GLOSSARY. 



33 



Mucronate. Ending in a sharp, rigk 



point. 

 Mucronate (antennae]. When they termi 



nate in a short point or macro. 

 Mucus. A viscid fluid secreted by the 

 mucous membrane, which it serves to 

 moisten and defend. It covers the 

 lining membranes of all the cavities 

 which open externally, as the mouth 

 nose, lungs, intestinal canal, urinary 

 passages, &c. The word mucus is 

 also sometimes applied to other an 

 imal fluids of a viscid quality, as the 

 synovial fluid which lubricates the 

 joints. 



Mulatto. The offspring of a negress by 

 a white man, or of a white woman by 

 a negro. 



Multangular. Having many angles. 

 Multiarticulate. Consisting of many 



joints. 

 Multicavous. Having many holes or 



cavities. 

 Multifid. Cleft into many divisions by 



linear sinuses. 

 Multiform. Having many shapes, forms 



or appearances. 

 Multifjenerous. Consisting of many kinds. 

 Multilocular. Having many cells or 

 chambers : consisting of several di- 

 visions. 



Multiparous. Producing many at a birth. 

 Multiparite. Divided into more than 



four parts. 



Multisect. When an insect appears to 

 have no distinct trunk or abdomen, but 

 is divided into numerous segments. 

 Multivalve. A shell composed of many 



pieces or valves. 



Mnltivalvular. Having many valves. 

 Multocular. Having many eyes. 

 Muricate; Muricated. In insects, when 

 the surface is covered with sharp, 

 thick, but not close, elevated points or 

 pustules. In shells, when clothed with 

 sharp spines. 



Murine. Pertaining to the genus Mus. 

 Muscle. An animal tissue composed of 

 little bundles of fibres, inclosed in a 

 thin circular membrane, and serving 

 as the organs of motion. 

 Muscular Impressions. The marks or in- 

 dentations in the shells of acephalous 

 bivalves, which indicate the insertion 



5 



of the muscles, by which the animal is 

 attached to its shell. 



Musteline. Pertaining to the weasel, or 

 animals of the genus Mustela. 



Mutilate. When the base-covers of an 

 insect appear unnaturally short or cur- 

 tailed, as if mutilated. 



Mutilated. Deprived of a limb or some 

 essential part. 



Muzzle. The mouth and parts imme- 

 diately adjacent to it. 



Myelencephala. The primary division of 

 animals characterized by a brain and 

 spinal marrow. 



Myography. A description of the mus- 

 cles. 



Myriad. An immense but indefinite 

 number. 



Myriapod. Having two hundred legs or 

 more ; an insect belonging to the 

 order Myriapoda, which are character- 

 ized by their numerous feet. 



Mytilite. A petrified shell of the genus 

 Mytilus. 



N. 



Nacre. Mother-of-pearl ; the white, shin- 

 ing substance which constitutes the in- 

 terior surface of a shell producing a 

 pearl. 



Nacred ; Nacreous. Having a pearly 

 lustre ; like mother-of-pearl. 



Nascent. Beginning to exist or to grow ; 

 coming into being. 



Natant. Swimming, or floating on the 

 water. 



Natatorious. When the legs of insects 

 are compressed and ciliated, and 

 formed for swimming. Also, when 

 the abdomen is terminated by flat foli- 

 aceous appendages, or the tail is ciliated 

 on each side with dense parallel hairs, 

 which assist the insect in swimming. 



Natatory. Formed for swimming ; ena- 

 bling to swim. 



Natural. Produced by, or derived from, 

 nature. 



Naturalist. One that is versed in Natu- 

 ral History. 



Nature. This word is variously used in 

 works on Natural History. It some- 

 times denotes the qualities which a be- 

 ing derives from birth, in opposition to 



