in painting, the surface upon which the figures and other objects are represented.

The ground is properly understood of such parts of the piece, as have nothing painted on them, but retain the original colour upon which the other colours are applied to make the representations.

A building is said to serve as a ground to a figure when the figure is painted on the building.

The ground behind a picture in miniature, is commonly blue or crimson, imitating a curtain of satin or velvet.

in etching, denotes a gummos composition smeared over the surface of the metal to be etched, to prevent the aquafortis from eating, except in such places where this ground is cut through with the point of a needle. See the article ETCHING.

GROUND-Angling, fishing under water without a float, only with a plumb of lead, or a bullet, placed about nine inches from the hook; which is better, because it will roll on the ground. This method of fishing is most proper in cold weather, when the fish swim very low.

The morning and evening are the chief seasons for the ground-line in fishing for trout; but if the day prove cloudy, or the water muddy, you may fish at ground all day.

GROUND-Tackle, a ship's anchors, cables, &c. and in general whatever is necessary to make her ride safe at anchor.

GROUND-Ivy, in botany. See GLECHOMA.

GROUND-Pine, in botany. See TEUCRIUM.