ROBANDS, or Robbens. (See [Rope-bands].)
ROBINET. An ancient military machine for throwing darts and stones; now the name of some useful cocks in the steam-engine, as for gauge, brine, trial, and steam-regulator.
ROCK. An extensive geological term, but limited in hydrographical parlance to hard and solid masses of the earth's surface; when these rise in insulated masses nearly to the surface of the sea, they render navigation especially dangerous.—Half-tide rock. A rock which appears above water at half-ebb.
ROCK-COD. A species of cod found on a rocky bottom.
ROCKET. The well-known pyrotechnical preparation, but modified to suit various purposes. A cylindrical case charged with a fiercely burning composition, the gases of which, rushing out from the after-end against the resisting atmosphere, propel the whole forward at a rate continually increasing, until the composition be expended. It is generally kept in balance by a long light stick or tail attached. The case is made of metal or paper, and variously headed to the amount of 32 lbs. if its purpose be war (see [Congreve-rocket]); life-saving (by conveying a line over a stranded vessel); even the killing of whales, when reduced to 1, 2, or 3 lbs.; or, lastly, signals, for which it is fired straight upwards.
ROCKET-BOAT. Flat-bottomed boats, fitted with rocket-frames to fire Congreve rockets from, in naval bombardment.
ROCKET-BRIGADE. A body of horse-artillery assigned to rocket service.
ROCKET-FRAME. The stand from which Congreve rockets are fired.
ROCK-HIND. A large fish of tropical regions, Serranus catus.
ROCK-SCORPION. A name applied to persons born at Gibraltar.