MUD, S. The slime at the bottom of still water; earth well moistened with water. MUE, v. To moult, to change feathers. MUFFLE, v. To cover from the weather; to blindfold; to conceal; to involve, to hood a hawk. MULE, 8, An animal generally between a he-ass and a mare, or between a horse and a she-ass. put their hind-feet together, but a little forward, as if they were going to lie down. In this attitude, having taken as it were, a survey of the road, they slide down with the swiftness of a meteor. In the mean time, all that the rider has to do, is to keep himself fast on the saddle without checking the rein, for the least motion is sufficient to dis These useful and hardy animals are the offspring of the horse and ass, or ass and mare; those produced between the two last are esteemed the best, as the mule is observed to partake less of the male than of the female parent: yet it is a general remark, that they almost always inherit, in some degree, the obstinacy of the parent ass, though it must be confessed that this vice is height-order the equilibrium of the mule, in which ened by their being injudiciously broke in. case they both unavoidably perish. But their address in this rapid descent is truly wonderful, for in their swiftest motion, when they seem to have lost all government of themselves, they follow exactly the different windings of the road, as if they had previously settled in their mind the route they were to follow, and had taken every precau Savoy produces very large mules, but the finest are bred in Spain. They are chiefly used in countries where there are rocky and stony roads, as about the Alps and Pyrenees, &c. Great numbers of them are kept in these places; they are usually black, and are strong, well-made, and large, being mostly bred out of fine Spanish mares.-tion for their safety. They are sometimes fifteen or sixteen hands high, and a good one of this kind is worth fifty or sixty pounds. No creature is so proper for carrying large burdens, or more sure footed. They are much stronger for draught than our horses; often as thick-set as our dray-horses, and will, travel for several months together, with six or eight hundred weight on their backs. The mule far excels the horse for travelling in a mountainous country, the former being able to tread securely, where the latter can hardly stand. Their manner of going down the precipices of the Alps, the Andes, &c., is very extraordinary. In these passages, on one side are steep eminences, and on the other frightful abysses, and as they generally follow the direction of the mountain, the road, instead of lying on a level, forms at every little distance, deep declivities of several hundred yards downward. These can be descended only by mules, and these animals seem sensible of the danger, and the caution that is to be used in such descents. When they come to the edge of one of these precipices, they stop, without being checked by the rider, and if he inadvertently attempts to spur them on, they continue immoveable, apparently ruminating on the danger that lies before them, and preparing themselves for the encounter. They not only attentively view the road, but tremble and snort at the danger. Having prepared for the descent, they place their forefeet in a posture as if they were stopping themselves, they then MULLET, 8. A sea fish. In these journeys the natives place themselves along the sides of the mountains, and holding by the roots of the trees, animate the beasts with shouts, and encourage them to persevere. Some mules, after being long used to such travelling, acquire a kind of reputation for their safety and skill, and their value rises in proportion to their fame. The Roman ladies had equipages drawn by mules, as appears from the medals of Julia and Agrippa, and at this day, in Spain, the carriages of the nobility, and even of princes, are usually drawn by them. We are assured that M. de Thou, first president of the parliament, had the fourth coach in France, in 1505, till which time every body rode to court and parliament on mules. * 串 The progeny between the pheasant and the common fowl, are necessarily mules, as proceeding from different species, although of the same genus. They may be obtained with some little difficulty, which they scarcely repay, as being neither an improvement in form nor goodness of the flesh. It is recommended, as the best method, to confine a cock-pheasant half grown with two pullets of the same age, either game, bantam, or common, as may be desired; or to make a house for common hens in a pheasant preserve near home, where they will soon associate with the pheasants, and be trodden by the cocks. Hybrids, or, mules, between the pheasant and black grouse, have been occasionally found on the moors.-Le KeuxMoubray. The mullet is found in great plenty on haunts those small bays that have influxes of several of our sandy coasts, and, in particular | fresh water; they are very cunning, and when surrounded with a net, the whole shoal frequently escapes by leaping over it; for when one takes the lead, the others are sure to follow. They come in great shoals into the rivers with the tide during the summer, and keep rooting, like hogs, in the sand or mud, leaving their traces in the form of large round holes; but return back when the water ebbs, never stopping in the rivers. They are something like the dace in shape, yet much thicker; the head is almost square and flat on the top; the nose blunt; lips thick; they have no teeth, only the upper-lip is a little rough, as is also the tongue; between the eyes and mouth is a hard callus; the pupil of the eye is black, encircled with a small silvery line; the colour of the back is dusky, varied with blue and green; the sides silvery, marked with broad, dusky, parallel lines, reaching from head to tail, which is much forked; the scales are large and deciduous, and are also upon the covers of the gills and head, and extend as far as the nostrils. The largest are nearly half a yard long, and the flesh is excellent. poles across the entrance of the cove. The nets were then extended along these uprights, and also secured firmly to the bottom of the spars: the lower part of the net is kept upon the bottom by a row of stones, and the remainder laid flat upon the sands. With the flowtide the fish pass over the prostrate net, and run along the estuary; at high water the buoy-ropes are raised and secured to the upright poles; with the assistance of a boat the whole is effected in a few minutes, and a network barrier effectually cuts off the retreat of all within. When the ebb of tide commences, the mullet begins to retire, and when they discover that their egress is obstructed, their attempts to effect a passage are both constant and curious-now running down the nets, trying for a broken mesh by which to force an aperture-now with a bold spring endeavouring to clear the buoy-ropes, and, even after repeated failures, leaping at it again, and again. The last effort is directed to the bottom, but there the heavy stones resist every attempt to dislodge them, and deserted by the treacherous water, the mullet are left upon the bare sands. * * The general length of the common mullet (mugil) is from twelve to eighteen inches. When used immediately after being taken, the fish is excellent; carriage, even for a short distance, injures it. Dr. Blotch recommends oil and lemon-juice to be used with it at table. Vinegar, with parsley and melted butter, is better" probatum est." Although the mullet are generally first seen here in the month of June, from the wetness of this summer the shoals are later in their appearance than usual. Mullet are taken in draught-nets like salmon, but on this coast a different mode of fishing is pursued. The shoals in hot weather run in with the tide, and after remaining on the shores and estuaries during flood they return with the ebbing water. The following method we employed in our fishing to-day: being provided with a sufficient quantity of herringnets, and a number of spars and poles, we selected, at low water, a sandy creek for our operations, and commenced erecting a line of MULTIPAROUS, a. Bringing many at a birth * This fish is sometimes preserved by salting; and from its spawn an inferior kind of caviar, called botargo, is prepared, by using the common process of curing and drying.Wild Sports. MUM, 8. Ale brewed with wheat. MUNGREL, S. Anything generated between different kinds; anything MUNGREL, a. Generated between different natures, baseborn, degenerate. MURIATES, 8. Combinations of muriatic acid, with alkalies, earths, or Muriate of Ammonia, commonly named Muriate of Copper.-A solution of verdicrude sal ammoniac.-When dissolved in gris in muriatic acid or spirit of salt. A vinegar, it has been been found a useful mild caustic, and diluted occasionally with application for splents when in a state of water. inflammation. Muriate of ammonia, powdered Vinegar Alcohol Water 2 dr. 1 oz. 1 oz. 2 oz.-Mix. Muriate of Soda.-Common salt, or the salt employed with food. This is an excellent laxative for cattle, and, in small doses, Mow-burnt hay, or promotes digestion. bad hay of any kind, is made more palatable to horses and cattle by being moistened with Muriate of Antimony, or Butter of Anti-water in which a small quantity of salt has mony.-A strong and useful caustic, employed by smiths, in canker, punctured wounds from picking up a nail, bruises of the foot, &c. been dissolved, and it is, perhaps, rendered more easy of digestion also.-White. MURKY, a. Dark, cloudy, wanting light. Mus, s. A tribe of order Glires, and class Mammalia. In it are included the common rat and mouse, Norway rat, musk rat, &c. &c. MUSCADINE, 8. A kind of sweet grape, sweet wine. MUSCLE, 8. A bivalve shell-fish. MUSCOVY, CAIRO, GUINEA, or INDIAN DUCK (Anas moschatus, LINN.; Le Canard Musque, BUFF.) 8. This species is much larger than the common duck, measuring about two feet in length. The bill is two inches long; the tip and nostrils brown; the other parts of it red, as is also the red warty skin which joins its base, and surrounds the eyes. The crown of the head is rather tufted or crested, and black; the cheeks, throat, and fore part of the neck, white, irregularly marked with black; the belly, from the breast to the thighs, white. The general colour of the rest of the plumage is deep brown, darkest, and glossed with green on the back, rump, quills, and tail; the two outside feathers of the latter, and the first three of the former, are white: the Legs and feet are red, short, and thick. This is the general appearance of the musk duck; but, as it is domesticated in almost every country, it varies very much, like all other birds in that state. In the female, the bare warty or carunculated skin which is spread from the bill over the eyes, is of a much duller red, and does not cover so large a portion of MUSCULAR, a. Performed by muscles. the head as it does in the male she is also of a less size. These birds have obtained the name of Musk Duck from their musky smell, which arises from the liquor secreted in the glands on the rump. They are a thriving and prolific species, and their flesh, which is highly flavoured, is by many very much esteemed. They will associate with the common ducks; and instances are not wanting of their producing a mixed breed.-Bewick. MUSK, 8. A very powerful perfume; it is procured from a kind of Indian goat. MUSKET, 8. A soldier's gun; a male hawk of a small kind. MUSKETEER, S. A soldier whose weapon is his musket MUSKETOON, obs. A blunderbuss, a short gun of a large bore. MUSSEL, 8. A fish inhabiting two shells, from which, in some seas, pearls are often obtained. It is found in large beds adhering to other bodies by a long silky beard. MUST, 8. The unfermented juice of the grape. MUSTARD, 8. A plant. MUSTY, a, Mouldy, spoiled with damp, moist and fetid; stale. MUTE, a. Silent, not vocal, not having the use of voice. MUTE, S. The excrement of hawks. MUTE, . To dung as birds. MUTTON, S. The flesh of sheep dressed for food; a sheep. MUZZLE, S. The mouth of any thing; a fastening for the mouth which hinders to bite; a contrivance to prevent a horse from eating hay or litter. MUZZLE, v. To secure the mouth. MYOPY, 8. Shortness of sight. MYRRH, S. A precious kind of gum. Myrrh is sometimes used in veterinary practice. The tincture is a favourite remedy with grooms and farriers, for recent wounds. The dose of myrrh is from one or two to three drachms. MYRUS, s. A species of sea-serpent. MYRTLE, S. A genus of plants, including the allspice, and many other valuable spice trees. The myrtle was anciently held sacred to Venus. MYRTLE-BERRY. s. The fruit of the myrtle. MYTILITE, S. A petrified mussel shell. MYXON, s. A fish of the mullet kind. N THE NEWFOUNDLAND DOG. AG, S. A small horse, a horse in familiar language NAIL, 8. The horny substance at the ends of the fingers and toes; the talons of birds and beasts; a spike of metal by which things are fastened together; a stud, a boss; a kind of measure, two inches and a quarter. NAPE, 8. The joint of the neck behind. NARCOTIC, a. Producing torpor, or stupefaction. employed with a view to open the heels; but of course they have never done any good, either in the way of prevention or cure. The hoof has been all rasped away, and the horse turned to grass until a new hoot has grown down of a proper form, but it has never done any good. That cruel operation of tearing off the sole, technically termed drawing the sole, was formerly practised for it, but is now, I trust, completely discontinued. In short, every thing that human ingenuity can devise has been tried, but nothing has ever been found to cure this disorder. I believe at this time ali veterinarians agree in the opinion of its being absolutely incurable.- Blaine. Chronic lameness may exist in various degrees, and, in the early stages of the disorder, a horse may do considerable work, by paring his feet properly, and keeping them cool and moist; by paring the soles, putting on a wide hollow shoe, and keeping them stopped with tar ointment. By such management the progress of the disease may be retarded, and the horse much relieved; but it can never be cured. Most commonly the disease gradually gets worse, and at length the horse become unfit for every kind of work. At this period the horse is generally blistered or fired, and turned to grass. But this never does any good; shoes with claws, or hinges and screws, have been proposed, and 'NATIVE, a. Produced by nature, not artificial; natural, such as is according to nature; conferred by birth; pertaining to the time or place of birth, original. |