a dangerous whirlpool on the coast of Norway, in the sixty-eighth degree of latitude, in the province of Nordland and the district of Lofoden, and near the island of Moskoe, whence it also takes the name of Moskoe-ström. Its violence and noise exceed that of a caustic, being heard at 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 checked; and this short interval is the only time during which the fishermen can venture in: but the motion soon returns, and, however calm the sea may be, gradually in- creases, with such a draught and vortex, as to absorb whatever comes within its sphere of action, and keep it under water for some hours, when the fragments, shivered by the rocks, again appear.

Mæmacteria, sacrifices offered to Jupiter at Athens in the winter month Mæmacterion, when the god surnamed 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.

Mæonia, a country of Asia Minor, and forming part of Lydia, being in the neighbourhood of Mount Tmolus, and the country watered by the Pactolus. The rest on the sea-coast was called Lydia.

Mæonides, 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 Lacus, Maeoticus Palus, or Maeoticus Lacus, in Ancient Geography, a large lake, or part of the sea, between Europe and Asia, at the northern extremity of the Euxine, with which it communicates by the Cimmerian Bosphorus. It was worshipped as a deity by the Massagetae. It extends about 390 miles from south-west to north-east, and is about 600 miles in circumference. The Palus Maeoticus, or Sea of Azof, reaches from the Crimea to the mouth of the Don.