Reuss

Reuss, the name of two principalities of Central Germany ruled by different lines of the same family. All the males of each line are called Henry, and are distinguished by numbers, a fresh series starting with each fresh hundred in the elder and each century in the younger branch. It consists of (1) Reuss-Greiz (ruled by the elder line), of 148 square miles, on the left bank of the Saale and traversed by the Elster, and (2) Reuss-Schleiz with Reuss-Lobenstein-Ebersdorf, containing 297 square miles. The former of these is largely pasture-land, rearing much horned cattle and sheep, and producing potatoes, flax, and some hops, while the chief manufactures are woollen, linen, and cotton-weaving. The latter is well-wooded and fertile, and produces much grain. Iron is worked, and there is much quarrying of roofing-slates. The population of both is mostly Protestant.