, insomuch that they
are used for manuring land. Also, on our coasts the father-lasher or
sea-scorpion, _Cottus scorpius_, and in some parts the grey gurnard, are
so called.

HARD-HORSE. A tyrannical officer.

HARDING. A light kind of duck canvas made in the north.

HARD UP. The tiller so placed as to carry the rudder close over to
leeward of the stern-post. Also, used figuratively for being in great
distress, or poverty-struck; obliged to bear up for Poverty Bay; cleared
out.

HARD UP IN A CLINCH, AND NO KNIFE TO CUT THE SEIZING. Overtaken by
misfortune, and no means of evading it.

HARDS. _See_ ACUMBA.

HARLE. Mists or thick rolling fogs from the sea, so called in the north.
Also, a name of the _goosander_ (which see).

HARMATTAN. A Fantee name for a singular periodical easterly wind which
prevails on the west coast of Africa, generally in December, January,
and February; it is dry, though always accompanied by haze, the result
of fine red dust suspended in the atmosphere and obscuring the sun; this
wind is opposed to the sea-breeze, which would otherwise blow fresh from
the west on to the land.

HARNESS. An old statute term for the tackling or furniture of a ship.

HARNESS-CASK. A large conical tub for containing the salt provisions
intended for present consumption. Alluding to the junk, which is often
called salt-horse, it has been described as the tub where the horse, and
not the harness, is kept.

HARP-COCK. An old modification of the harpoon.

HARPENS. _See_ HARPINGS.

HARPER-CRAB. _See_ TOMMY HARPER.

HARPINGS, OR HARPENS. The fore-parts of the wales which encompass the
bow of a ship, and are fastened to the stem, being thicker than the
after-part of the wales, in order to strengthen the ship in that place
where she sustains the greatest shock of resistance in plunging into the
sea, or dividing it, under a great pressure of sail. Also, the pieces of
oak, similar to ribbands, but trimmed and bolted to the shape of the
body of the ship, which hold the fore and after cant bodies together,
until the ship is planked. But this term is mostly applicable to those
at the bow; hence arises the phrase "clean and full harpings." Harpings
in the bow of a vessel are decried as rendering the ship uneasy.--_Cat
harpings._ The legs which cross from futtock-staff to futtock-staff,
below the tops, to girt in the rigging, and allow the lower yards to
brace sharp up.

HARPOON, OR HARPAGO. A spear or javelin with a