by the British, and general Jackson having no authority to rebuild it, evacuated the place, and returned to Mobile. A similar disregard of the duties of neutrality on the part of the Spanish government, drew upon this province another invasion in 1818. The Seminole Indians, with whom the United States were at war, residing within the limits of Florida, and making their incursions thence without restraint from the Spaniards, it became necessary, for the purpose of chastising them, to cross the territorial line, and subsequently possession was taken by general Jackson of Fort St. Marks and Pensacola. The American troops remained in these posts until November, 1818, when they were restored by the government of the United States to Spain. A negotiation, which had been for a long time pending, for the transfer of the whole province to the United States, was consummated by treaty in 1819; and, after many vexatious delays, the treaty was ratified by Spain in October, 1820, and finally by the United States in the month of February, 1821. Possession was delivered to general Jackson, the commissioner of the United States, in July, 1821, and the province now forms one of the territories of the United States.

FLORIDA, GULF OF, is a common name for the channel between the peninsula of Florida, and the Bahama Isles, north of Cuba.

Through this gulf the celebrated stream, sometimes called the gulf, sometimes the FLORIDASTREAM, first inake sits way to the north-east along the coast of America.

Various attempts have been made to account for this current, and as it is an object of general interest in natural history, though we have noticed it in another place (see AMERICA, Index) we conceive it may gratify our readers to present them with a concise view of its causes from an able paper in the Edinburgh Philosophical Journal, for 1820. It is known, that the tides in the ocean are produced by the combined actions of the sun and moon, causing the waters, in general, when their course is not obstructed by continents, islands, &c., to take a westerly direction. The winds in the tropical climates, from nearly the same cause, blow generally the same way. It is also observed by navigators, that when a wind blows for any length of time, in a given direction, the waters of the sea move in the same direction, forming a current, at least at the surface, more or less strong, according to circumstances, setting in that direction. The whole body of the waters of the Atlantic, then, must have a general tendency to move from the coasts of Europe and Africa, towards the shores of America, which must be modified in its effects, according to the different conformations of the coasts and other combining circumstances. If we examine the coast of North America, we shall find, that its direction is nearly that of the meridian, or north and south, at least from about New York to Cape Sable in East Florida. Therefore, the mass of waters coming from the east, will strike it nearly at right angles, which, after high water, will gradually retire into the ocean towards the east, without producing any considerable current along the coast, or any ac

cumulation in a particular place, as it otherwise would have done, if that coast had been more oblique to the direction of the tide, though the Bahama Islands, and shallows, must prove a considerable obstruction to the flood-tide setting di.ectly westerly, near Florida, and will have some tendency to cause it to flow more to the north.

'If we now turn our attention to the northern coast of South America, we shall find that it follows nearly the direction of a parallel of latitude, or east and west, and of course, very oblique to the tide coming from the east; and, therefore, it is natural to suppose, that a current will be produced, setting westward, from Cape St. Roque, along the shores of Guiana, Cumana, Terra Firma, the Musquito Shore., &c, towards Cape Catouche in Yucatan. This, indeed, is verified by observation, for it is found, that the flood-tide combined with a current, runs along these coasts, generally at about the rate of two or three miles an hour. This current setting along the Caribbean Sea, will enter the Gulf of Mexico between Cape Antonio, in Cuba, and Cape Catouche, in Yucatan, and must, of course, raise the waters of that Gulf, to a considerable height above the general level of the ocean. A part of these waters after the time of high water, will fall back into the Caribbean Sea; and there actually has been observed a current off Cape Antonio, setting eastward along the south coast of Cuba. Indeed it has been asserted, by Captain Manderson of the Royal Navy, in his Observations on the Gulf Stream, that the waters about Cape Antonio, move sometimes one way, sometimes another, and are sometimes stationary,' which may be expected, according as it is flood-tide, ebb-tide, or high water.

From what we have already advanced, it is clear that the waters between Cuba and Yucatan, must be higher than those between Cuba and Florida; and, therefore, the mass of waters carried into the Gulf of Mexico, in the manner already mentioned, must flow out between Cuba and East Florida. If we also take into consideration the number of great rivers, and among them the Mississippi, itself like a sea, that falls into the Gulf of Mexico, which is, comparatively speaking, small, their waters must endeavour to extend themselves over a portion of sea greater than that gulf; and since, from the accumulation of water coming from the Caribbean Sea, depending on causes already pointed out, the waters of the Mississippi, and other rivers, falling into the Gulf of Mexico from the west and north, cannot extend themselves over that sea towards the south, they must flow along its northern shore towards the east. That the waters of great rivers do flow to a considerable distance in the ocean, can be easily proved. In Columbus's first voyage to America, he found his vessel in fresh water, at the mouth of the Orinoco, before he discovered land, whence he inferred, he was near some great continent, which alone could produce such a stream. In Macleod's voyage to China, a stream of fresh water was found at a considerable distance from the shores of Java, and the British fleet, which blockaded Toulon, occasionally took in fresh water at the mouth of

the Rhone, at a considerable distance from land. Hence, then, it is clear, that the streams of large rivers flow a considerable way into the ocean. The Mississippi, and other large rivers which fall into the Gulf of Mexico, must therefore, in some direction or other do the same. But since a current of water flows generally into the Gulf of Mexico, between Yucatan and Cuba, the waters of the Mississippi cannot flow out in that direction; they must therefore, with more or less velocity, flow out between Cuba and Florida. This, combining with the superabundant waters of the ocean collected in the Gulf, flowing round between Cuba and Cape Sable in Florida, is, by the north-west shores of Cuba, the Bahama Isles, and banks, turned round the eastern shores of East Florida, and must set northward along the east coast of America, with considerable velocity, constituting what is called the Florida or Gulf Stream. This conclusion is verified by observation; for the waters in the Gulf Stream, in the greater part of its course to the north of the Bahama Islands, are found, by the thermometer, to be warmer than those of the seas immediately bordering on it, whence they must come from a warmer climate, and, when chemically examined, to possess a less degree of saltness, and therefore must consist chiefly of fresh water. Hence, from these two causes, namely, the current formed by the flood-tide setting in between Cuba and Yucatan, and the fresh water from the Mississippi, and other large rivers, falling into the Gulf of Mexico, combined and modified in the manner we have described, and not either of them separately, as has been sometimes affirmed, making its escape northward, along the eastern coast of America, we think, it will evidently appear, is derived the true cause of the Gulf Stream. Hence, too, the circular motion of the waters in the northern Atlantic, and other phenomena, attempted to be established by Humboldt, will receive a satisfactory

solution.'

FLORIDA BLANCA (Francis Anthony Monino, count de), a principal minister of Spain in modern times, first distinguished himself as an opponent of the French revolution: his enemies availed themselves of his unpopularity to procure his dismission from the king's service in the beginning of 1792. He was shortly after permitted to retire to his estates in the province of Murcia, and to retain his titles and dignities, but arrested again in July the same year, and committed to the castle of Pampeluna, and again soon released. After several years of seclusion, he was in 1808 chosen president of the cortes, and died in that year November 20th, aged near eighty.

FLORILEGIUM, FLORILEGE, a name the Latins have given to what the Greeks call av0oAoytov, anthology; viz. a collection of choice pieces, containing the finest and brightest things in their kind.

FLORILEGIUM, or Anthologia, is particularly used for a breviary, in the eastern church, compiled by Arcadius, for the conveniency of the Greek priests and monks, who cannot carry with them, in their travels and pilgrimages, all the volumes wherein their office is dispersed. It con

tains the general rubrics, psalter, canticles, the horologium, and the office of the feria, &c.

FLO'RIN, n. s. Fr. A coin first made by the Florentines. That of Germany is in value 2s. 4d.; that of Spain 4s. 4d.; that of Palermo and Sicily 2s. 6d. ; that of Holland 2s.

In the Imperial chamber the proctors have half a florin taxed and allowed them for every substantial recess. Ayliffe. FLORIN is sometimes used for a coin, and sometimes for a money of account. As a coin, it is of different values, according to the different metals, and different countries where it is struck. The gold florins are most of them of a very coarse alloy, some of them not exceeding thirteen or fourteen carats, and none of them seventeen and a half. As a money of account, it is used by the Italian, Dutch, and German merchants and bankers, but admits of different divisions in different places. See COINS.

FLORINIANI, or FLORIANI, a sect of heretics, of the second century, so named from its author Florinus. Philastrius says, that they were the same with the Carpophorians. He adds, that they were also called soldiers, milites, quia de militaribus fuerunt. St. Irenæus calls them Gnostics; St. Epiphanius, Phibionites; and Theodoret, Borborites, on account of the impurities of their lives.

FLORINUS, or FLORIANUS, a heretic of the second century, and a priest of the Roman church, deposed for his errors along with Blastus. He had been a disciple of St. Polycarp, along with Irenæus. He made God the author of evil; or rather asserted, that the things forbidden by God are not evil, but of his own appointing; in which he followed the errors of Valentinus, and joined himself with the Carpocratians.

FLORIS (Francis), an eminent historical painter, born at Antwerp in 1520. He followed the profession of a statuary till twenty years of age; when, preferring painting, he entered the school of Lambert Lombard, whose manner he imitated very perfectly. He afterwards went into Italy, and completed his studies from the most eminent masters. The great pro gress he had made in historical painting, at his return procured him much employment; and his countrymen complimented him with the tide of the Flemish Raphael. He obtained considerable prices for his pictures, and might have rendered himself more worthy of the attention of the great, had he not debased his character by frequent intoxication. He died in 1570, aged fifty.

FLORIS, Or Ende Isle, a considerable island of the Eastern Seas, situated between the 8° and 9° S. lat., and the 120° and 123° of E. long. In length, it is about 200 miles, by thirty-six the average breadth. The interior is mountainous and woody, but near the sea is a fine open country; but this island is little known to Europeans. Over the greater part, the Birma, a kindred language to the Javanese, prevails. At the village of Larantooca in the straits, which separate Floris from Sabraon and Solor, European vessels procure refreshments in exchange for ammunition, cutlery, &c. Formerly sandal wood might be procured here in considerable

quantities. Wax and ambergris are the other exports. The Portuguese never effected a regular settlement here.

FLORUS (Lucius Annæus), a Latin historian of the same family with Seneca and Lucan. He flourished in the reigns of Trajan and Adrian; and wrote an Abridgment of the Roman History, of which there have been many editions. It is composed in a florid and poetical style; and is rather a panegyric on many of the great actions of the Romans, than a faithful and correct recital of their history. He also wrote poetry, and entered the lists against the emperor Adrian, who satirically reproaches him with frequenting places of dissipation.

FLORY, a cross, differs from the potence, by having the flowers at the ends circumflex and turning down. See diagram azure (a cross flory), argent a chief gules-name Henricson.

FLOS'CULOUS, adj. Lat. flosculus. Composed of flowers; having the nature or form of flowers.

The outward part is a thick and carnous covering, and the second a dry and flosculous coat. Browne.

FLOS FOEMINEUS, a flower which is furnished with the pointal or female organ of generation, but wants the stamina or male organ. Female flowers may be produced apart from the male, either on the same root or on distinct plants. Birch and mulberry are examples of the first case; willow and poplar of the second.

FLOS MASCULUS, a male flower. By this name, Linnæus and the sexualists distinguish a flower which contains the stamen, or male organ of generation; but not the stigma or female organ. See BOTANY.

FLOTE, v. a.
FLOTTEN, adj. See To FLEET.

To skim.

uch cheeses, good Cisley, ye floted too nigh.

FLOTSON, n. s. From flote.

Tusser.

Goods that

swim without an owner on the sea. FLOTSON, OF FLOTSOM, signifies goods lost by shipwreck; which, with jetson and lagan, are generally given to the lord admiral, when the owners are not known. See JETSON and LAGAN.

FLOUNCE, v. n., v. a. & n. s. Swed flunsa, Dut. plonsen, to plunge. To move with violence in the water or mire; to struggle or dash in the water; to move with weight and tumult; hence, metaphorically, to move with passionate agitation. The noun and active verb have a different application; yet the derivation from the neuter is traceable, if not obvious: a flounce is any thing sewed to the garment, and hanging loose so as to swell and shake; and to flounce is thus to deck with flounces.

Six flouncing Flanders mares
Are even as good as any two of theirs.

Id.

Nay, oft in dreams invention we bestow, To change a flounce, or add a furbelow. FLOUNDER, n. s. & v. n. Danish flynder; Scotch fluke. The verb is derived from flounce. The noun is the name of a small flat fish: the verb signifies to struggle with violent and irregular motions; as a horse in the mire. It is figuratively applied to a public speaker, when he plunges from one subject to another without the least order or connexion. Mental and verbal confusion, by which a man exposes himself to contempt.

Dryden.

Then writ and floundered on in mere despair. Pope. He plunged for sense, but found no bottom there; Flounders will both thrive and breed in any pond. Mortimer.

FLOUR, n. s. Formerly written FLOWER, which see. The choice part of grain; the fine meal of corn.

The bread I would have in flower, so as it might be baked still to serve their necessary want. Spenser I can make my audit up, that all

From me do back receive the flower of all,
And leave me but the bran.
Shakspeare.

But by thy care twelve urns of wine be filled, Next these in worth, and firm those urns be sealed; Be twice ten measures of the choicest flour Prepared, e'er yet descends the evening hour. Pope's Odyssey.

FLOUR (St.), a town of France, in the department of the Cantal, standing on a perpendicular basalt rock, accessible only on one side. It is full 200 feet above the level of the road, and contains a population of 5300. General Desaix, the favorite companion of Buonaparte, was born here. It is thirty-four miles east of Aurillar and fifty south of Clermont. FLOURISH, v. n., v. a. & n. s., ? Lat. floreo, FLOURISHER, n. s. S floresco, from flos, floris. See FLORAL. It is equally applied to vigor and to beauty; to strength and to embellishment; to prosperity and its accompaniments; to splendor and ambitious show; to bravery and the parade of it. Something more than the thing itself; an adjunct for the purpose of recommendation and effect: thus it is applied to florid language; to speak with ambitious copiousness and elegance; to boast; to brag; to adorn; to grace; to ornament. It has also other applications: e. g. to describe various figures by intersecting lines; to work figures with a needle; to play in wanton and irregular motions. In music, to play some prelude without any settled

rule.

Ꮓ

Ali that I shall say will be but like bottoms of thread close wound up, which, with a good needle, perhaps may be flourished into large works. Id. War with Spain. They count him of the green-haired eld, they may, or in his flower;

For not our greatest flourisher can equal him in power. Chapman.

The Egyptians of old, and many flourishing commonwealths since, have enjoyned labour and exercise to all sorts of men, to be of some vocation and calling, and to give an account of their time, to prevent those grievous mischiefs that come by idleness.

Burton's Anatomy of Melancholy.

And all the powers of hell in full applause

Where'er you tread, the blushing flowers shall rise, And all things flourish where you turn your eyes.

Pope.

People seek for what they call wit, on all subjects, and in all places; not considering that nature loves truth so well, that it hardly ever admits of flourishing. Conceit is to nature what paint is to beanty; it is not only needless, but impairs what it would improve. Id. Impetuous spread

The stream and smoaking, flourished o'er his head.

Id.

They dilate sometimes, and flourish long upon little incidents, and they skip over and but lightly touch the drier part of their theme. Watts's Logick.

They were intended only for ludicrous ornaments of nature, like the flourishes about a great letter that signify nothing, but are made only to delight the eye. More against Atheism.

Whilst Cicero acts the part of a rhetorician, he di lates and flourishes, and gives example instead of rule. Baker.

Ye toppling crags of ice!

Ye avalanches, whom a breath draws down
In mountainous o'erwhelming, come and crush me!
I hear ye momently, above, beneath,
Crash with a frequent conflict; but ye pass,
And only fall on things which still would live;
On the young flourishing forest, or the hut
And hamlet of the harmless villager.

Byron. Manfred. The gentle Juan flourished, though at times

He felt like other plants called sensitive, Which shrink from touch as monarchs do from rhymes,

Save such as Southey can afford to give. Byron. FLOUT, v.a., v. n. & n. s. Į Dutch fluyten; Fris. flouwe. To

FLOUTER, n. s.

brands.

The presentation of but what I was,

The flourish of his sober youth, Was the pride of naked truth.

Crashaw.

Id.

We can excuse the duty of our knowledge, if we only bestow the flourish of poetry thereon, or those commendatory conceits which popularly set forth the eminence of this creature. Browne.

A child with delight looks upon emblems finely drawn and painted, and takes some pleasure in be holding the neat characters and flourishes of a bible curiously printed.

Boyle. Studious to please the genius of the times, With periods, points, and tropes he slurs his crimes; He lards with flourishes his long harangue; 'Tis fine, sayest thou; what, to be praised and hang? Dryden.

He was the patron of my manhood, when I flourished in the opinion of the world, though with small advantage to my fortune.

Against the post their wicker shields they crush, Flourish the sword, and at the plastron push.

Id.

Id. Juvenal.

Villanies have not the same countenance, when there are great interests, plausible colours, and flou rishes of wit and rhetorick interposed between the sight and the object. L'Estrange.

The so much repeated ornament and flourish of their former speeches was commonly the truest word they spoke, though least believed by them.

South's Sermons. As they are likely to over-flourish their own case, so their flattery is hardest to be discovered.

Collier.

Who knows not that the coachman lashing by, Oft with his flourish cuts the heedless eye? Gay.

tempt.

Scambling, out-facing, fashion-mongering boys, That lie, and coy, and flout, deprave and slander, Go antickly, and show outward hideousness.

Shakspeare.

Id.

Id.

You must flout my insufficiency. She railed at her, that she should be so immodest to write to one she knew would flout her. The Norweyan banners flout the sky, And fan our people cold.

Id. Macbeth. He would ask of those that had been at the other's table, Tell truly, was there never a flout or dry blow given? Bacon. Flouting persons for their constancy in devotion, or their strict adherence to a conscientious practice of duty, is most detestable. Barrow.

She opened it, and read it out,
With many a smile and leering flout.

With talents well endued, To be scurrilous and rude; When you pertly raise your snout, Fleer and gibe, and laugh and flout. Swift. FLOW, v. n., v. a. & n. s. 7 Sax. Fleopan; FLOWINGLY, adv. Goth. floa; Fr.

fluer; Lat. fluo; Gr. Bλvw, or pλvw,connected with pew, which signifies literally to flow. Flow is a generic terin, and thus differs from stream and gust, which are modes of flowing. The continued running of water either in a large body,