West, a seaport-town of the Isle of Wight, at the mouth of the Medina, 4 miles N. of Newport, and 78 miles from London. It occupies a rising ground on the W. bank of the river, presenting a striking appearance from the sea. The streets are narrow and irregular; but many of the modern buildings are handsome, and in the vicinity are numerous elegant villas. It is much resorted to for sea-bathing, and has numerous hotels and lodging-houses for the accommodation of visitors. The harbour is safe and convenient, and its entrance is defended by a battery. It forms the rendezvous of the Royal Yacht Club, who hold their annual regatta here. It has a very considerable coasting trade. Exports, chiefly agricultural produce and malt; imports, coal, colonial produce, manufactured goods, &c. Ship-building is extensively carried on. On the opposite side of the river, which is here about half-a-mile broad, is East Cowes, where is the custom-house of the port, and near which is Osborne House the marine residence of Her Majesty. Pop. (1851) 4786.

**COWHAGE** or **COWITCH** (*Hindustance, kineach*), the short brittle hairs or spicules found on the pods of several species of *Dolichos* or *Mucuna*, indigenous both to India and America. The plants belong to the natural order of *Leguminose*. The species affording the cowhage are chiefly *M. pruriens*, *M. urens*, and *M. monosperma*. The hairs when applied to the human skin produce intense itching and inflammation; yet when mixed with syrup they are administered in the Eastern and in the Western World with advantage as a vermifuge, both to adults and to children.