Natural History, the name of an animal esteemed a species of sheep, described by the ancients as common in Corsica, Sardinia, Barbary, and the north-east parts of Asia. It has been doubted whether the animal described under this name is now anywhere to be found in the world; and whether it was not, probably, a spurious breed between two animals of different species, perhaps the sheep and goat, which, like the mule, not being able to propagate its species, the production of them may have been discontinued.

Buffon supposes it to be the sheep in a wild state; and it is described as such by Mr Pennant. These animals live in the mountains, and run with great swiftness among the rocks. Those of Kamtschatka are so strong, that ten men can scarce hold one; and the horns are so large as sometimes to weigh 30 pounds, and... Musivum and so capacious that young foxes often shelter themselves in the hollow of such as by accident fall off in the deserts.

**MUSIVUM aurum.** See Chemistry, No 1806.

Musks, a very strong scented substance, found in a bag under the belly of a species of musk. See Moschus, Mammalia Index. And for an account of the nature and properties of musk, see Materia Medica Index.

**Musks Animal.** See Moschus,

**Musks Ox.** See Bos,

**Musks Rat.** See Castor,

**Musket,** or Musquet, properly a fire-arm borne on the shoulder, and used in war; to be fired by the application of a lighted match.

The length of the barrel is fixed to three feet eight inches from the muzzle to the touch-pan, and its bore is to be such as may receive a bullet of 14 in a pound, and its diameter differs not above one 50th part from that of the bullet.

Musquets were anciently borne in the field by the infantry, and were used in England so lately as the beginning of the civil wars. At present they are little used, except in the defence of places; fuses or fire-locks having taken their place and name.

**Musketoon,** a kind of short thick musket, whose bore is the 38th part of its length; it carries five ounces of iron, or seven and a half of lead, with an equal quantity of powder. This is the shortest kind of blunderbusses.

**Muslin,** a fine sort of cotton cloth, which bears a downy knot on its surface. There are several sorts of muslins brought from the East Indies, and more particularly from Bengal; such as doreas, betelles, mulmuls, tanjebs, &c. Muslin is now manufactured in Britain, and brought to very great perfection.

**Musquetoce.** See Culex, Entomology Index.

**Musulman,** or Musylman, a title by which the Mahometans distinguish themselves; signifying, in the Turkish language, "true believer, or orthodox." See Mahometanism.

In Arabic, the word is written Muslem, Musleman, or Musolman. The appellation was first given to the Saracens, as is observed by Leucavius.—There are two kinds of Musulmans, very adverse to each other; the one called Sonnites, and the other Shiites.—The Sonnites follow the interpretation of the Alcoran given by Omar; the Shiites are the followers of Ali. The subjects of the king of Persia are Shiites; and those of the grand signior, Sonnites. See Sonna, and Alcoran.

According to some authors the word Musulman signifies saved, that is, predestinated; and hence the Mahometans give themselves the appellation, as believing they are all predestinated to salvation.—Martinius is more particular as to the origin of the name; which he derives from the Arabic مسلم, mufalem, "saved, snatched out of danger;" the Mahometans, he observes, establishing their religion by fire and sword, massacred all those who would not embrace it, and granted life to all that did, calling them Musulmans, q. d. erecti è periculo; whence the word, in course of time, became the distinguishing title of all those of that sect, who have affixed to it the signification of true believers.

**Must,** Mustum, sweet wine newly pressed from the grape; or the new liquor pressed from the fruit before it is fermented. See Wine.

**Mustard.** See Sinapi, Botany Index.

**Mustard Seed.** For an account of its medical qualities, see Materia Medica Index.

**Mustela,** the Otter and Weasel; a genus of quadrupeds of the order of ferae. See Mammalia Index.

**Muster,** in a military service, a review of troops under arms, to see if they be complete and in good order; to take an account of their numbers, the condition they are in, viewing their arms and accoutrements, &c.

**Muster-Master-General,** or Commissary-general of the Musters; one who takes account of every regiment, their number, horses, arms, &c. reviews them, sees the horses be well mounted, and all the men well armed and accoutred, &c.

**Muster-Roll,** lists of soldiers in each company, troop, or regiment, by which they are paid, and the strength of the army is known.

**Mutability** is opposed to immutability. See Immutability.

**Mutation,** the act of changing, or sometimes the change itself.

**Mutation,** in the ancient music, is applied to the changes or alterations that happen in the order of the sounds which compose the melody.

**Mutationes,** among the Romans, post offices, or places where the public couriers were supplied with fresh horses.—The mutationes were wholly designed for the use of these couriers, or messengers of state; in which respect they differ from manufactures.

**Mutchkin,** a liquid measure used in Scotland; it contains four gills, and is the fourth part of a Scotch pint.

**Mute,** is a general sense, signifies a person that cannot speak, or has not the use of speech.

**Mute,** in Law, a person that stands dumb or speechless when he ought to answer, or to plead. See Arraignment.

**Mute,** in Grammar, a letter which yields no sound without the addition of a vowel. The simple consonants are distinguished into mutes and liquids, or semi-vowels. See the articles Consonant, Liquid, &c.

The mutes in the Greek alphabet are nine, three of which, viz. π, κ, τ, are termed tenues; three β, γ, δ, termed medice; and three φ, χ, θ, termed aspirate. See the article Aspirate, &c.

The mutes of the Latin alphabet are also nine, viz. B, C, D, G, I, K, P, Q, T.

**Mutilation,** the retrenching or cutting away any member of the body.

This word is also extended to statues and buildings, where any part is wanting, or the projection of any member, as a cornice or an impost, is broken off. It is sometimes also used in a more immediate manner for castration: (See Castration and Eunuch.) The practice of this sort of mutilation is of various kinds; the Hottentots are said to cut away one testicle from their children, upon supposition that they are thereby made lighter and more active for running. In other countries, poor people completely mutilate their boys,