Chapter XXXVIII: Appendix (2)

CO´BALT. From the Germ. _kobold_, a devil, A brittle metal of a reddish
gray colour. Its ores are always associated with arsenic.

COBRA CAPELLO. Portu. _cobra_, snake, and _capello_, a cawl or hood.
Hood snake, a venomous serpent.

COCA. Quechua or aboriginal Peruvian word. Specific name of the genus
Erythróxylum.

COCCINE´LLA. From the Gr. _kokkinos_, scarlet. A genus of coleopt´erous
insects: commonly called Lady birds.

COC´CUS. From the Gr. _kokkos_, a seed which dyes scarlet. A genus of
insects of the order Hemíp´tera. _Coccus lacca._ A species of
cochineal insect. _Coccus ilicus._ Green oak cochineal.

CO´COS. Gr. A genus of palms; the cocoanut. _Cocos olera´cia._ The oil
cocoanut.

CODI´UM. From the Gr. _kodion_, a fleece. A genus of plants of the tribe
siphóneæ. _Codium bursa_ and _Codium flabelliforme_ are species.

COLO´BUS. From the Gr. _kolobos_, mutilated. A genus of monkeys which
belong to the old world. _Colobus comosus._ A hairy monkey.

COLU´BRIFORM. From the Lat. _coluber_, a serpent, an adder, and _forma_,
shape. Adder-shape.

COLUM´BA. Lat. A pigeon. A genus of birds. _Columba migrato´ria._ Wild
pigeon.

COLUM´BIUM. A metal discovered in a mineral found in Massachusetts by
Mr. Hachett, in 1801.

COLU´MNAR. In the form of columns.

COMBU´STION. The combination of two bodies accompanied by the
extrication of heat and light. When a body rapidly combines with
oxygen, for example, with a disengagement of heat and light, it is
said to undergo combustion.

COMPARATIVE ANATOMY. The comparative study of the various parts of the
bodies of different animals.

COMPO´SITE. A family of monopetalous plants.

CONDUCTOR. Those substances which possess the property of transferring
caloric or heat, and electricity, are termed conductors of heat or
caloric, and conductors of electricity.

CONFE´RVÆ. Tribe of plants of the family of Zóospérmeæ. It includes many
sea-weeds.

CON´GENER. From the Lat. _con_, with, and _genus_, race. Species
belonging to the same genus, are termed congeners.

CONGLO´MERATE. From the Lat. _conglomero_, I heap together. Any rock
composed of pebbles cemented together by another mineral substance,
either calcareous, silicious or argillaceous.

CO´NIFER. From the Lat. _conus_, a cone, and _fero_, I bear. A tree or
plant which bears cones, such as pines, fir-trees, &c.

CONI´FERÆ. A family of plants which includes the conifers.

CO´RAL. From the Gr. _koreo_, I ornament, and _als_, the sea. The hard
calcareous support formed by certain polypi.

CORA´LLINE. Belonging or relating to coral.

CORALLI´NEÆ. The corallines, a tribe of calciferous polypi.

COREO´PSIS. From the Gr. _koris_, a bug, and _opsis_, aspect. A genus of
plants.

COR´DIA. A genus of plants of the family of Cordiáceæ. It contains about
150 species.

CORIA´CEOUS. From the Lat. _corium_, the hide of a beast. Leathery.

CORO´NA. Lat. A crown. A genus of plants.

CORO´NÆ. Plural of corona.

CORU´NDUM. A crystallized or massive mineral of extreme hardness, almost
opaque, and of a reddish colour. It is allied to the sapphire, and is
composed of nearly pure alúmina.

COT´TUS. A genus of fishes.

COTY´LEDON. From the Gr. _katuledon_, a seed-lobe.

COTYLE´DONOUS. Belonging or relating to a cotyledon or seed lobe.

CRA´TER. Lat. A great cup or bowl. The mouth of a volcano.

CRATE´RIFORM. In form of a crater.

CRATERI´FEROUS. Containing craters.

CRETA´CEOUS. From the Lat. _creta_, chalk. Of the nature of chalk,
relating to chalk.

CRINOI´DEÆ. From the Gr. _krinon_, a lily, and _eidos_, resemblance. A
family of radiate animals.

CROP OUT. When a rock, in place, emerges on the surface of the earth, it
is said to crop out.

CRO´TON. A genus of plants of the family of Euphorbiáceæ.

CRUCIFE´RÆ. From the Lat. _crux_, _crucis_, a cross, and _fero_, I bear.
A family of plants which have flowers in form of a Maltese cross.

CRU´CIFORM. In shape of a cross.

CRUSTA´CEA. From the Lat. _crusta_, a crust. A class of articulated
animals.

CRUSTA´CEAN. An animal of the class of crustacea; a crab.

CRYPTOGA´MIA. From the Gr. _kruptos_, concealed, and _gamos_, marriage.
A class of plants, which are propagated without apparent seeds.

CRYTO´GAMOUS. Belonging or relating to crytogámia.

CRYPTO´NYX. From the Gr. _kruptos_, concealed, and _onux_, a nail. A
genus of birds; also, a genus of insects.

CRYST´AL. From the Gr. _krustallos_, ice. This term was originally
applied to those beautiful transparent varieties of silica or quartz
known under the name of _rock-crystal._ When substances pass from the
fluid to the solid state, they frequently assume those regular forms
which are generally termed crystals. A crystal is any inorganic solid
of homogeneous structure, bounded by natural planes and right lines,
symmetrically arranged.

CRYS´TALLINE. Relating to, or resembling crystals.

CRYSTALLIZA´TION. The process by which crystals are formed.

CUCIFE´RA THEBAI´CA. A palm of Egypt which grows to the height of 20
feet. Also known as the genus _Hyphæne_, from the Gr. _Huphaino_, I
entwine. A fan-leaf palm of the tribe of Borassíneæ.

CU´CULUS. Lat. A cuckoo. A genus of passerine birds.

CU´LEX. Lat. A gnat. A genus of insects of the family of Dip´tera, and
type of the tribe of Culícides: _culex pipiens_, the common gnat.

CU´MULI. Plural of cumulus.

CU´MULO-STRA´TUS. Twain cloud: it partakes of the appearance of the
cumulus and stratus.

CU´MULUS. A form of cloud. A convex aggregate of watery particles,
increasing upwards from a horizontal base, and assuming more or less
of a conical figure.

CUR´VIDENS. Lat. _Curvus_, bent, and _dens_, tooth. Having a bent tooth.

CUSPA´RIA. A genus of plants, named after the tree which yields the
Angustura bark.

CYANAP´TERA. From the Gr. _kuanos_, blue, and _pteron_, wing. A specific
name.

CYANEROI´DES. From the Gr. _kuanos_, blue, and _eidos_, resemblance. A
family of medusæ.

CY´CAS. A genus of plants, the type of the family cycádeæ. _Cycas
revoluta._ Narrow-leaved cycas.

CYCA´DEÆ. A family of plants allied to the cónifers.

CYCADA´CEOUS. Belonging or relating to the cycádeæ.

CY´CLAS. From the Gr. _kuklos_, a circle. A genus of gasteropods.

CYGNUS. Lat. A swan. A genus of birds. _Cygnus musicus._ The whistling
swan.

CYNOCE´PHALUS. From the Gr. _kuon_, a dog, and _kephale_, head. A genus
of mammals. Dog headed monkey or baboon.

CYPERA´CEÆ. Name of a family of herbaceous plants.

CYP´RÆA. From the Gr. _kupris_, Venus. A cowry. A genus of mollusks.
_Cypræa moneta._ The money cowry.

CYPRI´NIDÆ. From the Gr. _kuprinos_, a carp. Name of a family of fishes.

CYSTOSEI´RIÆ. From the Gr. _kustis_, a vesicle, and _seira_, a chain. A
tribe of sea-weeds.

DAC´TYLIS. From the Gr. _daktulos_, a finger. A genus of the family of
Gramíneæ. _Dactylis cæspitosa._ Tussock grass.

DAHLIA. After Dahl, a Swedish botanist. Genus of plants of the family of
Compósitæ.

DALBE´RGIA. After Dalberg, a Swedish botanist. A genus of plants of the
family of Papilionáceæ, and of the tribe of Dalbergiæ.

DAMAN. Alteration of the Arabic word _Ghannem_, the name of an animal.
Specific name of a mammal.

DANAIS. Genus of plants of the family of Rubiáceæ.

DAPH´NE. A genus of plants of the family Daphnáceæ.

DARWI´NII. The name of Darwin latinized. Belonging or relating to
Darwin.

DASY´URIDÆ. From the Gr. _dasus_, thick, hairy, and _oura_, tail. A
family of mammals.

DEBRIS. Fr. Wreck, ruins, remains. In geology the term is applied to
large fragments, to distinguish them from _detritus_, or those which
are pulverized.

DECI´DUOUS. From the Lat. _decido_, I fall off. Applied to plants whose
leaves fall off in autumn, to distinguish them from evergreens.

DEC´LINATION of any celestial body, is the angular distance of the body,
north or south, from the equator.

DEINOTHE´RIUM. From the Gr. _deinos_, terrible, and _thereion_, wild
beast. A genus of fossil pachyderms.

DELESSE´RIÆ. Proper name. Tribe of plants of the family of Flori´deæ.

DELPHI´NUS. Lat. Dolphin. A genus of aquatic mammals.

DEL´TA. The Gr. letter Δ. The triangular deposits, shoals or islands, at
the mouths of rivers are called deltas.

DEL´TOID. From the Gr. letter Δ and _eidos_, resemblance. Resembling the
letter delta.

DENUDA´TION. From the Lat. _denudo_, I strip. A removal of a part of the
land, so as to lay bare the inferior strata.

DEODA´R. A kind of pine tree.

DE´POSITION. From the Lat. _depono_, I let fall. In geology the falling
to the bottom of matters suspended or dissolved in water.

DEVONIAN SYSTEM. So called because it is largely developed in
Devonshire, England. It is synonymous with the old red sand formation.
It is composed at first of pudding stone, and then passes into
sandstone, with which it alternates at different places.

DE´TINENS. Lat. Detaining; that which has the power to detain.

DE´TRITUS. A geological term applied to deposits composed of various
substances which have been comminuted by attrition. The larger
fragments are usually termed _debris_; those which are pulverized, as
it were, constitute _detritus_. Sand is the detritus of silicious
rocks.

DIAMAGNETIC. If a bar of iron be suspended between the poles of an
electro-magnet, it will be attracted by both poles on the line of
force. But if a bar of bismuth be suspended in the same manner, it
will be repelled by both poles, and rest at right angles to the line
of force. Substances which are attracted by both poles of an
electro-magnet are said to be _magnetic_, and those which are repelled
by both poles are termed _diamagnetic_.

DICHOTO´MA, } From the Gr. _dicha_, divided, and _tomos_, DICHOTO´MU, } section. In zoology this term is applied to a species DICHOTO´MUS, } of the genus Iris, the body of which is bifurcate. In botany it is applied to the stem, branches, peduncles, leaves, hairs, styles, &c., when they are bifurcated in form.

DICOTY´LEDON. From the Gr. _dis_, two, and _kotuledon_, seed lobe. A
double seed lobe.

DICOTYLE´DONOUS. Relating to dicotyledon; having a double seed lobe.

DIDEL´PHOUS. From the Gr. _dis_, double, and _delphus_, womb. Applied to
opossums and other marsupial mammals.

DIDEL´PHIS. A genus of marsupial mammals.

DIDEL´PHIDÆ. A tribe of marsupial mammals.

DIGITA´TA. Lat. Digitate; spread out like the fingers.

DINO´RNIS. From the Gr. _deinos_, great, terrible, and _ornis_, a bird.
A genus of fossil, or extinct birds.

DIO´TIS. From the Gr. _diôtos_, having two ears: referring to the
flower. A genus of plants of the family of heliantháceæ.

DISLOCATION. Displacement. In geology where strata or veins have been
displaced from the position where first deposited or formed, they are
said to be dislocated.

DI´SA. A genus of plants of the family of Orchi´deæ. _Di´sa
grandiflora._ Large-flowered Disa.

DIO´SMA. From the Gr. _dios_, divine, and _osme_, smell. A genus of
plants of the family of Dios´meæ.

DILLENIA´CEÆ. Proper name. A family of plants.

DIONÆ´A. One of the names of Venus. A genus of plants of the family of
Droserácea. _Dionæa musci´pula._ Venus’ Fly-trap.

DIP´TERYX. From the Gr. _dis_, double, and _pterux_, a wing, in allusion
to the two appendages of the calyx. Tonquin Bean. A genus of plants of
the family of Leguminósæ. _Dip´teryx odora´ta._ Sweet-scented Tonquin
Bean.

DIC´TYOTA. From the Gr. _dictuon_, a net. A genus of plants of the
family of Phy´ceæ, and tribe of dictyóteæ.

DICTYO´NEMA. From the Gr. _dictuon_, a net, and _nema_, a filament. A
genus of plants of the family of Phy´ceæ.

DIP. In geology direction of the inclination of strata. “To take a dip,”
is to measure the degree that a stratum inclines or dips from a
horizontal line.

DIS´INTEGRATE. From the Lat. _de_, privative, and _integer_, a whole. To
separate or break up an aggregate into parts.

DO´LOMITE. Magnesian marble, or granular magnesian carbonate of lime.
Named after Dolomieu.

DOMBE´YA. In honor of Joseph Dombey. A genus of plants of the family of
Byttneriácea: it is found in Madagascar and the Isle of Bourbon.

DORSIGE´RA. Lat. From _dorsum_, the back, a ridge, and _gero_, I carry
or wear. A specific name.

DORYA´NTHES. From the Gr. _doru_, _doratos_, a lance, and _anthesis_, a
flowering. A genus of plants of the family of Amaryllidáceæ.

DRABA. A genus of plants of the family of Cruciferæ.

DRACÆNA. Lat. A genus of Saurians.

DRACÆNÆ. Plural of Dracæna.

DRYOBA´LANOPS. From the Gr. _drus_, _os_, an oak, _balanos_, an acorn,
and _ops_, aspect. A genus of plants of the family of Dip´terocárpeæ.
_Dryobalanos camphora._ The camphor tree of Sumatra.

DYNA´MIC. From the Gr. _dunamis_, power, force. Belonging or relating to
dynamics.

DYNAMICS. The doctrine of forces as exhibited in moving bodies which are
at liberty to obey the impulses communicated to them. The motions of
celestial bodies in their orbits, or of a stone falling freely through
the air, are embraced in the study of dynamics.

DI´DYMIUM. A metal discovered recently by Mosander.

EARTHS. Formerly chemists, believing them to be simple bodies, included
the following substances under the name of earths: Baryta, Strontia,
Lime, Magnesia, Alumina or clay, Silica, Glucina, Zirconia, and
Yttria. Research has shown that all have metallic or metalloid bases.

ECHID´NA. Greek name of a monster, supposed to have the body of a
beautiful woman, and the tail of a serpent. A genus of mammals of the
family of Monotrema.

E´CHIMYS. From the Gr. _echinos_, spiny, and _mus_, a rat. A genus of
mammals; a sort of rat found in South America.

ECLIPTIC. In Astronomy the great circle of the heavens which the sun
appears to describe in his annual revolution.

EDENTA´TA. From the Lat. _e_, without, and _dens_, tooth: without teeth.
An order of mammals which are destitute of teeth.

E´DULIS. Lat. Eatable; that which may be eaten.

EFFLORE´SCENCE. The pulverulent covering formed on the surface of saline
substances from which the atmosphere has removed the water of
crystallization. When saline substances give up their water of
crystalization to the air, they are said to effloresce.

ELAIS. } From the Gr. _elaia_, the olive. A genus of plants ELÆIS. } of the family of Palms. The _Elais Guinea´ensis_ yields the Palm oil.

ELAPS. Gr. Name of a serpent. A genus of ophidians.

ELECTRICITY. From the Gr. _elektron_, amber, the substance in which it
was first observed. The property acquired by glass and resin from
friction to attract light substances. Electricity exists in all
bodies, and becomes manifest, at least partially, whenever the natural
state of equilibrium of their molecules is disturbed by any cause.

ELECTRO-MAGNETISM. The phenomena produced when a current of electricity
is traversing any substance, or when electricity is in motion,
magnetism is at the same time developed.

ELECTRO-MAGNET. An apparatus for exhibiting the phenomena of
electro-magnetism.

ELEC´TRICUS. Lat. Electric. Belonging to, or relating to electricity.

ELLIP´TICA. Lat. Elliptic.

E´LEPHAS. Lat. Gr. name of the elephant. A genus of mammals of the order
of pachydemus.

ELEPHANTI´NA. Lat. Belonging or relating to an elephant; elephantine.

EM´BRYO. From the Gr. _embruon_, from, _bruô_ I bud forth. A germ at the
early stages of development.

E´MERALD. A mineral of a beautiful green colour, much valued for
ornamental jewelry. It consists of silica, alumina, glucina, oxide of
chromium, which is the colouring matter, and a trace of lime.

E´MYS. Lat. From the Gr. _emus_, a water tortoise. A genus of reptiles
of the family of emydians.

EMY´DIANS. A family of reptiles of the order of Chelónia.

ENCRI´NITES. From the Gr. _krinon_, a lily. A genus of fossil
_Echinoderms_. The skeleton of this animal is said to consist of not
less than 26,000 separate pieces.

E´OCE´NE. From the Gr. _eôs_, dawn, and _kainos_, recent. In geology a
name for the older tertiary formation, in which the first dawn, as it
were, of existing species, appear.

EPACRI´DEÆ. From the Gr. _epi_, upon, and _akros_, an elevated place, a
hill. A family of plants.

EP´IPHYTE. From the Gr. _epi_, upon, and _phutos_, a plant. Applied to
plants which grow upon other plants.

EQUINOCTIA´LIS. Lat. Equinoctial.

EQUISE´TUM. From the Lat _equus_, a horse, and _seta_, hair. A genus of
plants of the family of equisitáceæ.

EQUUS. Lat. A horse. A genus of mammals.

ER´BIUM. A metal, recently discovered.

ERICA. A genus of plants of which there are 429 species.

ERI´OCAULON. From the Gr. _erion_, wool, and _kaulon_, stem or stalk. A
genus of plants of the family of eriocaulóneæ.

ERYTHRI´NA. From the Gr. _eruthros_, red. A genus of plants of the
family of Papilionáceæ.

ERYTHROX´YLON. From the Gr. _eruthros_, red, and _xulon_, wood. A genus
of plants.

ESCARPMENT. From the Ital. _scarpa_, sharp, formed from the Lat.
_carpere_, to cut. The steep face often presented by the abrupt
termination of strata where subjacent beds crop out from beneath them.

ESCULENTA. Lat. Esculent.

EUCALY´PTI. Lat. Plural of eucalyptus.

EUCALY´PTUS. From the Gr. _eu_, well, and _kaluptos_, covered. A genus
of plants of the family of Myrtáceæ.

EUPHO´RBIA. Gr. Name of a plant. A genus of plants of which there are
300 species.

EXCE´LSA. Lat. Noble, tall, stately.

EXCO´RTICA. Lat. Without bark.

EX´OGENOUS. From the Gr. _ex_, from, and _geinomai_, I grow. Applied to
plants which grow by successive external additions to their wood.

EXTENSILE. Having the power to extend itself.

EXU´VIÆ. Lat. The sloughs or cast skins, or cast shells of animals.

FA´GUS. Lat. Beech. A genus of plants of the family of Amentáceæ.

FALCO. Lat. Falcon. A genus of birds. _Falco islandicus._ The Gerfalcon.

FAMILY. In natural history the term is applied to an assemblage of
several genera which resemble each other in many respects.

FAR´INA. Lat. Meal.

FAR´INHA. Portu. Meal, flour.

FARINO´SA. Lat. Meally; belonging or relating to meal.

FAUNA. All animals of all kinds peculiar to a country constitute the
_fauna_ of that country.

FELIS. Lat, A cat. A genus of mammals of the family of carnivóra. _Felis
irbis._ The panther.

FENESTRA´LIS. Lat. Belonging or relating to a window or opening.

FER´BIUM. A recently discovered metal.

FERNS. The filices; an order of cryptogámic plants.

FI´CUS. Lat. A fig. A genus of plants of the family of Moræ´ceæ.

FICOIDE. A genus of plants of the family of _Mesembrya´nthe´meæ_, of
which there are about 200 species.

FICOIDES. } The family of Mesembryánthémeæ. _Ficoides_ FICOIDEÆ. } is applied as a specific name.

FLACOUR´TIA. Proper name. A genus of plants of the family of
Flacourtiáceæ.

FLABEL´LIFORME. From the Lat. _flabellum_, a fan, and _forma_, form.
Fan-shaped.

FLORA. Lat. Name of the Goddess of Flowers. All the plants of all kinds
belonging to a country constitute the _flora_ of that country.

FLO´RIDA. Belonging or relating to flowers; or relating to the State of
Florida.

FOCI. Lat. Plural of focus.

FOCUS. Lat. A hearth. In optics the term describes the point or space
where the rays of light are concentrated by a lens. The apex of a cone
of rays of light, or of heat, formed by a lens, or concave mirror.

FOLIA´CEOUS. From the Lat. _folium_, a leaf. Leafy. Having the form of
leaves.

FOOTSTALKS. In botany the stalks of flowers, or of leaves.

FOSSIL. From the Lat. _fodio_, I dig. Any organic body, or the traces of
any organic body, whether animal or vegetable, which has been buried
in the earth by natural causes.

FOSSILI´FEROUS. Contain fossils.

FORMI´CIDÆ. From the Lat. _formica_, an ant, and the Gr. _eidos_,
resemblance. A family of insects of the family of Hymenóptera.

FROND. Also, _frons_. A name applied to the leaves of palms, and of
cryptógamous plants.

FRONDO´SA. Lat. Full of green leaves.

FRA´GRANS. Lat. Fragrant; odorous.

FRA´GILIS. Lat. Fragile; easily broken.

FRINGI´LLÆ. Lat. _fringilla_, a chafinch. A family of birds, the most
numerous of the group of conirostres, or thick billed birds.

FUCCA. Name of a genus of aquatic plants.

FUCI. Lat. Plural of fucus.

FUCUS. Lat. Sea-weed. A genus of aquatic plants.

FUCHSIA. After Leonard Fuchs, a physician of the 16th century. A genus
of plants.

FUNCTION. From the Lat. _fungor_, I act. The action of an organ, or
system of organs.

FUNGI. Lat. Plural of fungus.

FUNGUS. Lat. A mushroom.

FUNE´REUS. Lat. Funeral: belonging to a dead body.

GA´DUS. Lat. A codfish.

GALLINA´CEOUS. From the Lat. _galle´na_, a hen. Relating to birds of the
order of Gallináceæ.

GALE´NA. From the Gr. _galene_, lead ore. A mineral composed of sulphur
and lead: a natural sulphuret of lead.

GAL´VANISM. From _Galvani_, a distinguished Italian philosopher. That
branch of electrical science in which electricity is made manifest by
the mediate contact of different metals. Also, the phenomena exhibited
by living animal matter when placed between the poles or extremities
of an apparatus for showing electricity by the mediate contact of
different metals.

GALVA´NIC. Belonging or relating to galvanism.

GANGEA´TICUS. Lat. Gangeatic; belonging or relating to the river Ganges.

GARDE´NIA. After a proper name. A genus of plants of the family of
Rubiáceæ; it contains some forty species. The _Gardenia grandiflora_
is the Cape Jasmin.

GAR´NET. A mineral consisting of silicates of alumina, lime, iron, and
manganese. It occurs imbedded in mica-slate, granite, and gneiss, and
occasionally in limestone, chlorite-slate, serpentine, and lava. There
are several varieties of garnet.

GAS. From the Germ. _geist_, spirit. The name given to all permanently
elastic fluids, or airs, different from the atmospheric air.

GASEOUS. Of the nature of gas.

GENRE. Fr. Genus, kind, manner, style. In painting it is applied to
signify the representation of certain kinds of objects, as landscapes,
views, animals, plants, flowers, scenes in common life. Pictures of
_genre_, then, are pictures of a genus or kind as to subject; as
landscapes, marine views, flower pieces, still-life, &c.

GE´NERA. Lat. Plural of genus.

GENUS. Lat. A kindred, breed, race or family.

GE´OLOGY. From the Gr. _ge_, the earth, and _logos_, discourse. That
branch of natural history which treats of the structure of the
terrestrial globe. It is divided into _descriptive_ geology; _dynamic_
geology, which treats of the forces by which the surface of the earth
has been modified; _practical_ and _economic_ geology, embracing the
application of geological science to mining, road-making,
architecture, and agriculture.

GEOTHER´MAL. From the Gr. _ge_, the earth, and _thermos_, heat,
temperature. Relating to the temperature of the earth.

GERA´RDIA. Proper name. A genus of plants of the family of
Scrophulárieæ.

GERMINA´TION. The process of the development of the seed, and the embryo
which it contains.

GEY´SERS. From an Icelandic word, signifying raging or roaring.
Celebrated spouting fountains of boiling water in Iceland.

GIBBOSA. Lat. Gibbous; having protuberances or bunches.

GIBRALTA´RICA. Lat. Belonging or relating to Gibraltar.

GIGAN´TEA. } Lat. Gigantic, huge. GIGAN´TEUS. }

GILEADE´NSIS. Lat. Belonging or relating to Gilead.

GLA´CIAL. Belonging or relating to ice.

GLA´CIERS. Fr. Masses or beds of ice formed in high mountains, derived
from the snows or lakes frozen by the continued cold of those regions.

GLADIO´LUS. A genus of plants of the family of Iri´deæ.

GLAND. An organ formed for the purpose of secreting a peculiar fluid.

GLAU´COUS. From the Gr. _glaukos_, blue. Applied to the bluish and
pulverulent aspect which certain plants present, such as the leaves of
cabbages, &c. Also used to signify the bloom of the color of cabbage
leaves, sometimes observed on polished bodies.

GLEDI´TSCHIA. A genus of plants of the family of Leguminósæ, named in
honor of J. G. Gleditsch, a German botanist. It includes the Honey and
Swamp locust trees among its species.

GLOBBA´RIA. From the Lat. _globum_, a ball. A genus of insects: also a
specific name.

GLUCI´NUM. A metal discovered in glucina in 1798 by Vauquelin.

GLU´TEN. Lat. The viscid elastic substance which remains when wheat
flour is wrapped in a coarse cloth, and washed under a stream of
water, so as to carry off the starch and soluble matters. It exists in
many plants and in animals. It is the basis of glue.

GLYCE´RIA. A genus of plants of the family of grami´neæ, and the tribe
Festucáceæ.

GLY´CINE. From the Gr. _glukus_, sweet. A genus of plants of the family
of Papilionáceæ.

GNAPHA´LIUM. From the Gr. _gnaphalion_, the cotton tree. A genus of
plants of the family of Compositæ.

GNEISS. Germ. A rock resembling granite. It is composed chiefly of
feldspar and mica, and is more or less slaty in its structure. Gneiss
is used for building and flagging.

GOLD. The most valuable and longest known of the metals.

GOODE´NIA. Proper name. A genus of plants of the family of Goodeniáceæ.

GORDO´NIA. Proper name. A genus of plants of the family of Gordonieæ.

GRANDIFLORA. Lat. Large-flowered.

GRAMI´NEÆ. Lat. Grasses. A family of monocotylédonous plants, containing
about 3000 species.

GRANIVOROUS. } Applied to animals which feed upon grains, GRANIVORA. } especially to passerine birds.

GRÆCA. Lat. Greek.

GRA´NULAR. Composed of grains.

GRANITE. A rock which is a crystaline aggregate of quartz, feldspar, and
mica.

GRANITIC. Of the nature of granite.

GREENSTONE. A rough variety of trap-rock, consisting chiefly of
hornblende.

GRIT. A coarse-grained sandstone.

GUILANDI´NA. A proper name. A genus of plants of the family of
Leguminósæ. _Guilandina Bonduc_, the oval-leaved Nicker-tree.

GUINEAEN´SIS. Lat. Belonging or relating to Guinea.

GUM. A vegetable product, which is tasteless and inodorous, and is
distinguished by being soluble in water, and insoluble in alcohol. Gum
arabic, for example.

GYMNO´TUS. From the Gr. _gumnos_, naked, and _nôtos_, back. A genus of
fishes.

GYPSUM. Native sulphate of lime. It is converted into plaster of Paris
by heat.

GYRO´PHORA. From the Gr. _guros_, a circle, and _pherô_, I give. A genus
of cryptógamous plants.

HABITAT. Lat. He inhabits. Used to designate the place in which animals
and plants are naturally found.

HALIO´TIS. From the Gr. _als_, the sea, and _ous_, the ear. A genus of
mollusks.

HA´LCYON. From the Gr. _alkuo´n_, a king-fisher. A genus of birds.

HELIA´NTHUS. From the Gr. _elios_, the sun, and _anthos_, flower;
sunflower.

HELI´ACAL. From the Gr. _elios_, the sun. Relating to the sun. When a
star rises so as to be visible in morning twilight before the
appearance of the sun, it is said to rise _heliacally_.

HEP´TAPHYLLUM. From the Gr. _epta_, seven, and _phulon_, a leaf.
Seven-leaved. A specific name.

HERBA´CEOUS. In botany, Herb-like; that perishes every year. An annual
stem. Not woody.

HERBIVO´RA. Lat. Herbivorous.

HERBIVO´ROUS. From the Lat. _herba_, a plant, and _vorare_, to eat.
Plant eating. Applied to animals which feed chiefly or exclusively on
plants or herbs.

HERITIE´RA. Proper name. A genus of plants of the family of
Sterculiáceæ.

HIBERNATE. From the Lat. _hibernare_, to winter. Animals which retire
and sleep throughout the winter, are said to hibernate.

HIBI´SCUS. A genus of plants of the family of Malváceæ.

HIEROCH´LOA. From the Gr. _ieros_, sacred, and _chloa_, herb. A genus of
plants of the family of Grami´neæ.

HIPPOPO´TAMUS. From the Gr. _ippos_, a horse, and _potamos_, river.
River Horse. A genus of mammals.

HIRSU´TA. Lat. Hirsute; covered with soft hairs.

HOL´CUS. A genus of plants of the family Grami´neæ.

HOPEA, or HOPPEA. Proper name. A genus of plants.

HO´RRIDA. Lat. Horrid; spiny.

HO´RARY. From the Lat. _hora_, an hour. The motion of a celestial body,
or the space it moves through in an hour, is termed its _horary
motion_.

HORSE-SHOE MAGNET. A magnet in form of a horse-shoe.

HUMI´RIA. A genus of plants of the family of humoriáceæ. They inhabit
tropical America.

HYDRAN´GEA. From the Gr. _udôr_, water, and _aggos_, a vessel. A genus
of plants of the family of Saxifragáceæ, and tribe of Hydrangéeæ.

HYDRAU´LIC. From the Gr. _udôr_, water, and _aulos_, a pipe. Relating to
liquids in motion. Hydraulics is that branch of natural philosophy or
physics which treats of the force of water and other liquids in
motion.

HYDROSTA´TIC. From the Gr. _udôr_, water, and _staô_, I stand. Relating
to water in a state of rest. Hydrostatics is the science which treats
of the equilibrium and pressure of water and other liquids.

HY´DROGEN. From the Gr. _udôr_, water, and _gennaein_, to generate. A
colorless, tasteless, inodorous gas, one part of which, by weight,
combined with eight parts of oxygen forms water;—combined with sulphur
it constitutes _sulphuretted_ Hydrogen;—and with carbon, carburetted
Hydrogen, the gas used for illumination.

HYDROGETON. A synonym of _Ouviraudra_. A genus of aquatic plants.

HYLA. From the Gr. _ule_, wood, a tree. A tree frog.

HYMENÆ´A. A genus of plants of the family of Papilionáceæ. A resinous
tree of tropical America.

HYMENO´PTERA. From the Gr. _umen_, a membrane, and _pteron_, wing.
Systematic name of a class of insects, characterized by membranous
wings.

HY´RAX. From the Gr. _urax_, a shrew mouse. A genus of mammals.

IANTHINA. See Janthina.

I´BEX. Lat. A wild goat. A genus of mammals.

I´BIS. A genus of birds.

IGNEOUS ROCKS. Are those rocks whose structure is attributable to the
influence of heat, such as granite and basalt. They are distinct from
stratified rocks, or those formed by deposits from water.

I´GUANA. A reptile of the lizard tribe.

IGUA´NIAN. Applied to Saurians which resemble the iguana.

IGUA´NODON. From _iguana_, and the Gr. _odous_, tooth. A genus of
extinct or fossil reptiles of gigantic size discovered in the south of
England.

I´LEX. Lat. The Holly.

ILI´CIS. Lat. Of the Holly; belonging or relating to the holly.

ILLI´CIUM. From _illicio_ to attract; from its agreeable perfume. The
aniseed tree. A genus of plants of the family of Magnoliáceæ.

IM´BRICATE. Laid one over another like tiles.

INCONSPICUUS. Lat. Not conspicuous or remarkable.

INCISOR. From the Lat. _incido_ I cut. Applied to those teeth which
occupy the anterior or centre of the upper and lower jaws, because
they are used for cutting the food.

INCA. Designation of the aboriginal Peruvian princes; used as a specific
name. Also, a genus of insects.

INDICA—INDICUS. Lat. Indian: Belonging or relating to India.

INDICA´TOR. Lat. Indicator; one who points out. A genus of birds.

INFUSO´RIA. Animals of infusions; microscopic animalcules.

INFUSO´RIAL. Belonging or relating to the Infusoria.

INORGANIC. Without organs or organization.

INSECT. From the Lat. _in_, into, _seco_, I cut. Applied to animals
whose bodies are cut, as it were, into three parts—head, thorax, and
abdomen.

IRID´EÆ. A family of monocotylédonous plants.

IRIDIUM. From the Lat. _iris_, the rainbow. A grey, brittle, very
infusible metal, which is found associated with the ores of platinum.

ISATIS. From the Gr. _isazô_, I render equal. Woad. A genus of plants of
the family of Cruciferæ. Also the name of a species of dog.

ISLA´NDICUS. Lat. Belonging or relating to Iceland.

ISO´GEO´THERMAL. From the Gr. _isos_, equal, _ge_, the earth, and
_thermos_, heat. Applied to lines which are supposed to pass through
all parts of the earth’s structure on the surface where the mean heat
is the same.

ISOTHE´RMAL. From the Gr. _isos_, equal, and _thermos_, heat. Isothermal
lines are supposed to pass through all places where the mean
temperature of the air is the same.

ISOTHERIAL. From the Gr. _isos_, equal, and _thereios_, having the heat
of summer. Isotherial lines are supposed to be drawn through all
places having the same mean summer temperature.

ISOCHI´MENAL. From the Gr. _isos_, equal, and _cheima_, winter.
Isochimenal lines pass through all places where the mean winter
temperature is the same.

IXIA. A genus of plants of the family of Irideæ.

JANTHI´NA. From the Gr. _ianthinos_, violet. A genus of mollusks.

JAPO´NICA—JAPO´NICUS. Belonging or relating to Japan.

JASPER. A silicious mineral of various colors; sometimes spotted, banded
or variegated. It takes a fine polish.

JERBO´A. A genus of mammals of the family of Rodents, or gnawers.

JURA´SSIC. Belonging or relating to the Jura mountains. Applied to a
system of rocks of the middle secondary geological period. Also termed
oolitic.

KA´LMIA. A genus of plants of the family of Ericáceæ.

KER´RIA. Proper name. A genus of plants of the family of Rosáceæ.

KE´URVA. Synonym of Pandanus.

KING´IA. Proper name. A genus of plants of the family of Joncáceæ, found
in New Holland. _Kingia australis_; the grass tree.

LABIA´TÆ. From the Lat. _labium_, lip; in allusion to the form of the
corolla. A family of dicotylédonous plants.

LAGO´PUS. From the Gr. _lagôs_, a hare, and _pous_, foot: hare-footed. A
genus of birds of the order Gallináceæ.

LAM´ANTIN. The manatus. A genus of mammals of the order of Cetácea.

LAMINA´RIA. A genus of aquatic plants of the family of Phy´ceæ.

LAMPRATO´RNIS. A genus of birds. _Lampratornis superba._ A kind of
raven.

LANA´TA. Lat. Woolly.

LANCEOLA´TUS. Lat. Lanceolate; lance-shaped.

LANDSLIP, or LANDSLIDE. In geology, the removal of a portion of land
down an inclined surface, from its attachment being loosened by the
action of water beneath, or by an earthquake.

LANTA´NIUM. A metal discovered in 1840 by Mosander.

LAPIS LAZULI. A mineral belonging to the aluminous silicates, of an
azure blue colour.

LAUREO´LA. Specific name of a plant.

LAURI´NEÆ. } From _laurus_, laurel, one of the genera. LAUREA´CEÆ. } A family of plants.

LATENT HEAT. Heat not indicated by the thermometer, upon which the
liquid and aëriform conditions of bodies depend, and which becomes
_sensible_ during the conversion of vapour into liquids, and of
liquids into solids.

LA´RVA. Lat. A mask. The first state of an insect after leaving the egg.

LA´RVÆ. Lat. Plural of larva.

LA´VA. In geology, substances which flow in a melted state from a
volcano. Lavas vary in consistence and texture.

LEGUMINO´SÆ. From the Lat. _legumen_, a bean. A family of plants.

LEGU´MINOUS. Belonging or relating to the Leguminoseæ.

LEONI´NA. Belonging or relating to a lion.

LEPORI´NA. Lat. Belonging or relating to a hare.

LEPIDO´PTERA. From the Gr. _lepis_, a scale, and _pteron_, a wing, scaly
wings. An order of insects characterized by scaly wings.

LESSO´NIA. Proper name. A genus of plants; also a genus of birds.

LEUCADE´NDRON. From the Gr. _leukos_, white, and _dendron_, tree. A
genus of plants of the family of Proteáceæ.

LIAS. Provincial corruption of the word _layers_. In geology, a division
of the secondary formation. It is also called the Liassic, Jurassic,
and Oolitic system of rocks.

LI´CHENS. An order of cryptógamous plants. They include various mosses.

LILIA´CEOUS. Belonging or relating to the lily.

LILIA´CEÆ. A family of plants.

LLANOS. Span. Planes.

LIMO´NIA. A genus of plants of the family of Aurantiáceæ.

LIMB. In botany, the spreading part or border of a leaf or petal. In
astronomy, the outermost edge of the sun or moon.

LI´RIODE´NDRON. From the Gr. _leirion_, a lily, and _dendron_, a tree.
The tulip tree. A genus of plants of the family of Magnoliáceæ.

LI´THIUM. A metal.

LO´ASA. A genus of plants of the family of Loasáceæ.

LOBE. A term applied in botany to the more or less profound divisions of
a leaf, corolla, or other part of a plant.

LOBELIA´CEÆ. In honor of Lobel, a botanist. A family of dicotylédonous
plants.

LONGIFRONS. Lat. Having a long front or forehead.

LOPHOBRA´NCHES. From the Gr. _lophos_, a tuft, or crest, and _branchia_,
gills. An order of fishes.

LOPHOPHO´RUS. From the Gr. _lophos_, a tuft, and _phoros_, bearer. A
genus of birds of the order Gallináceæ.

LORA´NTHUS. From the Gr. _lôron_, a leather strap, and _anthos_, flower.
Loranth. A genus of plants of the family of Lorantháceæ.

LO´TUS. A genus of plants of the family of Leguminósæ.

LOXIA. A genus of birds.

LU´TEUM. Lat. Yellow; dirty; made of clay. A specific name.

MACROCE´PHALUS. From the Gr. _makros_, large, and _kephale_, head. A
genus of insects. The specific name of a mammal.

MACROCY´STIS. From the Gr. _makros_, large, and _kustis_, bladder. A
genus of aquatic plants of the family of Phyceæ. Gigantic sea-weeds
found in the southern hemisphere.

MACROU´ROUS. From the Gr. _makros_, great, and _oura_, tail. Having a
long or large tail.

MAGNET. Loadstone is the natural magnet, which has the property of
attracting iron. Artificial magnets are prepared so as to possess the
peculiar attractive properties of the loadstone.

MAG´NETISM. The science which investigates the phenomena presented by
natural and artificial magnets, and the laws by which they are
connected.

MAGNE´SIUM. A silvery white metal obtained from magnesia.

MAGNE´SIAN. Containing magnesia.

MAGNO´LIA. Name of Magnol, a French botanist. A genus of plants of the
family of Magnoliáceæ.

MA´LACHITE. A mineral; native green carbonate of copper.

MAL´LOTUS. A genus of fishes of the family of Salmones. A genus of
plants of the family of Euphorbiáceæ. A synonyme of the genus
_Rottlera_.

MALU´RUS. A genus of passerine birds.

MAM´MAL. Any animal that suckles its young.

MAMMA´LIA. From the Lat. _mamma_, a breast. The name of the class of
mammals or animals which suckle their young.

MAMMI´FERÆ. Same as mammalia.

MANA´TI. Lat. Plural of manatus.

MANA´TUS. A genus of mammals. The Lamantin.

MANGANE´SE. A metal.

MARITI´MA. Lat. Maritime; relating to the sea.

MARL. Argillaceous carbonate of lime. There are several varieties of
marl.

MARSU´PIAL. From the Lat. _marsupium_, a pouch. Any animal having a
peculiar pouch in front or on the abdomen.

MAS´TODON. From the Gr. _mastos_, a nipple, and _odous_, a tooth. A
genus of extinct mammals allied to the elephant.

MA´TRIX. In geology, the stony substance or bed in which metallic ores
and crystaline minerals are embedded. The _gangue_.

MAURI´TIA. Lat. Belonging to the island of Maritius.

MAURO´RUM. Lat. Of the Moors.

MAXIMUS. } MAXIMA. } Lat. The greatest. MAXIMUM. }

MEDU´SA. A genus of marine animals of the class Acalepha.

MEGATHE´RIUM. From the Gr. _megas_, great, and _therion_, beast. Name of
a fossil quadruped.

MELALEU´CA. From the Gr. _melas_, black, and _leukos_, white. A genus of
plants of the family of Myrtáceæ.

MELA´STOMA. From the Gr. _melas_, black, and _stoma_, opening. A genus
of plants of the family of Melastomáceæ.

MEL´IA. A genus of plants of the family of Meliáceæ.

MELOFO´RMIS. From the Lat. _melo_, a melon, and _forma_, shape.
Melon-shaped.

MENOPOMA. From the Gr. _menos_, strong, and _poma_, cover. A genus of
reptiles of the family of Salamanders. Specific name of a batrachian.

MENURA. A genus of passerine birds. The _Menura superba_, the lyre-bird.

MERCURY. Quicksilver. A metal which is liquid at the ordinary
temperature.

MESE´MERYAN´THEMUM. From the Gr. _mesembria_, the mid-day, and
_anthemum_, flowering, because the flowers usually expand at that
time. The fig marygold. A genus of plants of the family of Ficoides.

ME´SA. Span. A table.

MESPILUS. From the Gr. _mesos_, half, and _pilé_, bullet, the fruit
resembling a half ball. The medlar. A genus of plants of the family of
Rosáceæ.

MET´ALLOID. Literally, resembling metal. The metals obtained from the
alkalis and earths are called metalloids.

METALLI´FEROUS. Containing metal, or metals.

METAMOR´PHIC. From the Gr. _meta_, indicating change, and _morphe_,
form. Metamorphic rocks are those which are evidently of mechanical
origin, but owing to the presumed action of heat, have undergone
change. Altered rocks.

METROSI´DEROS. From the Gr. _metra_, heart of a tree, and _sideron_,
iron, in allusion to the hardness of its wood. A genus of plants of
the family of Myrtáceæ.

METUR. A species of wild corn which grows in Iceland.

MIA´SMA. } From the Gr. _miainô_, I contaminate. Applied
MIA´SMATA. } to any emanation from animal or vegetable substances,
or from the earth, which may prejudicially influence the health of those
persons who may be exposed to it.

MI´CA. From the Lat. _mico_, I shine. A mineral, generally found in thin
elastic laminæ, soft, smooth, and of various colors and degrees of
transparency. It is one of the constituents of granite.

MICA-SCHIST. Germ. (Gr. _schistos_, slaty, easily split.) Mica-slate. A
lamellar rock composed of quartz, ordinarily grayish, and a great
quantity of brilliant lamellæ of mica arranged in scales, or extended
leaves.

MI´DAS. Name of a genus of monkeys; also, of a genus of reptiles.

MIGRATO´RIA. Lat. Migrating.

MILLINGTO´NIA. Proper name. A genus of plants of the family of
Bignoniáceæ.

MILLEPO´RA. From _mil_, a thousand, and _pori_, holes. A genus of stony
polyps, or corallines.

MIMO´SA. From the Lat. _mimus_, a comedian, in allusion to its numerous
varieties. A genus, and a tribe of plants.

MI´OCENE. From the Gr. _meiôn_, less, and _kainos_, recent. In geology a
name of a group of rocks of the tertiary period.

MI´NIMUM. Lat. The least.

MIRA´GE. Fr. A kind of natural optical illusion, arising from the
unequal refraction of the lower strata of the atmosphere. The illusive
appearance of water in deserts is explained in this manner.

MISODENDRON. A genus of plants of the family of Lorantháceæ.

MITE´LLA. A genus of plants of the family of Saxafragáceæ.

MOLLUSK. From the Lat. _mollis_, soft. Applied to certain soft animals
which inhabit shells, as oysters.

MOLLU´SCA. A branch of the animal kingdom.

MOLLU´SCOUS. Belonging or relating to mollusks.

MOLYB´DENUM. A white, brittle metal.

MONOCOTYLE´DON. From the Gr. _monos_, single, and _kotuledon_,
seed-lobe. A single seed-lobe.

MONOCOTYLE´DONOUS. Relating to monocotyledon.

MONO´CEROS. From the Gr. _monos_, single, and _keras_, horn. Having one
horn.

MO´NODON. From the Gr. _monos_, single, and _odous_, tooth. Name of a
genus of aquatic mammals. The Narwhal.

MONE´TA. Lat. Belonging or relating to money.

MONI´LIFORM. From the Lat. _monile_, a necklace. In form of a string of
beads, necklace-like.

MO´NITOR. A genus of Saurian reptiles.

MONOSPE´RMA. From the Gr. _monos_, single, _sperma_, seed. One-seeded. A
specific name.

MON´TIA. A genus of plants of the family of Portuláceæ.

MORI´NDA. A genus of plants of the family of Rubiáceæ.

MORAINES. Longitudinal deposits of stony detritus found at the bases,
and along the edges of all the great glaciers.

MO´RUS. Mulberry. A genus of plants of the family of Urti´ceæ.

MOSASAU´RUS. From _Meuse_, name of a river, and the Gr. _sauros_, a
lizard. A genus of fossil reptiles.

MOS´CHUS. From the Gr, _moschos_, musk. A genus of mammals.

MOSCHI´FERUS. Lat. Musk bearing; containing musk.

MOSSES. Crytógamous parasites of the family of Lycopodeácæ.

MU´CILAGE. A mixture of gum and water.

MURAL. Belonging or relating to a wall.

MUSA. The banana. A genus of plants of the family of Musáceæ.

MUSCHELKALK. German. Shell limestone.

MUSCI´PULA. Lat. A fly trap or mouse trap.

MUSICUS. Lat. Relating to music; musical.

MYCETUS. Name of a genus of monkeys.

MYOPO´TAMUS. From the Gr. _mus_, a rat, and _potamos_, a river. A genus
of gnawing mammals.

MYRI´STICA. A genus of plants of the family of Myrista´ceæ; _Mystri´tica
moschata_, the nutmeg tree.

MYRTUS. Myrtle. A genus of plants of the family of Myrta´ceæ.

NANA. From the Gr. _nanos_, a dwarf. A specific name.

NA´PTHA. A limpid bitumen.

NARCI´SSUS. A genus of plants of the family of Amarylli´deæ.

NA´TRIUM. A metal.

NATRON. A subcarbonate of soda.

NECTARY. That part of a flower which produces honey.

NELUM´BIUM. A genus of plants of the family of Nymphæ´ceæ. Sacred Bean.

NESTOR. An extinct bird.

NEURO´PTERA. From the Gr. _neuron_, a nerve, and _pteron_, wing. An
order of insects.

NEW RED SANDSTONE. In geology, a system of rocks of the secondary
formation.

NICKEL. A white metal. It is the basis of “German Silver.”

NIGRA. Lat. Black.

NIMBUS. A rain cloud.

NI´TIDA. Lat. Neat, clean, bright.

NITROGEN. A simple, permanently elastic fluid or gas, which constitutes
four-fifths of the atmosphere, and is the basis of nitric acid.

NIVA´LIS. Lat. Snowy.

NON-CONDUCTOR. Applied to substances which do not possess the property
of transmitting electricity, or heat.

NOTACANTHUS. From the Gr. _nôtos_, back, and _akantha_, a spine. A genus
of fishes.

NOTOTHERIUM. A fossil genus of marsupial mammals.

NOTORNIS. An extinct bird.

NUMMULA´RIA. From the Latin _nummus_, a coin. A family of Mollusks.
Nummulites.

NYMPHÆ´A. A genus of plants of the family of Nymphæa´ceæ.

NYSSA. From the Gr. _nussô_, I prick. A genus of plants.

OBSI´DIAN. A glassy lava. Volcanic glass.

OCEAN´ICA. Lat. Relating to the ocean.

OENO´THERA. From the Gr. _oinos_, wine, and _therô_, I hunt. A genus of
plants of the family of Oenothera´ceæ. Synonym of onagrariæ.

ODORA´TA. Lat. Odorous.

ODORATISSI´MA. Lat. Very, or most odorous.

ODORI´FERA. Lat. Odoriferous.

O´LEA. Lat. Olive. A genus of plants of the family of Olea´ceæ.

OLD RED SANDSTONE. A system of rocks of the secondary formation.

O´OLITE. From the Greek _ôon_, an egg, and _lithos_, stone. A granular
variety of carbonate of lime, frequently called _roestone_.

O´PAL. A brittle mineral, characterized by its iridescent reflection of
light. It consists of _silica_ with about ten per cent. of water.

O´PALES´CENT. Resembling opal.

OPHI´DIAN. From the Gr. _ophis_, a serpent; applied to reptiles of the
order of Ophidia.

OPHICE´PHALUS. From the Gr. _ophis_, serpent, and _kephale_, head.
Serpent-head. A genus of acánthoptery´gian, or bony-finned fishes.

OR´CHIS. A genus of plants of the family of Orchid´eæ, named from most
of the species being marked by two tubercles.

ORCHID´EOUS. Relating to the genus orchis.

ORGAN. From the Gr. _organon_, an instrument. Part of an organized
being, destined to exercise some particular function; for example, the
ears are the organs of hearing, the muscles are the organs of motion.

ORGA´NIC. Relating to an organ. _Organic remains_, are the fossil
remains of organized beings.

ORGANIZA´TION. The mode or manner of structure of an organized being.

ORGANIZED. Composed of organs; having a mode of structure.

ORIENTA´LIS. } Lat. Eastern. Belonging to the East. ORIENTA´LE. }

ORNITHORYN´CHUS. From the Gr. _ornis_, _ornithos_, a bird, and
_rugchos_, a beak. A genus of mammals, having the beak of a duck.

OR´TYGIS. From the Gr. _ortux_, a quail. A genus of birds.

OS´MIUM. From the Gr. _osme_, odour. A metal discovered in 1803, by
Tennant.

OSCILLA´TION. The act of moving backwards and forwards like a pendulum.

OTA´RIA. From the Gr. _ôtarion_, a small ear. A genus of amphibious
mammals, of the tribe of seals.

OUT CROP. In geology, the emergence of a rock in place, at the surface.

O´VARY. In botany, that part of a flower in which the young seeds are
contained.

OXA´LIS. A genus of plants of the family of Oxalideæ.

OXLE´YA. A genus of plants of the family of Cedrela´ceæ.

OXYGEN. The vivifying gas which constitutes about one-fifth of the
atmosphere, the presence of which is essential to life.

OZO´NE. From the Gr. _ozô_, I smell of something. The odorous matter
perceived when electricity passes from pointed bodies into the air.

PACHYDER´MATA. From the Gr. _pachus_, thick, and _derma_, skin. An order
of mammals—Pachyderms.

PADI´NA. Same as Zonária, a beautiful marine plant. _Padina pavonia_, or
_Zona´ria pavonia_. Turkey feather.

PALAP´TERYX. From the Gr. _palaios_, ancient, and _apteryx_, formed from
the Gr. _a_, privative, and _pteron_, wing, wingless. Name of a genus
of fossil birds, discovered recently in New Zealand.

PALÆOTHE´RIUM. From the Gr. _palaios_, ancient, and _therion_, beast. A
fossil genus of pachyder´matous mammals.

PALÆONTO´LOGY. From the Gr. palaios, ancient, and _on_, a being or
creature, and _logos_, discourse. That branch of zoological science
which treats of fossil organic remains.

PALÆ´OZOIC. From the Gr. _palaios_, ancient, and _zoe_, life. Relating
to ancient life; belonging or relating to fossils.

PALMA REA´L. Spanish. Royal Palm.

PALLA´DIUM. A white, hard, very maleable and ductile metal, which is
susceptible of a fine polish. It is more difficult to melt than gold.

PALMEL´LA. A genus of plants of the family of Conferváceæ. _Palmella
nivalis_, a plant of the snowy regions, which gives color to the snow
amidst which it grows. _Protococcus_ is the red snow plant.

PANDA´NUS. From the Malay name of the tree, _pandang_. Screw-pine. A
genus of plants, of the family of Pandancæ. _Pandanus candelabrum._
Candlestick screw-pine.

PANDA´NA. Relating to, or resembling the Screw-pines.

PA´NICUM. Panic-grass. A genus of plants of the family of Gramineæ.
_Panicum miliaceum_, millet, a grain used for feeding poultry in
England.

PAPA. Spanish. Pope. Specific name of a vulture.

PAPY´RUS. A genus of plants of the family of Cypera´ceæ. The _Papyrus
antiquorum_ yields the substance used as paper by the ancient
Ægyptians.

PAPYRI´FERA. From _papyrus_, a sort of paper, and _fero_, I bear.
Paper-bearing.

PARHELIA. Plural of parhelion.

PARHELION. From the Gr. _para_, for, _elios_, the sun, A mock sun. A
meteor which consists in the simultaneous appearance of several suns,
“fantastic images of the true one.”

PARADISA´ICA. Lat. Belonging or relating to Paradise. A specific name.

PARNA´SSUS. A genus of lepidopterous insects of the tribe of
Parna´ssidæ.

PASS´ERINES. } From the Lat. _Passer_, a sparrow, name PASS´ERES. } of a varied and extensive order of birds, not PASSERINE BIRDS. } easily characterized.

PASSIFLORA. Abbreviation of _flos_, flower, and _passionis_, of the
passion. Passion-flower, so called from a supposed resemblance between
its floral organs, and the instruments of the Passion of our Saviour.
An extensive and beautiful genus of plants.

PATAGO´NICA. Lat. Relating to Patagonia. Specific name of a penguin.

PAVO´NIA. Formed from the Latin, _pavo_, a peacock. A specific name.

PEAT. The natural accumulation of vegetable matter on the surface of
lands not in a state of cultivation; always moist to a greater or less
degree, varying, according to the kind of plants to the decay of which
the formation of peat is due.

PELO´PIUM. A metal discovered by Prof. H. Rose.

PELARGO´NIUM. From the Gr. _pelargos_, a stork. Stork’s bill. A genus of
plants of the family of Geraniáceæ.

PELA´SGIC. After a mythological name of Jupiter.

PEN´DULUM. From the Lat. _pendo_, I hang. A weight suspended at the end
of a rod, so that it may vibrate from side to side in a plane, is
called a pendulum.

PENNISE´TUM. From the Lat. _penna_, a feather or pen, and _seta_, a
bristle. A genus of plants of the family of Grami´neæ.

PEP´LIS. Gr. Water-purslane. A genus of plants of the family of
Salicáriæ.

PER´MIAN. After the ancient kingdom of Permia. A name applied by Mr.
Murchison to a system of rocks, consisting of an extensive group of
fossiliferous strata, intermediate, in their geological position,
between the Carboniferous and Triassic systems, the latter being the
upper portion of the New Red Sandstone formation.

PERTURBATION. In astronomy, the deviation of a celestial body from the
elliptic orbit which it would describe, if acted upon by no other
attractive force than that of the sun, or central body about which it
revolves.

PE´TAL. From the Gr. _petalon_, a leaf. A part of the corolla of a
flower analogous to a leaf.

PETRO´LEUM. From the Gr. _petros_, a rock, and the Lat. _oleum_, oil.
Rock-oil, often called _Barbadoes tar_. A brown, liquid bitumen, found
in the West Indies, Europe, &c.

PHACO´CHÆ´RE. Fr. } From the Gr. _phake_, a wart, and PHACO´CHÆ´RUS. Lat. } _choiros_, a hog. Agenus of mammals of the order of pachydermata; allied to the hogs.

PHALA´NGER. From the Gr. _phalagx_, a phalanx. A genus of marsupial or
pouch-bearing mammals.

PHANEROGA´MIA. From the Gr. _phaneros_, evident, and _gamos_, marriage.
Phanerógamous plants. Applied to plants having distinct flowers.

PHI´LEDON. } Name of a genus of birds. PHI´LEMON. }

PHLE´UM. Cat’s tail grass. A genus of plants of the family of Grami´neæ.

PHLOX. Gr. Flame. A genus of beautiful plants of the family of
Polemoniáceæ.

PHO´CÆ. Lat. Plural of phoca.

PHO´CA. Lat. A seal. A genus of aquatic mammals, embracing the common
seal or _Phoca vitulina_; the Harp seal or _P. oceanica_; the
Hare-tailed seal or _P. lagura_; the sea-lion; sea-wolf; sea-elephant;
sea-cow; &c., &c.

PHO´NOLITE. From the Gr. _phoneó_, I resound, and _lithos_, a stone.
Clinkstone. A kind of compact basalt which is sonorous when struck.

PHOR´MIUM. From the Gr. _phormos_, a basket. Flax-lilly. A genus of
plants of the family of Asphodéleæ. _Phormium tenax_, Iris-leaved
flax-lilly of New Zealand.

PHOS´PHORUS. From the Gr. _phos_, light, and _pherô_, I bear. A simple
substance which is highly inflammable.

PHOSPHO´RIC ACID. A compound of phosphorus and oxygen, having the
properties of acids.

PHOS´PHATES. Compounds of phosphoric acid with salifiable bases, as
soda, are termed phosphates; Phosphate of soda, for example.

PHOSPHORE´SCENCE. Emission of light from substances at common
temperatures, or below a red heat.

PHOSPHORESCENT. Having the property of emitting light without sensible
heat.

PHYSA´LIA. } From the Gr. _phuse_, a vesicle. A genus of PHYSA´LIS. } animals of the family of Acalepha. The Portuguese man-of-war belongs to this genus.

PHYSA´LIS. A genus of plants of the family of Solanáceæ. _Physalis
edulis_, the Cape gooseberry.

PHYSE´TER. A blower. Name of a genus of mammals of the family of
Ceta´cea.

PIME´NTO. Allspice; Jamaica pepper.

PINNATE. From the Lat. _pinnatus_, feathered. Having leaflets arranged
along each side of a common petiole, like the feather of a quill.

PINNATI´FIDA. Lat. Pinnatifid. A leaf is so called when it is divided
into lobes from the margin nearly to the midrif.

PINUS. Lat. A pine-tree. A genus of plants of the family of Coniferæ.
_Pinus abies._ The Norway Spruce. _Pinus canariensis._ The Canary
pine. _Pinus cembra._ The Riga balsam tree; the Cembran or Siberian
pine. _Pinus excelsa._ The lofty or Nepal pine. _Pinus maritima._ The
maritime pine. _Pinus pinea._ The Stone pine.

PIPIENS. Lat. Peeping like a chicken.

PIPA. A genus of batrachian reptiles. A kind of toad.

PLAT´INA. } The diminutive of the Spanish _plata_, silver.
PLAT´INUM. } A metal of a steel gray colour, approaching to the
white colour of silver, to which resemblance it owes its name. It was
found in Choco, one of the provinces of Columbia, and brought to Europe
in 1741, by Don Antonio de Ulloa.

PLEI´OCENE. } From the Gr. _pleion_, more, and _kainos_,
PLI´OCENE. } recent. A term applied by geologists to the newer
tertiary formation, because there is found fossilized in it a greater
number of existing than of extinct species.

PLUMB-LINE. } From the Lat. _plumbum_, lead. An instrument,
PLUMMET. } consisting of a string with a weight, usually of
lead, attached to a straight staff, for the purpose of ascertaining
the direction of gravitation, or the perpendicular to the horizon.

PLUTO´NIC ROCKS. Unstratified crystaline rocks, probably formed at great
depths beneath the surface by igneous fusion. _Volcanic rocks_ are
formed near the surface.

PODOCA´RPUS. From the Gr. _pous_, _podos_, the foot, and _karpos_,
fruit. A genus of plants of the family of Coniferæ.

POLARIZED LIGHT. Light so modified as to possess poles, or sides, having
opposite properties.

POLARIZA´TION. Light, by reflexion, by passing through crystals
possessing the power of double refraction, becomes modified, so that
it does not present the same phenomena of transmission and reflection,
as light which had not been polarized.

POLYG´ONUM. From the Gr. _polus_, many, and _gonu_, a knee or joint. A
genus of plants of the family of Polygona´ceæ. _Polygonum viriparum_,
Alpine Bistort.

POLYMO´RPHA. Lat. From the Gr. _polus_, many, and _morphe_, form.
Many-shaped. A specific name.

PO´LYPI. Lat. Plural of polypus.

POLYPLE´CTRON. Name of a genus of birds.

POL´YPUS. From the Gr. _polus_, many, and _pous_, foot. A genus of
radiate animals.

PON´TICA. From _pontus_, the sea. Belonging or relating to the sea.

PONTOP´PIDA´NA. Synonym of Couroupita. A genus of plants of the family
of Myrtáceæ, Lecythideæ. A large tree of Guiana.

PONTO´PHIDAN. From the Lat. _pontus_, the sea, and the Gr. _ophis_, a
serpent. The sea serpent.

PORTULACA´RIA. A genus of plants of the family of Portula´ceæ. The
Purslane-tree. _Portulaca´ria afra._ The African purslane-tree.

PORPHYRI´TIC. Of the nature of porphyry.