a very dangerous whirlpool on the coast of Norway, in the 68th degree of latitude, in the province of Nordland, and the district of Lofoten, and near the island of Møkoe, from whence it also takes the name of Møkoe-ström. Its violence and roarings exceed that of a cataract, being heard to a great distance, and without any intermission, except a quarter every fifth hour, that is, at the turn of high and low water, when its impetuosity seems at a stand, which short interval is the only time the fishermen can venture in; but this motion soon returns, and, however calm the sea may be, gradually increases with such a draught and vortex, as absorbs whatever comes within their sphere of action, and keep it under water for some hours, when the fragments, flung by the rocks, appear again. This circumstance, among others, makes strongly against Kircher and others, who imagine that there is here an abyss penetrating the globe, and issuing in some very remote parts, which Kircher is so particular as to affirm, for he names the gulf of Bothnia. But after the most exact researches which the circumstances will admit, this is but a conjecture without foundation; for this and three other vortices among the Ferroe islands, but smaller, have no other cause than the collision of waves rising and falling, at the flux and reflux, against a ridge of rocks and shelves, which confine the water so that it precipitates itself like a cataract; and thus the higher the flood rises, the deeper must the fall be; and the natural result of this is a whirlpool or vortex, the prodigious suction whereof is sufficiently known by lesser experiments. But what has been thus absorbed, remains no longer at the bottom than the ebb lasts; for the suction then ceases, and the flood removes all attraction, and permits whatever had been sunk to make its appearance again. Of the situation of this amazing Møkoe-ström we have the following account from Mr Jonas Ramus: "The mountain of Helleggen, in Lofoten, lies a league from the island Ver, and betwixt these two runs that large and dreadful stream called Møkoe-ström, from the island Møkoe, which in the middle of it, together with several circumjacent isles, as Ambaren, half a quarter of a league northward, Ithelen, Hoeholm, Kieldholm, Suarven, and Buckholm. Møkoe lies about half a quarter of a mile south of the island of Ver, and betwixt them these small islands, Otterholm, Flimen, Sandefen, Stockholm. Betwixt Lofoten and Møkoe, the depth of the water is between 36 and 40 fathoms; but on the other side, towards Ver, the depth decreases, so as not to afford a convenient passage for a vessel, without the risk of splitting on the rocks, which happens even in the calmest weather: when it is flood, the stream runs up the country between Lofoten and Møkoe with a boisterous rapidity: but the roar of its impetuous ebb... Mæanic to the sea is scarcely equalled by the loudest and most dreadful cataracts; the noise being heard several leagues off, and the vortices or pits are of such an extent and depth, that if a ship comes within its attraction, it is inevitably absorbed and carried down to the bottom, and there beat to pieces against the rocks; and when the water relaxes, the fragments thereof are thrown up again. But these intervals of tranquillity are only at the turn of the ebb and flood, and calm weather: and last but a quarter of an hour, its violence gradually returning. When the stream is most boisterous, and its fury heightened by a storm, it is dangerous to come within a Norway mile of it; boats, ships, and yachts having been carried away, by not guarding against it before they were within its reach. It likewise happens frequently, that whales come too near the stream, and are overpowering by its violence; and then it is impossible to describe their howlings and bellowings in their fruitless struggles to disengage themselves. A bear once attempting to swim from Lofoten to Molkoe, with a design of preying upon the sheep at pasture in the island, afforded the like spectacle to the people; the stream caught him, and bore him down, whilst he roared terribly, so as to be heard on shore. Large flocks of firs and pine trees, after being absorbed by the current, rise again, broken and torn to such a degree as if brittle grew on them. This plainly shows the bottom to consist of craggy rocks, among which they are whirled to and fro. This stream is regulated by the flux and reflux of the sea; it being constantly high and low water every six hours. In the year 1645, early in the morning of Sextagesima Sunday, it raged with such noise and impetuosity, that on the island of Molkoe, the very stones of the houses fell to the ground.

Mæmacteria, sacrifices offered to Jupiter at Athens in the winter month Mæmacterion. The god named Mæmactes was entreated to send mild and temperate weather, as he presided over the seasons, and was the god of the air.

Mæmacterion, was the fourth month of the Athenian year, containing twenty-nine days, and answering to the latter part of our September, and the beginning of October. It received its name from the festival Mæmacteria, which was observed about this time. This month was called by the Boeotians Alalcomenius.

Mæna. See Sparus, Ichthyology Index.

Mænalus, in Ancient Geography, a mountain of Arcadia sacred to the god Pan, and greatly frequented by shepherds. It received its name from Mænalus, a son of Lycaon. It was covered with pine trees, whose echo and shade have been greatly celebrated by all the ancient poets.

Mæonia, or Moeonia, a country of Asia Minor, and forming part of Lydia; namely the neighbourhood of Mount Tmolus, and the country watered by the Paëolus. The reef on the sea coast was called Lydia. See Lydia.

Mæonidae, a name given to the muses, because Homer, their greatest and worthiest favourite, was supposed to be a native of Mæonia.

Mæonides, a surname of Homer, because, according to the opinion of some writers, he was born in Mæonia, or because his father's name was Mæon.

Mæotis Palus or Lagus, Maeoticus Palus, or Maeoticus Lacus, in Ancient Geography, a large lake or part of the sea between Europe and Asia, at the north of the Euxine, to which it communicates by the Cimmerian Bosphorus. It was worshipped as a deity by the Maeotae. It extends about 390 miles from south-west to north-east, and is about 600 miles in circumference. Still called Palus Maeoticus, reaching from Crim Tartary to the mouth of the Don.

Mæstlin, Michael, in Latin Meßlinus, a celebrated astronomer of Germany, was born in the duchy of Wittenberg; but spent his youth in Italy, where he made a speech in favour of Copernicus's system, which brought Galileo over from Aristotle and Ptolemy, to whom he had been hitherto entirely devoted. He afterwards returned to Germany, and became professor of mathematics at Tubingen; where, among his other scholars, he taught the great Kepler, who has praised several of his ingenious inventions, in his Astronomia Optica. Though Tycho Brahe did not affect to Mæstlin's opinion, yet he allowed him to be an extraordinary person, deeply skilled in the science of astronomy. Mæstlin published many mathematical and astronomical works, and died in 1590.

Maaestricht, an ancient, large, and strong town of the Netherlands, ceded to the Dutch by the treaty of Munster. The townhouse and the other public buildings are handsome, and the place is about four miles in circumference, and strongly fortified. It is governed jointly by the Dutch and the bishop of Liege; however, it has a Dutch garrison. The inhabitants are noted for making excellent firearms, and some say that in the arsenal there are arms sufficient for a whole army. Both Papists and Protestants are allowed the free exercise of their religion, and the magistrates are composed of both. It is seated on the river Maas, which separates it from Wyck, and with which it communicates by a handsome bridge. Maaestricht revolted from the Spaniards in 1570, but was reduced in 1579. Louis XIV. became master of it in 1673; but it was restored to the states by the treaty of Nimeguen in 1678. It was again taken by the French in 1794. E. Long, 5° 50' N. Lat. 51° 5'.

Maaffeus, Vegio, a Latin poet, born in Lombardy in 1407, was greatly admired in his time. He wrote epigrams, and a humorous supplement to Virgil, which he called The thirteenth book of the Æneid: this was as humorously translated into English a few years since by Mr Ellis. Maaffeus wrote also some prose works. He was chancellor of Rome towards the end of the pontificate of Martin V.; and died in 1458.

Maaffe, Scipio, a celebrated Italian poet, born of an illustrious and ancient family at Verona, in 1675. After having finished his studies, he took arms, and distinguished himself by his valour at the battle of Danawert; but he more particularly distinguished himself by his love of learning, which made him undertake several voyages into France, England, and Germany. He conversed with the learned in all those countries, and obtained their friendship and esteem. He was a member of the academy of the Arcadia at Rome, an honorary foreign member of that of Inscriptions at Paris; and died in 1755. He wrote many works in verse and prose, which are esteemed; the most known of which are, 1. The tragedy of Medea, of which there there are two French translations in prose. 2. Ceremony, a comedy. 3. A translation, into Italian verse, of the first book of Homer's Iliad. 4. Many other pieces of poetry, in a collection entitled Rhyme and Prose, quarto. His principal works in prose are, 1. Verona illustrata. 2. Istoria diplomatica. 3. Scienza cavalleresca; an excellent work, in which he attacks duelling. 4. An edition of Theatro Italiano. 5. An edition of Caffiodorus on the Epistles, Acts of the Apostles, and Apocalypse. 6. Galliae Antiquitates quaestiones selectae atque in plures epistolae distribute; and several other works.