PANCH, a sort of thick and strong mat, or texture, formed by interweaving twists of rope-yarn as close as possible. It is chiefly used to fasten on the outside of the yards, or rigging, to prevent their surfaces from being rubbed by the friction of some other contiguous object, particularly when the vessel is rocked by a tempestuous sea. See also MAT. PARBUCKLE, a contrivance used by sailors to _lower_ a cask or bale from any height, as the top of a wharf or key, into a boat or lighter, which lies along-side, being chiefly employed where there is no crane or tackle. It is formed by fastening the _bight_ of a rope to a post, or ring, upon the wharf, and thence passing the two parts of the rope under the two quarters of the cask, and bringing them back again over it; so that when the two lower parts remain firmly attached to the post, the two upper parts are gradually slackened together, and the barrel, or bale, suffered to roll easily downward to that place where it is received below. This method is also frequently used by masons, in lifting up or letting down large stones, when they are employed in building; and from them it has probably been adopted by seamen. PARCELLING, certain long narrow slips of canvas, daubed with tar, and frequently bound about a rope, in the same manner as bandages are applied to a broken limb in surgery. This is chiefly practised when the said rope is intended to be _served_, at which time the parcelling is laid in spiral turns, as smoothly upon the surface as possible, that the rope may not become uneven and full of ridges. It is also employed to raise the _mouses_, which are formed on the _stays_ and on the _voyal_ being firmly fastened by _marling_ it from one end to the other. PARCELLING a _seam_, is laying a shred of canvas upon it, and daubing it over with melted pitch, both above and below the canvas. PARLIAMENT-HEEL, the situation of a ship, when she is made to stoop a little to one side, so as to clean the upper part of her bottom on the other side, and cover it with a new composition; and afterwards to perform the same office on that part of the bottom which was first immersed. The application of a new composition, or _coat_ of stuff, on this occasion, is called _boot-topping_. See that article. PARREL, _racage_, (probably from _parallel_) a machine used to fasten the sail-yards of a ship to the masts, in such a manner as that they may be easily hoisted and lowered thereon, as occasion requires. There are four different sorts of parrels, one of which is formed of a single rope; another, of a rope communicating with an assemblage of _ribs_ and trucks; a third, of a rope passing through several trucks, without any _ribs_; and the fourth, of a _truss_, by which the yard may be at any time slackened from the mast, or confined thereto as close as possible.