A large solid mass of iron, of indispensable use in smiths', as well as many other workshops, for hammering or forging work upon. They are made of various sizes, from the weight of a few pounds (or even ounces,) up to many hundred weights each; and they are much varied in form, to adapt them to the nature of the work they are designed for. Their general figure is that of a parallelopipedon, with its lowest side spread out at the corners to steady its seat upon a wooden block upon which they are mounted, and confined by large nails or staples. The face, or upper side, of most anvils are perfectly flat and smooth, and are made of steel, and so hard as to resist the file. At one end of the anvil is a "beak-iron," which is a projecting piece, tapering to a point, for the purpose of turning or bending the metal under operation; and there are also one or more holes made on the face, for the convenience of punching holes in the work, or for the reception of fixed cold chisels, stakes, or indeed any kind of tool that it may be desirable to adapt to it.