the art of playing at bowls.—This game is practised either in open places, as bares and bowling-greens, or in close-bowling-alleys.

The skill of bowling depends much on a knowledge of the ground, and the right choice of a bowl suitable to it: for close alleys, the flat bowl; for green swards, plain and level, the bowl as round as a ball is preferred.

The terms used in bowling are, to *bowl wide*, which is when the bias does not hold, or is not strong enough; *narrow*, when it is too strong, or holds too much; *finely bowled*, is when the ground is well chosen, and the bowl passes near the block, even though it goes much beyond it; *bowling through*, or a *yard over*, is done in order to move the block; an *over-bowl*, that which goes beyond it; a *bowl laid at hand*, is that put down within the gamester's reach, to be in the way of the next bowler, and hinder his having the advantage of the best ground; *bowling at length*, neither bowling through nor short; a *dead length*, a just or exact one; *throwing* or *slinging*, is discharging a bowl with a strength purposely too great for a length, in order to carry off either the block or some near bowl; *bowl-room*, or *missing-wood*, is when a bowl has free passage without striking on any other; *get off*, is when a bowl being... being narrow, is wanted to be wider; bowl best at block, that nearest the block: drawing a cast or bowl, is to win it by bowling nearer, without stirring either the bowl or block; a bowl is said to rub, when it meets with some obstacle in the ground, which retards its motion, and weakens its force; it is gone, when far beyond the block. Block signifies a little bowl laid for a mark, also called a jack. Mark, is a proper bowling distance, not under so many yards; and being at least a yard and a half from the edge of the green. Ground, a bag or handkerchief laid down to mark where a bowl is to go. Lead, the advantage of throwing the block, and bowling first. Cast, is one best bowl at an end. End, a hit, or when all the bowls are out. The game, or up, is five casts or best bowls.