at
great distances from the land, the term is limited in common parlance to
parts not far from the shore, and where the depth is about 80 or 100
fathoms. Also, a name given to the specimen of the ground brought up
adhering to the tallow stuck upon the base of the deep-sea lead, and
distinguishing the nature of the bottom, as sand, shells, ooze, &c.

SOUNDLESS. Places assumed formerly to be bottomless, but thousands of
fathoms are now measured. Our elders little thought of a submarine
telegraph across the Atlantic Ocean!

SOURCE. The spring or origin of a stream or river, or at least one of
the tributaries of supply.

SOURS. An old word for a rise, or rapid ascent.

SOUSE. A method of pickling fish by immersing them in vinegar after
being boiled. (_See_ MARL.)

SOUSED GURNET. Best expressed by Falstaff's--"If I be not ashamed of my
soldiers, I am a soused gurnet."

SOUTHERN CROSS. The popular name of a group of stars near the South
Pole, which are somewhat in the figure of a cross.

SOUTHERN-LIGHTS. _See_ AURORA AUSTRALIS.

SOUTHING. In navigation, implies the distance made good towards the
south: the opposite of _northing_.

SOUTHING OF THE MOON. The time at which the moon passes the meridian of
any particular place. Popularly the term is used to denote the meridian
transit of any heavenly body south of the observer.

SOUTH SEA. _See_ PACIFIC OCEAN.

SOUTH-WESTER. A useful water-proof hat for bad weather.

SOUTH-WIND. A mild wind in the British seas with frequent fogs; it
generally brings rain or damp weather.

SOW. The receptacle into which the molten iron is poured in a
gun-foundry. The liquid iron poured from it is termed _pig_, whence the
term pig-ballast.

SPADE. In open speaking, to call a spade a spade is to give a man his
real character. The phrase is old and still in use.

SPADO, OR SPADROON. A cut-and-thrust sword [from the Spanish].

SPAKE-NET. A peculiar net for catching crabs.

SPALDING-KNIFE. A knife used for splitting fish in Newfoundland.

SPALDINGS. A north-country name for whitings and other small fish, split
and dried.

SPALES. In naval architecture, internal strengthening by cross
artificial beams. (_See_ CROSS-SPALES.)

SPAN. A rope with both ends made fast, so that a purchase may be hooked
to its bight. Also, a small line or cord, the middle of which is usually
attached to a stay, whence the two ends branch outwards to the right and
left, having either a block or thimble