HAM, in the manege, the joint of the hind leg of a beast, which connects the thigh to the leg. See Ham.

To Howon, or cut the Houghs, is to hamstring, or to disable by cutting the sinews of the ham.

HOUliERES, ANTONIETTE DES, a French lady, whose poetry is highly esteemed in France. Her works and those of her daughter have been collected and printed together in two volumes. Most of the idyls, particularly those on sheep and birds, surpass every thing of the kind in the French language: the thoughts and expressions are noble; and the style pure, flowing, and chaste. Mademoiselle des Houlieres carried the poetic prize in the French academy against Fontenelle. Both of these ladies were members of the academy of Ricovatri; the mother was also a member of the academy of Arles. Those who desire to be more particularly acquainted with the history of Madame des Houlieres, may consult her life prefixed to her works in the Paris edition of 1747, 2 vols. 12mo.