Glossary M

Magnetic North
The geographical region towards which all magnetic needles point. The point is approximately 1,300 miles south of true north.

Main Beam (hunting)
The length of the antler from the base of the skull to the natural tip of the antlers.

Malaria
Usually transmitted to humans by mosquitoes, malaria can cause fever, shivering, joint pain, vomiting, anemia, and convulsions, which can ultimately lead to coma and death if untreated — especially in young children. Occurs in wet, warm, marshy regions.

Mangroves
The only trees that grow in salt water. Mangroves protect tropical coastlines from storm surges, and their extensive root system attracts a variety of shallow water game fish.

Maritime Climate
A climate strongly influenced by an oceanic environment, found on islands and the windward shores of continents. It is characterized by small daily and yearly temperature ranges and high relative humidity.

Marsh
A type of freshwater, brackish water or saltwater wetland that is found along rivers, pond, lakes and coasts. Marsh plants grow up out of the water.

Mayfly
The most beautiful of aquatic insects, the mayfly is characterized by an upswept wing and long, delicate two or three-stranded tail.

Meander
Something that meanders follows a winding path.

Mediterranean Climate
A climate characterized by moist, mild winters and hot, dry summers.

Metamorphic Rock
Rock that has been physically altered by heat and/or pressure.

Merging Currents
A dead spot of calm water created where two currents come together.

Mesa
A land formation with a flat area on top and steep walls - usually occurring in dry areas.

Millpond
A reservoir built to provide flowing water to a watermill.

Milt
The sperm of fishes.

Moat
A deep, broad trench, filled with water, surrounding a structure, installation, or town.

Modular (hunting)
Something made up of more than one component for adjustability. For example, a lot of cams are modular, allowing variation in draw length, and let-off, by changing the position of one component in relation to the other and reassembling in the new configuration.

Mollusks
Oysters, scallops, mussels, snails, squid, octopuses.

Monadnock
An isolated hill or mountain of resistant rock rising above an eroded lowland.

Monocline
An open, step-like fold in rock over a large area.

Monofilament (fishing)
Nylon line available in different strengths and colors. It is almost invisible to the fish. However, it absorbs water which loosens knots and has a memory so that it tends to come off the reel in coils.

Monsoon
A persistent seasonal wind, often responsible for seasonal precipitation regime. It is most commonly used to describe meteorological changes in southern and eastern Asia.

Montane
A mountainous region.

Mountain
A very tall high, natural place on Earth - higher than a hill.

Mountain Breeze
System of winds that blow downhill during the night.

Mountain Range
A long chain of mountains; a row of connected mountains.

Mountain Valley Glaciers
Mountains composed of ice.

Mouth (of a river)
Place where a river empties into a larger body of water; the end of a river.

Multi Tool
A tool which consists of many parts serving many different functions. It is usually a bit larger then a Swiss Army Knife and the parts usually fold into the handle.

Mummy Bag
A sleeping bag that is tapered at the ends to reduce air space and to conserve heat.