STOW, a parish, partly in the county of Selkirk, but chiefly in the county of Edinburgh; containing, with the hamlets of Fountainhall and Killochyett, 1*34 inhabitants, of whom 408 are in the village of Stow, 8 miles (N. N. W.) from Galashiels. This place derives its name from a residence of the bishops of St. Andrew's, who anciently had a regal jurisdiction over the whole of the district of Wedale, in which Stow is situated, acd which, from the numerous remains of camps aud fortresses, appears to have been early a seat of warfare. The PARISH lies in the southern part of the county of Edinburgh, and northern part of that of Selkirk; and is bounded on the north-west by the parish of Heriot, and on the south-east by Galashiels and Melrose parishes. It is about sixteen miles in length and four in breadth, comprising an area of about sixty-two miles, or 40,000 acres, of which 11,345 are arable, 960 woodland and plantations, and 27,510 meadow and pasture. The surface is hilly, and the scenery boldly varied. The pleasing vale of the (iala Water extends for a considerable length into the parisli.and the banks of the river from which it takes its name are remarkable for their beautifully romantic character. The Heriot Water flows into the Gala, which is subsequently augmented in its progress by various other streams, the most considerable being the Lugate Water; and after a devious course through tracts abounding with picturesque scenery, the Gala falls into the Twec