APPENDIX.

XXV posited ; but Eustathius will have it to be nothing more than a piece of wood, against which it was reared. About the mast was constructed a kind of turret for soldiers to stand upon and cast darts.

Sails are by some thought to have been first invented by Daedalus, and to have given rise to the fable of his using wings ; others refer this invention to Icarus, making Daedalus the contriver of masts and yards. There was originally only one sail in a ship ; but afterwards a greater number was found convenient ; the names of which are enumerated by Potter.

Sails were commonly of linen; but sometimes of any other material fit for receiving and repelling the wind. We occasionally find mention of leathern sails ; and it was usual with the ancients, when none were at hand, to hang up their garments for this purpose ; whence arose (continues our author) the fable of Hercules, who is feigned to have sailed with the hack of a lion, because he used no other sail but his garment, which was a lion’s skin. Occasionally the ropes and rigging were for the most part composed of leathern thongs; afterwards cordage of hemp and flax came into use, as well as of broom, palmleaves, philyry, and the bark of trees, such as cherry, vine, maple, 6tc. The oars were usually covered with brass in the blade, or broad part of the oar, to make them stronger and more durable ; the oars of the lowest bank were shorter than the rest, and those of the uppermost ranges were necessarily the longest, being at the greatest distance from the water, for which reason it was customary to load their handles with lead, lest the bottom should outpoise the top. The row-locks, and the seats of the rowers were generally covered with hides.

The most ancient anchors are said to have been of stone, and occasionally of wood, to which a quantity of lead w'as attached. In some places, baskets full of stones, and sacks filled with sand, were employed for this purpose. In later times they were composed of iron, and furnished with teeth (arms,) whence oSovtes and dentes are frequently used for the anchors themselves in the Greek and Latin poets. Originally there was only one tooth ; but a second d Oars and anchors.