astles.

CAST-OFFS. Landsmen's clothes.

CAST OF THE LEAD. The act of heaving the lead into the sea to ascertain
what depth of water there is. (_See also_ HEAVE THE LEAD and SOUNDING.)
The result is a cast--"Get a cast of the lead."

CASTOR. {a} Gemini, a well-known nautical star in the zodiac, which has
proved to be a double star.

CASTOR AND POLLUX. Fiery balls which appear at the mast-heads,
yard-arms, or sticking to the rigging of vessels in a gale at sea.
(_See_ COMPASANT and CORPOSANT.)

CASTRAMETATION. The art of planning camps, and selecting an appropriate
position, in which the main requirement is that the troops of all arms
should be so planted in camp as immediately to cover their proper
positions in the line of battle.

CAST THE WRONG WAY. _See_ WRONG WAY.

CASUALTIES. In a military sense, comprehends all men who die, are
wounded, desert, or are discharged as unfit for service.

CAT. A ship formed on the Norwegian model, and usually employed in the
coal and timber trade. These vessels are generally built remarkably
strong, and may carry six hundred tons; or in the language of their own
mariners, from 20 to 30 keels of coals. A cat is distinguished by a
narrow stern, projecting quarters, a deep waist, and no ornamental
figure on the prow.

CATALAN. A small Spanish fishing-boat.

CATAMARAN. A sort of raft used in the East Indies, Brazils, and
elsewhere: those of the island of Ceylon, like those of Madras and other
parts of that coast, are formed of three logs; the timber preferred for
their construction is the _Dup_ wood, or _Cherne-Maram_, the pine
varnish-tree. Their length is from 20 to 25 feet, and breadth 2-1/2 to
3-1/2 feet, secured together by means of three spreaders and cross
lashings, through small holes; the centre log is much the largest, with
a curved surface at the fore-end, which tends and finishes upwards to a
point. The side logs are very similar in form, and fitted to the centre
log. These floats are navigated with great skill by one or two men, in a
kneeling position; they think nothing of passing through the surf which
lashes the beach at Madras and at other parts of these coasts, when even
the boats of the country could not live upon the waves; they are also
propelled out to the shipping at anchor when boats of the best
construction and form would be swamped. In the monsoons, when a sail can
be got on them, a small out-rigger is placed at the end of two poles, as
a balance, wi