melaniline 
melanillue (me-lan'i-lin), . [< Gr. 
(//e/m-), black, + K. aniliin-.] A basic sub- 
stance (C]*H)aN() obtained from cyanogen 
chloric! ami dry aniline. 
melanin (mera-nin), . L< "r. ""us (i" : ^ av -), 
black, + -in-.] The black pigment of the hair, 
choroid, retina, and epidermis of colored races : 
also, the dark pigment seen in nielaneemia and 
in melanosarcoma and melanocarcinoma. The 
pigments in these cases may, however, be dif- 
ferent. 
We must be on our guard, however, not to confound the 
ordinary black pigment found in the human lungs with 
mrlii ni it. Prey, Ilisinl. and Histocbem. (trans ), p. 68. 
melanioid (me-la'ni-oid), a. andw. [< Melanin 
+ -oid.] Same ;is iiii'liinian. 
Melanippe (mel-a-nip'e), w. [NL. (Duponchel, 
1 '2<J ), < Gr. Mr /WiVjr//, f ., MtMwffTor, m. , a myth- 
ical proper name, < ///ar (ftefatv-), black, + Jmroc, 
horse.] A genus of geometrid moths of the 
subfamily Larentintr, of wide distribution, with 
over 40 species. 
melanism (mel'a-nizm), n. [<Gr.ftttac.(pelav-), 
black, + -ism.] In physiol., an undue develop- 
ment of coloring material in the skin and its 
appendages: the opposite of albinism; specif- 
ically, in zool., the abnormal development of 
black or dark pigment in the pelage of a mam- 
mal or the plumage of a bird. It Is not pathologi- 
cal, like melanosis, interfering In no way with the health 
and vigor of the animal; it is very frequent in some groups, 
as squirrels and hawks, and sometimes becomes an inher- 
ited specific character, aa in the case of the black rat, Mitx 
rattus, believed to be a permanent melanism of the white- 
bellied rat or roof-rat, M. alamndrintu or M. teetomm. 
Compare allriiiunn, leucimn, erythrvtm. 
melanistic (mel-a-nis'tik), a. [< Gr. /il/.af 
(/tei.av-), black, + "-ist-ic.] Affected with mel- 
anism; abnormally dark in color. Also mela- 
notic. 
The Nasua oittata was based on a tnelantetic specimen 
of A . m in. collected by the traveler Schouiburgk. 
J. A. Alien. 
melanite (mel'a-nit), n. [< Gr. /itfaf (jte'Xav-), 
black, + -<to*.J 1. A variety of gamet of a 
deep-black color. It properly belongs to the lime-iron 
division of the species, but some other kinds are also in- 
cluded. It is often associated with volcanic rocks, as at 
Vesuvius. Home varieties are remarkable as containing a 
small percentage of titanium, and seem to be intermediate 
between garnet and schorlomite. See yarnetl. 
2. In conch., a fossil melanian. 
melanitic (mel-a-nit'ik), a. [< melanite + -ic.] 
Pertaining to, resembling, or containing mela- 
nite. 
inelanocarcinoma (mel'a-no-kftr-si-no'ma), >. ; 
pi. melanocarcinomata (-ma-ta). [NL., < <3r. //- 
/<jf (/it/lav-), black, + napieivufia, cancer: see car- 
cinoma.] In pathol., a pigmented carcinoma, 
from gray to brown and black in color. The pig- 
ment lies partly in the epithelial tracts, and partly in the 
stroina. It is less frequent than melanotic sarcomata. 
Melanocetinae (mel'a-no-se-tl'ne), n.pl. [NL., 
< Melanocetus + -iiiw.] A subfamily of Cera- 
tiiilti', represented by the genus Melanocetus. 
melanocetine (mel"a-no-se'tin), a. and n. I. 
ii. Having the characters of or pertaining to the 
Afelanocetince. 
II. . A pediculate fish of the subfamily 
Melaiiocetinai. 
Melanocetus (inel'a-no-se'tus), n. [NL., < Gr. 
pc?.a( (ji&av-), black, -t- lajrof, a whale : see Ce- 
taceii.] A genus of deep-sea pediculate fishes, 
30!'.-, 
a variety or class of mankind according to 
Huxley's classification. They are pale-<-..ni|,|, 
people, with dark hair and eyes, and generally lonu but 
sometimei broad skulls, as the Iberians and black < vlt, 
of western Europe, and the dark-complexioned white peo- 
ple of the shores of the Mediterranean, western Asia, and 
I'eraia. 
I am disposed to think that the Helaiiochna are not a 
distinct group, but result from the mixture of Australioids 
and Xantnocnrol. Huxley, Anat. Vert., p. 421. 
Uamitic and Semitic Nelannchroi. 
W. U. Flotcer, Pop. Scl. Mo., XXVIII. ::17. 
melanochroic (rael'a-no-kro'ik), a. [<</<<- 
<-lir<i-ouK + -if.] Dark-colored: of or pertain- 
ing to the Melanochroi: as, the melanochroic 
races. 
The nulanochroic or dark stock of Europe. 
Huxley, Critiques and Addresses, p. 180. 
melanochroite (mel'a-no-kro'it), n. [< Gr. 
iii'/af (jiffjav-), black, + XP 1 ^< Xp6a> color, + 
-ite 2 .] A basic chromate of lead found at Bere- 
zpvsk in the Ural. Also called plicenicoehroite, 
since the color is red rather than black. 
melanochroous (mel-a-nok'ro-us), a. [< NL. 
melaiiocli roils, < Gr. /ie^Jav6xpoof (also fit Advjpoof ), 
black-skinned, < /uf?.ac (/JC/MV-), black, + XP' A > 
xp&a, skin, color.] Dark-colored; having an 
unusually dark skin, as a person of white race. 
Also, improperly, mclanochrou*. 
There seems good ground for the belief that, . . . among 
Europeans, the mdanochrma people are less obnoxious to 
its [yellow fever's] ravages than the xanthochrous. 
Utaleij, Critiques and Addresses, p. 157. 
melanocomous (mel-a-nok'6-mus), a. [< Gr. 
/"/aimiiuj/ij black-haired, tpt/.ae(/ie?av-), black, 
+ ico/7, hair: see comn 2 .] Black-haired; hav- 
[NL. 
ing black hair. 
Melanocorypha (mel'a-no-kor'i-fft), . 
(Boie, 1828), < Gr. /*)*( '(jteiav-), black, + 
head, top: see eorynhatug.] One of the leading 
genera of the lark family, Alaudida; containing 
such as the common M. calanilra, the calandra 
lark of Europe and Africa, and M. tsibirica, the 
white-winged lark. 
Melanodendron (mel'a-no-den'dron), n. [NL. 
(A. P. de Candolle, lS'36)', < Gr. //t/ac (ft*-), 
black, + AevSpov, a tree.] A genus of plants of 
the natural order Composites, tribe Astcroidetf, 
and subtribe Heteroehromea: They have copious 
bristly pappus; numerous narrow bracts of the involucre. 
which are arranged in an Indefinite number of series ; and 
achenla which are 8- or 5-ribbed. and scarcely compressed. 
There is but a single species, .V. iiiteyrijulium. See black 
cabba<je-tree, under caboaye-tree. 
melanoid (mel'a-npid), a. [< Gr. 
black-looking, ( pf'/af (ftr/av-), black, + 
i \ the Iwjlly .listended with another fish), 
about half natural size. 
typical of the subfamily Miliiiiiii-ilinn, black 
in color, and with a mouth suggesting that 
of a whale. M. johnxoni is the only species. 
(iiiiitlii-i: 1864. 
Melanochroi (mel-a-nok'ro-i), ii. pi. [NL., pi. 
of ni'-ltiniH-lirniix, black-skinned: see HMMMOMro- 
o*.] In anthropology, the dark-white peoples, 
form.] Having a black or dark appearance. 
Melanoid cancer, in pathol., melanocarcinoma. 
melanoma (mel-a-no'mij), n. [NL., < Gr. \u~f.a- 
vu/ta, blackness, < "fie/avovv, blacken, < \ii'/a^ 
(fiefav-), black.] A dark-pigtnented tumor. 
melanopathia (mel-a-no-path'i-a), . [NL. : 
see meMMopalhp.'] An excess of the dark pig- 
ment of the skin, due to abnormal function of 
the rete mucosum. See melasma. 
melanopathy (mel-a-nop'a-thi). . [< Gr. /if /as 
(//f/lav-f, black, + -iraBeta,' < irwof, suffering.] 
Same as mclanopatnia. 
Melanophila (mel-a-nof'i-la), . [NL., < Gr. 
/;'/<if (/yf/av-), blackj 4- ^Sof'J loving.] A genus 
of buprestid beetles founded by Eschscholtz. 
About 40 species are known, and the genus Is proper 
to the cold and temperate regions of both hemispheres ; 
but a few have been found in Brazil and the East Indies. 
Eleven occur in Xorth America, M. fvlvomtttata is a small 
brassy-black species with three pairsof yellowspots. inhab- 
iting pines In the northern United States. 
melanophlogite (mel-a-nof'lo-jit), . [< Gr. 
iii).a( (jie~f.av-), black, +"<j>?.6i; (4^0)-), a flame (see 
phlox), + -'te2.] A mineral occurring in color- 
less cubic crystals, which turn black when heat- 
ed (hence the name). It consists of almost pure silica. 
and is probably a pseudomorph. It is found associated 
with the crystals of sulphur of Girgenti, Sicily. 
Melanophyceae (mel'a-no-fi'se-e), n. pi. [NL. 
(Kabenhorst, 1868), < Gr. /itf.af (jittMv-), black, 
+ 0i)icof, a seaweed, + -cce.] One of the five 
great divisions of Alga 1 according to the clas- 
si lication of Rabenhorst. It included the I'll" - 
osporra' and Fucacea; and is the same, or nearly 
the same, as Mclanoftpermeaf. 
Melanopsidae (mel-a-nop'si-de), w. i>l. [< .!/<'- 
iiiil'ttix + -iil*r.~\ An Old World family of gnstro- 
pods, tvjtified by the genus Milni.ii/i.iix. related 
tn and detached from Melauiiiltr. The spire is 
short :uid pointed, the body-whorl lengthened, and the pil- 
lar-lip thickened. 
Melanopsis (mcl-a-nop'sis), n. [NL., < Mi-ln- 
(iu) + Gr. oifiif, appearanee.] 1. The typical 
genus of .M<l<in<>i>xi(ltr. M. costata is a Syrian 
species, said to be found in the Dead Sea. 
Melanotus 
2. [/. c.; pl.Mtf/<jnop#iofc(-8i-dez).] A member 
of this genus. 
Melanorrhoaa (mel'a-no-re'ft), n. [NL. (Wal- 
lich, 1830), < Gr. /il'/.af (/">-), black, + fmla, 
a flowing, < frtiv, flow.] A genus of dicotyle- 
donous polypetalous plants of the natural or- 
der Anacanliiict-n' and tlie trilie Muni/ifcretr, 
eharacterized bv simple leaves, by the petal-, 
growing after the flower expands, and by the 
iiiiiuerous stamens. They ire large trees, over * bun 
dred feet In height, and have broad spreading heads bear- 
ing large entire coriaceous leaves, and axillary panicles 
of perfect flowers. The fruit Is a drupe, and Is surround- 
ed by the five or six enlarged petals, which are spread out 
in a star-like manner. There are 6 species, natives of east- 
ern India and Borneo. M. untata Is the Important black, 
Martabfin. or Burmese varnish-tree. 
melanosarcoma (mel'a-no-sttr-ko'mft), .; pi. 
mrliiiKiKiircniHHlH t-mgrtf). [NL., < Gr.ft&af. (fie- 
fav-), black, + aapiaj'/ia,' sarcoma.] In pat/ml., 
a form of sarcoma characterized by the presence 
of dark pigment. It most frequently occurs In the skin 
and choroid coat of the eye, Is usually formed of iplndlc- 
shaped cells, and Is very malignant. 
melanoscope (mol'a-no-skop), n. [< Gr. //<>< 
(ju)av-) t black, + anoxeiv, view.] An instru- 
ment devised by Lommel to distinguish between 
the flames of substances which in the spectro- 
scope exhibit red bauds. It consists of a pair of spec- 
tacles madeof glass of light- violet color over dark-red glass, 
a combination which admits only red rays, so that most 
greens, for example, would appear black. 
melanose (mel'a-nos), n. [NL., < Gr. ue'/.&vuais, 
a becoming black: see mt-fanosis.] A fungous 
disease of grape-vines, caused by Septoria am- 
pclina. The leaves are the parts attacked, and an it 
first covered with brownish spots; these soon spread over 
and discolor the entire surface of the leaf, which then 
drops otf. The fungus is probably a native of Europe, but 
also occurs in New York, along the lakes, in Kansas, and 
in Missouri. See Stptoria. 
melanosiderite (mel'a-no-sid'e-rit), . [< Gr. 
/ii/Mf (/ii'/av-), black, "+ aidcpin/f, of iron : see 
sitleritc.] A mineral occurring in black masses 
with a vitreous or resinous luster. It consists of 
hydrated iron sesqnioxid with 7 per cent, of silica. It is 
found at Mineral Hill, Delaware county. Pennsylvania. 
melanosis (mel-a-no'sis), u. [NL., < Gr. /tt/a- 
vuaif, a becoming black, < */ie)aiviv, blacken : 
see mcinnoma.'] In patliol.: (a) An abnormal 
deposition of pigmentary matter in various or- 
gans or parts of the body, as the spleen, liver, 
or bone-marrow, associated with melana?mia. 
malarial poisoning, etc. (6) The condition of 
the system associated with the presence of pig- 
meuted tumors. Specifically, this Is an organic affec- 
tion (due to the softening of the tissue of the part from a 
pigmentary deposit, especially tubercles) in which tissue 
is converted into a black, hurd, homogeneous substance, 
near which ulcers or cavities may form. 
melanosity (mel-a-nos'i-ti), . [< Huianovt 
(-one) + -ity.] Tendency toward blackness; 
darkness of color, as of the hair or eyes. Sol- 
doe, Science, VII. 84. 
melanosperm (mel'a-no-sperm), n. An alga 
belonging to the division JUelatioxpermea'. 
Melanospermese (mel'a-no-sper'me-ej, n. pi. 
[NL. (Harvey, 1849), < G'r. Mat (t'e)'av-), black. 
+ oirep/ia, seed, + -<?.] The olive-brown sea- 
weeds, one of the three principal divisions into 
which the Alffie were divided by Harvey. It 
included the fucacca; Lantinariacea; etc., but 
is now nearly obsolete. 
melanospermous (mel'a-no-sper'mus). n. [< 
Gr. fitZaf (/ir'/ar-), Mack, '+ tmlpfia, seed, + 
-ous.] Characterized by dark-colored seeds or 
spores; belonging to the Mclanospcrmea: 
The group of melanospfrmou* or olive-green sea-weeds. 
IT. II. Carpenter, Micros., I 827. 
melanotekite (mel'a-no-te'kit), n. f Irreg. < Gr. 
[ittaf (pel.av-), black, 4- rf/Kftv, melt,-r- -i72.] A 
rare silicate of lead and iron from Langban, 
Sweden . It occurs in black or blackish-gray crystalline 
masses, with cleavage in two directions. It fuses easily 
to a black glass, whence the name. 
melanothallite (mel'a-no-tharit), n. [< Gr. 
ut)af (fie/.av-), black. + &i/./of, a branch, + -i'i< 2 .] 
In mineral., a mineral occurring in black lamel- 
la 1 , which upon exposure gradually change to a 
green color, and containing copper chlorid, cop- 
per pxid, and water. It was found as a subli- 
mation-product at Vesuvius. 
melanotic (mel-a-not'ik), . [< melanosis (-ot-) 
+ -if.] 1. Properly, affected with melanosis; 
melanic; melanoid. 2. In zoSI., same as mel- 
miiatic. Melanotic cancer, melanocarcinom* or mel- 
anoasrcoma. 
Melanotus (mel-a-no'tus), . [NL., < Gr. pDaf 
(pe/ar-), black. + rurnf. the back.] A genus of 
dirk-beetles of the family Elatrriilir. founded 
by Kscliseholtz in 1829. It is one of the largest and 
most Important genera of Etaterida. and is distributed all 
over the world. There are upward of 100 species, 44 of 
