earnestly, though inctVcctualiy, to introduce reforms in the Turkish Government.
AALST, alst. See Alost.
AAR, ilr (perhaps connected with Skt. ara, swift). The largest tributary of the Khiue in Switzerland. It rises in the glaciers near the Grimsel in Bern, at an altitude of 7;i45 feet (Map: Switzerland, C 1), Hows northwest and enters Lake Brienz after forming the famous falls of Handeck. 200 feet high. Issuing from Lake Brienz it enters Tiake Thun, passing the town of Interlaken. On emerging from the latter lake, the Aar becomes navigable, and after a winding course westward reaches the Jura Mountains, and Hows along their soutliern slope down to its confluence willi the Linimat. where it breaks through the ridge and enters tlu' Rliine near Waldshut. Its entire length is about 175 miles, and among its numerous tributaries the most important are the Saanc, Zihl. and Kmme. Through its tributaries (he Aar is connected with some of the principal lakes in Switzerland. Tlie most important cities on its banks arc Bern, Interlaken, Solothurn, and Aarau. There arc several small rivers of the same name in (ier- many.
AABAU, a'rou (oar + Ger. Aue, meadow, from alia, water). Capital of the canton of Aargau. Switzerland, near the Jura Mountains, on the riglit bank of the Aar. 41 miles northeast of Bern (Map: Switzerland. CI). It is 1100 feet above sea level, and lies in a fertile plain between the Jura and the Swiss plateau. It is well built; has a town liall. barracks, several small museums, and a library for the canton of 80.000 volumes, rich in Swiss historical works. There are silk, cotton, leather, and cutlery fac- tories, an iron foundry famed for its cannon and bells, and other workshops. The town is famous for prodtieing excellent mathematical instru- ments. North and northeast of the town are the Wasserduh, 2850 feet high, and the Gisela- fluh. 2540 feet high. Tim River .Aar is here crossed by a suspension bridge. Kight fairs are held at Aarau yearly. Pop], 1890, 7000.
AARD-VARK,;irdlirk' (Dutch, "earth-
pig"). A burrowing, no'-turnal. insect-eating
mammal {Oructrrofnifs Capeiinisj , native and
common in South .Africa. It is about 5 feet
long, including a hmg. tapering, naked tail. ,
The head is long, thin, and somewhat pig-like,
with a tubular snout and hiffli. pointed ears.
The body is stout, fat. and thinly covered with
bristly, reddish haiis. The limbs are short,
strong, and equipped with daws adapted to dig-
ging in hard ground. It inhabits open regions,
is timid and mainly nocturnal, lives in burrows,
and feeds upon insects, mainly ants and termites,
breaking into their "hills" and gathering them
into its small mouth by means of its long, pro-
trusile tongue, which is coated with glutinous
saliva. The llesh is edible, but likely to taste
of the formic acid in its food. closely allied
species (0. .lUhioiticus) inhabits northeastern
Central Africa. These two animals (with .sev-
eral fossil species) represent the Orycteropo-
dida", a family of Edentata differing from the
remainder of that order in so many respects
(including, for instance, a milk dentition) that
some naturalists have proposed to establish a
separaic order for it. See Plate of Axt-eateks.
AARD-WOLF (Dutch, "earth-wolf") . A noc-
turnal, carnivorous mammal U'rotclcs lalamlii)
of South .Africa, resembling a small striped
hyena with a dog-like head. It is closely
allied to the hyena, from which it diflfers mainly
in its weak jaws and peculiar dentition, which
prevent its overcoming and eating vertebrate
prey or large carrion. Hence its food consists of
small carrion, of grubs, and largely of termites.
Its fur is coarse, and capable of erection along
the back; in eohu' it is ashy-giay. irregularly
striped up and down and around the legs with
black; its muzzle is black and nearly naked;
legs and feet dark brown in front and gray
behind: ears dark lirown outside and gray inside.
It goes abroad only in the night, and several are
said to live in the same burrow. It is the sole
representative of the f;uiiily Protelidte. See
Plate of Ht:'.s.
AARESTRUP. a'restrup, Emu, (1800-
1850). A Danish poet, born at Copenhagen.
He was little regarded during his lifetime, but
since the publication of his collected poems,
with a critical essay by Georg Brandos, he has
been deemed one of the first lyrists of Denmark.
AARGAU, Ur'gou, or ARGOVIE, iir'gd've'. A canton of northern Switzerland, with an area of 540 square miles (ila]): Switzerland. C 1). Its surface is mostly mountainous, but there are a number of fine valleys. The chief rivers are the Aar. a tributary of the Rhine, and its tributaries, the Reuss and the Turgi. There are a number of mineral springs. The soil is very fertile. The vine is cultivated extensively in the river-valleys and the output of dairy products is considerable. The manufacturing industries are well developed and give occupation to about IS.OOO pcojile. The production of textiles is the chief industry. For purposes of administration the canton is divided into eleven districts. The legislative jiower is vested in the assembly (Cros.ic h'al). elected at the rate of one member for every 1100 inhabitants. The executive power is in the hands of a council ( Hrftirninfi-irat) of five members, chosen by the assembly for a period of four years. The referendum is frequently resorted to, and for private initiative in legislation 5000 votes are required. In the National Council Aargau is represented by ten members, rhe population was in:i5S0 iii ISOO and 20i;.4liO in 1900. The inhaliitants are mostly of German origin, and the German language is spoken by almost the entire population. Capital. .Aarau. Aargau. in its original extent much larger than the present canton, was a part of ancient Helvetia, and was subdued by the Franks in the fifth century. It was held by the Hapsburgs from
