p, &c., or _lean_ (which see).
Also, _see_ FYEN.

FINE BREEZES. Said of the wind when the flying-kites may be carried, but
requiring a sharp look-out.

FINISHINGS. The carved ornaments of the quarter-galleries: _upper_ and
_lower_, as above or below the stools.

FINNER. Whales of the genus _Balaenoptera_ are so termed, being
distinguished from the right whales by the possession of a small
triangular adipose dorsal fin. There are several species, some of which
grow to a greater length than any other animals of the order, viz. 80 or
perhaps 90 feet. They are very active and difficult to harpoon, yield
comparatively little oil, and their baleen, or "whalebone," is almost
worthless; consequently, they suffer much less than the right whales
from the persecutions of the whalers. The finner, or great black fish,
is feared by whalers in general. It is vicious, and can only be attacked
by large boats in shallow water, as at the Bermudas, where the
whale-boats are about 50 or 60 feet long, and 12 feet beam. The fish
yields one barrel of oil for every foot in length beyond thirty. (_See_
RAZOR-BACK and RORQUAL.)

FINNIE. A northern name for salmon under a year old.

FINNOCK. A white kind of small salmon taken on the west coast of
Scotland.

FINTRUM SPELDIN. A small dried haddock.

FIN-WHALE. _See_ FINNER.

FIORD. A Norwegian pilot term for good channels among islets, and deep
inlets of the sea.

FIRBOME. An old term for a beacon, and appears thus in the _Promptorium
Parvulorum_.

FIR-BUILT. Constructed of fir.

FIRE! The order to put the match to the priming, or pull the trigger of
a cannon or other fire-arm so as to discharge it. The act of discharging
ordnance.

FIRE, LOSS BY. Is within the policy of insurance, whether it be by
accident, or by the fault of the master or mariners. Also, if a ship be
ordered by a state to be burnt to prevent infection, or if she be burnt
to prevent her falling into the hands of the enemy.

FIRE-AND-LIGHTS. Nickname of the master-at-arms.

FIRE-ARMS. Every description of arms that discharge missiles by
gunpowder, from the heaviest cannon to a pistol.

FIRE-ARROWS. Missiles in olden times carrying combustibles; much used in
the sea-fights of the middle ages.

FIRE-AWAY. Go on with your remarks.

FIRE-BALL. In meteorology, a beautiful phenomenon seen at times, the
origin of which is as yet imperfectly accounted for. It is also the
popular name for aerolites in general, because