} 
in the United States of America. 471 
_ peas, vetches,.&c. which, however, they sometimes distinguish by the de- 
nomination, smaller corn.” Rees’s Cyclop. art. Corn. The meal of Indian 
‘corn, which we call Indian meat, is in a generally called Indian corn 
meal, 
CORN-BLADES ; “ leaves of maize (south. states.)” Webst. 
CORN-STALK ; “a stalk ‘or'stem of maize.” Wedst. The farmers of New 
‘England commonly use this word inthe flura/ number, corn-stalks, or 
\ "simply, stalks, to denote the upper part of the stalk (above the car of corn) 
“© which is cut off while green, and then dried, to feed their cattle with. 
COSSET ; '“ a lamb brought up by the hand.” ‘Wedst. Also, a favorite or darl- 
ing. This word is used in New England, as the word fet is in the south- 
ern states and ‘in — Itis’ now a ecniuat word in — accord- 
~ ing to Grose. 
COUNTY, © In speaking of counties, the names of which are compounded of the 
word ines, (for Saeed Hisntipiahines Berkshire) &c.) we ie the county of 
Hampshire, the county of “Berkshire, &c. In England. they would say, 
either Hampshire or Berkshire simply, without the: word county ; or, the 
county of Hants, the county of Berks, &c. The word shire of itself, as ey- 
ery body knows, means county and in one instance, (in Massachusetts,) this 
* latter word is used instead of s/ire, as a part of the name.: “ the county of 
Duke's , bye sorst tT ‘pen eGasyen exw srinesia I brow 2: 
COUNTERACTION; a counteracting. ‘It is sometimes, though ici used 
- by American writers in this manner: He prevailed over his enemies by 
the counteraction [counteracting] of their designs. . I never saw it so used 
in any English work. It is not to be found in any of the dictionaries except 
Mr. Webster’s. 
CREATURE. An English traveller makes the following remark on this word : 
-« Creature, pronounced creatur, is used in New England, in regard:to men, 
in all the senses of the French animal, béte and monstre.” Kendall's trav- 
els, V. iii. P- 255. Tn the hlural- number it is in yery common use among 
__ farmers | as a general name for horses, oxen, kc, Ex, Fhe creatures will 
be be put into the pasture to day. It is frequently 50 used i in the o/d laws of 
“some of the states. “ The owners or claimers of : any such creatures fe é 
- swine, neat-cattle, horses, or sheep’] impounded | as aforesaid shall pay 
the fees,” &e. Province Laws of Massachusetis, Stat. 10. Wm.3. & 
. 
