Geocorinae 
Geocorinse (je-ok-o-ri'ne), ii. pi. [NL. (Uhler, 
1877), < Geocoris + -inw.] A subfamily of Ly- 
gaiidx, typified by the genus Geocoris, having 
no basal aroolet to tho membrane. There are 3 
genera of small and inconspicuous species found in Eu- 
rope aiul hi'th Amrrk-as. Also Geocorida, Geocoriuit. 
Geocoris (je-ok'o-ris), n. [NL. (Fallen, 1814), 
< Gr. yfi, the earth, + nopic, a bug.] A genus 
of heteropterous insects, of the family Lygce- 
idw, typical of the subfamily Geocorince, of 
which about 12 United States species are 
known. 
Geocqrisae (je-o-kor'i-se), n. pi. [NL., an irreg. 
pi. of Geocoris.] A section of heteropterous 
insects, founded by Latreille (1827) in distinc- 
tion from Hydrocorisce; the laud-bugs. They all 
live In the open air, instead of In the water, and are for 
the most part found upon the leaves of trees and plants, 
though some do not quit the ground, and others are aqua- 
tic to the extent of living upon the water. They are char- 
acterized by the free antenna), longer than the head, and 
inserted between the eyes near the anterior margin of the 
head. The great majority of Ileteroptera belong to this 
division, among them the common bedbug. It is a group 
of varying and indetinite extent. Also called Geocores 
(Burmeister, 1835) and Gcocomc(Spinola, 1837), A-urocores 
or Avnwrtn, and Gyntnocerata. 
geocronite (je-ok'ro-nit), n. [< Gr. yfi, the earth, 
+ Kpovof, Saturn, the alchemistic name of 
lead, + -ite 2 .] A lead-gray ore with a metallic 
luster, consisting of antimony, lead, sulphur, 
and a little arsenic. 
geocyclic (je-o-sik'lik), a. [< Gr. yij, the earth, 
+ Kwc/lof, a circle: see cycle.] Of or pertain- 
ing to the revolutions of the earth __ Geocyclic 
machine, a machine intended to represent in what manner 
the changes of the seasons, the increase and decrease of 
the length of the day, etc., are caused 6y the inclination 
of the axis of the earth to the plane of the ecliptic at an 
angle of 66J, and how the axis, by remaining parallel to 
itself in all points of its path round the sun, invariably 
preserves this inclination. 
geode (je'od), . [= F. geode, < L. geodes, a 
certain precious stone, < Gr. yeu&qs, earth-like, 
earthy, < yf], the earth, + clSof, form.] A con- 
cretionary stone or 
pebble, hollow in- 
side, and often hav- 
ing the walls of the 
cavity lined with 
crystals. Geodes of 
quartz are far more com- 
mon than any others. 
Geodes are of frequent 
occurrence in the lime- 
stone rocks of various re- 
gions, as in the Niagara 
limestone in western New 
York, and in the Missis- 
sippi valley, in the Keokuk group, which is of Carbonif- 
erous age. In this division of the series there is a so-called 
geode-bed, in which geodes, ranging from 1 to 20 inches 
in diameter, are abundant. Many of these are beautiful 
for their agate structure, or for their lining of drusy 
quartz ; some also contain crystallized calcite, dolomite, 
blende, or pyrites. 
Geodephaga, n. pi. See Geadephaga. 
geodephagous, a. See geadepkagotis. 
geodesia (je-o-de'si-a), n. Same as geodesy. 
geodesian (je'-o-de'si-an), n. [< geodesy + -an.] 
Same as geodesist. 
geodesic (je-o-des'ik),a. andn. [=F.geode'sique 
= Sp.geode'sico = Pg. It. geodesico; as geodesy + 
-ic.] I. a. Same as geodetic Geodesic curvature. 
See curvature. Geodesic Curve. Same as ueodexic line. 
Geodesic line, aline so drawn upon a surface as to co- 
incide with the position of a string stretched across the 
surface between any two points in the line. The geodesic 
line is the shortest or longest line on the surface between 
any two points in it, and its osculating plane is everywhere 
normal to the surface. 
II. n. A geodesic line. 
geodesical ( je-o-des'i-kal), a. Same as geodetic. 
geodesist (je-od'e-sist)',' re. [< geodesy + -ist.] 
One versed in geodesy; a geodetic surveyor. 
Also geodesian, geodete. 
The geodesist may come to owe some of his most im- 
portant data to the observers of the lunar motions. 
Pop. Sci. Mo., XXVI. 48. 
Geodesmus (je-o-des'mus), n. [NL., < Gr. yfi, 
the earth, + <fe<r//<!f, a band.] A genus of mo- 
nogonoporous dendrocrolous turbellarians, of 
the family Geoplanidai, or land-planarians. Geo- 
demnus bilinentus is found in potters' earth. 
geodesy (je-od'e-si), n. [= D. G. qeodesie = 
Dan. Sw. geodesi = F. giodesie = $p. Pg. It. 
geodesia, < NL. geodwsia, < Gr. yeufaiaia, the art 
of mensuration, < yfi, the earth, land, + Saiuv, 
divide.] Formerly, the art of land-surveying 
in general, but now restricted to that branch 
of applied mathematics, distinctively called 
liii/lier i/codesy. which investigates the figures 
and areas of large portions of the earth's sur- 
face, the exact determinations of geographical 
positions and the azimuths of directions, the 
general figure of the earth, and the variations 
Geode (Quartz). 
2493 
of the intensity of gravity in different regions, 
by means of direct observation and measure- 
ment. The operations of topography and hydrography 
are now considered as extraneous to geodesy, but leveling 
of the most precise kind is included, as well as the obser- 
vation of the tides. Also geodetics. 
Of these feats, farther applied, is sprung the feat of Qe- 
odesie, or land-measuring, more cunningly to measure and 
survelgh land, woods, and waters, afar off. 
Dee, Pref. to Euclid (1570). 
geodete (je'o-det), n. [< geodesy, with accom. 
term, as in exegete.] Same as geodesist. 
Dangerous ascents and solitary life on the top of high 
mountains, with no other society than that of the few as- 
sistants who accompany him, are common occurrences 
for the geodete. Pop. Sci. Mo., XXX. 244. 
geodetic (je-o-det'ik), a. [< geodesy, with ac- 
com. term, as in genetic.] 1. Pertaining to 
geodesy or to surveying. 2. Pertaining to the 
extension of theorems of plane geometry to 
figures drawn on curved surfaces. 
Also geodesic, geodesical, geodetical. 
geodetical (je-o-det'i-kal), a. Same a.sgeodetic. 
geodetically (je-o-det'i-kal-i), adv. In a geo- 
detic manner; in accordance with the princi- 
ples of geodesy. 
geodetlCS (je-o-det'iks), n. [PI. of geodetic: see 
-ics.] Same as geodesy. 
Geodia (je-6'di-a), n. [NL., < Gr. yeufyf, earth- 
like : see'geode.] A genus of silicious sponges, 
giving name to a family Geodiida, of the group 
Tetractinellinai or the order Tetractinellida, hav- 
ing remarkably large andstout internal spicules. 
The genus first appears in the Jurassic periodt These 
fossil sponges have some resemblance to geodes, whence 
the name. 
geodiferous (je-o-dif'e-rus), a. [< geode + L. 
ferre = E. bear 1 .] Containing or abounding in 
geodes. 
geodiid (je-od'i-id), n. A sponge of the family 
Geodiid<e.' 
Geodiidae (je-o-di'i-de), n. pi. [NL., < Geodia 
+ -idee.] A family of tetraxonid or tetracti- 
nellid choristidan sponges, typified by the ge- 
nus Geodia, having small chambers and outlets 
and a cortex of globate spicules. Also Geodida;. 
geodized (je'o-dlzd), a. [< geode + -ize + -ed?.] 
Converted into a geode; having a hollow in- 
terior, the walls of the cavity being lined with 
crystals. 
The geodized fossils of the Keokuk limestone. 
Amer. Jour. Sci., 3d ser., XXX. 376. 
Geodromica (je-o-drom'i-ka), . pi. [NL., < L. 
geodromus, < Gr.' yij, the earth, + Sp6/j.os, a run- 
ning, < dpafielv, run.] A large section or series 
of heteropterous insects, comprising those 
which are thoroughly terrestrial or aerial. The 
great group Reduvioidea are characteristic of the Geo- 
dromica, which correspond to the Geocorisce minus certain 
equivocal subaquatic forms. 
Geoemyda (je-o-em'i-da), n. [NL., < Gr. yij, 
the earth, + c/tvc, e/ti>e (e/tvi-, euvfi-), the fresh- 
water tortoise: see Emyda.] A genus of tur- 
tles, typical of a subfamily Geoemydina. J. E. 
Gray, 1834. Also Geoemys. 
Geoemydina (je-o-em-i-di'na), n. pi. [NL., < 
Geoemyda + -ina.] A subfamily of Emydido} 
or Clemmyida>, typified by the genus Geoemyda. 
It was proposed for a species having the head covered 
with thick and hard skin, the fore legs covered in front 
with thick, hard, and unequal shields, and the toes very 
short. It includes terrestrial turtles of Asia and America. 
Those of America belong to the genera Chelopun (or Geo- 
clemmys) and Glyptemys. 
Geoffraea (je-of-re'a),. [NL., named in honor 
of E. F. Geoffroy, a French physician (1672- 
1731). The name Geoffroy, Geoffroi, Godefroi, 
E. Geoffrey, Jeffrey, Godfrey, is of OHG. origin, 
G. Gottfried, and means 'God-peace': see God 
and frith 1 .] A genus of leguminous trees of 
tropical America, of which there are four spe- 
cies. They have yellow fetid flowers, and bear a drupa- 
ceous edible pod containing a single seed. The bastard 
Tonka bean of Brazil is obtained from a species of this 
genus. 
Geoffroya (je-of-roi'yii), n. [NL.] Same as 
Geoffrcea. 
geog. An abbreviation of geography. 
Geogale (je-og'a-l), n. [NL., < Gr. yfj, the 
earth, + yaAo?, yakfi, a weasel.] A genus of 
small shrew-like insectivorous mammals, of 
the subfamily Geogalinai, having the tibia and 
fibula distinct, 3 premolars and 3 molars in 
each half of the upper jaw, and 2 premolars 
and 3 molars in each half of the lower. The type 
and only known species, G. aurita, inhabits Madagascar, 
and is about the size of a shrew. Milne-Edwards, 1872. 
geogalid (je-og'a-lid), n. One of the Geogalida. 
Geogalidse'(je-o'-gari-de), n. pi. [NL., < Geo- 
gale + -ida;.] A family of Madagascan insec- 
tivorous mammals, constituted by the genus 
Geogale, separated from Oryzoryctes and re- 
geographical 
moved from the family 1'otamoijalida; to form 
the type of the present group. See Geogale. 
Geogalinae (je-og-a-li'ue), n. pi. [NL., < Geo- 
gale + -ina:.] A subfamily of PotamogaUdce, 
including the genera Geogale and Oi'yzoryctes. 
See Geogalidai. 
geogenic (je-o-jen'ik), a. [< geogeny + -ic.] 
Pertaining to geogeny, or the theory of the for- 
mation of the earth. Also geogonic, geogoni- 
cal. 
geogenous ( je-oj'e-nus), a. [< Gr. yij, the earth, 
+ -yevt/f, produced: see -genous.] in mycology, 
growing on the earth or on organic matter in the 
soil : applied to some fungi, in distinction from 
those that grow upon organic bodies not in the 
soil. 
geogeny (je-oj'e-ni), n. [< Gr. yij, the earth, 
+ -yeveia, <. y yev, produce : see -geny.] That 
branch of geology which relates to the theory 
of the earth's formation, and especially to the 
earlier stages of its development, and to its 
relations as a member of the solar system. 
Nearly identical in meaning with comnogony as used by 
some writers. The word is not in general use among 
geologists. Also, more correctly, geogonjt. 
Geoglossum (je-o-glos'um), n. [NL., < Gr. yij, 
the earth, + yAuaaa, the tongue.] Earth- 
tongue, a genus of ascomyeetous fungi found 
in bogs and meadows, all the species growing 
upon the earth. There are 7 British and a 
larger number of American species. 
geognosis (je-og-no'sis), n. [NL.: see geognosy .] 
Same as geognosy. 
He has no bent towards exploration, or the enlarge- 
ment of our geognosix. George Eliot, Middlemarch, ix. 
geognost (je'og-nost), n. [= F. geognoste; < 
Gr. yij, the earth, + yvaart/f, one that knows: 
see gnostic.] One versed in geognosy ; a geol- 
ogist. [Bare.] 
The travellers, except to the volcano district of Sinai, 
have been such bad geognosts that I cannot get enough 
from them. Kiiigsley, Life, II. 141. 
geognostic (je-og-nos'tik), a. [= F. geognos- 
tique = G. geognostisch ; as geognosy, with term, 
accom. to gnostic.] Pertaining to geognosy or 
geognosis. 
Guided by physical laws, the geognostic student must 
. . . bear in mind the probability of some extraordinary 
tidal action in the early periods of the earth's history. 
Winchell, World-Life, p. 268. 
geognostical (je-og-nos'ti-kal), a. Same as 
geognostic. 
geognostically (je-og-nos'ti-kal-i), adv. As re- 
gards geognosy. 
Alluvial soil consists chemically and geognostically of 
substantially the same mineral matters as the compact 
mountain-masses from the disintegration of which it has 
originated. Pop. Sci. Mo., XX. 337. 
osie 
ge- 
ognosis,^ Gr. yij, the earth, + yv&aif, knowledge: 
see gnosis.] Literally, knowledge of the earth : 
a geological term variously used, (a) The study 
of rocks, independently of their arrangement into a chro- 
nological series. Jukes. (6) That division of geology 
which describes the constituent parts of the eafth, its 
envelop of air and water, its solid crust, and the probable 
condition of its interior. A. Geikie. (c) Local geology 
that is, the description of the geological structure and 
character of special geographical regions or areas. Also 
geognosis. [The word is not in general use.] = Syn. Geol- 
ogy, Geognosy. See geology. 
geogonic, geogonical (je-o-gon'ik, -i-kal), a. 
Same as geogenic. 
geogony (je-og'o-ni), n. [< Gr. yf], the earth, 
-t- -yovia, generation, < \/ yev, produce : see ge- 
nus.] Same as geogeny. 
geographer (je-og'ra-fer), n. [< geograph-y + 
-e-l.] One who is versed in i 
raphy. 
I do not say to be a good geographer a man should visit 
every mountain, river, promontory, and creek upon the 
face of the earth, view the buildings and survey the land 
every where, as if he were going to make a purchase. 
Locke, Conduct of Understanding, 2. 
geographic (je-o-graf'ik), a. [= F. geogra- 
phique = Sp. geogrdfico = Pg. geographico = It. 
geograflco, < LL. geographicits, < Gr. yeuypcujiiK6f, 
of or for geography, < yeuypafyia, geography: see 
geography.] Same as geographical. 
It is the geocentric and not the geographic latitude 
which gives the true position of the observer relative to 
the earth's centre. Newcomb and Holden, Astron., p. 203. 
geographical (je-o-graf i-kal), a. [< geograph-y 
+ -ic-al.] Pertaining to geography; relating to 
the surface of the earth or of any part of it. 
At the beginning of the first century before Christ the 
Roman power was far from having reached the full mea- 
sure of Its geographical extent. 
E. A. Freeman, Amer. Lects., p. 324. 
geognosy (je-og'no-si), n. [= D. G. geogno 
= Sw. Dan. geognosi, < F. geognosie, < NL. , 
; or treats of geog- 
