oasts of Greece for fiumare, or
torrents, which are dry at certain seasons.

XUGIA. The second bank of rowers in an ancient trireme.

XYLOSTROMA. Oak-leather, a peculiar fungus found within growing oaks.

Y.

YACHT. A vessel of state or pleasure: the former is usually employed to
convey great personages. One of the designs of a yacht being
accommodation, they are usually fitted up with great comfort; their
propulsion is by sails or steam. Small yachts, rigged as sloops, were
formerly used by the commissioners of the navy; they were originally
royal yachts, and one at Chatham was renowned as the yacht of Queen
Elizabeth, the same plate being in use in her up to a very late date.
Private pleasure-boats, when sufficiently large for a sea voyage, are
also termed yachts. (_See_ ROYAL YACHT.)

YACHT CLUB, ROYAL. An institution embodied by a number of noblemen and
gentlemen about the year 1820, to which certain privileges are attached.
It was originally established at Cowes, but several ports, as well as
the Thames, have their special clubs, and similar privileges.

YAM. The tubers of the _Dioscorea sativa_, and others; a valuable
vegetable on long voyages. _D. aculeata_ frequently produces tubers 3
feet long, and weighing 30 lbs. Also, the West India word for food;
"Toko for yam," the negro's punishment--blows but no food.

YANKEE. An appellation often erroneously given to North Americans in
general, whereas it is strictly applicable to those of the New England
states only; it is not used complimentarily in the back settlements.

YARD. A measure of length, consisting of 3 feet.

YARD [Anglo-Saxon _gyrde_]. A long cylindrical timber suspended upon the
mast of a vessel to spread a sail. They are termed square, lateen, or
lug: the first are suspended across the masts at right angles, and the
two latter obliquely. The square yards taper from the middle, which is
called the slings, towards the extremities, which are termed the
yard-arms; and the distance between is divided by the artificers into
quarters, called the first, second, third quarters, and yard-arms. The
middle quarters are formed into eight sides, and each of the end parts
is figured like the frustum of a cone: on the alternate sides of the
octagon, in large spars, oak battens are brought on and hooped, so as to
strengthen, and yet not greatly increase, the weight.--_To brace the
yards._ To traverse them about the masts, so as to form greater or
lesse