GLOSSARY. 309 



with various other ingredients, and which has a very fertilizing ef- 

 fect on the soil. See p. 89. 



Marl., or cow grass, a species of clover, of the genus Trifolium. 



Meadow caVs-tail grass, timothy, or herd's grass. See p. 225. 



Meadow fescue grass, a species of grass of the genus Festuca. 



Meadow foxtail, a species of grass of the genus Alopecurus. 



Meadow soft grass, a species of the genus Poa. 



Mechanical Manures are those which serve to improve the texture 

 of soils, as sand applied to clay, clay to sand, and marl or mild lime 

 to both, when they are deficient in calcareous matter. 



Mechlenberg harrow, an iron harrow, used in jMechlenberg. 



Menstruum, the fluid in which a solid body is dissolved. 



Mercury, quicksilver. 



Metre, a French measure, containing rather more than thirty-nine 

 inches. 



Miasms, the particles or atoms which are supposed to arise from dis- 

 tempered, pulrifying, or poisonous bodies. 



Mica, a glistening, shining mineral, frequently called isinglass. It 

 sometimes occurs in large sheets ; and, as it can be split into very 

 thin layers, and is transparent, it is often used as a substitute for glass. 

 The small shining particles, found in soils, are mica. 



Mica slate, a species of slaty rock, containing mica, which gives it a 

 glistening appearance. It is much used for flagging stones, on side- 

 walks, &c. 



Mineral, any natural substance of a metallic, earthy, or saline, nature. 



Mineral Manures, such as serve to dissolve the organic matters in the 

 soil, to induce new soluble compounds, or to stimulate the organs of 

 plants, as quicklime, gypsum, ashes, salt, &c. 



Mordant, substance used in dyeing, to fix colors upon cloth. 



Mould, organic matter, in a finely divided and decomposed state, with 

 a little admixture of earth, as vegetable mould, leaf mould, peat 

 mould, &c. 



Mucilage, a vegetable principle, allied to gum. 



Muck, dung in a moist state, or a mass of dung and vegetable matter. 



Mulch, dust, rubbish, half rotten straw, rotten or crumbled dung. 



To Mulch, to cover the surface with coarse litter. 



Mulched, manured by covering the surface with rotten manures, 

 coarse litter, &c. 



Muriates , salts containing muriatic acid. 



Muriatic acid, spirit of salt, an acid composed of chlorine and hy- 

 drogen. 



Muriate of soda, common salt. 



Must, new wine, or wort, or new beer, either unferraented, or in the 

 act of fermentation. 



Muzzle, the mouth of any thing ; a basket for an ox's mouth ; any 

 fastening for the mouth, to hinder an animal from biting ; the draft 

 copse, or iron, at the nose, or end of the beam, of a plough, to 

 which the hook of the traces is attached. The muzzle of an English 

 plough is shown in Figures 30 and 31, p. 142. 



JVdked fallows , see Fallows. 



JVati consumere fruges , born to consume the fruits. 



JVatural science, the science of natural history. 



