Floating bridge

A bridge formed of beams of timber and planks lying on the surface of a river or piece of water. -A flat-bottomed ferry-boat running on chains laid acro the bottom of a water-course. ( Mil .) A kind of double bridge, the upper one projecting beyond the lower one, and capable of being moved forward by pulleys; - used for carrying troops over narrow moats in attacking the outworks of a fort. Floating Islands, Gardens, and Houses. Gardens and islands, formed of patches of wood and weeds, covered with gra , flowers, and other vegetable productions, supported on the surface of the water. In this country on the Mi i ippi, and in India on the Ganges, such islands, detached from the banks by the force of the currents, are often seen carried down to the sea, with tall trees standing erect upon them. In ancient mythology, the island of Delos, one of the Cyclades, was supposed to be endowed with floating powers, and to be capable of sinking below the surface of the deep, and rising again at various intervals, in some new spot. In northern India, and on the borders of Thibet and Persia, floating gardens are often erected -To move in crowds. by the natives, for the purpose of raising melons, cu- -A great quantity; an overflowing; abundance; super cumbers, and other similar vegetables and plants, which require a very aqueous soil for their cultivation. These gardens, however, are of a very fragile nature, and rarely exceed a foot in depth of soil, their prime structure being overwhelm; as, to flood the rice-fields. composed of wicker-work, interlaced with reeds and wadlings, and covered with matting, over which the earth is placed. Floating houses are built by the inhabi- tants of Bangkok , the capital of Siam, from motives of comfort and safety. These houses form whole streets, being anchored in rows, and are capable of being moved from one position to another at pleasure. From the depth of water, large ve els of from 200 and 300 tons burden can sail up this picturesque town, and pa alongside the houses of the inhabitants. These floating houses are made of bamboo-stems, wicker-work, and palms, with a veranda in front; and they are built on large rafts. Sir John Bowring gives a capital account of them in his sketch of Siam. abundance; as, a flood of legal tenders. (Med.) The menstrual discharge; menses. Flood, v. a. To overflow; to inundate; to deluge; to