NECK OF LAND. Dividing two portions of water, or it may be the neck of a peninsula.
NECK OF THE CASCABLE. The part between the swell of the breech of a gun and the button. Its narrowest part within the button.
NECKUR. A Scandinavian sea-sprite, whence some derive our "Old Nick" in preference to St. Nicholas, the modern patron of sailors.
NEEDLE. The Ang.-Sax. nædl. (See also [Magnetic Needle].)
NEEDLE-FISH. The shorter pipe-fish, stang, or sting, Sygnathus acus.
NEEDLE-GUN. One wherein the ignition for the cartridge is produced by the penetration of the detonating priming by a steel spike working in the lock. It is the Prussian musket.
NEEDLES. Used by sail-makers, are seaming, bolt-rope, or roping needles, all three-sided, and of very fine steel.—The Needles of the Isle of Wight are the result of cracks in the rocks, through which the sea has worn its way, as also at Old Harry, Swanage Bay. As the chalk formation stretches westward, the structure changes in hardness until at Portland we meet with Portland stone. In California many of the needle rocks are of volcanic origin; others again are basaltic columns.
NEGLECT. A charge not exceeding £3, from the wages of a seaman, in the Complete Book, for any part of the ship's stores lost overboard, or damaged, from his gross carelessness.
NEGLIGENCE. If agent or broker engages to do an act for another, and he either wholly neglects it, or does it unskilfully, an action on the case will lie against him.
NEGOTIATE, To. The duty of a diplomatist; the last resource and best argument being now 12-ton guns.