Part 62

Bill brown, orange from the nostrils to the point, the knob of which is black; it is an inch and a half long, rather narrow towards the apex; the nostrils are placed very forward; head brown, cheeks tinged with black; irides straw colour; a broad white circle round the neck, the back part of which is mottled with brown; breast, sides of the body, and scapular feathers, white, barred with black; belly white; thighs and vent feathers brown and white; inner coverts of the wings brown; back and coverts of the wings black, mottled with white; quill feathers and tertials black; secondaries white; tail rounded and grey; legs and toes yellow brown, with a greenish tinge; webs and claws black. Length, one foot four inches; breadth, two feet four inches; weight, one pound seven ounces.

They are generally seen in small flocks, diving for their food, near the shore.—_Bewick._

MORTAR, _s._ A strong vessel in which materials are broken by being pounded with a pestle; a short wide cannon, out of which bombs are thrown; cement made of lime and sand with water, and used to join stones or bricks.

MORTIFICATION, _s._ The state of corrupting or losing the vital qualities, gangrene; humiliation, vexation, trouble; to humble, to depress, to vex.

MORTISE, _s._ A hole cut into wood that another piece may be put into it.

MOSS, _s._ A plant.

MOTH, _s._ A small winged insect that eats cloths and hangings; an evening fishing fly.

MOULT, _v._ To shed or change the feathers, to lose the feathers.

MOUNTAIN, _s._ A large hill, a vast protuberance of the earth.

MOUNTAIN, _a._ Found on the mountains, as mountain hares, mountain partridges.

MOUNTAINOUS, _a._ Hilly, full of mountains; large as mountains, huge; inhabiting mountains.

MOUSE, _s._ The smallest of all beasts, a little animal haunting houses and corn-fields. _Vide_ FIELD MOUSE.

MOUTH, _s._ The aperture in the head of any animal at which the food is received; the opening, the entrance; the instrument of speaking.

MOUTH, _v._ To chew, to eat; to seize in the mouth; to injure with the teeth.

MOW, _s._ A loft or chamber where any hay or corn is laid up.

MOW, _v._ To cut with a scythe; to put in a mow.

MUCILAGE, _s._ A slimy or viscous body, a body with moisture sufficient to hold it together.

Mucilage is made by dissolving gum arabic in water. There are other cheaper gums, however, that will answer the same purpose: mucilage may be made also from quince seeds and starch. For internal use it is most cheaply and abundantly obtained from flax-seed, or linseed. Eight ounces infused in two or three quarts of boiling water, forms a good mucilage.—_White._

MUCILAGINOUS, _a._ Slimy, viscous, soft with some degree of tenacity.

MUCOUS, _a._ Slimy, viscous.

MUCUS, _s._ The viscous substance discharged at the nose; any viscous matter.

MUD, _s._ The slime at the bottom of still water; earth well moistened with water.

MUE, _v._ To moult, to change feathers.

MUFFLE, _v._ To cover from the weather; to blindfold; to conceal; to involve, to hood a hawk.

MULE, _s._ An animal generally between a he-ass and a mare, or between a horse and a she-ass.

These useful and hardy animals are the offspring of the horse and ass, or ass and mare; those produced between the two last are esteemed the best, as the mule is observed to partake less of the male than of the female parent; yet it is a general remark, that they almost always inherit, in some degree, the obstinacy of the parent ass, though it must be confessed that this vice is heightened by their being injudiciously broke in.

Savoy produces very large mules, but the finest are bred in Spain. They are chiefly used in countries where there are rocky and stony roads, as about the Alps and Pyrenees, &c. Great numbers of them are kept in these places, they are usually black, and are strong, well-made, and large, being mostly bred out of fine Spanish mares. They are sometimes fifteen or sixteen hands high, and a good one of this kind is worth fifty or sixty pounds. No creature is so proper for carrying large burdens, or more surefooted. They are much stronger for draught than our horses; often as thick-set as our dray-horses, and will travel for several months together with six or eight hundred weight on their backs.

The mule far excels the horse for travelling in a mountainous country, the former being able to tread securely where the latter can hardly stand. Their manner of going down the precipices of the Alps, the Andes, &c., is very extraordinary. In these passages, on one side are steep eminences, and on the other frightful abysses, and as they generally follow the direction of the mountain, the road, instead of lying on a level, forms at every little distance, deep declivities of several hundred yards downward. These can be descended only by mules, and these animals seem sensible of the danger, and the caution that is to be used in such descents. When they come to the edge of one of these precipices, they stop, without being checked by the rider, and if he inadvertently attempts to spur them on, they continue immovable, apparently ruminating on the danger that lies before them, and preparing themselves for the encounter. They not only attentively view the road, but tremble and snort at the danger. Having prepared for the descent, they place their fore-feet in a posture as if they were stopping themselves, they then put their hind-feet together, but a little forward, as if they were going to lie down. In this attitude, having taken, as it were, a survey of the road, they slide down with the swiftness of a meteor. In the mean time, all that the rider has to do, is to keep himself fast on the saddle without checking the rein, for the least motion is sufficient to disorder the equilibrium of the mule, in which case they both unavoidably perish. But their address in this rapid descent is truly wonderful, for in their swiftest motion, when they seem to have lost all government of themselves, they follow exactly the different windings of the road, as if they had previously settled in their mind the route they were to follow, and had taken every precaution for their safety.

In these journeys the natives place themselves along the sides of the mountains, and holding by the roots of the trees, animate the beasts with shouts, and encourage them to persevere. Some mules, after being long used to such travelling, acquire a kind of reputation for their safety and skill, and their value rises in proportion to their fame.

The Roman ladies had equipages drawn by mules, as appears from the medals of Julia and Agrippina, and at this day, in Spain, the carriages of the nobility, and even of princes, are usually drawn by them. We are assured that M. de Thou, first president of the parliament, had the fourth coach in France, in 1505, till which time every body rode to court and parliament on mules.

* * * * *

The progeny between the pheasant and the common fowl, are necessarily mules, as proceeding from different species, although of the same genus. They may be obtained with some little difficulty, which they scarcely repay, as being neither an improvement in form nor goodness of the flesh. It is recommended, as the best method, to confine a cock-pheasant half grown with two pullets of the same age, either game, bantam, or common, as may be desired; or to make a house for common hens in a pheasant preserve near home, where they will soon associate with the pheasants, and be trodden by the cocks. Hybrids, or mules, between the pheasant and black grouse, have been occasionally found on the moors.—_Le Keux_—_Moubray._

MULLET, _s._ A sea fish.

The mullet is found in great plenty on several of our sandy coasts, and, in particular, haunts those small bays that have influxes of fresh water; they are very cunning, and when surrounded with a net, the whole shoal frequently escapes by leaping over it; for when one takes the lead, the others are sure to follow.

They come in great shoals into the rivers with the tide during the summer, and keep rooting, like hogs, in the sand or mud, leaving their traces in the form of large round holes; but return back when the water ebbs, never stopping in the rivers. They are something like the dace in shape, yet much thicker; the head is almost square and flat on the top; the nose blunt; lips thick; they have no teeth, only the upper-lip is a little rough, as is also the tongue; between the eyes and mouth is a hard callus; the pupil of the eye is black, encircled with a small silvery line; the colour of the back is dusky, varied with blue and green; the sides silvery, marked with broad, dusky, parallel lines, reaching from head to tail, which is much forked; the scales are large and deciduous, and are also upon the covers of the gills and head, and extend as far as the nostrils. The largest are nearly half a yard long, and the flesh is excellent.

Although the mullet are generally first seen here in the month of June, from the wetness of this summer the shoals are later in their appearance than usual. Mullet are taken in draught-nets like salmon, but on this coast a different mode of fishing is pursued. The shoals in hot weather run in with the tide, and after remaining on the shores and estuaries during flood they return with the ebbing water. The following method we employed in our fishing to-day: being provided with a sufficient quantity of herring-nets and a number of spars and poles, we selected, at low water, a sandy creek for our operations, and commenced erecting a line of poles across the entrance of the cove. The nets were then extended along these uprights, and also secured firmly to the bottom of the spars; the lower part of the net is kept upon the bottom by a row of stones, and the remainder laid flat upon the sands. With the flowing tide the fish pass over the prostrate net, and run along the estuary; at high water the buoy-ropes are raised and secured to the upright poles; with the assistance of a boat the whole is effected in a few minutes, and a net-work barrier effectually cuts off the retreat of all within. When the ebb of tide commences, the mullet begin to retire, and when they discover that their egress is obstructed, their attempts to effect a passage are both constant and curious—now running down the nets, trying for a broken mesh by which to force an aperture—now with a bold spring endeavouring to clear the buoy-ropes, and, even after repeated failures, leaping at it again and again. The last effort is directed to the bottom, but there the heavy stones resist every attempt to dislodge them, and deserted by the treacherous water, the mullet are left upon the bare sands.

* * * * *

The general length of the common mullet (_mugil_) is from twelve to eighteen inches. When used immediately after being taken, the fish is excellent; carriage, even for a short distance, injures it. Dr. Blotch recommends oil and lemon-juice to be used with it at table. Vinegar, with parsley and melted butter, is better—“probatum est.”

* * * * *

This fish is sometimes preserved by salting; and from its spawn an inferior kind of caviar, called _botargo_, is prepared, by using the common process of curing and drying.—_Wild Sports._

MULTIPAROUS, _a._ Bringing many at a birth.

MUM, _s._ Ale brewed with wheat.

MUNGREL, _s._ Anything generated between different kinds; anything partaking of the qualities of different causes or parents.

MUNGREL, _a._ Generated between different natures, baseborn, degenerate.

MUNITION, _s._ Ammunition; materials for war.

MURIATES, _s._ Combinations of muriatic acid, with alkalies, earths, or metals.

_Muriate of Ammonia_, commonly named _crude sal ammoniac_.—When dissolved in vinegar, it has been found a useful application for splents when in a state of inflammation.

Muriate of ammonia, powdered 2 dr. Vinegar 1 oz. Alcohol 1 oz. Water 2 oz.—Mix.

_Muriate of Antimony_, or _Butter of Antimony_.—A strong and useful caustic, employed by smiths, in canker, punctured wounds from picking up a nail, bruises of the foot, &c.

_Muriate of Copper._—A solution of verdigris in muriatic acid or spirit of salt. A mild caustic, and diluted occasionally with water.

_Muriate of Soda._—Common salt, or the salt employed with food. This is an excellent laxative for cattle, and, in small doses, promotes digestion. Mow-burnt hay, or bad hay of any kind, is made more palatable to horses and cattle by being moistened with water in which a small quantity of salt has been dissolved, and it is, perhaps, rendered more easy of digestion also.—_White._

MURKY, _a._ Dark, cloudy, wanting light.

MURREY, _a._ Darkly red.

MUS, _s._ A tribe of order Glires, and class Mammalia. In it are included the common rat and mouse, Norway rat, musk rat, &c. &c.

MUSCADINE, _s._ A kind of sweet grape, sweet wine.

MUSCLE, _s._ A bivalve shell-fish.

MUSCOVY, CAIRO, GUINEA, or INDIAN DUCK (_Anas moschatus_, LINN.; _Le Canard Musque_, BUFF.), _s._

This species is much larger than the common duck, measuring about two feet in length. The bill is two inches long; the tip and nostrils brown; the other parts of it red, as is also the red warty skin which joins its base, and surrounds the eyes. The crown of the head is rather tufted or crested, and black; the cheeks, throat, and fore part of the neck, white, irregularly marked with black; the belly, from the breast to the thighs, white. The general colour of the rest of the plumage is deep brown, darkest, and glossed with green on the back, rump, quills, and tail; the two outside feathers of the latter, and the first three of the former, are white: the legs and feet are red, short, and thick. This is the general appearance of the musk duck; but, as it is domesticated in almost every country, it varies very much, like all other birds in that state. In the female, the bare warty or carunculated skin which is spread from the bill over the eyes, is of a much duller red, and does not cover so large a portion of the head as it does in the male: she is also of a less size.

These birds have obtained the name of Musk Duck, from their musky smell, which arises from the liquor secreted in the glands on the rump. They are a thriving and prolific species, and their flesh, which is highly flavoured, is by many very much esteemed. They will associate with the common ducks; and instances are not wanting of their producing a mixed breed.—_Bewick._

MUSCULAR, _a._ Performed by muscles.

MUSK, _s._ A very powerful perfume; it is procured from a kind of Indian goat.

MUSKET, _s._ A soldier’s gun; a male hawk of a small kind.

MUSKETEER, _s._ A soldier whose weapon is his musket.

MUSKETOON, _s. obs._ A blunderbuss, a short gun of a large bore.

MUSLIN, _s._ A fine stuff made of cotton.

MUSTARD, _s._ A plant.

MUSTY, _a._ Mouldy, spoiled with damp, moist and fetid; stale.

MUTE, _a._ Silent, not vocal, not having the use of voice.

MUTE, _s._ The excrement of hawks.

MUTE, _v._ To dung as birds.

MUTTON, _s._ The flesh of sheep dressed for food; a sheep.

MUZZLE, _s._ The mouth of any thing; a fastening for the mouth which hinders to bite; a contrivance to prevent a horse from eating hay or litter.

MUZZLE, _v._ To secure the mouth.

MYOPY, _s._ Shortness of sight.

MYRRH, _s._ A precious kind of gum. Myrrh is sometimes used in veterinary practice. The tincture is a favourite remedy with grooms and farriers, for recent wounds. The dose of myrrh is from one or two to three drachms.

NAG, _s._ A small horse; a horse in familiar language.

NAIL, _s._ The horny substance at the ends of the fingers and toes; the talons of birds and beasts; a spike of metal by which things are fastened together; a stud, a boss; a kind of measure, two inches and a quarter.

NAPE, _s._ The joint of the neck behind.

NARCOTIC, _a._ Producing torpor, or stupefaction.

NARES, _s._ The hawk’s nostrils.

NARROW, _a._ Not broad or wide.

NARROW-HEELS, _s._ A disease in horses.

Chronic lameness may exist in various degrees, and, in the early stages of the disorder, a horse may do considerable work, by paring his feet properly, and keeping them cool and moist; by paring the soles, putting on a wide hollow shoe, and keeping them stopped with tar ointment. By such management the progress of the disease may be retarded, and the horse much relieved; but it can never be cured. Most commonly the disease gradually gets worse, and at length the horse becomes unfit for every kind of work. At this period the horse is generally blistered or fired, and turned to grass. But this never does any good; shoes with claws, or hinges and screws, have been proposed, and employed with a view to open the heels; but of course they have never done any good, either in the way of prevention or cure. The hoof has been all rasped away, and the horse turned to grass until a new hoof has grown down of a proper form, but it has never done any good. That cruel operation of tearing off the sole, technically termed drawing the sole, was formerly practised for it, but is now, I trust, completely discontinued. In short, every thing that human ingenuity can devise has been tried, but nothing has ever been found to cure this disorder. I believe at this time all veterinarians agree in the opinion of its being absolutely incurable.—_Blaine._

NATIVE, _a._ Produced by nature, not artificial; natural, such as is according to nature; conferred by birth; pertaining to the time or place of birth, original.

NATURAL, _a._ Produced or effected by nature.

The natural fly delights in hovering over the stream, and performs it with that ease and beauty, which cannot be attained with the artificial, but the former often drowns when tired of making its airy evolutions, and it is then the latter best resembles it, and as a drowned fly is the artificial one taken by the fish, no art being able to make that play upon the water like the living one.

This way of angling is chiefly adapted to warm weather, when the water is low and clear; and is best in small rivers and brooks, where the angler can keep more out of sight than near large waters, that are more exposed. He must have a long rod, as before described for artificial fly fishing; the line fine for nearly the whole length of it (which is not to exceed three fourths of that of the rod), with a fine short shanked hook, in size proportioned to the baits.

NAVE, _s._ The middle part of the wheel in which the axle moves; the middle part of the church, distinct from the aisles or wings.

NAVELGALL, _s._ Navelgall is a bruise on the top of the chine of the back, behind the saddle, right against the navel.

NEAP, _a._ Low, decrescent.

NEAT, _s._ Black cattle, oxen; a cow or ox.

NEAT’S-FOOT OIL, _s._ Is extracted from the feet of oxen, &c.; it is used in lubricating stiff joints, old sprains, &c., and is an excellent preservative of harness and leather.

NEB, _s._ Nose, beak, mouth. In Scotland, the bill of a bird.

NEBULA, _s._ It is applied to appearances like a cloud in the human body, as to films upon the eye.

NECK, _s._ The part between the neck and the body; a long narrow part.

The neck should form from the head to the withers, an elegant but moderate curve, with which it should unite with a very moderate depression only; while its under surface ought to be but very slightly incurvated, and should enter the chest rather above the point of his shoulders. A large prominent windpipe adds to the perfection of the lower surface of the neck. In point of length, it is of consequence that the neck be duly proportioned. The long neck, when thin withal, seldom presents a firm or proper resistance against the pressure of the bit. When, on the contrary, the neck is too short, the head is frequently ill placed, and the lever in the hand of the rider will be also too short. Such necks are often likewise weighty, and overloaded with flesh. It is evident, also, that such cannot be reined up without danger of suffocation; and it is seldom that a short-necked horse is speedy. When the upper surface of the neck is thick and heavy, it is a very strong presumption of a sluggish disposition, particularly in geldings and mares. In stallions, it is a _distinctive sexual_ mark, and hence less to be depended on. Now and then, the neck is arched downwards, which is called ewe-necked. When the deformity is considerable, it prevents the head from being carried in its true angle; instead of which, the nose, from being projected upwards and forwards, has occasioned such horses to be called stargazers; to remedy which, it is usual to draw the head down by a martingal. In the horse, as well as in all the grazing tribes, the length of the well proportioned neck is such, that, adding to it the angle resulting from the head, the length of both is equal to the height of the shoulders from the ground. It may not, also, be amiss to mention, that, in the purchase of a horse, it is prudent to observe whether the upper part of the neck bears any marks of a tight collar having been worn: when such an appearance does exist, it commonly arises either from a strap worn to prevent the action of crib-biting, or such a horse is apt to unloose himself, which is almost an equal defect.—_Blaine._

NEEDLE, _s._ A small instrument pointed at one end to pierce cloth, and perforated at the other to receive the thread; the small steel bar which, in the mariner’s compass, stands regularly north and south.

NEIGH, _v._ To utter the voice of a horse.

NEIGH, _s._ The voice of a horse.

NERVE, _s._ The nerves are the organs of sensation passing from the brain to all parts of the body; it is used by the poets for sinew or tendon.