, except in China and some parts of India.

MATCH-TUBS. Conical tubs about 18 inches in height, which have a sunken
head perforated with holes, to admit the slow match to hang with the
lighted end downwards.

MATE. Generally implies adjunct or assistant.

MATE OF A MERCHANT-SHIP. The officer who commands in the absence of the
master, and shares the duty with him at sea. (_See_ CHIEF MATE or
OFFICER.) There are first, second, third, and fourth mates.

MATE OF A WATCH. The senior or passed midshipman is responsible to the
officer of the watch. He heaves the log, inserts on the log-board all
incidents occurring during his watch, musters the men of the watch, and
reports to the officer in charge, who, when he is relieved, writes his
initials on the log-board.

MATE OF THE LOWER-DECK. An officer of considerable importance in former
times in ships of the line; he was responsible for the state and
condition of the lower deck, and the residents there.

MATE OF THE MAIN-DECK. The officer appointed to superintend all the
duties to be executed upon the main-deck during the day.

MATERIAL MEN. The persons who furnish all tackles and stores, &c., to
repair or fit out ships. The high court of Admiralty allows material men
to sue against remaining proceeds in the registry, notwithstanding past
prohibitions.

MATERIEL. A French word that has been naturalized in speaking of naval
or military stores.

MATHEMATICS. The science which treats of every kind of quantity that can
be numbered or measured.

MATIES, OR MATEYS. Dockyard artificers, shipwrights, carpenters, &c.

MATO. A shell formerly of some commercial value on the west coast of
Africa.

MATRASS. The square head of an arrow called _quarril_. In chemistry it
is the Florence oil flask used for evaporation. From its thinness it
will stand great gradual heat.

MATROSS. Formerly an assistant gunner in the artillery.

MATTHEW WALKER. A knot, so termed from the originator. It is formed by a
half hitch on each strand in the direction of the lay, so that the rope
can be continued after the knot is formed, which shows as a transverse
collar of three strands. It is the knot used on the end of the laniards
of rigging, where dead-eyes are employed.

MAUD. A salmon-net fixed in a square form by four stakes.

MAUL. A heavy iron hammer, used for driving tree-nails or bolts; it has
one end faced, and the opposite pointed, whence it is often called a
pin-maul.--_Top-maul_ is dist