GEMARA, the second part of the Talmud, being a body of notes, comments, &c. on the Mishna or text.

GEMINI, the Twins, two stars in the southern hemisphere named Castor and Pollux; also the name of a sign of the zodiac.

GENDARMES (i. e. men-at-arms), a military police in France organised since the Revolution, and charged with maintaining the public safety.  The gendarmerie is considered a part of the regular army, and is divided into legions and companies; but the pay is better than that of an ordinary soldier.  In the 14th and 15th centuries the name was applied to the heavy French cavalry, and later to the royal bodyguard of the Bourbons.

GENESIS, the first book in the Bible, so called in the Septuagint, as containing an account of the origin of the world, of the human family, and of the Jewish race; a book of the oldest date possessing any human interest.

GENEVA:  1.  The smallest canton (106) of Switzerland, situated at the western extremity of the lake of the name; the surface is hilly, but not mountainous, and is watered by the Rhone and Arve; the soil is unfertile, but the patient industry of the inhabitants has made it fruitful; the cultivation of the vine, fruit-growing, and the manufacture of watches, &c., are the chief industries; 85 per cent, of the people speak French. 2.  Capital (78) of the canton, occupies a splendid geographical position at the south-western end of the lake, at the exit of the Rhone; the town existed in Caesar’s time, and after being subject in turn to Rome and Burgundy, ere long won its independence in conjunction with Bern and Freiburg.  In Calvin’s time it became a centre of Protestantism, and its history, down to the time of its annexation by Napoleon in 1798, is mainly occupied with the struggles between the oligarchical and democratic factions.  On the overthrow of Napoleon it joined the Swiss Confederation.  Since 1847 the town has been largely rebuilt, and handsomely laid out.  Among many fine buildings are the Transition Cathedral of St. Peter (1124), the Academy founded by Calvin and others.  The Rhone flows through it, and compasses an island which forms part of the city.  It has many literary and historical associations, and was the birthplace of Rousseau.

GENEVA, LAKE OF, or LAKE LEMAN, stretches in crescent shape between Switzerland and France, curving round the northern border of the French department of Haute-Savoie; length, 45 m.; greatest breadth, 9 m.; maximum depth, 1022 ft.  On the French side precipitous rocks descend to the water’s edge, and contrast with the wooded slopes of the north.  The water is of a deep-blue colour; many streams flow into it, notably the Rhone, which flows out at Geneva.

GENEVIEVE, the patron saint of Paris, born at Nanterre; by her prayer the city, then called LUTETIA (q. v.) was saved from the ravages of Attila (422-512) and his Huns.