CONICAL TOPS OF MOUNTAINS not unfrequently indicate their nature: the truncated sugar-loaf form is generally assumed by volcanoes, though the same is occasionally met with in other mountains. CONIC SECTIONS. The curved lines and plane figures which are produced by the intersection of a plane with a cone. CONJEE. Gruel made of rice. CONJUGATE AXIS. The secondary diameter of an ellipse, perpendicular to the transverse axis. CONJUNCTION, in nautical astronomy, is when two bodies have the same longitude or right ascension. CONN, CON, OR CUN, as pronounced by seamen. This word is derived from the Anglo-Saxon _conne_, _connan_, to know, or be skilful. The pilot of old was skillful, and later the master was selected to conn the ship in action, that is, direct the helmsman. The quarter-master during ordinary watches conns the ship, and stands beside the wheel at the conn, unless close-hauled, when his station is at the weather-side, where he can see the weather-leeches of the sails. CONNECTING-ROD. In the marine engine, the part which connects the side-levers and the crank together. CONNINGS. Reckonings. CONQUER, TO. To overcome decidedly. CONSCRIPTION. Not only furnishes conscripts for the French army, but also levies a number of men who are compelled to serve afloat. CONSECRATION OF COLOURS. A rite practised in the army, but not in the navy. CONSIGN, TO. To send a consignment of goods to an agent or factor for sale or disposal. CONSIGNEE. The party to whose care a ship or a consignment of goods is intrusted. CONSIGNMENT. Goods assigned from beyond sea, or elsewhere, to a factor. CONSOLE-BRACKET. A light piece of ornament at the fore-part of the quarter-gallery, otherwise called a _canting-livre_. CONSORT. Any vessel keeping company with another.--_In consort_, ships sailing together in partnership. CONSORTSHIP. The practice of two or more ships agreeing to join in adventure, under which a strict division of all prizes must be made. (_See_ TON FOR TON.) CONSTRUCTION. In naval architecture, is to give the ship such a form as may be most suitable for the service for which she is designed. In navigation, it is the method of ascertaining a ship's course by trigonometrical diagrams. (_See_ INSPECTION.) CONSTRUCTIVE TOTAL LOSS. When the repair of damage sustained by the perils of the sea would cost more than the ship would be worth after being repaired.