Prame

in military history, a kind of floating battery, being a flat bottomed ve el, which draws little water, mounts several guns, and is very useful in covering the disembarkation of troops. They are generally made use of in transporting the troops over the lakes in America. These ve els are well calculated for the defence of large havens and seaports. Belair, in his Elements de Fortification, page 397, strongly recommends the use of Prames in cases of inundation, . See the improvements proposed by him in page 316, where he speaks of “ Bateaux in submersibles.” Di PRATICA , Ital. Free intercourse; admitted to pratique. Persons who, having performed quarantine, are permitted to land in Italy, and mix with the inhabitants.