HAN 
cleft, superior; petals four; drupe dry, 
inclosing a four-celled nut. There are two 
species, viz. H. prostrata and H. cercodia. 
HAMAMELIS, in botany, a genus of 
the Tetrandria Digynia class and order. 
Natural order of Berberides, Jussieu. Es- 
sential character: involucre three-leaved; 
periantliers four-leaved; petals four; nut 
two-horned, two-celled. There is only one 
species, viz. H. virginica, witch hazel. 
HAMELIA, in botany, so called from 
Jean Baptiste du Hamel du Monceau, a 
genus of the Pentandria Monogynia class 
and order. Natural order of Rubiaceae, Jus- 
sieu. Essential character: corolla five, 
cleft; berry five-celled, inferior, many- 
seeded. There are four species, all natives 
of the West Indies. 
HAMMER, a well known tool used by 
mechanics, consisting of an iron head, fixed 
cross-wise upon a handle of wood. 
There are several sorts of hammers used 
by blacksmiths ; as, 1. The hand-hammer, 
which is of such weight that it may be 
wielded or governed with one hand at the 
anvil. 2. The up-hand sledge, used with 
both hands, and seldom lifted above the 
head. 3. The about-sledge, which is the 
biggest hammer of all, and held by both 
hands at the farthest end of the handle, and 
being swung at arms-length over the head, 
is made to fall upon the work with as heavy 
a blow as possible. There is also another 
hammer used by smiths, called a rivetting- 
hammer, which is the smallest of all, and is 
seldom used at the forge, unless upon small 
work. 
HAMMOCK, in naval affairs, a piece of 
hempen cloth six feet long and three feet 
wide, gathered together at the two ends by 
means of a clue, and slung horizontally un- 
der the deck, forming a receptacle for a 
bed. There are about from fourteen to 
twenty inches in breadth allowed between 
the decks for every hammock in a ship of 
war. In preparing for battle, the ham- 
mocks, with their contents, are all firmly 
corded, taken upon deck, and fixed in va- 
rious nettings, so as to form a barricade 
against small shot. 
HAMSTER. SeeMus. 
HAN APER office, in the Court of Chan- 
eery, is that out of which all original writs 
issue that pass under the great seal, and all 
commissions of charitable uses, sewers, 
bankrupts, idiocy, lunacy, and the like. 
These writs, relating to the business of the 
subject, and the returns to them, were ori- 
H A R 
ginally kept in a hamper, in kanaperio ; the 
other writs, relating to such matters where- 
in the crown is immediately or mediately 
concerned, were preserved in a little sack 
or bag, in parva baga ; and thence arises 
the distinction of the hanaper office, and 
petty bag office ; both of which belong to 
the common law court in Chancery 
HAND. See Anatomy. 
Hand breadth, a measure of three inches. 
By thip standard the height of horses is es- 
timated. 
Hand cuff's, an instrument. formed of two 
circular pieces of iron, each fixed on a 
hinge on the ends of a very short iron bar, 
which being locked over the wrists of a 
malefactor, prevents his using his hands. 
Hand spikes, wooden levers used at sea 
to traverse the ordnance, or to turn the 
windlass in weighing up the anchor, Sec. They 
are more commodious than iron crows, be- 
cause their length allows a better poize. 
Hands, in heraldry, are borne in coat- 
armour dexter and sinister, that is, right 
and left, expanded or open. These are 
the most necessary parts of the human 
body, as they serve to express all sorts 
of actions, and even our very thoughts and 
designs ; thus joining of hands is an univer- 
sal token of friendship, and clapping 0 f 
hands a general mark of applause. 
HANKS, in naval affairs, are wooden 
rings fixed upon the stays to confine stay- 
sails at different distances. They are in 
place of gromets, being more conveni- 
ent as well as of a later invention. They i 
are formed by bending a tough piece of 
woodinto the form of a wreath, and fastened 
at the two ends by means of notches, there- 
by retaining their circular figure and elasti- 
city, whereas the gromets, which are form- 
ed of rope, are apt to relax in warm wea- 
ther, and which adhere. 
HANSE towns, port-towns of Germany, 
of which Lubec and Hamburgh were the 
chief. They were formerly all of them 
imperial cities, confederated for their mutual 
defence, and the protection of their trade. 
HARBOUR, a place where ships may 
ride safe at anchor, chiefly used in speaking 
of those secured by a boom and chain, aud 
furnished with a mole. The bottom of a 
good harbour should be fx - ee from rocks and 
shallows : the entrance should be of sufficient 
extent to admit large ships : it should have 
good anchoring ground, and be easy Of ac- 
cess ; itshouldhave room and convenience to 
receive the shipping of different nations : it 
