an island of the Mediterranean, bounded by the freight which divides it from Corsica; on the north, by the Tuscan sea, which flows between this island and Italy, on the east; and by other parts of the Mediterranean sea on the south and west. It is about 140 miles in length, and 60 in breadth. There is a pleasing variety of hills and valleys, and the soil is generally fruitful, and would produce corn, wine, and oil in abundance, if it was manured; but the inhabitants are a slothful generation, and cultivate but a little part of it. On the coast there is a fishery of anchovies and coral, of which they send large quantities to Genoa and Leghorn. The beesves and sheep are very common, as well as horses. This island was under the dominion of Spain till the year 1708; when Sir John Leake, the English admiral, reduced it to the obedience of the late emperor Charles VI. It was afterwards allotted to the duke of Savoy as an equivalent for Sicily, with the title of king of Sardinia; under whose dominion it still remains. This island is divided into two parts; the one, called Capo-di-Cagliari, lies to the south; and the other Capo-di-Lugary, which is seated to the north. The principal towns are Cagliari the capital, Oristagno, and Sassari.

SARDONIUS anus, Sardonian laughter. A convulsive involuntary laughter; thus named from the herba sardonia, which is a species of ranunculus, and is said to produce such convulsive motions in the cheeks as resemble those motions which are observed in the face during a fit of laughter. This complaint is sometimes speedily fatal. If the ranunculus happens to be the cause, the cure must be attempted by means of a vomit, and frequent draughts of hydromel with milk.