The square ones, which have always proved to be the best, are cut very simply by two sets of knives acting transversely to each other. The round ones, which always have the fault of weakness, are cut by a perforated steel plate invented in 1842 by Mr. Par tridge. The perforations are the same size as the splints; and their edges are sufficiently sharp, when pressed on /he transverse section of the wood, to cut down through it. The vanous ornamental forms of the German match-makers, who excel in this manufacture, are produced by planes,.the irons of which are so constructed as to plow up splints of the form required. These are usually made of a soft kind of pine wood—that of abies pecti nata is preferred in Austria and Germany—of which vast quantities are yielded by the forests of upper Austria. Until the introduction of amorphous phosphorus (see Puos nronus), the trade of match-making was fearfully unhealthy; the emanation of phos phoric acid, when common phosphorus was used, gave rise to necrosis, or mortifica tion of the bones, and fatal effects often followed. Too rnany manufacturers are still. using the common kind for cheapness, but others avoid the injury to their work-people by employing the amorphous kind. This, and other dangerous manufactures, demand legislative interference.
The trade in matches has assumed enormous dimensions, especially in Germany, where' vast quantities are exported. One firm, having its principal establishment at Schuttenhofen in Bohemia, employs 2,700 persons in this manufacture; more than one firm in England produces 10,000,000 congreve matches per day; and a Birmingham firm manufactures daily 8 miles of thin wax-taper, and converts it into congreve matches.
Indeed, so wonderfully has match-making developed itself that in this country inore thousands are now engaged in it than there were hundreds of persons who found employ ment in making the brimstone matches formerly.
MATE (allied to meet, measured, suitable, conformable, equal, companionable) is au assistant, a deputy-, or a second in any work; in this sense it is a common word in nau tical affairs. In the navy its use is now confined to petty officers, such as boatswain's mate, gun.ner's mate, etc.; but formerly several officers bore the title, as master's mate, now second master, surgeon's mate, now assistaut-surgeon. Until within a few years the distinctive term mate survived, and was applied to a grade between lieutenant and mid shipman: the title is now changed to sublieutenant (q.v.).
In the merchant-service the mates are important officers, holding functions not greatly inferior to those of lieutenants in the royal navy. The first mate ranks next to the mas ter or captain, commands in his absence, and is immediately responsible for the state of the vessel; the second and third (and fourth in large well-found vessels) have various analogous duties, the junior mate generally having the superintendence of the stowage of the cargo.