Erythacus 
ErythaCUS (e-rith'a-kus), n. [NL. (Cuvier, 
1800, irnprop. for Erithacus (Gesner, 1555) ; Lin- 
nseus), < L. erithacus (Pliny), < Gr. iplBanof, an 
unidentified solitary bird which could be taught 
to speak; also called the ipi(h?Mf and ipiBevc,; sup- 
posed, erroneously, to be connected with epv6p6f, 
red, and hence assumed to mean 'red breast,' 
whence the NL. use and spelling.] A genus of 
old-world oscine passerine birds, of the family 
SylviidcB, the type of which is the European 
robin redbreast, Erythacus rubecula. Also Ery- 
thaca. See cut under robin. 
erythanthema (er-i-than'the-ma), n. [NL., < 
Gr. ipvBpte, red (see Erythrus)', + avtir^ia (in 
comp.), a flowing; cf. exanthema.] In pathol., 
an angioneurotie and neurotic affection of the 
skin in which inflammation is prominent. 
erythema (er-i-the'ma),w. ; -pl.erythemata (-ma- 
ta). [NL., < Gr. ipi'ffr/fia, a redness or flush on 
the skin, < epvffalvetv, poet, for epvBpaivstv, red- 
den, < epvdp6f, red.] A superficial redness of 
some portion of the skin ; specifically, in pa- 
thol. , such a redness, varying in extent and 
form, which may be attended with more gen- 
eral disorder. 
The blush of shame and anger is an erythema produced 
by the immediate action of the vaso-motor nervous system. 
Quaiit, Sled. Diet., p. 44. 
erythematic, erythematous (er"i-the-mat'ik, 
er-i-them'a-tus), a. [< erythema(t-) + -ic, -OH*.] 
Pertaining to or of the nature of erythema ; at- 
tended with erythema. 
erythematoid (er-i-them'a-toid), a. [< erythe- 
ma(t-) + -oid.~\ Resembling erythema. 
erythematous, See erythematic. Erythema- 
tous eczema. See eczema. 
Erythraea (er-i-thre'a), n. [NL., < Gr. cpvdpaia, 
fem. of epvffpalof, equiv. to epwpoq, red: see 
Erythrus.] A genus of plants, of the natural 
order Gentianaceie, of about 30 widely distrib- 
uted species. They are low herbs, mostly annuals, 
with red or pink flowers, and are bitter tonics, like the 
gentians. The centaury, E. Centaurium, is a common 
species of Europe. About a dozen species are found in 
western North America and Mexico, where several are in 
medicinal repute under the name of catwhalagua. E. 
Centaurium and E. Chilensis are used in medicine like 
gentian. 
erythrean (er-i-thre'an), a. [< L. erythrgus, 
reddish, < Gr. epvBpaloi;, red, reddish ; 'Epvdpalof 
7r6vTOf, 'EpvSpaia BaAaoca, the Bed Sea (Indian 
ocean). SeeErythraa.] Of a red color Ery- 
threan Sea, in anc. geog., the Indian ocean, including its 
two arms, the Red Sea and the Persian gulf. 
2000 
Erythrininse (e-rith-ri-ni'ne), 11. pi. [NL., < 
Erythrinus + -ina.] A South American sub- 
family of fishes, of the family Characinida:, 
differing from others of the family in having 
no adipose fin. They have an elongated form, short 
dorsal and anal flns, ventrals under the dorsal, and acute 
conic teeth in the jaws and palate. They are fresh-water 
flshes, some of them of economic importance. They are 
known as haimra, trahira, waubeen, and yarrow, and be- 
long to the genera Erythrinus, Hcterythrinus, and Macro- 
don. Also Erythrichthini. 
erythrinine (e-rith'ri-nin), a. and n. I. a. Per- 
taining to or having the characters of the Ery- 
thrinince. 
II. n. A characinoid fish of the subfamily 
Erythrinina. 
erythrinoid (e-rith'ri-noid), a. and . Same as 
erythrinine. 
Erythrinus (er-i-thri'nus), n. [NL., < Gr. epv- 
Oplmf, a kind of red mullet, < epvOp6f, red.] A 
lines show natural sizes.) 
Waubeen (Erythrinus mttmiattH), 
erythric (e-rith'rik), a. [< Gr. epvBpfy, red, + 
-ic.] Of or pertaining to erythrin Erythric 
acid. Same as erythriii, 1. 
Erythrichthini (er"i-thrik-thi'ni),.^. [NL., 
< Erythrichthys + -ini.] A group of fishes, typi- 
fied by the genus Erythrichthys: same as Ery- 
thrininw. C. L. Bonaparte, 1837. 
Erythrichthys (er-i-thrik'this), n. [NL., < Gr. 
epv8p6$, red, + J^fc?, a fish.] The typical ge- 
nus of Erythrichthini : same as Erythrinus. 
erythrin (e-rith'rin), n. [< erythr-ic + -i 2 .] 
1 . An organic principle (CgoH^Oio) obtained 
from Boccella tinctoria, Lecanora tartarea, and 
other lichens, which furnish the blue dyestuff 
called litmus. It is a crystalline compound formed 
by the union of ether, orsellinic acid, and erythrite. Also 
called erythric acid, erythrinic acid. 
2. Same as erythrite, 1. 
Erythrina (er-i-thri'na), n. [NL., < Gr. epv- 
6p6f, red. Cf. Erythrinus.] A genus of legumi- 
nous shrubs ortrees, of 25 species, mostly tropi- 
cal, with trifoliate leaves, and terminal racemes 
of large flowers, usually blood-red. They are or- 
dinarily known as coral-trees. One species, E. herbacea, is 
common through the southeastern part of the United 
States, and two others, tropical American species, are also 
found in Florida. Several are cultivated in greenhouses 
for the beauty of their flowers. E. Indica is often men- 
tioned by Indian poets, and is fabled to have been stolen 
from the celestial gardens by Krishna for his wives. It is 
a spiny species, and is planted for hedges. E. Ca/ra, the 
kaflrboom of South Africa, furnishes, like the last men- 
tioned, a very soft and light wood, which has industrial 
value. 
erythrinic (er-i-thrin'ik), a. [< erythrin + -ic."] 
Pertaining to or consisting of erythrin. Ery- 
thrinic acid. Same as erythrin, 1. 
Erythrinidae (er-i-thrin'i-de), n. pi. [NL., < 
Erythrinus + -idee.] A family of characinoid 
fishes, typified by the genus Erythrinus, con- 
taining such Cliaracinidai as have no adipose 
dorsal fin. 
Erythrinina (e-rith-ri-m'na), n. pi. [NL.,< 
Erythrinus + -iwa 2 .] In Giinther's system of 
classification, the first group of Characinidce, 
having no adipose dorsal fin. its constituents are 
dispersed by others among the subfamilies Erythrinime, 
Lebiasinince, Pyrrhuliiiinoe, and Stevardiince, 
genus of South American characinoid fishes, as 
E. unitceniatus, giving name to the subfamily 
Erythrininte. 
erythrism (e-rith'rizm), n. [< Gr. ipvSpof, red, 
ruddy, + -ism.'] In ornith., a condition of di- 
chromatism characterized by excess of red pig- 
ment in the plumage of birds which are nor- 
mally brown, gray, etc. It is constantly exhibited 
by sundry owls, as species of Scops and Glaucidium, the 
common screech-owl of the United States (Scops asio), for 
example, occurring indifferently in the red or the gray 
plumage. Compare albinism and melanism. 
erythrismal (er-i-thriz'mal), a. [< erythrism 
+ -a/.] Characterized by erythrism; exhibit- 
ing erythrism: as, " the erythrismal condition," 
Coues. Also erythritic. 
erythrite (e-rith'rit), n. [< Gr. epv6p6c,, red, + 
-ite 2 .] 1. A hydrous arseniate of cobalt, of a 
rose-red color, occurring in radiated or acic- 
ular crystalline forms and as a pulverulent 
incrustation. Also called cobalt-bloom and 
erythrin. 2. A rose-red variety of orthoclase 
feldspar from amygdaloid near Kilpatrick, 
Scotland. 3. A crystalline organic principle 
(CiHg(OH)4) obtained from several species of 
lichens by extraction with milk of lime. 
erythritic (er-ith-rit'ik), a. [< Gr. epv6p6f, red, 
+ -it-ic.] 1. Pertaining to or containing eryth- 
rite, in either sense. 2. Same as erythrismal. 
erythrobenzene (e-rith-ro-ben'zen), n. [< Gr. 
t-pi>0pof, red, + E. benzene, q. v.] A red color- 
ing matter made directly from nitrobenzol by 
the action of iron-filings and concentrated hy- 
drochloric acid. 
erythrocarpOUS (e-rith-ro-kar'pus), a. [< NL. 
erythrocarpus, < Gr. spvBpAf, red, + /capn-oV, fruit.] 
In lichenology, red-fruited; having red or red- 
dish apothecia. 
erythrodextrine (e-rith-ro-deks'trin), n. [< 
Gr. epvffpof, red, + E. dextrine, q. v.] A modifica- 
tion of dextrine, which is colored red by iodine. 
It is an amorphous substance, soluble in water, dextro- 
rotatory, not directly fermentable, but fermenting in the 
presence of diastase. 
Erythrogonys (er-ith-rog'o-nis), n. [NL. (J. 
Gould, 1837), < Gr. ipvdpof, red, + y&w = E. 
knee.] A genus of Australian plovers, the type 
and only species of which is the red-kneed dot- 
terel, E. cinctus. 
erythroid (er'ith-roid), a. [< Gr. epvBpoetdf/f, of 
a ruddy look, < epvOpof, ruddy, + a<!of, form.] 
Of a red color. 
Erythroides (er-ith-roi'dez), n.pl. [NL., < Gr. 
rK, of a ruddy look: see erythroid.'] A 
Erythroxylon 
red, 4- /itfac., black), + d/.yof, pain.] In pathol., 
an affection of the feet and occasionally of the 
hands, characterized by burning pain and ten- 
derness in the soles (or palms) attended with a 
purplish coloration. 
Erythroneura (e-rith-ro-nu'ra), n. [NL., < 
Gr. ipvOpos, red, + vevpav, nerve, sinew, = L. ner- 
vus, > E. nerve.] A genus of homopterous in- 
sects, contain- 
ing small slen- 
derly fusiform 
species, with 
four cells on 
the wing-cov- 
ers, Confined to 
i-Wii' tlTl a*i 
l j? eir . . PS) 
E. tricincta. E. 
vitis is a United States species which infests grape-leaves, 
is ivory-yellow in color, and is marked with black and 
crimson. This species is everywhere erroneously called 
by American grape-growers the grape-vine thrips. See 
leafhopper. 
Erythronium (er-i-thro'ni-um), n. [NL., < Gr. 
fpvffpovwv, a certain plant of the satyrium kind, 
< epv6p6^, red.] 1. A genus of liliaceous plants, 
natives of northern temperate regions, com- 
monly known as the dog-tooth violet. They are 
low and nearly stemless herbs; with a solid scaly bulb, two 
smooth leaves which are often mottled, and a scape bear- 
ing one or several large yellow, purplish, or white nod- 
ding lily-like flowers. The only species found in the old 
world is E. Dent-canis, which has solitary purple flowers. 
The remaining 10 or 12 species are North American. 
2. [I. c.] A name sometimes given to vanadate 
of lead. 
Erythrophloeum (e-rith-ro-fle'um), n. [NL., < 
Gr. cpvfip6f, red, + faotof,' bark.] A genus of 
tropical trees, natural order Leguminosie, con- 
taining three species, two found in Africa, and 
the third in Australia. E. Guineense, the sassy-bark 
of Sierra Leone, is a large tree, native of western tropical 
Africa, the bark of which is a powerful poison, and is used 
by the natives in their ordeals. The red juice of the tree 
is equally poisonous. Both kinds are sometimes used mere- 
ly as strong emetics. 
erythrophobe (e-rith'ro-fob), n. [NL., < Gr. 
Ipv6p6f, red, + 0o/3riv, fear.] An animal so con- 
stituted as to be made uncomfortable by red 
light, and which hence seeks to avoid it, as if 
fearing it. 
erythrophyl, erythrophyll (e-rith'ro-fil), n. 
rophylle ; < Gr. epvdptf, red, + fteUov 
family of malacopterygian fishes : same as Ery- 
thrinidx. Cuvier and Valenciennes. 1846. 
erythroleic (er-ith-ro'le-ik), a. [^ Gr. epv6p6f, 
red, + L. oleum, oil, + -ic.] In chcm., having 
a red color and an oily appearance : applied to 
an acid obtained from archil. 
erythrolein (er-ith-ro'le-in), n. [As erythrole- 
ic + -in 2 .'] A compound contained in litmus. 
It is soluble in alcohol, ether, and alkalis, and 
gives a purple color. 
erythrolitmin (e-rith-ro-lit'min), n. [< Gr. 
epv6p6f, red, + NL. litmus + -in 2 .] A compound 
contained in litmus. Its color is red, and it dis- 
solves with a blue color in alkalis. 
erythromelalgia (e-rith' / ro-me-larji-a), n. 
[NL., < Gr. ipvOpo^i'faf, blackish red (< i-pvOpoc., 
l=F.erythrophyli , 
= L. folium, leaf. Cf. chlorophyl.'] A name 
given by Berzelius to the substance to which 
the red color of leaves in autumn is due. 
erythrophyllin (e-rith-ro-fil'in), n. [As eryth- 
rophyl 4- -in 2 .] Same as erythrophyl. 
erythrophytoscope (e-rith-ro-fi'to-skop), n. [< 
Gr. fpvdp6c., red, 4- <j>vr6v, a 'plant, + aiameiv, 
view.] Same as erythroscope. 
erythroprotid (e-rith-ro-pro'tid), n. [< Gr. 
epvOp6f, red, + E. prot-ein + -id.] A reddish- 
brown amorphous matter obtained from protein. 
erythroscope (e-rith'ro-skop), n. [< Gr. tpv- 
6p6c., red, -r anovelv, view.] A form of optical 
apparatus devised by Simler, used in examin- 
ing the light reflected from different bodies. 
It consists of two plates of glass, one of them cobalt-blue in 
color, thick enough to allow the extreme red of the spectrum 
to pass through, but no orange or yellow, the other of deep 
yellow, capable of transmitting the light-rays as far as 
the violet. A landscape viewed through these glasses is 
strikingly transformed, the green of the foliage appearing 
of a deep red (since green leaves reflect the red rays), the 
sky greenish-blue, the clouds purplish-violet, and so on. 
The effect of light and shade are left unchanged. Also 
called erythrophytoscope. 
erythrosis (er-i-thro'sis), n. [NL., < Gr. kpv- 
6p6$, red, 4- -osis.] ID. pathol., plethora or poly- 
emia. 
erythrostomum (er-i-thros' to-mum), . ; pi. 
erythrostomata (e-rith-ro-sto'ma-ta). [< Gr. epv- 
6p6<;, red, 4- cr6[ia, mouth.] A term proposed 
by Desvaux for an aggregate fruit composed 
of drupelets, as in the blackberry; a form of 
hetserio. 
erythroxyl (er-ith-rok'sil), n. In bot., one of 
the Erythroxyleee. 
Erythrbxyleae (e-rith-rok-sil'e-e), n.pl. [NL., 
< Erythroxylon + -ece.] A trite of the natural 
order Linaeea;, distinguished from the rest of 
the order by a shrubby or arboreous habit and 
by the drupaceous fruit. 
Erythroxylon (er-ith-rok'si-lon), n. [NL., < 
Gr. epv6p6f, red, 4 gv'/.ov, wood.] The principal 
genus of the tribe Erythroxylete. It contains so 
species, natives mainly of tropical America. The best- 
known species, E. Coca, of Bolivia and Peru, yields the 
drugcoca. (Seecocal.) Several other South American spe- 
cies are reputed to possess medicinal properties. E. mo- 
nogynum is a small tree of southern India, with a very 
hard dark-brown heart-wood, which is used as a substi- 
tute for sandal-wood. Some others have a bright-red 
wood, occasionally used in dyeing. See cut on next page. 
