having a diameter of about an inch, and a length
equal to the intended length of the vent, screwed into the metal of the
gun at the place of the vent, which is then drilled in it. Guns may be
re-bushed when the vent has worn too large, by the substitution of a new
bush.

BUSH. The forests in the West Indies, Australia, &c.

BUSHED. Cased with harder metal, as that inserted into the holes of some
rudder braces or sheaves in general, to prevent their wearing.

BUSHED-BLOCK. _See_ COAK.

BUSKING. Piratical cruising; also, used generally, for beating to
windward along a coast, or cruising off and on.

BUSS. A small strong-built Dutch vessel with two masts, used in the
herring and mackerel fisheries, being generally of 50 to 70 tons burden.

BUST-HEAD. _See_ HEAD.

BUSY AS THE DEVIL IN A GALE OF WIND. Fidgety restlessness, or double
diligence in a bad cause; the imp being supposed to be mischievous in
hard gales.

BUT. A northern name for a flounder or plaice. Also, a conical basket
for catching fish.

BUTCHER'S BILL. A nickname for the official return of killed and wounded
which follows an action.

BUTESCARLI. The early name for the sea-officers in the British Navy
(_see the_ EQUIPMENT OF).

BUTT. The joining of two timbers or planks endways. Also, the opening
between the ends of two planks when worked. Also, the extremities of the
planks themselves when they are united, or abut against each other. The
word likewise is used to denote the largest end of all timber. Planks
under water as they rise are joined one end to another. In large ships
butt-ends are most carefully bolted, for if any one of them should
spring, or give way, the leak would be very dangerous and difficult to
stop.--_To start_ or _spring a butt_ is to loosen the end of a plank by
the ship's weakness or labouring.--_Butt-heads_ are the same with
butt-ends.--_Butt_ is also a mark for shooting at, and the hind part of
a musket or pistol. Also, a wine-measure of 126 gallons.

BUTT-AND-BUTT. A term denoting that the butt ends of two planks come
together, but do not overlay each other. (_See_ HOOK AND BUTT and
HOOK-SCARPH.)

BUTT-END. The shoulder part of a fire-lock.

BUTTER-BOX. A name given to the brig-traders of lumpy form, from London,
Bristol, and other English ports. A cant term for a Dutchman.

BUTTER-BUMP. A name of the bittern in the north.

BUTTER-FINGERED. Having a careless habit of allowing things to drop
through the fingers.