a town of Switzerland, the capital of a district of the same name, in the canton of Tesino. It contains 1550 inhabitants, who are active and intelligent, and carry on much silk spinning. Being on the southern declivity of the Alps, the climate and productions resemble more those of Italy than the rest of Switzerland. It is only three miles from Lugarno, and nine from the lake of Como; and the vicinity yields excellent wheat, wine, tobacco, and silk. It consists chiefly of one long street, with a collegiate church, a Capuchin convent, and a nunnery of Ursulines.