microgonidium 
microgonidium (mi"kro-go-nid'i-um), . ; pi. 
microgonidia (-a). [NL'., < Gr. fiiKpoc, small, + 
NL. gonidium.} A goiiidium of small size as 
compared with certain others produced by the 
same species. 
The latter form [of Chlorococmm] is said to arise from 
the former by internal cell-division, which results in the 
production of "gonidia" of two sizes, the larger being 
termed macrogonidia, and the smaller microgonidia. 
Betsey, Botany, p. 219. 
microgram (mi'kro-gram), . [< Gr. ^(/c^o?. 
small, + E. gram?.'] The millionth part of a 
gram, being about rav'im of a grain troy. 
microgranite (mi-kro-gvan'it), n, [< Gr. /u- 
np6f, small, + E. granite.'] In pctrog. See 
quartz-porphyry. 
microgranitic (mi"kro-gra-nit'ik), a. [< micro- 
granite + -.] Pertaining to microgranite. 
Microgranitic structure. See quartz-porphyry. 
microgranulitic (ml-kro-gran-u-lit'ik), a. [< 
Gr. [UKpof, small, + E. gramM'tic.] In lithol, 
an epithet applied by Levy to a form of grani- 
toid structure which is so finely crystallized 
that it cannot be recognized by the naked eye, 
but which, under the microscope, is revealed 
as being made up of crystalline individuals 
each having its own independent orientation, 
so that in polarized light it presents the ap- 
pearance of a brilliantly colored mosaic. The 
microgranulitic structure, as this term is used by Levy, 
differs from the micropegmatitic in the crystalline indi- 
viduals of the latter having all one common orientation. 
micrograph (mi'kro-graf), 11. [< Gr. fuapof, 
small, + ypaijieiv, write.] Same as inicropantu- 
graph. 
micrographer (mi-krog'ra-fer), . [< microg- 
rapli-y + -er 1 .] One who is versed in microg- 
raphy. 
micrographic (mi-kro-graf ik), a. [= F. micro- 
graphique; as micrography + -c.] Of or per- 
taining to micrography. 
micrographist (mi-krog'ra-fist), n. [< mierog- 
raph-y + -int.} One who is skilled in microg- 
raphy; a micrographer. 
micrography (mi-krog'ra-fi), . [= F. micro- 
graphie = Sp. micrografia = It. micrografia, < 
Gr. iuK.p6f, small, + -ypaifiia, < ypafyeiv, write. Cf. 
Gr. [UKpoypafatv, 'write small,' i. e. with a short 
vowel. J The description of objects too small 
to be discerned without the aid of a micro- 
scope. 
Microhierax (mi-kro-hi'e-raks), n. [NL., < Gr. 
>iMp6q, small, + iepof, a hawk, falcon: see Hie- 
roj;.] A genus of very small hawks of the fam- 
ily Falconidce, established by B. B. Sharpe in 
1874; the falconets; the finch-falcons. It con- 
tains the diminutive species usually referred to the genus 
Hierax, which name is preoccupied in another department 
of zoology. The range of the genus includes southern 
Asia, Java, Sumatra, Borneo, etc. There are several spe- 
cies, as M. coerulescens, fringillarius, melanoleucus, and 
erythrogenys. 
microhm (mik'rom), . [< Gr. [w<p6t;, small, + 
E. o7t(.] An electrical unit equal to the mil- 
lionth part of an ohm. 
microlepidopter (mi-kro-lep-i-dop'ter), n. In 
entom., an insect of one of the families included 
in the Microlepidoptera. 
Microlepidoptera (mi-kro-lep-i-dop'te-ra), . 
pi. [NL., < Gr. /uKpof, small, + NL. Lepidojt- 
tera l q. v.] The smaller and more simply or- 
ganized moths, including, generally, the smaller 
Pyralidte, the Tortricidte, the Tineidce, and the 
Pterophoridw. These insects do not constitute a natu- 
ral division, and the name is merely used for convenience, 
the other members of the order being distinguished as 
Macrolepidoptem, or simply as Lepidoptera. 
microlepidopteran (mi-kro-lep-i-dop'te-ran), n. 
and . I. a. Microlepidopterous. 
II. n. A microlepidopter. 
microlepidopterist (ml-kro-lep-i-dop'te-rist), 
n. [< Microlepidoptera + -ist.~\ One who is 
versed in the natural history of Microlepidoptera. 
microlepidopterous (mi-kro-lep-i-dop'te-rus), 
. [< Microlepidoptera + -os.] Of or per- 
taining to the microlepidopters. 
Microlicia (mi-kro-lis'i-a), n. [NL. (Don, 1823), 
so called as having the leaves usually small ; < 
Gr. fUKp6s, small, + oAwnif, universal, general, 
< o/U>f, all.] A genus of plants of the natural 
order Melastomacea; and type of the tribe Mi- 
croliciece, characterized by very unequal sta- 
mens with beaked or tube-bearing anthers, the 
connective elongated at the base, and by the 
calyx-lobes being shorter than the tube. They 
are erect branching undershrubs, usually not more than a 
foot or two high, with small leaves, which are generally 
glandular-dotted, and solitary, commonly rose-purple or 
white flowers, which are axillary or sometimes terminal. 
There are about 98 species, natives of Brazil, Guiana, and 
Peru. A few are sometimes found in greenhouses. 
3750 
Microlicieae (m!"kro-li-si'e-e), n. pi. [NL. 
(Triana, 1871), < Microlicia + -ee.] A tribe of 
plants of the natural order Melastomacea and 
the suborder Melastomew, characterized by the 
cylindrical or angular capsule, conical or con- 
vex at the apex, by the connective often be- 
ing produced below the anther-cells, and by 
oblong or ovoid seeds. The tribe embraces 15 gen- 
era, Microlicia being the type, and about 250 species, all of 
which are found in tropical America. 
microlite (mi'kro-llt), n. [< Gr. fUKp6c, small, 
+ 'AiDos, stone : see -lite.'] 1. A mineral related 
to pyrochlore, occurring in regular octahedrons 
having a brownish color and a resinous luster. 
It is essentially a niobate of calcium. It was first found 
at Chesterfield in Massachusetts, in minute crystals 
(whence the name), later in Virginia in larger crystals 
sometimes weighing several pounds. 
2. Same as microlith: an incorrect use. 
microliter (ml-kro-le'ter), n. [<Gr. /uotpof, small, 
+ E. liter.} The millionth part of a liter. 
microlith (mi'kro-lith), n. [< Gr. /uKp6c, small, 
+ /U0of, stone.] ' A name proposed by Vogel- 
sang, in 1867, to designate the "microscopic 
acieular components of rocks"; a "microscop- 
ic individual'' (Zirkel). The usage of later litholo- 
gists differs considerably in the application of this term. 
By some it is regarded as the equivalent of crystallite, 
which is properly an aggregation of microscopic globular 
forms (globulites). By others crystallites are considered 
as differing from microliths in that the latter have the 
internal structure of true crystals, while in the former 
this cannot be recognized. Elongated or lath-shaped forms 
and such as resemble an hour-glass in shape are those 
now most generally designated as microliths; if curved or 
more or less twisted or hair-like, they are frequently called 
trichites. Microliths are most frequently seen in rocks of 
igneous origin, and are especially abundant as products 
of the devitrification of the glassy lavas. The feldspars, 
hornblende, augite, and apatite are minerals most com- 
monly found assuming this form. 
microlithic (ml-kro-lith'ik), a. [< Gr. /uKp6/;, 
small, + 'Aiffof, a stone, + -ic.~\ 1. Of or per- 
taining to or consisting of small stones : op- 
posed to megalitJiic. 
The cognate examples in the microlithic styles afford us 
very little assistance. 
J. Fergusson, Rude Stone Monuments, p. 47. 
2. In lithol., pertaining to or characterized by 
microliths. 
microlitic (ml-kro-lit'ik), a. [< microlite + -ic.'] 
Same as microlithic, 2. 
micrological (mi-kro-loj'i-kal), . [< micrology' 2 
+ -ic-at.] Characterized by minuteness of in- 
vestigation. 
Of that equanimity, circumspection, patience of re- 
search, intellectual discipline, and equipment of micro- 
logical scholarship, without which it is given to no man 
to be a philologist, he has, unhappily, made the most pe- 
nurious provision. F. Hall, Mod. Eng., p. 350. 
micrologically (mi-kro-loj'i-kal-i). adv. In a 
micrological manner ; by means of exact atten- 
tion to minute details. 
If things are to be scanned so micrologically. 
Lowell, Among my Books, 2d ser., p. 277, note. 
micrology 1 (mi-krol'o-ji), n. [< Gr. /impof, small, 
+ -Aoyia, < htytiv, speak: see -ology. Cf. mi- 
crologyV.} That part of science which is de- 
pendent on microscopic investigations; microg- 
raphy. 
micrology 2 (mi-krol'o-ji), n. [< Gr. fimptAoyia., 
the quality of being careful about trifles, < fu- 
K.poU-jot, careful about trifles, penurious, cap- 
tious, lit. gathering little things, < fuKpAf, small, 
little, + tjyuv, gather: see -ology. Cf. microl- 
ogyl.J Undue attention to minute, unimpor- 
tant matters ; minute erudition. 
There is less micrology ... in his erudition. 
RoVberds, W. Taylor, II. 146. (Dailies.) 
Micromastictora (mi"kro-mas-tik'to-ra), n. pi. 
[NL.,< Gr. [UKpAf, small, -f [MaTM-rap, a scourger, 
< fiaari&iv, whip, scourge, < fiaart^ (ftaany-), a 
whip, scourge.] In Sollas's classification of 
sponges, one of two main branches of the phy- 
lum Parazoa or Spongi<e, characterized by the 
comparatively small size of the choanocytes, 
which are about 0.003 millimeter in diameter. 
The Micromastictora are all non-calcareous sponges, and 
are divided by Sollas into two classes, Mymspongice and 
Silicfepongice. They are also called Koncalcarea (Vosmaer) 
and Plethospongue (Sollas). The term is contrasted with 
Meyamastictora. 
micromelus (ml-krom'e-lus), . [< Gr. /uKpo- 
,ue/W/f, small-limbed, < /UKp6f, small, + /ufiof, a 
limb.] In teratol., a monster with abnormally 
small limbs. 
micromeral (mi'kro-me-ral), a. [< micromere 
+ -/.] Of or pertaining to a micromere: as, 
iHicromeral blastomeres. 
micromere (mi'kro-mer), n. [< Gr. jUKpofitpi^, 
consisting of small parts, < /ttKp6f, small, + 
pepof, a part.] The smaller one of two masses 
or moieties into which the vitellus of a lamelli- 
micrometrically 
branch, as a fresh-water mussel, divides; the 
so-called "animal cell" of Rabl, which further 
subdivides into blastomeres. See macromcrc. 
The segmentation resembles that of other mollusks, the 
micrmneres appearing at the formative pole by separation 
of the "protoplasmic" portion of the "macromeres." 
Roy. Micros. Soc. Jour., 2d ser., VI. ii. 224. 
Micromeria (mi-kro-me'ri-a), n. [NL. (Beu- 
tham), < Gr. ^p<if, small,'+ pepof, part.] A 
genus of labiate plants of the tribe tiatureinea: 
and the subtribe Melissea. The calyx is tubular, 
commonly thirteen-nerved, and about equally five- toothed. 
The corolla is short, rarely exserted from the calyx, bilabi- 
ate, the upper lip erect, flattish, entire, or emarginate, the 
lower spreading and three-parted. The filaments are 
arcuate-ascending, the anterior pair longer ; the anthers 
are two-celled. The flowers are borne in whorls, axillary 
or crowded into a spike, or are sometimes single or cy- 
mose in the opposite axils. The species, numbering about 
60, are low herbs or somewhat shrubby plants, sweet-odor- 
ous, of various habit, distributed pretty widely in the Old 
World, with a few in South America and the West Indies, 
and two or three in the United States. J/. Dovglassii is a 
well-known sweet-scented herb of California called yerba 
Imena. M. oboeata of the West Indies has been called 
allheal. 
micromeric (mi-kro-mer'ik), a. [< micromere + 
-ic.] Same as micromeral. 
micromeritic (im"kro-me-rit'ik), . [< fUKpoi;, 
small, + pepof, a part.] ' A term suggested by 
Vogelsang to designate a granitojd or thor- 
oughly crystalline texture of a rock so fine as 
to be recognizable only with the aid of the mi- 
croscope. 
micrometer (ml-krom'e-ter), n. [= F. micro- 
metre = Sp. micrometro = Pg. It. micrometro, < Gr. 
fUKpiii;, small, + ^rpoi^measure.] An instrument 
for measuring microscopic lengths and angles. 
All micrometers depend upon two principles, magnification 
and oblique measurement. Magnification determines an 
angle by measuring the arc that subtends it upon a circle 
of large fixed radius, having its center coincident with the 
vertex of the angle. Thus, a mirror turning through a 
small angle may reflect a spot of light upon a distant scale. 
Oblique measurement (see diagonal scale, under diagonal) 
ascertains a length by measuring the distance at which it 
subtends a small fixed angle. Thus, tiiewedge-micrometerla 
a long wedge-shaped piece of metal or glass with its slop- 
ing sides as truly plane as possible, and graduated along its 
length. It is used to measure the distance between two 
points having a rigid circuitous connection, but a vacant 
space about the line between them. The wedge being thrust 
between the points, the distance it penetrates shows how 
far apart they are. The principle of oblique measurement 
is, in nearly all micrometers, applied under the form of a 
fine screw, the number of whose revolutions and parts of a 
revolution, in advancing from one point to another, mea- 
sures the amount of this advance. In this case the pitch 
of the screw is the fixed angle, while the reading of the 
screw-head is proportional to the variable radius at which 
this angle is subtended by the length to be measured. 
Annular or circular micrometer, a micrometer con- 
sisting, in its most approved form, of a disk of parallel 
plate glass, having in its center a round hole to the edges 
of which a ring of metal is cemented and afterward 
truly turned in a lathe. The disk being mounted in a 
brass tube, so that it may be accurately adjusted in the 
focus of the eyepiece and applied to a telescope, the 
metal ring is alone visible, and appears as if suspended 
in the atmosphere, whence the instrument is called the 
suspended annular micrometer. Brande and Cox, Diet., II. 
516 (changed). Double-image micrometer, a microm- 
eter having an optical apparatus which produces two 
images of every object, as A and A', U and B'. Then, A 
may be brought into coincidence with B', or B may be 
brought into coincidence with A', and the position of the 
parts producing the double image will then show the dis- 
tance between A and B. Filar micrometer, a microm- 
eter in which the two objects whose distance is to be 
measured are brought into coincidence with two spider- 
lines in the principal focus of a telescope or microscope, 
one of these webs being movable by turning a micrometer- 
screw. The astronomical filar micrometer is also provid 
ed with a graduated position -circle, apparatus for illumi- 
nation, etc. Micrometer-balance, a form of balance 
adapted to the exact determination of very small weights 
or differences in weight. That devised by Kershaw for 
testing the weight of gold pieces consists of a steelyard 
supported on a knife-edged fulcrum and geared with a 
wheel graduated to half-grains. If the coin is of correct 
weight, the index points to zero. If it is light, the lever- 
age of the beam turns the wheel until equilibrium is at- 
tained, when the index-bar points to the number of half- 
grains of shortage. E. H. Knight. Mother-of-pearl 
micrometer, Cavallo's micrometer, which consists of a 
thin semitrunsparent piece of mother-of-pearl, n' rt of an 
inch wide, having fine graduations. It is mounted within 
the tube at the focus of the eye-lens of the telescope, where 
the image of the object under observation is produced. 
micrometer-screw (ml-krom'e-ter-skro), n. A 
screw attached to optical and mathematical 
instruments as a means of measuring very small 
angles. The pitch of the screw is made exceedingly small , 
while the graduated head is large, thus securing great ex- 
actness and simplicity in use. 
micrometric (m!-kro-met'rik), a. [=F. micro- 
nietrique; as micrometer + ->.] Pertaining to 
the micrometer; made by the micrometer: as, 
micrometric measurements. 
micrometrical (mi-kro-met'ri-kal), a. [< )i- 
cromctrit + -til.} Same as micrometric. 
micrometrically (mi-kro-met'ri-kal-i), adr. 
By means of a micrometer. 
