metamorphism 
phosing, or changiiiL: tin form or structure; 
specifically, I'hemieal eiiangc and rearrange- 
ment of the constituents of a rock by which 
they are made to assume new forms and enter 
into new combinations, the most important 
result of these changes being that the rock be- 
comes harder and more crystalline in structure. 
Thus, the metamorphic slates are crystalline schists. The 
snliinontary rocks, rspccially those made ujiof the debris 
uf f<-Ms|i itlii' niim'rals, arc those moat liable to undergo 
metamorphism ; hence it i.-s that the argillaceous rocks 
offer the most conspicuous examples of this process, and 
it is these which are most altered in external characters 
by It, foliation and slaty cleavage being often highly de- 
veloped in the process. Volcanic rocks also are subject 
to mrtuinorphic changes, although the results are usu- 
ally much less conspicuous to the eye unaided by a mi- 
croscope than in the case of the sedimentary deposits. 
Examples of metamorpliism are the conversion of ordi- 
nary earthy limestone into crystalline marble, of argilla- 
ceous shales into various kinds of schists (mica-schist, 
talc-schist, etc.), and of sandstone into quartzite. Close- 
ly connt'rU'il with the phenomena of metamorphism is 
the development in a rock of a slaty cleavage or of a fo- 
liated structure. Metamorphic agencies and the results 
which they have brought about have been much studied 
of late years by geologists, and the modern methods of 
lithological research have been most important aids in this 
direction. The most obvious and generally accepted clas- 
sification of metamorphic action is into "contact" and 
"regional" roetamorphism. In the case of contact meta- 
morphism the changes observed are apparently due in 
large part, at least to the presence of an adjacent mass 
of rock, usually of an intrusive character, as when the 
strata are seen to have been altered along the walls of a 
dike. In the case of regional metamorphism, when large 
masses of rock are found to have been affected and ren- 
dered crystalline without any special cause being visible 
In the form of adjacent intrusive or igneous material, the 
phenomena are more difficult of explanation than in the 
case of contact metamorphism. In the course of the nu- 
merous discussions of this subject a great number of new 
terms have been introduced, the meaning of which is, 
owing to the complexity of the phenomena and the imper- 
fection of the observations, often rather obscure ; some of 
these terms may here be cited. As synonyms of " regional " 
metamorphism, the epithets "normal ' and "general" 
have been used by some authors, while others have indi- 
cated a desire to specialize in their application. Thus, 
Prestwich limits " normal inetamorphiBm " to the changes 
due to central heat, and " regional metamorphlsm " to 
changes effected by the heat produced locally within the 
crust of the earth by transformation Into heat of the 
mechanical work of compression or of crushing of parts 
of the earth. Bonney desires to reserve the phrase "re- 
gional metamorphism " for those ancient rocks occupying 
extensive areas of the earth's surface "which, whatever 
be their history, are in all probability by no means in their 
original condition." Dana prefers " local " to " contact," 
but does not use the two exactly as synonyms, since he 
makes local " include changes due to heated emanations 
and other conditions where there are no contacts" in 
other words, he uses "local" rather as the opposite of 
"general," ignoring the idea embodied in the term "con- 
tact," namely that a visible cause of the observed meta- 
niorphisni is present in the form of an adjacent mass of 
intrusiveor heterogeneous rock. Kinahan proposes "met- 
apepsis " and " paroptesis " as the synonyms of regional 
and contact metamorphism. " Why we need go to the 
Greek for [the] two words is not clear." (Dunn.) Many 
geologists are of the opinion that the movements which 
the rocks composing the earth's crust have undergone In 
certain regions, which movements must necessarily have 
been accompanied hy pressure, stress, shearing, or "flow," 
have been among the most important causes of metamor- 
phic change. The most comprehensive term by which 
metamorphism originating in conditions of this kind has 
been designated is that Introduced hy Rosenbusch, "dy- 
namical." Other writers on this subject have used as be- 
ing nearly or quite synonymous with "dynamical" the fol- 
lowing: "pressure," "compression," " mechanical," "fric- 
tion," "dislocation." Judd has introduced the term "stat- 
ical raetamorphism " as indicating changes which may 
have taken place in deep seated rocks quite independently 
of any movement to which they have been subjected. As 
designating and discriminating between various kinds of 
metamorphic changes, with special reference to the char- 
acter of the results produced, Dana has Introduced the 
terms "erystalllnie," "paramorphic," and "metachemic." 
The first of these implies a simple development of a crys- 
talline condition in the original material, such, for in- 
stance, as takes place in the conversion of limestone Into 
marble ("marmarosls " of Oeikle) ; the second, a change 
from one paramorphic state to another, as from augite to 
hornblende ; the third, a change through chemical trans- 
formations, as of chrysolite to serpentine. " Metasomatic 
mrtaniorphism " (or, in one word, *' metasomatosis") and 
" methylosla" are terms which have been suggested in 
this connection, but which have met with little favor ; they 
were apparently intended by their authors to include 
i lu-mical changes similar to those which take place In the 
formation of pscudomorphs, and are allied to the "met- 
achemic" of Dana. "Metastasis" and "metaciusis" are 
terms which have been coined, but have not become cur- 
rent the one to denote changes somewhat similar to 
those included by Dana under " crystalline," the other 
(as defined by that author) to "denote changes like the 
conversion of a mass of mud into a mass of quartz with 
mica ami other silicates." 
metamorphize (met-a-mor'fiz), r. f.; pret. and 
pp. nnftiiiinrpfii-rd, ppr. wU^amorpkUkg. [As 
ntt titntorf)h~i<' 4- -/~r.] To change; transform; 
metamorphose. Itr <)ninrri(. 
metamorphology (met a-mor-foro-ji), n. [< 
<ir. fieTQft6f>o(<J<7ii i, a t nuir-t'orm;t ion (see tnrttt- 
MorbftOiffel, 4- -?o}<et, < >f}f7i>, speak: see-ofc><7*/.] 
In ?no/., the science of the metamorphoses or 
changes which an individual undergoes from 
L':;.-, 
3733 
t lie time it ceases to be an embryo to the time it 
ceases to live as a bodily organism. Metamor- 
phology and embryology together constitute 
ontogeny. 
As soon as the organism has left (the egg-coverings], It 
Is no longer an emnryo. The later changes of this form 
the subject of the science of metamorphoses, or metamor- 
pholoyy. Uaeeket, Evol. of Man (trans.), II. 400. 
inetamorphopsia (met'a-mor-fop'si-S), n. [< 
Gr. /ieTa(id/xp(uoti;), transformation (see metamor- 
phosix), + u\l>, eye.] A pathological condition 
of the eyes in which objects appear elongated, 
irregular, or confused. 
metamorphoscope (met-a-mAr'fo-skop), a. [< 
Gr. /uTa/iua<l>(uaif ), transformation (see metamor- 
/ilmnig), T oKoirtlv, view.] A toy in which pic- 
t lived forms of human beings or other animals 
are made to interchange heads, bodies, legs, or 
wearing-apparel. The pictures are drawn or painted 
on a series of bands of muslin or paper, each having iml>- 
pendent motion on rollers In a box, and each of a differ- 
ent length from the otheia. The bands are arranged with 
their edges as near together as possible, and the figures 
are painted across the entire series. The motion of the 
bands Is made constantly to displace the parts of the dif- 
ferent figures and reconibtne them In ludicrous fashion at 
a slot in the cover of the box. 
metamorphoset (met-a-mdr'fos), n. [< F. mfta- 
morphose = Sp. metamorfdsis or metamorfosis 
= Pg. metamorphose = \t. metamorfose,< L. meta- 
morphosis, < Gr. ftcTa/io/K^uotf, a transformation : 
see metamorphosis.] A transformation in shape 
or character; metamorphosis. 
My metamurphntie is not held unlit. 
Middteton, Family of Love, IT. 2. 
metamorphose (met-a-m6r'foz), t>. t.; pret. and 
pp. metamorphosed, ppr. metamorphosing. [= F. 
metamorphoser ; < metamorphose, n.. metamor- 
phosis.] To change into a different form; alter 
or modify the shape or character of ; trans- 
form; transmute. 
Thus men (my lord) be mitomorpAoMf, 
From seemely shape, to byrds, and ougly beasts. 
(jascoiyne, Complaint of Phllomene. 
Thou, Julia, thou hast metatiwrvhiaed me. 
SAo*., T. O. of V., 1. 1. 86. 
The priest was metamarphotcd Into knight. 
Knncnimj, King and Book, I. 186. 
= Syn. Tranmnulf, etc. See transform. 
metamorphoser (met-a-m6r'fo-zer), n. One 
who or that which metamorphoses. 
What shall I name this man but a beastly mttamarphotrr, 
both of himself and of others? 
t, Delicate Diet for Droonkardes. 
metamorphosic (met'a-mdr-fo'sik), a. [< meta- 
mori>hose + -ic.] Causing metamorphosis ; trans- 
forming; relating to or depicting metamor- 
phoses. 
All the mctamorphosic fables of the ancients, turning 
policied and commercial people Into horrid and savage 
monsters, will, like clouds before the sun, dispel and evap- 
orate before the light of truth. 
Pautnail, On Antiquities, p. 69. (Latham.) 
metamorphosis (met-a-mor'fo-sis), n.; pi. metn- 
morphosfs (-sez). [Formerly also mtlamorphoae, 
q. v. ; < L. metamorphosis, "< Gr. fitTafiop^uai^, a 
transformation, < [ifTa/iopfova&ti, be transform- 
ed, < fiera, over, + itopQ'i, form, shape.] 1. 
Change of form or structure ; transmutation or 
transformation. Used most frequently In literature 
with reference to the old or poetic conception of a mi- 
raculous transmutation of a person, animal, or thing into 
a different and often antagonistic or contrasting form, 
either with or without a corresponding change of nature. 
With Severne she along doth go, 
Her Metatnvrphon* to show. 
Drayton, Polyolblon, vl., Arg. 
I wondered at such a Metamarphori* in so short a time : 
he told me it was for the Death of his Wife that Nature 
had thus antedated his Years. WoircH, Letters, I. iv. 28. 
Where is the gloriously decisive change, 
The immeasurable metamnrphotit 
Of human clay to divine gold ? 
l>rnu-nin<t. King and Book, II. 217. 
2. A marked change in the form or function 
of a living body; a transformation resulting 
from development; specifically, in :o6L, the 
course of alteration which an animal under- 
goes after its exclusion from the egg, and which 
modifies extensively the general form and life 
of the individual ; particularly, in entom., the 
transformations of a metabolous insect. 
The term metamorphosis, in Its technical entomological 
sense, is applied only to that succession of changes of 
which ... a definite pupal condition forms the middle 
term. Huxley, Anat. Invert., p. 361. 
3. In cln m.. that chemical action by which a 
given compound is caused, by the presence of 
a peculiar substance, to resolve itself into two 
or more compounds, as sugar, by the presence 
of yeast, into alcohol and carbonic acid. 4. 
In hot., the various changes that are brought 
metaphery 
about in plant-organs, whereby they appear 
under changed or modified conditions, as when 
stamens are metamorphosed into petals, or 
stipules into leaves. Metamorphosis does not Im- 
ply that the petal, for example, lias erer been a stamen, 
but It implies an alteration in the organizing force, which 
took effect at a very early period In the life of the organ, at 
or before the time when the primitive agxiegallon of cell) 
became differentiated into the several parts of which It Is 
normally composed. It Is due merely to the fact that the 
development of the organ has pursued a different course 
from what Is usual. The various kinds of metamorphoses 
are described under the names of chlorotii, prtalody, 
phyltady, pittillody, iepalody, Haminody, etc. (which see). 
Coarctate metamorphosis. See eoorcto/*. Com- 
plete metamorphosis. See MometaMit and complete. 
Imperfect <>r Incomplete metamorphosis. See 
hemimetaMy and imperfect. Metamorphosis of or- 
gans, In bat., the progressive adaptation of one organ 
to several different purposes, connected with which are 
changes in size, color, and other particulars. Thus, all the 
parts of a plant are reducible to the axis and Its appen- 
dages, the other parts developing themselves from these. 
See morphology. Progressive metamorphosis, trans 
formation from a lower or more simple to a higher or more 
complex substance ; anabolism. Retrogressive meta- 
morphosis, transformation from a higher or more com- 
plex to a lower or more simple substance; catabollsm. 
ofti-ner called retroyradr metamorpharit. 8yn. 1. See 
transform, v. t. 
metamorphosticalt (met'a-mdr-fos'ti-kal), a. 
[Irreg. < metamorphosis + -t- + -ie + -a/.]' Per- 
taining to or effected by metamorphosis. Pope. 
metamorphotic (met'a-mdr-fot'ik), o. [< meta- 
morphosis (-ot-) + -t'e.J Pertaining to or of the 
nature of metamorphosis; consisting in trans- 
formation. 
The epithelial cells lining the urlnlferous tubules un- 
dergo metamorphotic changes. A". 1'. Mnl. Jmtr., X I .. 402. 
Metamorphotic system. In eutom., a scheme of classi- 
fication first proposed by Swammerdam, based on the char- 
acters of the metamorphoses and the condition of the larva 
and pupa, whether resembling the adult or differing from 
It more or less widely. This scheme, improved by subse- 
quent authors and combined with characters drawn from 
the study of perfect insects, Is the basis of the best mod- 
ern systems of entomological classification. 
metamorphy (met'a-m&r-fi), . [< Gr. /WTO, 
beyond, + pop<t>>/, form.] Same as metamorpho- 
sis, 4. 
lnetanauplius (met-a-na'pli-us), n. ; pi. meta- 
nauplii (-1). [NL., <Gr. fieri, after, + NL. nau- 
plius, q. v.] A later stage in the development 
of some crustaceans, after the first nauplius 
form, and before the zoea stage is reached ; a 
crustacean of this later naupliiform charac- 
ter. 
metanephron (met-a-nef'rou), M. ; pi. metane- 
phra (-rii). [NL., < Gr.ucra, behind, + vvppAf, 
kidney : see nephritis.] The most posterior and 
latest-formed segment of an embryonic renal 
organ, or section of the Wolfflau body from 
which the permanent kidney is derived, and 
whose duct becomes a ureter: distinguished 
fromproiu-phron and mesonephron. 
metanotal (met-a-no'tal), a. [< metanotum + 
-at.] Situated on or pertaining to the metano- 
tum: as, a metanotal sclerite. 
metanotum (met-a-no'tum), M.; pi. metanota 
(-t8). [NL., < Gr'.ftfTa, behind, + rijrov, varof, 
the back.] The dorsal part of the metetho- 
rax of an insect, succeeding the mesonotum 
and preceding the abdomen ; the third and last 
segment of the notum. It is divided typically Into 
four sclerites, called prtT*cutHin, tcutum, tcvtellum, and 
}H*trcutMuin, most of which are usually distinguishable. 
Lateral callosities of the metanotum. See lateral. 
metaparapteral (met'a-pa-rap'te-ral), a. [< 
metaparapteron + -a/.] Of or pertaining to the 
metaparapteron. 
metaparapteron (met'a-pa-rap'te-ron), .; pi. 
mctaparaptera (-r&). [NL., < Gr. jurd, with, + 
NL. parapteron.] In entom., the parapteron 
of the metathoracic segment ; the third sclerite 
of the metapleuron. 
metapepsis (met-a-pep'sis), n. [NL., < Gr. 
/tera, beyond, + n^V/c, a cooking (boiling), < 
weirrciv, cook, boil : see peptic.'] In litliol.. a 
term suggested by G. H. Kinahan, but not gen- 
erally adopted, as a synonym for what is gener- 
ally called regional metamorphism. See meta- 
morphism. 
One kind of Metamorphism is Regional, or extends orer 
large areas. The rocks affected by it seem to have been 
under the influence of Intensely heated water or teem, 
which, as it were, stewed them, from which the action 
may be called metapepti*. 
G~H. Kinahan, OeoL of Ireland, p. 176. 
metaph. An abbreviation of metaphysics. 
metaphery (me-taf'e-ri), n. [< Gr. fjera^petv, 
carry over, transfer: see metaphor. Ct. periph- 
ery.] In bot., the transposition or displacement 
of various floral organs, as when petals that are 
normally alternate with the sepals are placed 
in front of them, as rarely occurs in Fuchsia. 
