AFTERMOST. The last objects in a ship, reckoned from forwards; as, the _aftermost_ mast, _aftermost_ guns, &c. AFTERNOON-WATCH. The men on deck-duty from noon till 4 P.M. AFTER-ORDERS. Those which are given out after the regular issue of the daily orders. AFTER-PART. The locality towards the stern, from dead-flat; as, in the _after-part_ of the fore-hold. AFTER-PEAK. The contracted part of a vessel's hold, which lies in the run, or aftermost portion of the hold, in contradistinction to _fore-peak_. Both are the sharp ends of the ship. AFTER-RAKE. That part of the hull which overhangs the after-end of keel. AFTER-SAILS. All those on the after-masts, as well as on the stays between the main and mizen masts. Their effect is to balance the head-sails, in the manner that a weather-cock or vane is moved, of which the main-mast must be considered the pivot or centre. The reverse of _head-sails_. "Square the after-yards," refers to the yards on the main and mizen masts. AFTER-TIMBERS. All those timbers abaft the midship section or bearing part of a vessel. AFTMOST. The same as _aftermost_. AFTWARD. In the direction of the stern. AGA. A superior Turkish officer. AGAINST THE SUN. Coiling a rope in the direction from the right hand towards the left--the contrary of _with the sun_. This term applies to a position north of the sun; south of the sun it would be reversed. AGAL-AGAL. One of the sea fuci, forming a commercial article from the Malay Isles to China, where it is made into a strong cement. The best is the _Gracilaria spinosa_. Agal-agal derives its name from Tanjong Agal on the north coast of Borneo; where it was originally collected. It is now found in great abundance throughout the Polynesian Islands, Mauritius, &c. It is soluble, and forms a clear jelly--used by consumptive patients. It fetches a high price in China. It is supposed that the sea-swallow derives his materials for the edible bird's nests at Borneo from this fucus. AGATE. The cap for the pivots of the compass-cards, formed of hard siliceous stone, a chalcedony or carnelian, &c. AGAVE. The American aloe, from which cordage is made; similar to the piña of Manila. The fruit also, when expressed, affords the refreshing drink "pulque." AGE. In chronology, a period of a hundred years.--_Ship's age_, one of the stipulations of contracts at Lloyd's.--_Age of the moon_, is the interval of time or number of days elapsed since the previous conjunction or new moon. AGENCY. Payment _pro operâ et labore_, fixed by the prize act at five per cent. as a fair average, but it gives nothing where the property is restored; in such cases it is usual for the agent to charge a gross sum. AGENCY, NAVAL. A useful class of persons, who transact the monetary affairs of officers, and frequently help them to the top branches of the profession. They are paid for their services by a percentage of 2-1/2.