SPA ( 84.5 ) s P E
the Zaims and Timariots are allowed todo. This corps is composed of twelveor fifteen thousand men, and consists ofthe Silhataris , whose standard or cornetis yellow, and of the Spahis-Glanis, whohave a red one. When these troopswere first formed, the latter acted as ser-vants or batmen to the former: they be-came a separate class or troop in conse-quence of their superior conduct on ser-vice, and are distinguished in this man-ner : they are armed with a sabre and alance, which they call misrack, Theylikewise make use of a long dart orjavelin, called a gerie, with an iron ferrclat one end, which they throw at anenemy with surprizing skill; and if theyshould happen to miss their aim, theycan instantly bend from their saddles,and catch it up, whilst the horse is onfull gallop.—Others again are armed withhows and arrows, and some have pistolsand carbines. When the Grand Signortakes the field in person, he generallymakes a present of live thousand nspersto each Spain . This bounty is calledsadaclt-ackchiasi , or gift to enable eachman to purchase bows and arrows.
When the Spa/us take the field, theymarch in rear of their standard; butthey do not observe any particular orderof route. They divide themselves, on thecontrary, into small bodies, and advancein the most desultory manner.
Besides these two troops of Spahis ,there are four others in the Turkish ser-vice, which are only called upon undercircumstances of extreme pressure andemergency. The first is called sag-vlesigi;the standard is red and white. Thesecond is named sol-vlcsigi; the standardis white and yellow. The third is styledsag-gureba; the standard green: and thefourth, sol-gureba; the standard is white.All these Spahis receive a daily pay oftwelve to twenty aspers ; and they aresubject to every species of duty.—Thereare Spahis called Timars , or Timariots.See Timariots.
SPAHIS-GLANIS, TV. See Spaiiis.
SPAN, a term used in civil architec-ture. The span of an arch is the dis-tance between the imposts, or the partsof piers from which the arch springs, oron which it rests.
SPANISH , a vulgar phrase, used prin-cipally among sea-faring men, to signifymoney.
SPARUM, a kind of dart, which wa#used by the ancients in war, and wasshot out of a cross-bow. The wound itoccasioned was extremely dangerous, asits point was triangular. Several of thesedarts were discharged in a volley.
SPATIIAIRES. See Protospa -
THAIRES
SPATTERDASHES, a kind of cover-ing for the legs of soldiers, made ofcloth, or coarse linen waxed over, andbuttoned tight; by which the wet is keptoft': now called long gaiters.
SPATTS, a small sort of spatter-dashes, that reach only a little abovethe ancle; called also half gaiters. Thisword is seldom used, except amongcommon soldiers.
SPATULE, spattle, from the Latin spatula , a slice or instrument whichapothecaries and surgeons use where-with to spread plasters. Also an instru-ment used in the composition of gun-powder.
SPAVIN. This disease, in horses, isa bony excrescence or crust as hard asa bone, that grows on the inside of thehough.
Blood Spavin, a distension of thesinews in a horse occasioned by extra-vasation.
SPEAKING trumpet , a trumpet bywhich the voice may be carried to agreat distance. It was formerly used inlarge armies; and even so late as thesiege of Gibraltar , when General Elliott,(afterwards Lord Heathfield) caused thebrigade words of command to be givenby means of this instrument. The French say porte-voix.
SPEAR , a lance, or long weaponwith a sharp point, formerly used asa manual, or missile weapon. SeeLance.
Major Cartwright, in a late ingeniouspublication, has given some curious par-ticulars respecting this weapon. SeeiEgis published by that gentleman.
Spear , the feather of a horse, calledthe streak of the spear, is a mark in theneck, or near the shoulder of some barbs;and some Turkey and Spanish horsesrepresent the blow or cut of a spear inthose places, wich something like theappearance of a scar. This feather hasbeen reckoned by some an infallible signof a good horse.
Spear , the long piece of wood whichis fixed to the body or beam of a chevalde frize. The spears are 33 in number,