FLIE

, or Fly, that part of the mariner's compass, on which the 32 points of the wind are drawn, and over which the needle is placed, and fastened underneath.

FLOAT-Boards, the boards fixed to the outer rim of undershot water wheels, serving to receive the impulse of the stream, by which the wheel is carried round.—There may be too many of these boards on a wheel. It is thought to be the best rule, to have their distance asunder such, that each of them may come out of the water as soon as possible, aster it has received and acted with its full impulse; or, which comes to the same thing, when the succeeding one is in a direction perpendicular to the surface of the water.

Floating Bridge, is a bridge of boats, casks, &c, covered with planks, firmly bound together for the passage of men, horses, or carriages, &c.