or ISLA, an island on the west coast of Scotland, the most southern of the Hebrides, lying between N. Lat. 55°30' and 55°58', and W. Long. 6°2' and 6°35', 17 miles W. of Cantyre, and 2 miles S. of the island of Jura. It is 27 miles in length from N. to S., and 22 miles broad, and contains an area of about 174 square miles. Unlike the other islands of the same group, its surface is generally regular, with moderate undulations. The soil, which is a mixture of clay, sand, and peat, is highly absorbent, a quality that renders it very productive under the great amount of rain which falls on the island. The rocks belong to the schistoze formation, and contain some veins of lead. Islay has long been famous for the distillation of whisky, which is generally accounted the best in Scotland. In 1851 the number of proof gallons distilled on the island amounted to 458,089; in 1852, to 311,836; in 1853, to 336,715; in 1854, to 401,071; in 1855, to 386,822; or, on an average, an 18th part of the quantity distilled throughout Scotland. The principal crops of the island are barley, oats, bere, rye, and wheat. Islay is divided into four parishes, and in 1851 contained 2100 inhabited houses, with a population of 12,334 in 1851, showing a decrease since 1831 of 2658. The largest village is Bowmore, on Lochindaal, with a population of 1202 persons. See HEBRIDES.

ISLA DE PINOS, or ISLE OF PINES, one of the Spanish West India Islands, lying 16 miles off the S. coast of Cuba. It is 42 miles in length from N. to S., by 32 in breadth, and has an area of 709 square miles. It is richly wooded, and is noted for its healthy climate and fertile soil. Pop. 1400.