MATRASS (mod.

See also:

• LAT

Lat. matracium)  , a glass vessel with a round or oval body and a long narrow neck, used in chemistry, &c., as a digester or distiller . The Florence flask of commerce is frequently used for this purpose . The word is possibly identical with an old name " matrass " (Fr. materas, matelas) for the bolt or quarrel of a cross-bow . If so, some identity of shape is the reason for the application of the word; " bolt-head " is also used as a name for the vessel . Another connexion is suggested with the Arabic matra, a leather bottle .