and where the men walk to and fro. Great ships have three decks, first, se. cond, and third, beginning to count from the lowermoft. Half deck reaches from the main-mast to the ftem of the ship. Quarter-deck is that aloft the fteerage, reaching to the round-house. Fluth-deck is that which lies even in a right line fore and aft, from stem to stern. A rope-deck is that made of cordages, interwoven and stretched over a veffel, thro' which it is eafy to annoy an enemy, who comes to board her. They are little ufed but by small veffels, to defend them from privateers. DECKENDORF, a town of Bavaria, in Germany, fituated on the Danube, about thirty-feven miles fouth-eaft of Ratisbon: eaft longitude 13°, and north latitude 48°45'. DECLAMATION, a speech made in public, in the tone and manner of an oration, uniting the expreffion of action to the propriety of pronunciation, in order to give the fentiment its full impression upon the mind. Among the Greeks, declamation was the art of fpeaking indifferently on all fubjects, and on all fides of a question. With us it is reftrained to certain exercifes which scholars perform, to teach them to fpeak in public. DECLARATION, in law, is a formal fhewing in writing the ground of complaint of the plaintiff, in an action against the defendant, where the plaintiff is fupposed to have received fome injury. This declaration ought to be plain and certain, because it impeaches the defendant and obliges him to answer thereto. It is alfo an expofition of the writ, with the addition of time, circumftances, &c. and must be true as well as clear, for the court will not take things in it by impli cation: and it fets forth the names both of the plaintiff and defendant, the nature and caufe of the action, &c. and the damage received. Declaration, in an action real, is termed a count, See the article COUNT. DECLARATION in alfo ufed for a confeffion which the quakers are obliged to make and fubfcribe, instead of the oaths of fupremacy, &c. See AFFIRMATION. DECLARATION, a term of the customhouse, and of commerce in France, contains a particular account or invoice of what is contained in the bales, &c. brought to the offices for entrance inward or outward. DECLENSION, in grammar, an inflexion of nouns according to their divers cafes, as nominative, genitive, dative, &c. It is a different thing in the modern languages, which have not properly any cafes, from what it is in the antient greek and latin. With respect to languages, where the nouns admit of changes, either in the beginning, the middle, or ending, declention is properly the expreffion of all thofe changes in a certain or der, and by certain degrees called cafes. With regard to languages, where the nouns do not admit of changes in the fame number, declenfion is the expreffion of the different ftates a noun is in, and the different relations it has which difference of relations is marked by particles, and called articles, as a, the, of, to, from, by, &c. See ARTICLE. DECLENSION of a disease is when it is patt its height. DECLINATION, in aftronomy, the dif tance of any celestial object from the equinoctial, either northward or fouthward. It is either true or apparent, according as the real or apparent place of the object is confidered. The declination being an arch of a fecondary of the equinoctial intercepted between a given point and the equinoctial, and perpendicular to the fame, the declination of a ftar, &c. is found in the following manner. Firft obferve the altitude of the pole; as P R (plate LXVII. fig. 6.) this fubtracted from 90°, gives the height of the equator A H; then the. meridian altitude of the ftar HD being obferved, if it be greater than the altitude of the equator AH, the latter fubtracted from the former, leaves the declination northward AD: or if the altitude of the ftar HT be lefs than that of the equator A H, the former fubtracted from the latter, leaves the declination fouthward TA. If the ftar be in the qua drant ZR, then the leaft altitude MR, fubtracted from the altitude of the pole PR, leaves the diftance from the pole PM; which fubtracted again from the quadrant PQ, leaves the declination MQ By this method are constructed the tables ftar, ftar, to the meridian, and the degrees from the equinoctial there reckoned, either north or fouth, are the declination at noon. The greatest declination of the fun, or of the ecliptic, is commonly computed 23° 30'. See ECLIPTIC. Circle of DECLINATION. See the article CIRCLE. Refraction of the DECLINATION. See the article REFRACTION. DECLINATION of the fea-compass, or needle, is its variation from the true meridian of any place. See VARIATION. DECLINATION of a wall or plane for dials is an arch of the horizon, contained ei`ther between the plane and the prime vertical circle, if you reckon it from the eaft or weft; or else between the meridian and the plane, if you account it from north or fouth. There are many ways given by authors for finding the declination of a plane, of which all thofe that depend upon the magnetic needle deserve to be fufpected on many accounts. The common method, by finding the fun's horizontal distance from the pole of the plane, is fubject to many errors and difficulties. The way therefore we would recommend as the beft for finding the declination of a plane, is by a declinator. See the next article. DECLINATOR, or DECLINATORY, an inftrument contrived for taking the declinations, inclinations, and reclinations of planes. It is constructed in the following manner: on a square wooden board, ABCD (plate LXVII. fig. 7. n° 1.) defcribe a femicircle AED, and divide the two quadrants AE and ED into 90°, each beginning from E, as in the figure: then having fixed a pin in the center F, fit a ruler HI upon the fame, moveable thereon, with a box and needle K (ibid. n° 2.) In order to take the declination of a plane, apply the fide A D to the plane propofed, as M N (ibid. n° 3.) and move the ruler FG, with the compafs G, about the center F, till the needle reft upon the line of the magneti cal meridian of the place: if the ruler cut the quadrant in E, the plane is either directly northern or fouthern; but if it cut between D and E, the plane declines to the weft; and if between A and E, to the east, by the quantity of the angle GFE. Would you take the inclinations and reclinations of planes with this inftrument, instead of the ruler and needle, a thread with a plummet is fitted on a pin in the center F; then the fide BC of the declinator ABCD (ibid. no 4.) being applied to the propofed plane, as IL, if the plum-line FG cut the femicircle AED in the point E, the plane is horizontal; or if it cut the quadrant ED, in any point at G, then will E F G be the angle of inclination: laftly, if applying the fide A B to the plane, the plummet cut E, the plane is vertical. Hence if the quantity of the angle of inclination be compared with the elevation of the pole and equator, it is easily known whether the plane be inclined or reclined. See INCLINATION and RECLINATION, DECLINING DIALS, those which do not face directly any of the four cardinal points. See the article DIAL. DECLIVIS, in anatomy, a muscle otherwife called obliquus defcendens. See the article OBLIQUUS. DECLIVITY denotes just the reverse of acclivity. See ACCLIVITY. DECOCTION, in pharmacy, the boiling fimples, or other drugs, in order to extract their virtues for fome medicinal pur pofe. The general subjects of decoction are animals and vegetables, and fometimes minerals, as antimony and quickfilver. The liquors which ferve to boil them, are water, wine, vinegar, milk, and whey. Decoction is moftly employed about balfamics, detergents, and cathartics; for it is not fo proper for cephalics, &c. because it exhales the more volatile parts, in which the virtues of all those ingredients confift. The harder bodies, as woods, dried roots, &c. require most boiling; but herbs and feeds need only be fcalded. All thofe decoctions which are reftringent, and most of the cathartics, may, for greater elegance, be clarified; but all fuch as are emollient, and intended to confift of the foft and mucilaginous parts of fimples, are by no means to be fo managed. DECOLLATION, beheading, a term frequently used in the phrafe, decollation of St. John Baptif, which denotes a painting reprefenting the Baptift's head struck off from the body. DECOMPOSITE LEAF, one whose petiole is twice divided before it gives rife to the leaf. DECOMPOSITION, in chemistry and pharmacy, the reduction of a body into its principles or component parts. See the article ANALYSIS. DECO DÉCORATION, in architecture, is ufed for whatever adorns a building, either withoutfide or within. The orders of architecture contribute a great deal to the decoration; but then the feveral parts of thofe orders must have their just proportion, characters and ornaments, otherwife the fineft order will bring confufion rather than richness. See CORINTHIAN, COMPOSITE, &C. ORDERS. Decorations, in churches, are paintings, feltoons, vafes, &c. occafionally applied to the walls, but with fuch discretion as not to deftroy the form and beauty of the architecture, as is practifed in Italy at the folemn feafts. See the article FESTOON, VASE, &c. DECORATION alfo fignifies the scenes of theatres. See the article SCENE. In operas and other theatrical performances, they must be often changed, in conformity to the subject. DECORTICATION, the fame with bark. ing of trees. See BARKING, DECORUM, in architecture, is the fuitableness of a building, and the several parts and ornaments thereof, to the station and occafion. Vitruvius is very exact in this point, and gives ruies exprefly for the appropriating the feveral orders to their natural characters. Decorum is ufed by fome to fignify the obferving a due refpect between the inhabitant and habitation. Whence Palladioconcludes that the principal entrance muft never be regulated by any certain dimenfions, but according to the dignity of the person who is to live in it. DECOUPLE', in heraldry, the fame as uncoupled thus, a chevron decouplé, is a chevron wanting fo much of it towards the point, that the two ends ftand at a diftance from one another, being parted and uncoupled. DECOURS, in heraldry, the fame with decrement. See DECREMENT. DECOY, a place made for catching wild. fowl. Hence, DECOY-DUCK is a duck that flies abroad, and lights into company of wild ones, which by her allurements fhe draws into the decoy. DECREE, an order made by a fuperior power, for the regulation of an inferior. DECREE, in the civil law, is a determina: tion that the emperor pronounces upon hearing a particular cause between plaintiff and defendant. DECREES of councils are the laws made by VOL. II. DECREES in chancery, are the determinations of the lord chancellor, upon a full hearing of the merits of a caufe. DECREET, in the law of Scotland, a final decree or judgment of the lords of feffion, from which an appeal only lies to parliament, where we find them but too often reversed; a circumftance furely not much to the honour of the august bench, from whence the appeal lies. DECREMENT, in heraldry, fignifies the wane of the moon from the full to the new. See the article Moon, The moon in this ftate is called moon decreffant, or in decours; and when borne in coat-armour, faces to the left side of the efcutcheon, as he does to the right fide when in the increment. See the article CRESCENT. DECREPITATION, in chemistry, the act of calcining falt over the fire, till it cease to crackle. The defign of this is to free the falt from fuperfluous moisture: but as it is thereby rendered porous, and apt to imbibe the humidity of the air, it muft always be kept very close afterwards, left the air fhould moisten it anew. This term is also applied to the crackling of the falts during the operation. DECRETAL, in the canon-law, a letter of a pope, determining fome point or question in the ecclefiaftical law. The decretals compofe the fecond part of the canon-law. The first genuine one acknowledged by all the learned as such, is a letter of pope Siricius, written in the year 385, to Himerus bishop of Tarragona, in Spain, concerning fome diforders which had crept into the churches of Spain. Gracian published a collection of decretals, containing all the ordinances made by the popes, till the year 1150. Gregory IX. in 1227, following the example of Theodofius and Juftinian, formed a constitution of his own, collecting into one body all the decifions, and all the causes, which ferved to advance the papal power: which collection of decretals was called the pentateuch, because it contains five books. DECUMANA, in antiquity, a kind of very large fhields, otherwife called albesia, ufed by the Albenfes, a nation of the Marfi. DECUMANNI DENTES, in heraldry, the fame with dancette. See DANCETTE. DECUPLE PROPORTION, that of ten to one. See the article PROPORTION. 5 S DECURIO, DECURIO, in roman antiquity, a commander of ten men in the army, or the chief of a decury. See DECURY. DECURIO MUNICIPALIS, a name given to the fenators of the roman colonies. DECURIO, as appears from an infeription in Gruter, was also a name given to certain priefts, intended for particular facrifices or other religious ceremonies. Struvius conjectures that their name was derived from their affitting at the facrifices of private families and houses. DECURRENT LEAF, one which adheres immediately to the talk of a plant, without any pedicle, and which has its lower part extended, and running a little way along the branch, DECURY, ten perfons ranged under one chief, or leader, called the decurio. See the article Decurio. The roman cavalry was divided into decuries, which were fubdivifions of a century, each century containing ten de curies. DECUSSATION, a term in geometry, optics, and anatomy, fignifying the crofling of any two lines, rays, or nerves, when they meet in a point, and then go on feparately from one another. DECUSSORIUM, a furgeon's inftrument, which, by preffing gently on the dura mater, caufes an evacuation of the pus collected between the cranium and the before-mentioned membrane, through the perforation made by the trepan. DEDDINGTON, a market-town of Oxfordshire, about fifteen miles north of Oxford: weft longitude 1° 20′, and north latitude 51° 55'. DEDHAM, a market-town of Effex, about thirty-five miles north-east of Chelins ford: eaft longitude 1o 10', and north latitude 52°5'. DEDI, in conveyances, imports a warranty given to a feoffee and his heirs. See the. article WARRANTY. DEDICATION, a folemn devoting, or fetting apart, any perfon or thing, to the fervice of God, and the purposes of religion. See CONSECRATION. Dedication of a temple was performed by the heathens in the following manner: early in the morning, on the day of dedication, the college of the pontiffs and other orders met, with a great crowd of people; and furrounding the temple, with garlands of flowers, the veftal virgins holding branches of olive-trees in their hands, fprinkled the outside of the temple with luftral water; then the person who confecrated the temple, being the office of fome great magiftrate, as prætor, cenfor, &c. drew near the gate, with a pontiff at his fide, to fhew him the ceremonies; and holding with one hand the fide-poft of the gate, spoke thus: Ades, ades, Lucelle, (for example) dum dedica templum hoc, ut mihi præeatis, poftemque teneatis. Then the pontiff, holding the ceremonial in his hand, pronounced aloud the form of the confecration, which the confecrating perfon repeated after him, and the ceremony was expressed in these words, folemnia verba præeunte pontifice effari. After which they confecrated the court of the temple, by facrificing a beast, whofe entrails were laid on an altar of green turf; then, having taken the statue of the deity to whom it was confecrated they anointed it with oil, and laid it on a pillow, rubbed with oil: the ceremonies being over, the confecrating perfon had an infcription, containing his name, qua. lity, and the year of the confecration, set upon the temple. This dedication was to be authorized by the fenate and people, and the college of pontiffs was to give their confent to it. Feaft of DEDICATION, an anniversary feftival among the Jews, in memory of Judas Maccabæus, who repaired and dedicated anew the temple and altar, which had been plundered and profaned by Antiochus Epiphanes. It was obferved on the twenty-fifth of Cifleu, and continued eight days. The feaft of DEDICATION, or rather the feast of a faint, or patron of a church, called in our law-books dedicare, was celebrated not only by the inhabitants of the place, but by thofe of all the neighbouring villages, who reforted thither; and fuch affemblies were authorised by the king. The custom is ftill retained in fome places, under the name of wakes, or vigils. DEDICATION, in matters of literature, the inferibing a book, poem, play, or the like, to fome person of diftinction, ferv ing both as a protection to the piece, and a mark of the author's refpect for the perfon to whom he dedicates his work. Conringius has published a collection of dedications, which may be of use to those employed in this way, as containing ma ny obfervations relative to divinity, hiftory, phyfics, &c, according to the different lubjects of the books, He has fub joined joined the prefaces and dedications of Puteanus, published by himself under the title of Pompa Profphoneticæ. We cannot help obferving, that dedications partake much of the nature of pa negyric, being not only written in a pompous and florid file, but full of the prales of the patron. See the article PANEGYRIC. One of the most fingular dedications we ever met with, and for which the author makes a very good apology, is that of the fourth part of Mr. Edwards's History of Birds; it runs thus: DEDIMUS POTESTATEM, in law, a commiffion granted to one or more perfons, for the forwarding and difpatching fome a& appertaining to a judge, or some court; as to take anfwers in chancery, depofitions of witnesses in a cause depending in that court, and levy a fine in the common pleas, &c. where perfons live in the country, or cannot travel. DEDUCTION, in commerce, a subtracting or retrenching a little fum paid, from a greater remaining yet unpaid. DEDUTTIONE, in mufic, a name given to the rifing of the voice, in pronouncing the fyllables ut, re, mi, fa, fol, la; quia per has deducitur vox; in contradiftinction to reductio, when the voice defcends by these la, fol, fa, mi, re, ut; quia per bas reducitur vox. DEE, the name of feveral rivers, as that on which Chefter ftands, that whereon Aberdeen ftands, &c. See the articles CHESTER and ABERDEEN. DEED, an inftrument written on paper or parchment,comprehending fome contract, bargain, or agreement between the parties thereto, in relation to the matter therein contained. The validity of a deed confifts in three principal things, viz. writing, fealing, and delivery. There are two kinds of deeds, viz. deeds indented, and deeds poll; which names chiefly import the shape of them, the one being cut in and out at top, and the other plain. A deed indented confifts of two or more parts; for there are tripartite, quadripartite, quinquepartite, &c. deeds, in which refpective deeds it is expreffed, that the parties thereto have interchangeably fet their hands and feals. The reafon of indenting is, that whereas the feveral parties have each of them one, the indenture may make it appear, that they belong to one and the fame contract, by their tallying. The feveral parts of deeds by indenture appertain to the feoffer, grantor, or leffor, &c. as to one part; the feoffer, grantee, or leffee, of another part; and fome other perfons, as truftees, a third, c. All the parts of an indented deed, in law, are judged to make but one en-tire deed, yet each part is of as great force as all the parts together. A deed poll is that which confifts only of one part, without being indented. It is ufed where a grantor, or vender in a bill of fale, &c. only feals: there is no need of a counterpart, the nature of the contract being fuch, that it requires no covenant from the grantee. DEEMSTERS, or DEMSTERS. All controverfies in the Isle of Man are decided without process, writings, or any charges, by certain judges, chofen yearly from among themselves, called deemsters ; there being two of them for each divifion of the island: they fit judges in all courts, either for life or property; and, with the advice of the twenty-four keys, declare what is law, in uncommon emergencies. DEEP SEA-LINE, or DIP-SEA-LINE, in the fea-language, a fmall line to found with, fome an hundred and fifty fathom long, with a hollow plummet at the head, and tallow put into it, to bring up stones, gravel, fand, fhells, and the like, from the bottom, in order to know the differences of the ground; which being enter`ed from time to time, in their books, by comparing of observations, they guess by their foundings, &c, what coafts they are on, though they cannot fee land. DEEPING, a market-town of Lincolnfhire, about thirty-five miles fouth of Lincoln: weft lon. 20′, and north lat. 52° 35′. DEER, cervus, in zoology. See the article CERVUS. 5 S 2 DERE |