EPa * 
it follows, that EF: FC:: FY: YC, and EF: FY:: 
: YC; therefore PF : FX :: FC: YC, and PX: 
::FC+YC:  Wabssetd ov wr iandbie 6 "E 
This proposition will apply to an interior epicycloid, 
by subtracting the diameter of the generating circle, or 
its multiples, instead of adding them. (2) 
EPIDEMIC Diseases. See Mepicine. 
EPIDENDRUM. See Botany, p. 315. 
EPIDERMIS. See Anatomy.  ~ 
EPIGHA. See Borany, p. 217. } 
EPIGRAM, (from éx:, upon, and ygaPiu, to wrile,) 
originally signified merely, as its derivation denotes, an 
inscription, generally upon some public edifice, monu- 
ment, or remarkable spot. Even among the Greek 
writers, however, the word epigram gradually acquired 
a more extensive signification, and was almost indis- 
criminately a to any short poetical composition, 
descriptive of local scenery, commemorative of some 
striking event, or illustrative of some liar moral feel- 
ing or affection of the mind. such ancient epi- 
grams or inscriptions, we have many beautiful speci- 
mens in the Greek Anthologies; and it is justly re- 
marked by Mr Drake, in his Literary Hours, that a num- 
ber of these uctions bear, in their style and charac- 
ter, a very analogy to the modern sonnet. 
ve been much restricted ; with them an epi- 
gram was usually understood to denote a short sati- 
rical effusion ; and, in this sense the name has general- 
ly been adopted in modern times. 
The characteristic requisites of an epigram are ex- 
pressed in the following couplet ; 
«* What is an ?—A dwarfish whole,— 
** Its body brevity—end wit its soul.” 
pr ne ceonhe 5  e or allusion, which pleases us, 
Stents ee KR a pt chong pakig es 
ired in an epi ; indeed, many of the 
i 1 speciinens of this species of caxsposition 
wane is no British author, we believe, who, like 
irtial among the Romans, has distinguished himself 
of our most eminent poets abound in epigrammatic 
turns ; pret tif ty collections of the scattered 
int which is to 
See Greek Antho- 
Lessing, Ueber das EF, onda The Fesoon, or 
gles. » Uleve mm. esloon, or 
© Cillaction of Epigrams, he. by Mr Gtayes. The Bre 
tish Martial, 2 vols. 12mo. (z) 
EPILEPSY. See Mepicine. 
EPILOBIUM. See Botany, p. 199. 
EPIMEDIUM., See Borany, p. 123. 
987 
nie radius of curvature at ‘X, and FX the chord'of the — 
EPI 
ipa lee We paras ofthe Tonge Te 
princi ice in the rtment e Tt is 
situated on the river Moselle, near the mountains, * and 
had formerly a celebrated abbey, a college, an hospital} 
and four convents. Its commerce consists of corn and 
in of all kinds, of hemp, lintseed, colzat, and wood. 
ts principal manufactures are those of paper, earthen- 
ware, and pipe-clay. ' Oil is made in great quantities ; 
and there are also manufactures of thread, linen, and 
_ cotton stockings. Its fairs are held on the Ist and 3d 
Wednesday of every month. Population 7000. (w) 
EPIPACTIS. ‘See Borany, p. 314. 
EPIRUS, was a region in ancient Greece, bounded 
on the east by Macedon and Thessaly ; on the south by 
the Ambracian Gulf; on the west by the Tonian_Sea ; 
and on the north by the Ceraunian Miniésinn: It con- 
sisted anciently of three divisions ; Chaonia, lying to- 
wards the north; Molossis, the middle or inland pro- 
vince ; and ia, i it’ the. eouth’ ant 
the Ambracian Gulfto the sea. Many cities of consi- 
derable magnitude adorned this territory, of which we 
shall only mention Ambracia, built near the mouth of 
the river Arachtus, which was about three miles in cir- 
cumference, and became the residence of the Aacidz, 
who He ea in Epirus ; and Dodona, said to have been 
founded by Deucalion as early as the flood, and render- 
ed illustrious by the temple and oracle of Jupiter Do- 
donzus, which were accounted the most ancient and 
venerable in all Greece. The lands which stretched 
along the sea coasts were fertile and well cultivated ; but 
the interior parts were covered with vast forests, and 
were almost entirely barren. The horses of Epirus 
were famous from the most remote antiquity ; and the 
dogs, which the Romans called Molossi, from the dis« 
trict where they were reared, were every where pur-~ 
chased and employed in hunting. 
Ifcredit be due to J us, Dodanim, the grandson of 
Japhet, having first settled in the island of Rhodes, either 
went aves to the continent himself, or sent thither some 
of his descendants, to ethisregion. From him the 
inhabitants were called , and their principal 
city Dodona: but in a short time after,a number of 
different tribes migrated thither, and took possession of 
those places which were not yet occupied. Having no 
bond of union, they were almost constantl in 
war; and though this inspired them with most 
exalted , it rend the introduction of. civili« 
zation and ement slow and difficult, 
During the time that the country was divided-into a 
oneness — states, each see its 
own king wi most despotic authority. i 
of this region is al unworthy of attention. 
was only when the kings of Molossis had gained the 
ee their bours, and had reduced the 
whole their sway, this region was denomina- 
ted Epirus, from a Greek word which signifies the cone 
tinent, Pyrrhus, the son of Achilles, was the first of 
the race of the AZacide, who assumed the sceptre. | 
But the ancient annalists generally bes re the 
history ,of this country with his accession the 
siege of Troy, yet the exploits which they attribute to 
him, are certainly disfigured by poetical invention. The 
names of his descendants, who governed Epirus till the 
Persian war, are buried in oblivion, When Xerxes in- 
vaded Greece, Admetus held the sceptre ; but as he had 
refused to assist either party, Themistocles, after the ter- 
mination of the war, rejected, with disdain, his offers of 
alliance; but when that celebrated Athenian was banish- 
ed from the ungrateful country, which ee ae 
‘Epirus. 
eat 
