Lancea, a spear; an offensive weapon worn by the ancient cavaliers, in form of a half pike. The lance consisted of three parts, the shaft or handle, the wings, and the dart. Pliny attributes the invention of lances to the Etruscans. But Varro and Aulus Gellius say the word lance is Spanish; whence others conclude the use of this weapon was borrowed by the people of Italy from the Spaniards. Diodorus Siculus derives it from the Gaulish, and Festus from the Greek ἀγγελος, which signifies the same.

in ichthyology. See Ammodytes.

LANCEROTTA, one of the Canary islands, subject to Spain, and situated in W. Long. 13° 5' N. Lat. 28° 40'. It is about 32 miles in length and 22 in breadth. The ancient inhabitants were negroes, very strong, active, and swift of foot. There is a ridge of hills runs quite through it, on which are fed a good number of sheep and goats. They have but few black cattle, still fewer camels, and a very few small horses. The valleys are dry and sandy, yet they produce a small quantity of wheat and barley. This island was first discovered in 1417. In 1596 it was taken by the English under the command of the earl of Cumberland; after which it was better fortified than before. There is in this island a city called also Lancerotta, which, at the time the earl of Cumberland was there, consisted only of about 100 houses, all poor buildings, generally of one story, and covered with reeds or straw laid upon a few rafters, and over all a coat of dirt hardened by the sun. There was also a church which had no windows in it, and was supplied with light only by the door.