V
[Vaal], a river of South Africa, which rises in the Drakenberg Mountains, separates the Free State from the Transvaal, and after a course of 500 m. in a SW. direction joins the Nu Gariep to form the Orange River.
[Vaccination]. Inoculation with the matter of cowpox as a protection against smallpox, was introduced 1796-98 by [Edward Jenner] (q. v.), and at length adopted by the faculty after much opposition on the part of both medical men and the public.
[Vaigatz], an island in the Arctic Ocean, 67 m. long by 26 m. broad, the "Holy Island" of the [Samoyedes] (q. v.), an abode of furred animals, seals, &c.
[Vaishnavas], in India, name given to the worshippers of Vishnu.
[Valais], a Swiss canton, between Berne on the N. and Italy on the S., in a wide valley of the Rhône, and shut in by lofty mountains; cattle-rearing is the chief industry.
[Valdai Hills], a plateau rising to the height of 1100 ft. above the sea-level in Russia, forming the only elevation in the Great European Plain.
[Valencia] (180), a city of Spain, once the capital of a kingdom, now of a fertile province of the name; is situated on the shores of the Mediterranean, 3 m. from the mouth of the Guadalaviar, in the midst of a district called the Huerta, which is watered by the river, and grows oranges, citron, almond, mulberry-trees in richest luxuriance, the fruits of which it exports; is an archbishop's see, and contains a large Gothic cathedral, a picture gallery, and a university with a large library; has silk, cloth, leather, cigar, floor-tile manufactures, and exports grain and silk besides fruits.