ancing the mizen
is performed by lowering the yard or gaff a little, then rolling up a
small portion of the sail at the peak or upper corner, and lashing it
about one-fifth down towards the mast. A boom main-sail is balanced by
rolling up a portion of the clew, or lower aftermost corner, and
fastening it strongly to the boom.--N.B. It is requisite in both cases
to wrap a piece of old canvas round the sail, under the lashing, to
prevent its being fretted by the latter.

BALANCE-FISH. The hammer-headed shark (which see).

BALANCE-FRAMES. Those frames or bends of timber, of an equal capacity or
area, which are equally distant from the ship's centre of gravity.

BALANCE OF TRADE. A computation of the value of all commodities which we
import or export, showing the difference in amount.

BALANCE-REEF. A reef-band that crosses a sail from the outer head-earing
to the tack diagonally, making it nearly triangular, and is used to
contract it in very blowing weather. (2) A balance reef-band is
generally placed in all gaff-sails; the band runs from the throat to the
clew, so that it may be reefed either way--by lacing the foot or lower
half; or by lacing the gaff drooped to the band: the latter is only done
in the worst weather.--This is a point on which seamen may select--but
the old plan, as first given, affords more power; (2) is applicable to
the severest weather.

BALANCING-POINT. A familiar term for centre of gravity. (_See_ GRAVITY.)

BALANDRA. A Spanish pleasure-boat. A lighter, a species of schooner.

BALANUS. The acorn-shell. A sessile cirriped.

BALCAR. _See_ BALKAR.

BALCONY. The projecting open galleries of old line-of-battle ships'
sterns, now disused. They were convenient and ornamental in hot
climates, but were afterwards inclosed within sash windows.

BALDRICK. A leathern girdle or sword-belt. Also the zodiac.

BALE. A pack. This word appears in the statute Richard II. c. 3, and is
still in common use.

BALE, TO. To lade water out of a ship or vessel with buckets (which
were of old called _bayles_), cans, or the like, when the pumps are
ineffective or choked.

BALEEN. The scientific term for the whalebone of commerce, derived from
_balaena_, a whale. It consists of a series of long horny plates growing
from each side of the palate in place of teeth.

BALE GOODS. Merchandise packed in large bundles, not in cases or casks.

BALENOT. A porpoise or small whale which frequents the river St.
Lawrence.