Illustrated Companion to the Latin Dictionary/Catapirates

Illustrated Companion to the Latin Dictionary, and Greek Lexicon (Rich, 1849)

CATAPIRA'TES (βολίς). The lead which sailors use for taking soundings. It had tallow fixed to the bottom, in the same way as now, for the purpose of ascertaining the nature of the ground, whether of sand, rock, pebbles, or shells, and if fit for anchorage or not. (Lucil. Sat. p. 82. 11. ed Gerlach. Isidor. Orig. xix. 4. 10.) In the illustration (Catapirates/1.1), from a marble bas-relief, of which there is a cast in the British Museum, it is represented as hanging from the head of a vessel.

• 
  Catapirates/1.1