SARDINIA, ISLAND OF, the largest, after Sicily, of the islands of the Mediterranean, lies directly s. of Corsica, from which it is separated by the strait of Bonifacio, a chan nel only in. wide in its narrowest part. Sardinia is situated about half-way between central Italy and Africa, and between southern Italy and Spain. Its length is 166 m.; greatest breadth, 90 m.; and area, 9,361 sq. miles. The country is mostly mountainous, some of the peaks of the central chain having an elevation of 6,300 feet; The Limbara in the n.w., is granite, the diagonal chain palmozoic, and the central range of the 9 tertiary calcareous formation; many of the peaks, especially within the semicircle formed by the Limbara range, are extinct volcanoes. The coasts are generally steep and rugged. A few islands lie off the coast, and all, of any considerable size and importance, are situated at the corners; off the n.e. corner are the Maddalena group, consisting of Maddalena, Caprera. and five or six minute islets; off the n.w. corner is Asinara; and off the s.w. corner are San Pietro and Sau Antioco. The island is well supplied with streams, but none of them have a long course, and only one is partially navigable.
Soil and the mountain ranges are several wide valleyS of remarka ble beauty and fertility. There are also several large sandy or stony districts (nictolde), of almost irremediable sterility. The mountain sides are partly rocky and barren, partly clad with woods, and partly fitted for pasture. The climate is mild, the temperature from 34° to 90'; but in the low lands, which are largely of a marshy character, and ° in the neighborhood of the littoral lakes, a• deadly malaria (intemperie) prevails, especially in autumn. The inhabitants of those districts, who can afford to do so, migrate annually during the unhealthy season; and those who are compelled to remain never leave their houses till an hour after sunrise, and carefully return before sunset, taking all precautions to prevent the entrance of the poisonous gas by door or window. The inhaling of the miasma by a stranger is considered among the inhabitants to be as deadly as a dose cf strong poison.
barley, maize, oranges, and other fruits are produced in almm• dance, and are esteemed for their excellent quality. The vine is extensively cultivated,
but from carelessness in the proces-1, the wine is not so good as might naturally be expected. The olive-grounds are extensive, and the produce excellent. Tobacco (of inferior quality), cotton, linseed, flax, hemp, saffron, and madder are also produced. The woods which clothe the mountain sides are chiefly composed of cork, chestnut, oak, pine. and other timber trees, which form a considerable item in the export trade. Many mountain-slopes have, however, been much deteriorated in fertility by time excessive cut ting down of timber.
The bullock is the favorite animal for draught. but horses are also used; and a small species of pony, which in ancient times was much esteemed by the Roman matrons. is still found. The sheep are of ordinary quality, and the swine are said to he among the best in Europe. Few cows are kept, and cheese is obtained almost wholly from sheep's and goat's milk. Wild boars and deer are not uncommon, and the mouffion (q.v.) is found ilk the Alpine woods. Foxes, rabbits, bares, and Martens are so abundant that a large export trade in their skins is carried on: The fisheries are important.
Manufactures are insignificant, being mostly the result of home industry; but the royal manufactories of gunpowder, salt, and tobacco are of considerable importance. Sardinia is rich in minerals, but these, like its other resources, are as yet little devel oped; silver, mercury, granite, gypsum, marble, Ilabaster, amethyst, and other precious stones are found; and lead, iron, and copper arc in considerable abundance. Gold, bismuth, and antimony are said to exist.
inhabitants bear a considerable resemblance to the Greeks, and speak a barbarous dialect, composed chiefly of Spanish, Arabic, and Italian; they are ignorant and bigoted, having been subjected to misgovernment and oppression from their emancipation from Roman rule till 1836, when tenure was abolished, and the enormous power of the clergy reduced. They are generally stupid and indolent, clothe themselves in sheep-skins, and invariably profess the Catholic religion.