HEMISPHERE. Half the surface of a globe. The celestial equator divides the heavens into two hemispheres—the northern and the southern.
HEMP. Cannabis sativa. A manufactorial plant of equal antiquity with flax. The produce of hemp in fibre varies from three to six hundred weight per acre, and forms the best of all cordage and ropes. It is mixed with opium in the preparation of those rich drugs called hashishe in Cairo and Constantinople. Those who were in the constant use of them were called hashishin (herb-eaters); and being often by their stimulative properties excited almost to frenzy and to murder, the word "assassin" is said to have been derived by the crusaders from this source. While the French army was in Egypt, Napoleon I. was obliged to prohibit, under the severest penalties, the sale and use of these pernicious substances.
HENDECAGON. A right-lined figure with eleven sides; if it be regular, the sides and angles are all equal.
HEN-FRIGATE. A ship wherein the captain's wife interfered in the duty or regulations.
HEN'S-WARE. A name of the edible sea-weed Fucus esculentus.
HEP-PAH, or Hippa. A New Zealand fort, or space surrounded with stout palisades; these rude defences have given our soldiers and sailors much trouble to reduce. (See [Pah].)
HEPTAGON. A right-lined figure with seven sides; if it be regular, the sides and angles are all equal.
HERCULES. The large mass of iron by the blows of which anchors are welded.
HERE-AWAY. A term when a look-out man announces a rhumb or bearing of any object in this quarter.
HERE-FARE [Anglo-Saxon]. An expedition; going to warfare.