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 Moskoe, from whence it also takes the name of Moskoe-strom. Its violence and roarings exceed that of a cataract, being heard to a great distance, and without any intermission, except a quarter every sixth 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 absorb whatever comes within their sphere of action, and keep it under water for some hours, when the fragments, shivered 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 assign, 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 Moskoe-strom we have the following account from Mr Jonas Ranus: "The mountain of Helseggen, in Lofoten, lies a league from the island Ver, and betwixt these two runs that large and dreadful stream called Moskoe-strom, from the island Moskoe, which is in the middle of it, together with several circumjacent isles, as Ambaaren, half a quarter of a league northward, Hfesen, Hochholm, Kieldholm, Svarven, and Buckholm. Moskoe lies about half a quarter of a mile south of the island of Ver, and betwixt them these small islands, Otterholm, Flimen, Sanflesen, Stockholm. Betwixt Lofoden and Moskoe, 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 Lofoden and Moskoe with a boisterous rapidity: but the roar of its impetuous ebb... Mæotis Palus or Lacus, Mæotica Palus, or Mæoticus 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 Massagetae. It extends about 350 miles from southwest to northeast, and is about 600 miles in circumference. Still called Palus Mæotis, reaching from Crim Tartary to the mouth of the Don.

Mæstlin, Michael, in Latin Mæstlinus, 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 assent 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.

Mæstricht, an ancient town of the Netherlands; is about four miles in circumference, and strongly fortified. The inhabitants, the number of whom is estimated at 18,000, are noted for making excellent firearms. It contains an arsenal, a handsome townhouse, and a good library. Both Papists and Protestants are allowed the free exercise of their religion, and the magistrates are composed of both. It is situated on the river Maese, which separates it from Wyck, and with which it communicates by a handsome bridge. Mæstricht 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, and remained in their possession till 1814. It now belongs to the kingdom of the Netherlands. E. Long. 5° 50'. N. Lat. 50° 52'.

Maffæus, Vegio, a Latin poet, born in Lombardy in 1497, 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. Maffæus wrote also some prose works. He was chancellor of Rome towards the end of the pontificate of Martin V.; and died in 1548.