cou 
almost exclusively by the poor. The mailed 
bull-head, or C. cataphractus, is found in 
abundance in the seas of Europe. For a 
representation of it see Pisces, Plate III. 
fig. 2. 
COTYLEDON. A seed consists of lliree 
parts ; viz. the cotyledons, the radicle, and 
the plnmula, which are usually inclosed in 
a cover. If we take a garden bean, w'e 
may perceive each of these three parts with 
great ease ; for this seed is of so large a size, 
that all its organs are exceedingly distinct. 
When we strip off the external coats of the 
bean, which are two, and of different de- 
grees of thickness in different parts, we 
find that it easily divides into two lobes, 
pretty nearly of the same size and figure. 
Each of these lobes is called a cotyledon. 
The cotyledons of the bean, then, are two 
in number. See Germixation. 
Cotyledon, in botany, a genus of the 
Decandria Pentagynia class and order. 
Natural order of Succulentee. Sempervivae 
Jussieu. Essential character; calyx five- 
cleft; corolla one-petalled, with five nec- 
tareous scales at the base of the germ; 
capsules five. There are nineteen species, 
almost all of them natives of the Cape. 
COUCHANT, in heraldry, is understood 
of a lion, or other beast, when lying down, 
but with his head raised, which distinguishes 
the posture of couchant from dormant, 
wherein he is supposed quite stretched out 
and asleep. 
COUCHE, in heraldry, denotes any 
thing lying along : thus, chevron couch6, is 
a chevron lying sideways, with the two 
ends on one side of the shield, which should 
properly rest on the base. 
COUCHING, in surgery, one of the tw o 
chief methods of curing a cataract, by cou- 
ching with the needle. 
COVENANT, in law, the agreement or 
consent of two or more by deed in writing, 
sealed and delivered; whereby either, or 
one of the parties, promises to the other 
that something is already done, or shall 
be hereafter done ; he that makes the co- 
venant, is called the covenantor, and he 
to whom it is made is denominated the 
covenantee. 
A covenant is either in fact or in law. 
A covenant in fact is that which is ex- 
pressly agreed on between the parties. In 
law it is that covenant which the law intends 
and implies, though it be not expressed in 
terms ; as w’here a person grants a lease of 
a house, &c. for a certain term, the law 
will intend a covenant on the lessor’s part. 
COU 
that the lessee shall quietly enjoy the pre. 
mises during the term against all incum- 
brances. 
There is also a covenant real, and a co- 
venant merely personal. A covenant real, 
is when a person binds himself to pass some 
real things, as lands or tenements, or to 
levy a fine of lands, &c. A covenant per- 
sonal, is when the same is altogether per- 
sonal; as if a person, by deed, covenants 
with another to build him a house, or to do 
him some other service, &c. 
Covenant to stand seized^ to use, is where 
a man who has a wife, children, brother, 
sister, or other kindred, does by deed in 
writing, under hand and seal, covenant and 
agree, that for their provision or prefer- 
ment, he and his heirs shall stand seized of 
the land to their use, either in fee simple, 
fee tail, or for life. 
COVERT, in law. See Coverture. 
Covert way, or Corridor, in fortification, 
a space of ground level with the field on 
the edge of the ditch, three or four fathoms 
broad, ranging quite round the half moons, 
and other woks toward the country. It 
has a parapet raised on a level, together 
with its banquets and glacis. The greatest 
effort in sieges, is to make a lodgment on 
the covert- way, because the besieged usual- 
ly pallisade it along the middle, and under- 
mine it on all sides. 
COVERTURE, in law', is applied to the 
state and condition of a mar-ried woman, 
who is under the power of her husband, 
and therefore called feme covert ; and dis- 
abled to contract with any person to the 
detriment either of herself or husband, 
without his consent and privity ; or allow- 
ance and confirmation thereof. 
COUGH. See Medicine. 
COULTER, in husbandry, an iron in- 
strument fixed in the beam of a plough, 
and serving to cut the edge of each furrow. 
See Plough. 
COUNCIL, or Counsel, in a general 
sense, an assembly of divers considerable 
persons to concert measures relating to 
the state. 
Council. In this country the law, in 
order to assist the King in the discharge of 
his duties, the maintenance of his dignity, 
and the exertion of his prerogative, hath 
assigned him a diversity of councils to ad- 
vise with. 
1 . The first of these is the high court of 
parliament. See Parliament. 
2. The peers of the realm are by their 
birth hereditary counsellors of the crown. 
