microseismometry 
microseiamometry (ini'kriVsis-mom'et-ri), . 
[< (ir. i/iii/>'>. , small, 4- r.nniiiH-, a shaking, 4- -/u- 
r/iia, < /itrpiit', a. measure.] Tin- measurement or 
observation of slight earth-tremors. 
The account that is given of the labours of Italian ob- 
ervurs in tin- llrltl of mieroMtatometfy is meagre aiut un- 
satisfactory. Nature, ,\ \ \ I \ 8SS. 
microseme(mi'kro-sem),rt. [< Or. fUK/tfc, small, 
+ nf/fta, mark, sign: gee sema.] In craniom., 
having an orbital index below 84. 
The skulls agree with the ordinary Bushman skull In 
most respects, being microgemc. 
A. Hacaliiter, Jour. Anthrop. lust., XVI. 160. 
microseptum (mi-kro-sep'tum), w. ; pi. micm- 
septa (-tii). [NL., <'Qr. funpd^, small, 4- NL. 
xi'/itHm, i\. v.] A small imperfect or sterile 
septum or mesentery of an actiuozoan. See 
microsiphon (mi-kro-si'fon), n. See siphon and 
microxipliintulii. 
microsiphonula (mi'kro-si-fon'u-lft), n.; pi. 
iiiii-roxijiliiniuld! (-le). [NL., < Gr. fiixpAf, small. 
+ eiQuv, a tube, pipe : see siphon.'] The larval 
stage of certain cephalopoda, as ammpnoids, 
nautiloida, and belemnoids, during which the 
small tubular siphon or microsiphon makes its 
appearance. Hya tt, Proc . Bost. Soc . Nat. Hist. , 
microsiphonular (mi'kro-si-fon'u-iar), a. [< 
MfeTMtoftoMlia 4- -r 3 .] Of or pertaining to a 
miorosiphonula. 
microsiphonulate (mi'kro-si-fon'u-lat), a. [< 
inicriini/ilioiiiilii + -nil '.] Provided with or 
characterized bv n microsiphon. .I/HIT. .V<//.. 
XXII. 878. 
microsiphonulation (mi*kro-sl-fon-u-la'shon), 
n. [< microsiphonula + -a'tion.] "The forma- 
tion or the possession of a microsiphon; the 
state of being microsiphonulate. Amer. Nat.. 
XXII. 878. 
niicrosoma (mi-kro-so'mS), n.; pi. microsomata 
(-ma-tS). [NL., ^ Gr. fiiKp6f, small, 4- OU/M, 
body.]' A little body or corpuscle; one of the 
minute granules embedded in the hyaline plasm 
of the protoplasm of vegetable cells, and con- 
stituting an essential portion of its substance. 
These granules have a high degree of refringency, and are 
very deeply stained by hematoxylin. 
microsome (ml'kro-som), n. [< NL. micro- 
soma.] Same as microsoma. Nature, XXX. 
183. 
microsomia (mi-kro-so'mi-ft), n. [NL., < Gr. 
/ttxpof, small, + au'fta, body. Cf. microsoma.] 
The state of being dwarfed ; dwarfishness. 
microsomite (mi-kro-so'mit), n. [< microsoma 
+ -iie 2 .] One of the smaller permanent or 
definitive somites or metameres of which an 
animal body may be composed; a secondary 
segment, succeeding the primary segments or 
macrosomites. 
microsomitic (mi'-kro-so-mit'ik), a. [< micro- 
xniniii + -ic.] Having the character of a micro- 
somite; relating to microsomites. Amer. Nat., 
XXII. 941. 
microsommite (mi-kro-som'it), n. [< Gr. fu- 
ty>"C, small. 4- KMMM (see def.) 4- -ite 2 .] A 
mineral related in composition and form to 
nephelin. It is found in minute aeicular hex- 
agonal crystals in the lava of Monte Somma. 
Vesuvius. 
Microsorex (uri-kro-so'reks), . [NL., < Gr. 
/wcpof, small, 4- L. sorex = Gr. iyxif, a shrew- 
mouse.] A genus of very small North Amer- 
ican shrews, of the family Soricida; and sub- 
family Sorieinte, having 30 teeth. S. hoyi is the 
typical species. Couts, 1877. 
microspectroscope (mi-kro-spek'tro-skop), . 
[< Gr. ftiKp6f, small, 4- E. spectroscope.] A com- 
bination of the spectroscope with the micro- 
scope, by the use of which it is possible to ex- 
amine the absorption-bands in minute quanti- 
tirs of a substance. The arrangement ordinarily 
employed consists of a series of glass prisms in a small 
tube which Is attached above the achromatic eyepiece. 
Microspermse (mi-kro-sper'me), u. pi. [XL. 
(Bentham and Hooker, 1883),<Gr./ifKif, small, 
4- a-(p/ia, a seed.] A series of monocotyle- 
donous plants, characterized by a perianth 
which is corolla-like, at least on the inside, by 
an inferior ovary which is one-celled with three 
parietal placentae, or rarely three-celled with 
axillary placentie, and by numerous very small 
seeds. The series embraces three orders, Hvdrocharidftr 
(the frogVhit family), Bnnnanniacecc, and Orchidece (the 
orchid fiunih Y i in-hiding about 5,090 species, 5,000 of which 
belong to OroMdM*. 
Microsphaera (mi-kro-sfe'rii), . [NL. (Le- 
veille. 1S.")1), < (ir. UiXp6f, small, 4- aifaipa, a 
sphere.] A genus of parasitic pyrenomycetous 
3753 
fungi of the ifrouii Eryxipkete. The peritheclum, 
whii h contains several uci, has Mvenl appendage* radi- 
ating from it like the spoke* of a wheel. Theae appen 
dages are free from the mycelium, and arc more or lets 
dichotomously branched at the tips, often In a very beau- 
tiful manner. About 60 species are known, of which nearly 
20 occur In North America. M. Kactiirlii Is Injurious to 
the honey-locust (Vltdiltchia); M. u/m' (the M. Fririii of 
authors) occurs on various species of Craiutthux, Vibur- 
num, Ulmui, Syringa, Platanui, Jugtani, and Carya ; and 
*. ipureina Is found on various specie* of oak. See /fry- 
riphetr. 
microsporangiophore ( mi ' kro - spo - ran ' ji - n - 
for), w. [< JSL. microsporanytum, a. v., + Gr. 
jApof, < frpeiv = E. bear 1 .] The foliage-leaves 
which surround or protect the spore-bearing 
leaves of certain hypothetical archaic crypto- 
gams, and from which the flower of flowering 
plants may have been evolved. 
The origin of this primeval flower from a somewhat 
fern-like Cryptogam, of which the foliage-leaves, the en- 
velopes of the spore-bearing leaves, the micro- and macro- 
iporanyiophora, had become permanently differentiated 
In ascending order. Gedilu, Encyc. Brit., XVI. 846. 
microsporangium (mi'kro-spo-ran'ji-um), n. ; 
pi. microK]>oranijia(-&). [N'L.XGr./^tp^c, small. 
4- NL. sporangium, 'q. v.] A sporangium con- 
taining raicrospores: the homologue of the pol- 
len-sac in phanerogams. 
microspore (mi'kro-spor), n. [= F. microstore, 
< Gr. /iatp6f, small, 4- on6pot, a seed.] 1. In 
l>< it., an asexual ly produced spore of small size 
as compared with others produced by the same 
species : the homologue of the pollen-grain of 
pnanerogams. 
In some of the living club-mosses there are two kinds 
of spores, one being much larger than the other. The 
larger are known as macrospores, whilst the smaller are 
called muriapora. Huxley, Physiography, p. 241. 
2. In zool., one of the spore-like elements, of 
exceedingly minute size, but very numerous, 
produced through the encystment and subse- 
quent subdivision of many monads. 
microsporine (mi-kro-spo'rin), a. [< micro- 
spore 4- -ine 1 .] Noting one of the two kinds 
of microbes reported by Klebs to be uniformly 
present in diphtheria. They are mlcrococcoid In 
form and are found chiefly upon the tonsils, and mark a 
less serious phase of the disease. The accuracy of these 
conclusions has been questioned. 
Microsporon (mi-kros'po-ron), . [NL., < Gr. 
piKf>6f, small, + ffirdpoc , seed.] A genus or class 
of fungi producing various skin-diseases. M. 
furfur, which produces pltyrlasls verslcolor, consists of 
hyphn having long articulations Intermixed with round 
spores, and grows between the cells of the epidermis, ef- 
fecting their rapid degeneration. M . Audouini, so called, 
produces pelade, another skin-disease. According to 
Orawltz, however, these forms, as well as those described 
as Achorion, the fungus of favns, and Trichophyton, the 
fungus of tinea, are all the same thing, only differing from 
one another in size. This difference Is attributed to dif- 
ferences in the food. The M. diphthtricum of Klebs Is a 
micrococcus. 
microsporophyl. microsporophyll (mi -kro - 
spo'ro-fil), n. [< Gr. piKpiif, small, 4- <m6pof. 
seed, 4- ^r/Jxn>, leaf.] The leaf-bearing micro- 
sporangium of the heterosporous Pteridophyta : 
the homologue of the stamen in phanerogams. 
mlcrosporoufl (mi'kro-spo-rus), a. [< micro- 
spore 4- -o.] Resembling or derived from a 
microspore. 
Microsthena (mi-kros'the-na), w. pi. [NL., < 
Gr. /Mitpof, small, 4- aOtvof, strength.] In J. D. 
Dana's classification, the third order of Mam- 
malia, composed of the chiropters, insectivores, 
rodents, and edentates. The MieroMena corre- 
spond to the Lietencephtda of Owen, and to the ineduca- 
billan series of placenta! mammals of Bonaparte and Oil!. 
microsthene (mi'kro-sthen), n. A member of 
the order Mtcrostheiia. 
microsthenlc (mi-kro-sthen'ik), n. [< Mn-rn- 
sthrna + -ic.] Pertaining to or characteristic 
of the Microsthena. J. T). Danti, Cephalization, 
Microstoma (mi-kros'to-mS), w. [NL., < Gr. 
[un/Hxrroftof, having a small mouth, < /unpin;, small, 
4- crojuo, mouth.] 1 . In ichtH., a genus of small- 
mouthed fishes, typifying the family Microsto- 
midir, as M. grcenlandica. Cucirr, 1817. 2. In 
l'i rmcs, the typical genus of Microstomida: M. 
linearc is an example. Also Microttomutu . 
microstome (mi'kro-stom), H. [< Gr. iiMp6f, 
small, + oro>a, a 'month.] In bot., a small 
mouth or orifice, as that belonging to the cap- 
sule of certain mosses. 
Microstomidae (mi-kro-stom'i-de), n. pi. [XL., 
< Microstoma, or Microstomum, + -idn:] 1. In 
ichth., a family of malacopterygian fishes, typi- 
fied by the genus Microstoma, containing a few 
deep-sea fishes related to the argentines and 
smelts. Also Mirrtmtomatidir. 2. A family 
of rhabdocoelous turbellarians, typified by the 
microzoal 
genus Mii-riKtiiiiui. luiving a small ext-iiKiU- 
mouth near the ;mteii..r eml ol i he body, to- 
gether with laterally eiliuted pits. Tbeae turbl- 
uirians are more remarkaldy characterized by the separa- 
tion of the sexes, hennaphroditiitm Mug the rule In the 
nimMifizia. They multiply both by ova and by spon- 
taneous fission. 
microstructure dm-kro-Htruk'tur), . [< Gr. 
fuap6f, small (with ref. to microscopic), + E. 
.ili in hire.] Microscopic structure. 
This rock . . . ha* a mirroilrvetwrt very similar to that 
of many andeslte*. Quart. Jour. Owl. .Soc., XLV. 106. 
microstylar (mi-kro-sti'liir), a. [< Qt.utitp6(, 
small, 4- arv/jof, pillar (see style"), 4- -ar*.] In 
in-i-li.. having, pertaining to, or consisting of a 
small style or column. 
Microstylis (mi-kro-sti'lis), . [NL., < Gr. 
fiK/iuf, small, 4- trAlfi <'im. of art/of, a pillar: 
see style^.] A genus of terrestrial orchids of 
the tribe Epidendrece and the subtribe Malai- 
II. characterized by a stem bearing from one 
to three leaves, and by the new shoots arising 
from the base of the bulb of the previous year. 
They are small herbs with broad membranaceoiis leaves, 
which are contracted Into a sheath or a sheathing petiole, 
and small, often greenish or yellowish (lowers, which grow 
In terminal raceme*. About 4fi specie* are known, which 
are Indigenous to Europe, Asia, and North and South 
America. M. ophioglanoidet, In the United States, bears 
the name of adder'i-mauth, which is also extended to the 
other species. See addfr'i-iiwtith. 
microstylospore (mi-kro-sti'lo-spor), w. [< Gr. 
/wtp6f, small, 4- OTV'/M;, a pillar, 4- ax6poc, a 
seed: see stylospore.] A stylospore of small 
size as compared with others produced in the 
same species. 
microstyloos (mi-kro-sti'lus), . K Gr. pixptf, 
small, 4- ari'tof, a pillar: see style*.] In hot., 
having the style small or short and associated 
with long stamens, as compared with long styles 
associated with short stamens. 
microtasimeter (mi'kro-ta-sim'e-ter), M. [< 
Gr. uixpAf, small, 4- E. iasimeter.] An instru- 
ment invented by Edison for detecting and mea- 
suring very slignt pressures. A rigid iron frame 
holds a carbon-button which is placed between two sur- 
faces of platinum, one stationary and the other movable, 
and In a device which holds the object to be tested so that, 
as the object expands, the pressure resulting from the ex- 
pansion act* upon the carbon-button. 
mlCTOtelephone (mi-kro-tel'e-fon), M. [< Gr. 
/jtKpdf, small, 4- E. telephone.] A telephone ca- 
pable of rendering audible very weak sounds. 
microtelephonic (mi-kro-tel-e-fon'ik), a. [< 
microtelei>liotif + -ie.] Pertaining to the micro- 
telephone Microtelephonic apparatus, apparatus 
for transmitting, or for rendering audible, very weak 
sounds. 
microthere (mi'kro-ther), H. A member of the 
genus Microthcrium. 
Microtherlum (mi-kro-the'ri-um), n. [NL., < 
Gr. fiinpAf, small, 4- (h/piov, wild beast.] A genus 
of artiodactyl ungulate mammals established by 
Von Meyer upon remains discovered in the Mio- 
cene of Europe. The position of the genus Is question- 
able. Owen considered it related to the chevrotalns (Tra- 
gulida). It probably belongs to the anoplotheriold series. 
It Is also called Ampkimeryx. 
microthenn (mi'kro-therm), w. [< F. micro- 
thfrme, < Gr. ptxpof, small, 4- Viputi, heat.] A 
plant of Alphonse de Candolle's fourth physio- 
logical group, consisting of those forms which 
are confined to climates whose mean annual 
temperature is between 14 and C. They are 
found on the plains of the north temperate zone In Europe, 
Asia, and North America, well northward, and In South 
America between latitudes 38* and 06' 8. 
microtome (mi' kro-tom), n. [<.Gr. fitKp6(, small, 
4- -ro/jof, < re/ivciv, rafitiv, cut.] An instrument 
for making very fine sections or thin slices of 
objects for microscopic examination. 
microtomic (mi-kro-tom'ik), a. [< microtome 
4- -/<.] Cutting in fine or thin slices; relating 
to the use of the microtome or to microtomy. 
microtomical (mi-kro-tom'i-kal), a. [< mi'cro- 
tomic 4- -al.] Same as microtomic. Amer. Sat.. 
XXI. 1130. 
microtomist (mi-krot'6-mist), n. [< microtom-y 
4- -ist.~\ One who is expert in the use of a mi- 
crotome, i/i'mw. Sci. , XXX. 
microtomy (mi-krot'o-mi), n. [< Gr. uinpos. 
small, 4- -ro/iia, < rtftvttv, ra/ieiv, cut: see anato- 
my.] The art of preparing thin slices of tissues, 
in order to study the histological details of or- 
ganization. 
microvolt (mi'kro-volt ), n. [< Gr. /uxptf, small, 
4- E. rolP.] A millionth part of a volt. 
Microzoa (rni-kro-zo'S). . />'. [XL., pi. of mi- 
i-i-ii:iiiiii.] Mi.-r.i-i-o|.ie'animals.or Microscopies ; 
Micro:onrin. 
microzoal (mi-kro-zo'al). a. [< Microzoa 4- -<i/.] 
Of or pertaining to the .l/irr</--wi. 
