MEL

A machine invented by the Dutch for carrying ve els into harbours where there is not a suflScient depth of water. It consisted of two large boxes, or half ships, built in such a manner that they could be applied on each side of the hull of a large ve el. On the deck of pach part of the camel a number of horizontal windla es were placed, from which ropes proceeded, on one side, and being carried under the keel of the ve el, were attached to the windla es on the deck of the other part. When about to be used as much water as nece ary was suffered to run into them; all the ropes were then cast loose, and large beams were placed horizontally through the port-holes of the ve el, the ends resting on the camels alongside. When the ropes were made fast, and the ve el properly secured, the water was pumped out, on which the camels rose and bore up the ve el; {Beckman's History (\f Inventions, vol. Iii. p. 337.) CAMELEON or CHAMiELION [s. 196]