in mining, is the pit or hollow entrance into the mine. In the tin mines, after this is sunk about a fathom, they leave a little, long, square place, which is called a flambie.

Shafts are sunk some ten, some twenty fathoms deep into the earth, more or less. Of these shafts, there is the landing or working shaft, where they bring up the work or ore to the surface; but if it be worked by a horse engine or whim, it is called a whim-shaft; and where the water is drawn out of the mine, it is indifferently named an engine-shaft, or the rod-shaft. See MINE.

See TROCHILUS, ORNITHOLOGY Index. Shaftesbury fragan bishop. It was incorporated by Queen Elizabeth and Charles II. and is governed by a mayor, recorder, twelve aldermen, bailiffs, and a common-council. It contains about 320 houses, many of which are of free-stone. Water is scarce, that it used to be supplied from Motcomb; but it was obtained more commodiously in 1718, by means of engines, which raised the water above 300 feet perpendicular, and conveyed it to a large cistern in the middle of the town, from the distance of two miles. Yet even this is laid aside, and they have dug several pits, in which they preserve the rain-water; and the poor get their living to this day by fetching it in pails or on horses. It gives the title of earl to the noble family of Cooper.