cers of the middle-watch
about five bells (or 2.30 A.M.)

MIDDLING A SAIL. Arranging it for bending to the yard.

MIDDY. An abbreviation for the younger midshipmen, synonymous with
_mid_.

MIDRIB. A narrow canal or culvert.

MIDSHIPMAN. A naval cadet appointed by the admiralty, with the exception
of one in each ship appointed by the captain. No person can be appointed
midshipman until he has served one year, and passed his examinations;
nor a lieutenant without having previously served six years in the royal
navy as midshipman, and having further passed two severe
examinations--one in seamanship and one in gunnery. A midshipman is then
the station in which a young volunteer is trained in the several
exercises necessary to attain a knowledge of steam, machinery,
discipline, the general movements and operations of a ship, and qualify
him to command.

MIDSHIPMAN'S NUTS. Broken pieces of biscuit as dessert.

MIDSHIPMAN'S ROLL. A slovenly method of rolling up a hammock
transversely, and lashing it endways by one clue.

MIDSHIPS. The middle part of the vessel, either with regard to her
length or breadth. (_See_ AMIDSHIPS.)

MILDERNIX. A strong canvas of which courses were formerly made; it
appears in old statutes.

MILE. The statute mile is 5280 feet; but that used at sea, termed the
mean nautic mile, consists of 6075.6 feet, or 60 to a degree.

MILITARY EXECUTION. The levying contributions from a country by military
occupation and force.

MILITARY LAW. That under which soldiers and sailors are governed,
founded on the acts of parliament passed to that end.

MILITIA. A military force raised by ballot.

MILKY WAY. _See_ VIA LACTEA.

MILL. A boxing match, whether standing up or nailed to a chest.

MILLAR'S SIGHT. General Millar's simple dispart--a sliding pillar
bearing a scale graduated to tangents of degrees for setting the gun by.

MILLED LEAD. Sheet lead.

MILLER, TO DROWN THE. To put an overdose of water to grog.

MILLER'S THUMB. A fresh-water fish, the _Cottus cataphractus_.

MILT. The soft roe, or spermatic part, of the male fish.

MINE. A passage made under ground, with a chamber at the end, under the
place intended to be blown up; it is entered by the shaft, which leads
through the gallery to the chamber.

MINERAL OIL. _See_ PETROLEUM.

MINIE RIFLE. This has acquired a great name, though not yet in general
use.

MINION. An old four-pounder gun about 7 feet long. Its point-blank range
was