R. A chronological term; it is the moon's cycle multiplied into
that of the sun.

LUNI-SOLAR PRECESSION. _See_ PRECESSION.

LUNT. A match-cord to fire great guns--a match for a linstock.

LUNTRA. _See_ FELUCCA.

LURCA. An old term for a small Mediterranean coaster.

LURCH. A heavy roll, weather or lee, as occasioned by a sea suddenly
striking or receding from the weather-bilge of the vessel.--_To be left
in the lurch_ is to be left behind in a case where others make their
escape.

LUSH. Intoxicating fluids of any kind. Also, a northern term for
splashing in water.

LUSORIAE. Ancient vessels of observation or pleasure.

LUST. An archaism of _list_. (_See_ LIST.)

LUTE-STERN. Synonymous with _pink-stern_.

LUTINGS. The dough stoppages to the seams of the coppers, &c., when
distilling sea water.

LYING. The situation of a whale when favourable for sticking--the "lie"
usually occurs after feeding.

LYING ALONG. _See_ LAYING ALONG.

LYING ON HIS OARS. Taking a rest; at ease.

LYING-TO. _See_ LIE-TO.

LYM. From the Celtic _leim_, a port; as Lyme and Lymington.

LYMPHAD. The heraldic term for an old-fashioned ship or galley.

LYNCH-LAW. A word recently imported into our parlance from America,
signifying illegal and revengeful execution at the wish of a tumultuous
mob.

LYRA. One of the ancient northern constellations. Also, a name of the
gray gurnard, or _crooner_ (which see).

LYRIE. The name in the Firth of Forth for the _Cottus cataphractus_, or
armed bull-head.

LYTER. The old orthography for _lighter_ (which see).

LYTHE. A name for the pollack, _Gadus pollachius_. Also, the coal-fish
in its fourth year.

M.

MAASH. A large trading vessel of the Nile.

MACE. A war-club of old.

MACHICOULIS. A projecting gallery over gateways, or walls insufficiently
flanked: being open at the bottom between its supporting corbels, it
allows of defending the foot of the wall.

MACKEREL. The _Scomber vulgaris_, a well-known sea-fish.

MACKEREL-BOAT. A stout clinch-worked vessel, with a large fore-sail,
sprit-sail, and mizen.

MACKEREL-SKY. _See_ CIRRO-CUMULUS.

MACKEREL-STURE. A northern name for the tunny, _Scomber thynnus_.

MACULAE. Dark temporary spots which are very frequently observed upon the
sun's disc: they are of various forms, surrounded by a lighter shade or
penumbra.

MAD. The state of a compass needle, the polarity of which has been
injured.

MADDY, OR MADDIE. A large specie