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gins, and this is often called the hoift, or holding 
part ; and the lowermoft part, called the heel, 
reaches to the lower extremity. There is the fame 
divifion of all the three parts ; of which the maft is 
compofed ; but of the lowermoft part of the maft, 
the heel part of it is hid below the upper decK in the 
body of the fhip. 
At the top of the main-maft, on the extremity, 
is fixed a piece of wood, which has a hole in it ; 
and at the lower part of the head of the main-maft; 
are alfo fixed lome pieces of wood crofs each other, 
on which lies a fcaffolding called the top : through 
thefe the top-maft is thruft upwards; and when 
eroded at its greateft height, the lower part of the 
top-maft, called the heel, and the upper part of the 
main-maft he clofe to and againft each other, and 
betwixt the top, or fcaffold, and the cap : and fo the 
top-maft and top-gallant-maft together: but the head 
part of the top-gallant-maft, as there is no other 
above it, is tapered away to a point, whereon is fixed 
an iron fpindle and vane. 
As a fhip does not at all times carry her fail of the 
fame height, but higher or lower in proportion to 
the ftrength of the wind or other circumftances, it 
is upon the middlemoft of the three parts above- 
mentioned, into which the mafts are divided as to 
length, that the fails are made to flip up and down, 
and are attached to the maft by feveral pieces of 
wood fixed by a rope round it to the yard, that ex- 
tends the fail, and this flips up and down along 
with the yard, and is called the parrel. 
And as it is neceftary to cover thefe mafts with 
fome matter, that may preferve them from the 
weather 
