a common name given to the method of inflicting death on criminals by suspending them by the neck.—Physicians are not agreed as to the manner in which death is brought on by hanging. De Haen hanged three dogs, which he afterwards opened. In one, nothing remarkable appeared in the lungs. In another, from whom half an ounce of blood was taken from the jugular vein, the dura and pia mater were of the natural appearance; but the lungs were much inflamed. In the third, the meninges were found, and there was no effusion of blood in the ventricles of the brain, but the left lobe of the lungs was turgid with blood. Wepfer, Littreus, Alberti, Bruhierius, and Boerhaave, affirm that hanged animals die apoplectic. Their arguments for this are chiefly drawn from the livid colour of the face; from the turgescence of the vessels of the brain; the inflammation of the eyes; and from the sparks of fire which those who have survived hanging allege they have seen before their eyes. On the contrary, Bonetus, Petit, Haller, and Lancisi, from observing that death is occasioned by any small body falling into the glottis, have ascribed it to the stoppage of respiration. Others, deeming both these causes ill-founded, have ascribed it to a luxation of the vertebrae of the neck.—De Haen adduces the authority of many eminent authors to prove the possibility of recovering hanged persons; and observes, in general, HANGINGS denote any kind of drapery hung up against the walls or wainscoting of a room.

Paper-Hangings. See Paper-Hangings.

Wove Hangings. See Tapestry.

HANOCLIFF, a remarkable point of land on the east coast of the largest of the Shetland islands. It is frequently the first land seen by ships in northern voyages. Captain Phipps determined its situation to be in W. Long. 6° 30' N. Lat. 60° 9'.