581 



SIMILE. 



SIN APIS. 



392 



point p. Hake the angle 6 ap equal to B A P, and abp equal to A B p ; 

 and let ap and bp meet in p. Then, if the curves be similar, p must 

 be on the arc o b ; for every point on A B is to have a corresponding 

 point on a 6. Hence the definition of similarity is as follows : Two 

 curves are similar when for every polygon which can be inscribed in the 

 first, a similar polygon can be inscribed in the second. 



It is easily shown that if on two lines, A and a, be described a first 

 pair of polygons, P and p, and a second pah-, <j and q, the proportion of 

 the first and second pairs is the same, or P : p : : Q : q. The simplest 

 similar polygons are squares; consequently, any similar polygons 

 described on A and a are to one another in the proportion of the 

 squares on A and a. This is also true if for the polygons we sub- 

 stitute similar curves ; and it must be proved by the method of ex- 

 haustions [GEOMETRY], or by the theory of limits applied to the 

 proposition, that any curve may be approached in magnitude by a 

 polygon within any degree of nearness. 



The theory of similar solids resembles that of similar polygons, but 

 it is necessary to commence with three points instead of two. Let 

 A, B, c, and a, 6, c, be two sets of three points each, and let the 

 triangles ABC and abc be similar : let them also be placed so that the 

 sides of one are parallel to those of the other. If then any number of 

 similar pyramids be described on AB c and abc, the vertices of these 

 pyramids will be the corners of similar solids. If p and p be the 

 vertices of one pair, then the pyramids P A B c and pabc are similar if 

 the vertices P and p be on the same side of A B c and abc [SYMMETRY], 

 and one of the triangles, say p A B, be similar to its corresponding 

 triangle p ah, and so placed that the angle of the planes PAB and CAB is 

 the same as that of the planes pab and cab. The simplest similar solids 

 are cubes ; and any similar solids described on two straight lines are 

 in the same proportion as the cubes on those lines. Similar curve 

 surfaces are those which are such that every solid which can be 

 inscribed in one has another similar to it, capable of being inscribed in 

 the other. 



It is worthy of notice that the great contested element of geometry 

 [PARALLELS] would lose that character if it were agreed that the 

 notion of form being independent of size is as necessary as that of two 

 straight lines being incapable of enclosing a space ; so that whatever 

 form can exist of any one size, a similar form must exist of every 

 other. There can be no question that this universal idea of similarity 

 involves as much as this, and no more ; that in the passage from one 

 size to another, all lines alter their lengths in the same proportion, and 

 all angles remain the same. It is the subsequent mathematical treat- 

 ment of these conditions which first points out that either of them 

 follows from the other. If the whole of this notion be admissible, so 

 in any thing less ; that is, the admission implies it to be granted that 

 whatever figure may be described upon any one line, another figure 

 having the same angles may be described upon any other line. If then 

 we take a triangle ABC, and any other line ab, there can be drawn 

 upon ab a triangle having angles equal to those of AB c. This can only 

 be done by drawing two linen from a and b, making angles with ab 

 equal to B A c and ABC. These two lines must then meet in some 

 point r, and the angle acb will be equal to A c B. If then two triangles 

 have two angles of one equal to two angles of the other, each to each, 

 the third angle of the one must be equal to the third angle of the 

 other ; and this much being established, it is well known that the 

 ordinary theory of parallels follows. The preceding assumption is not 

 without resemblance to that required in the methods of Legendre. 

 [PARALLELS.] 



S I M 1 LE is defined by Johnson to be " a comparison by which any- 

 thing is illustrated or aggrandised," a definition which has been often 

 neglected by poets. A metaphor differs from a simile in expression, 

 inasmuch as a metaphor is a comparison without the words indicating 

 the resemblance, and a simile is a comparison where the objects com- 

 pared are kept as distinct in expression as in thought. The metaphor 

 is only a bolder and more elliptical simile. When we speak of the 

 rudeness of a man, and say, " Mr. Jones is as rude as a bear," we use 

 a simile, for the rudeness of the two are kept distinct but likened ; 

 when we say " that bear Mr. Jones," we use a metaphor, the points of 

 resemblance being confounded in the identification of rudeness with 

 a bear. So, " brave as a lion" is a simile the " lion Achilles" a meta- 

 phor. Where the resemblance is obvious, it may be more forcibly 

 and as intelligibly expressed by a simple metaphor; but when the 

 resemblance is not so obvious, it requires fuller elucidation, and then 

 it must be expressed by a simile. .Similes therefore, from their ten- 

 dency to detail, are usually misplaced in passionate poetry, but meta- 

 phors constitute the very langiiajje of passion ; for the mind, when 

 moved, catches at every slight association to express itself, but never 

 dwells on them with the deliberateness of a comparison. 



SIMILOK. A kind of gold-coloured brass. [BRASS.] 



SIMONY. TBENKFICE.] 



.SIMOOM. [SASCIEH.] 



MN.K BODIES. [ATOMIC THEORY.] 



SIMPLE CONTRACT debts are those which are contracted with- 

 out any engagement under the seal of the debtor or of his ancestor 

 [DUD], and which are not of record by any judgment of a court. 

 Money due for goods bought by the debtor is the most usual of 

 simple contract debts ; and the declaration against a defendant, in an 

 action for goods sold, usually alleges that the defendant undertook 



(or contracted) to pay the plaintiff the sum due. Simple contract 

 debts are the last which are payable out of a deceased person's estate, 

 when the assets are insufficient. 



SIN. One of the few passages of Scripture in which we have some- 

 thing which approaches to the character of a definition relates to this 

 word : " Sin is the transgression of the law." (1 John iii. 4.) Within 

 this definition would be comprehended all actual sins, when the word 

 law is interpreted to mean the Christian law, the rule by which the 

 minds of all who profess Christianity are bound ; not merely open 

 palpable offences against the law, such as murder, theft, lying, and the 

 like, but sinful omissions of duty, and those sins which are only those 

 of contemplation and thought : since the Christian rule commands us 

 not to neglect the performance of our duties, and to keep a watch over 

 the thoughts as well as over the actions and words. 



It was this comprehensive and most excellent law which was in the 

 mind of the Apostle when he said that " sin was transgression of the 

 law," or at least that other divine law which bound the conscience of 

 the Jews. But the expression may be taken to express more generally 

 any law which a person holds in his conscience to be binding upon 

 him, whether it be a law of nature only, or a law in which the natural 

 perception of right and wrong is modified by and mixed with what is 

 received as the will of God concerning us by direct revelation from 

 him 



When the word sin is applied to any act, it is always, among correct 

 writers or speakers, used with reference to religious obligation, and to 

 the responsibility in which we stand to God, and the liability in which 

 we are to future punishment. " To do wrong" would express the 

 same act as " to commit sin ; " but we use the former phrase without 

 thinking of the offence which is done against God in any act of the 

 kind ; not so when we use the other phrase. 



Under this definition it is evident that there may be degrees in sin : 

 and we mention this to remove whal^we deem an erroneous opinion on 

 this subject, which goes the length of saying that there is really no 

 difference between the slightest violation of any moral obligation and 

 the more heinous transgressions. The error on this point arises out of 

 one of the commonest mistakes in respect of language confounding 

 words in their abstract with words in their concrete state. It is true 

 that sin in the abstract is one and indivisible, and there are no degrees 

 in it ; it expresses that which is most offensive in the sight of a pure, 

 holy, and judging God. But when we say " a sin," we refer to some 

 particular act ; and common sense tells us that in all acts in which 

 the law is trangressed there is not the same amount of moral turpitude, 

 not the same amount of defiance to the Divine Power, nor the same 

 injury to society or to our neighbour, and consequently not the same 

 amount of offence in the sight of Goi But a watchful guard should 

 be kept ; for nothing is more certain in the philosophy of mind, than 

 that small offences lead imperceptibly to the toleration of greater, so 

 that the man who thinks little of small offences may become, before he 

 is aware, guilty of those of the most heinous nature. 



There is also what divines call Original Sin ; a phrase which is 

 differently interpreted by different persons. By some it is considered 

 as being the act of sin committed by our first parents when they trans- 

 gressed the law which had bound them not to eat of the fruit of a 

 certain tree ; and this act of sin is regarded as partaken in by all the 

 posterity of Adam, fixing upon them all the guilt of his sin, and 

 exposing them to punishment which would be inflicted for this par- 

 ticular sin, to say nothing of their own sin, but for the great redemp- 

 tion. There are many modifications of this notion and many shades of 

 opinion ; and some classes of professing Christians do not use the 

 phrase original sin, though they admit the proneness of man to sin ; 

 attributing it to his ignorance and imperfection, to the violence of his 

 appetites and passions, and in general referring it to that state of pro- 

 bation in which it seems to them to have been the intention of the 

 Creator to place us. 



S1NAMINE. [THEISINAMINE.] 



SINAPIC ACID (aHO,C,,H 10 ? ). A product of the action of 

 caustic potash on SINAPINE. The sinapale of potash (2KO, C M H, O a ) 

 thus produced is decomposed by hydrochloric acid, and the preci- 

 pitated sinapic acid crystallised from hot diluted alcohol. Sinapic acid 

 forms small prisms which are insoluble in ether and only slightly 

 soluble in water. Both itself and its salts are somewhat unstable. 

 It fuses above 300 Fahr. 



SINAPINE. (C.j.H^NO,,,). The hydrosulpho-cyanate of sinapine 

 occurs in white mustard. After the mustard flour has been suc- 

 cessively treated with ether and with absolute alcohol to remove 

 fatty and colouring matter, it is boiled in alcohol of sp. gr. 0'825, and 

 the filtered liquid concentrated till, on cooling, it deposits crystals. 

 Sinapine reduces the salts of copper, silver and gold. Its solutions 

 are very liable to decompose into SINAPIC ACID and SINKALINE ; a 

 change that is rapidly effected by ebullition with solution of potash : 



C,, H J5 NO,. + S(KO.HO) =^KO < 0,,H 1 .0. + C^II^HO, + 3HO 

 Sinapine. Sinapatc of potash. Sinkaline. 



Sinapine was formerly called gulplwrinapiiiHe. 



SINAT1S. Two species of this genus are used in this country to 

 yield the mustard of commerce, S. aUia and S. nigra, or white mustard 



