DARDANELLES, two ancient and strong castles of Turkey, one of which is in Romania, and the other in Nantolia, on each side the canal formerly called the Hellepont. This keeps up a communication with the Archipelago, and the Propontis or Sea of Marmora. The mouth of the canal is four miles and a half over; and the castles were built in 1659, to secure the Turkish fleet from the insults of the Venetians. The ships that come from Constantinople are searched at the castle on the side of Nantolia, to see what they have on board.