eneral accounts of the year, there
are three returns to be transmitted to the admiral or senior officer for
the Admiralty. They are, a report of the sailing and other qualities of
the ship; state of the ship as to men; and progress of the young
gentlemen in navigation.

ANNUAL VARIATION. The change produced in the right ascension or
declination of a star by the precession of the equinoxes and proper
motion of the star taken together. Also, the annual variation of the
compass.

ANNUL, TO. To nullify a signal.

ANNULAR. Resembling an annulus or ring. An _annular_ eclipse takes place
when the apparent diameter of the moon is less than that of the sun, and
a zone of light surrounds the moon while central.

ANNULAR SCUPPER. A contrivance for fitting scuppers so that the whole
can be enlarged by a movable concentric ring, in order that a surcharge
of water can be freely delivered; invented by Captain Downes, R.N.

ANNULUS. A geometrical figure. (_See_ RING.)

ANNULUS ASTRONOMICUS. A ring of brass used formerly in navigation. In
1575 Martin Frobisher, when fitting out on his first voyage for the
discovery of a north-west passage, was supplied with one which cost
thirty shillings.

ANOMALISTIC MONTH. _See_ ANOMALISTIC PERIOD.

ANOMALISTIC PERIOD. The time of revolution of a primary or secondary
planet in reference to its line of apsides; that is, from one perigee or
apogee to another.

ANOMALISTIC YEAR. The space of time in which the earth passes through
her orbit--distinct from and longer than the tropical year, owing to the
precession of the equinoxes.

ANOMALY. Deviation from common rule. An irregularity in the motion of a
planet by which it deviates from the aphelion or apogee.--_Mean anomaly_
formerly signified the distance of a planet's mean place from the
apogee: it is the angular distance of a planet or comet from perihelion
supposing it to have moved with its mean velocity.--_True anomaly_, the
true angular distance of a planet or comet from perihelion. (_See_
EXCENTRIC and EQUATED.)

ANON. Quickly, directly, immediately.

ANONYMOUS PARTNERSHIPS. Those not carried on under a special name, and
the particulars known only to the parties themselves. This is much
practised in France, and often occasions trouble in prize-courts.

ANSAE. The dolphins or handles of brass ordnance. Also the projections or
arms of the ring on each side of Saturn's globe, in certain situations
relative to the earth.

ANSERES. B