FOR 
ral Elliott's defence of Gibraltar, creates an 
enthusiasm that makes each man a hero ! It 
is in such places, and in such exigencies, 
that the man of genius may render himself 
conspicuous, and his name immortal ! The 
planning of defences in opposition to ap- 
proaches, both numerous and stupendous 
in their construction, and the contrivance 
of interior safety, as well as the means 
of protracting, and of annihilating the ef- 
forts of a numerous besieging army, com- 
posed of the flower of two nations, while 
they upheld the brave defenders of Gib- 
raltar to the admiration of the world, and 
endeared them to their country, afford 
the best example as to the duties of those 
who are entrusted with the defence of for- 
tified places, and should encourage to the 
formation of work after work in the inte- 
rior, to prolong the doubtful contest, and to 
hold out to the very last moment. 
Fortification under such circumstances is 
certainly a most important science ; and, 
when duly executed, often gives a turn to 
the balance of war, and produces the most 
extraordinary reverses. Record furnishes 
various instances of comparative handfuls 
of men, having, by the aid of field-works, 
such as aline of redans or fleches, supported 
by redoubts, within musquet-shot of each 
other ; or of swallow-tails, that is, irregu- 
larly indented lines, and various other de- 
fences made in favourable positions ; such as 
rising grounds, or between two deep ri- 
vers, or around a town, or among heavy 
woods, so completely foiled all the at- 
tempts of large armies, as to cause their 
retreat, and ultimately their route or dis- 
persion. Field-works are generally slight, 
being intended only for temporary defence ; 
' they sometimes answer well for the protec- 
tion of convoys, and are always most formi- 
dable when flanked by posts made in 
churches, mills, old castles, and a variety of 
such edifices. When the ground is uneven, 
the line should run so as to occupy the most 
commanding spots ; at which the artillery 
should be principally stationed. 
Field fortification is full of variety ; for 
it is perhaps scarcely possible to point out 
any two stations taken by any army in the 
‘course of many and active campaigns, that 
would suit the same form of defence. 
Hence the superior ability of an engineer 
becomes conspicuous. An inferior army is 
obliged to intrench on the strongest ground 
it can command, so as to check a superior, 
and conquering enemy, advancing rapidly 
to its attack. No time is left for deep re- 
FOR 
search, for consultation, for substitution, or 
for the correction of errors : the thing must 
be done off hand ! When such is the case, 
the engineer must first observe the weak 
points, and effectually secure them. He 
must then take every advantage of the 
strong parts ; and, connecting the two, so 
that the former shall be supported by the 
latter, form such a powerful range of oppo- 
sition, as may at once appal the eager as- 
sailants. The knowledge of component 
parts, of fit proportions, and of a thou- 
sand technical requisites, are attainable by 
most persons of common intellect ; but 
many possess a great depth of learning in 
these particulars, who nevertheless are 
wanting in the indispensable qualities of 
quick perception, and of ready and appro- 
priate decision. 
FORTIFIED, an appellation given to 
places defended by ramparts, bastions, 
ditches, covert-ways, half-moons, ravelines, 
tenailles, and other out-works. See the 
preceding article. 
FOSS, in fortification, a hollow place, 
commonly full of water, lying between the 
scarp and counterscarp, below the rampart; 
and turning round a fortified place, or a post 
that is to be defended. 
Foss way, one of the four principal high- 
ways of England, that anciently led through 
the kingdom; supposed to be made by 
the Romans, having a ditch upon one side 
thereof. 
FOSSA, in our ancient customs, was 
tised to signify a ditch full of water, where- 
in women, convicted of felony, v\ ere drown- 
ed. See Furca. 
FOSSIL, in natural history, denotes, in 
general, every thing dug out of the earth, 
whether they be natives thereof, as metals, 
stones, salts, earths, and other minerals ; or 
extraneous, reposited in the bowels of the 
earth by some extraordinary means, as earth- 
quakes, the deluge, &c. See Mineralogy. 
FOTHERGILLA, in botany, so called 
in memory of John Fothergill, M. D. a 
genus of the Polyandria Digynia class and 
order. Natural order of Amentaceae, Jus- 
sieu. Essential character : calyx ament, 
ovate ; scales one-flowered ; corolla calyx- 
form, one-petalled, five- cleft. There is but 
one species. 
FOTHERING, in naval affairs, a pecu- 
liar method of endeavouring to stop a leak 
in the bottom of a ship, while she is afloat, 
either at sea or at anchor, which is perform- 
ed by fastening a sail at the four corners, 
letting it down under the ship’s bottom. 
