one of the West India or Caribbee islands, lying in about 18° 15' N. Lat. It has its name from its snake-like form; and is about ten leagues in length and three in breadth. It was first discovered by the English in 1630, when it was filled with alligators and other noxious animals; but they, finding the soil fruitful, and proper for raising tobacco and corn, settled a colony on it, and imported live cattle, which have since multiplied exceedingly. But the colony not being settled under any public encouragement, each planter laboured for himself, and the island became a prey to every rapacious invader, which disheartened the inhabitants so much, that all industry was lost among them. Their chief sufferings were from a party of wild Irish, who landed here after the Revolution, and treated them worse than any of the French pirates who had attacked them before. The people of Barbadoes, and other English Caribbees, knowing the value of the soil, several of them removed to Anguilla, where they remained for many years, and even carried on a profitable trade, though without any government either civil or ecclesiastical. In 1745, their militia, though not exceeding 100 men, defended a breastwork against 1000 French who came to attack them; and at last obliged them to retire with the loss of 150 men, besides carrying off some of their arms and colours as trophies of their victory. Since that time the inhabitants have subsisted mostly by farming; though they still plant sugar, and the island is said to be capable of great improvements.