120 paces, with a random one of 1500. Bourne, in 1578, mentions the
minion as requiring shot 3 inches in diameter.

MINISTER. A minister, though termed plenipotentiary, has no power to
grant protection to vessels or cargoes otherwise subject to the
operations and laws of hostilities.

MINNIS. An old British word for a rock or piece of rising ground.

MINNOW. A small fresh-water fish--the _Leuciscus phoxinus_. The term was
used in contempt by Shakspeare and the elders.

MINOR AXIS. In a planetary orbit, signifies the line perpendicular to
the major axis, and passing through the centre of the ellipse.

MINOR PLANETS. _See_ ASTEROIDS.

MINUTE MILE. The sixtieth part of a degree of longitude or latitude; in
the latter case it is the sixtieth part of a degree of a great circle,
in the former it decreases in length as the latitude increases.

MINUTE AND HALF-MINUTE GLASSES. _See_ GLASS.

MINUTE-GUNS. Fired at intervals of a minute each during the progress of
important funerals.

MINUTES. Short notices taken in writing of any important proceedings.

MIRA. A remarkable variable star in Cetus.

MIRACH. One of the bright stars in Andromeda.

MIRAGE, OR LOOM. A word, which has crept into use since the French
expedition to Egypt, to express the extraordinary refraction which light
undergoes when strata of air, of different densities, extend above each
other. The mirage, reflecting objects at a great height, inverts and
doubles the image.

MIRE-BUMPER AND MIRE-DRUM. North-country names of the bittern.

MIRKLES. The radicle leaves of the _Fucus esculentus_, a sea-weed eaten
on our northern coasts.

MIRROR. The speculum of a quadrant, or any silvered or polished
reflecting surface.

MISCHIEF. _See_ MASTER OF MISRULE.

MISREPRESENTATION TO THE UNDERWRITERS, of any fact or circumstance
material to the risk of insuring, whether by the insured or his agent,
and whether fraudulent or innocent, renders the contract null and void.
(_See_ REPRESENTATION.)

MISSILES. Projectiles of every kind propelled by force.

MISSING. If a vessel is not heard of within six months after her
departure (or after the last intelligence of her) from any port in
Europe, and within twelve months from other parts of the world, she is
deemed to be lost. Presumptive proof will suffice if none of her crew
appear.

MISSING STAYS. To fail in going about from one tack to another; when,
after a ship gets her head to the wind, she comes to a stand,