, and great draft of water abaft, the
stem and keel forming a curved line. It carries an immense quantity of
iron, or even lead, ballast. Besides a long main and short jib-boom, it
has a long, tapering, raking mast, stepped just over the fore-foot,
generally unsupported by shrouds or stays; on it a jib-headed main-sail
is hoisted to a height of twice, and sometimes three times, the length
of the keel. This sail is triangular, stretched at its foot by a long
boom. The only other sail is a small fore-sail or jib. They claim to be
the fastest craft in the world for working to windward in smooth water,
it being recorded of one that she made five miles dead to windward in
the hour during a race; and though they may be laid over until they fill
with water, they will not capsize.

MUD-LANDS. The extensive marshes left dry by the retiring tide in
estuaries and river mouths.

MUD-LARKS. People who grovel about bays and harbours at low water for
anything they can find.

MUD-LIGHTER. Large heavy punts which receive the mud or other matter
from a dredging vessel. It is the _Marie Salope_ of the French. (_See_
HOPPER-PUNT.)

MUD-PATTENS. Broad clogs used for crossing mud-lands in the south of
England by those who take sea-fowl.

MUD-SHORES. Are not unfrequent on an open coast. The most remarkable
instance, perhaps, is that of the Guiana; the mud brought down by the
river being thrown up by the current, and silted, with belts of
mangroves in patches.

MUFFLED DRUM. The sound is thus damped at funerals: passing the spare
cord, which is made of drummer's plait (to carry the drum over the
shoulder), twice through the snares or cords which cross the lower
diameter of the drum.

MUFFLE THE OARS, TO. To put some matting or canvas round the loom when
rowing, to prevent its making a noise against the tholes, or in the
rowlocks. For this service thole-pins are best. In war time, rowing
guard near the ships or batteries of the enemy, or cutting out, many a
pea-jacket has been sacrificed for this purpose. Whale-boats have their
oars muffled to prevent frightening the whales.

MUFTI. Plain clothes. The civilian dress of a naval or military officer
when off duty. This, though not quite commendable, is better than the
half and half system, for a good officer should be either in uniform or
out of it.

MUGGY. Half intoxicated. A sheet in the wind. Also used to express damp,
oppressive weather.

MULCT. A fine in money for some fault or