rlance
for the equator. Also, in the army, distinguishes the regular numbered
regiments of cavalry and infantry from the artillery and guards, to whom
exceptional functions are assigned. In fortification, it means a trench,
approaches, &c. In a geometrical sense, it signifies length without
breadth; and in military parlance, it is drawing up a front of
soldiers.--_Concluding line._ A small rope, which is hitched to the
middle of every step of a stern-ladder.--_Deep-sea line._ A long line,
marked at every five fathoms with small strands of line, knotted, and
used with the deep-sea lead. The first 20 fathoms are marked as follows:
2 and 3 fathoms with black leather; 5 with white bunting; 7 with red; 10
with leather and a hole in it. Then 13, 15, and 17 repeat the previous
marks of 3, 5, and 7. Two knots indicate 20, three knots 30, four knots
40 fathoms, and so on, with an additional knot for every ten. Meanwhile
a single knot indicates the intermediate fives. Besides this system some
pilots prefer their own marks, as in the Hooghly, where they always
measure the line for themselves. The term "deep-sea line" must not now
be confined to the use of the lead for the ordinary purposes of safe
navigation; deep-sea soundings for scientific purposes are recorded in
thousands of fathoms, in which case the line is sometimes made of silk,
the object being to obtain the largest amount of strength with a small
weight.--_Fishing-lines._ Particular kinds of lines, generally used for
fishing snood, mackerel, whiting, cod, albacore, &c.--_Hand-line._ A
line about 20 fathoms long, marked like the first 20 fathoms of the
deep-sea line. It is made fast to a hand-lead of from 7 to 14 lbs., and
used to determine the depth of water in going in or out of a harbour,
river, channel, &c.--_Hauling-line._ Any rope let down out of a top,
&c., to haul up some light body by hand.--_Knave-line._ A rope fastened
to the cross-trees, under the main or fore top, whence it comes down by
the ties to the ram-head, and there it is rove through a piece of wood
about 2 feet long, and so is brought to the ship's side, and there
hauled up taut to the rails.--_Life-line._ A rope occasionally extended
in several situations for persons to lay hold of, to prevent their
falling.--_Mar-line._ A particular kind of small line, composed of two
strands very little twisted; there is both tarred and white mar-line.
That supplied for the gunner and for bending light sails is
un