DEMETRIUS

, a Cynic philosopher, and disciple of Apollonius Thyaneus, in the age of Caligula. That emperor wishing to gain the philosopher to his interest by a large present, he refused it with indignation, saying, If Caligula wishes to bribe me, let him send me his crown. Vespasian was displeased with his insolence, and banished him to an island. The cynic derided the punishment, and bitterly inveighed against the emperor.

Demetrius lived to a very great age. And Seneca observes, that “nature had brought him forth to shew mankind that an exalted genius can live securely without being corrupted by the vice of the surrounding world.”

DEMI-Bastion, in Fortification, one that has only one face and one flank.

Demi-Cannon, and Demi-Culverin, names of certain species of cannon, now no longer used.

Demi Cross, an instrument used by the Dutch to take the altitude of the sun or a star at sea; instead of which we use the cross staff, or forestaff.

Demi-Gorge, is half the gorge or entrance into the bastion; not taken directly from angle to angle, where the bastion joins to the curtin, but from the angle of the flank to the centre of the bastion; or the angle the two curtins would make, were they thus protracted to meet in the bastion.

Demi-Lune, or Half-moon, an outwork consisting of two faces, and two little flanks. It is often built before the angle of a bastion, and sometimes also before the curtin; though now it is very seldom used.