Mycetozoa 
amounting at the present time to nearly 300 
species. The larger number of them are contained in 
the division Myxamycetes, or slime-fungi, together with 
the smaller one distinguished by Van Tieghem under the 
name of Acratiece. (De Bary.) Their nutrition is sapro- 
phytic, and the organs of reproduction are sufficiently like 
those of fungi to allow the same terminology to be ap- 
plied to them. The vegetative body, however, differs 
widely, being a naked protoplasmic mass. See Myxomy- 
cetex. 
mycetozoon (mi-se-to-zo'on), n. [NL., < Gr. 
[ii'Mif (fivurrr-), a fungus, + ?ov, animal.] Any 
member of the Mycelozoa. 
The naked protoplasm of the Mycetozoon's plasmodium. 
Encyc. Brit., XIX. 832. 
mycoderm (mi'ko-derm), n. [< Mycoderma, 
q. v.] A fungus of the genus Mycoderma. 
Mycoderma (mi-ko-der'ma), n. [NL., < Gr. 
fivKrif , a fungus, + Aepfia, skin : see derm.] A ge- 
nus or form-genus under which certain of the 
fermentation-fungi are known. See fermenta- 
tion, and mother^, 2. 
mycodermatoid (mi-ko-der'ma-toid), a. [< 
Mycotierma(t-) + -aid.] Same as mycodermic. 
mycodermic (ml-ko-der'mik), o. [< Mycoder- 
ma + -ic.] Of or pertaining to the genus My- 
coderma. 
mycodermitis (mi"ko-der-mi'tis), n. [NL.. < 
Gr. [iv/cot;, mucus, + dipfia, skin, + -His.] In- 
flammation of a mucous membrane. 
mycologic (mi-ko-loj'ik), a. [< mycolog-y + 
-ic.] Same as mycological. 
mycological (mi-ko-loj'i-kal), a. [< mycologic 
+ -al.] Relating to mycology, or to the fungi. 
mycolpgically (mi-ko-loj'i-kal-i), adv. In a my- 
cological manner ; from a mycological point of 
view. 
mycologist (mi-kol'o-jist), n. [< mycolog-y + 
-ist.] One who is versed in mycology. 
mycology (mi-kol'o-ji), . [= F. mycologie; < 
Gr. ffincr/f, a fungus, + -/(oyia, < tiiyeiv, speak : see 
-ology.] The science of fungi, their structure, 
affinities, classification, etc. Also called fun- 
gology and mycetology. 
mycophagist (mi-kof a-jist), M. [< mycophag-y 
T -ist.] One who eats fungi. 
mycophagy (ml-kof'a-ji), n. [< Gr. /IVKIK, a 
fungus, + -fayia, < fydyeiv, eat.] The eating of 
fungi. 
The divine art of mycophagy reached a good degree of 
cultivation. Pop. Sci. Mo., XXXIV. 408. 
mycoprotein (mi-ko-pro'te-in), . [< Gr. /WXTC, 
a fungus, + E. protein.] A gelatinous albu- 
minoid compound closely allied to protoplasm, 
of which the putrefaction-bacteria are com- 
posed. 
The bacteria consist of a nitrogenous, highly refractive, 
usually colorless substance, protoplasm or mycoprotein, 
Imbedded in which glistening, oily-looking granules can 
sometimes be observed. 
W. T. Redfield, Relations of Micro-Organisms to Disease, 
[p. 5. 
Mycorrhiza (mi-ko-ri'za), . [< Gr. itfaoK, 
a fungus, + piC,a, root.] A fungus-mycelium 
which invests the roots of certain phsenogams, 
especially Cupuliferai and some other forest- 
trees. It is believed to aid them in absorbing nutri- 
ment from the soil a case of symbiosis. See symbiosis. 
mycose (mi'kos), n. [< Gr. PVIOK, a fungus, + 
-ose.] A peculiar kind of sugar (Cj^E^Ou -f 
2H 2 O) contained in the ergot of rye, and also 
in trehala manna, produced by a species of in- 
sect (Echinops) found in the East. It is soluble 
in water, does not reduce copper-solutions, and is convert- 
ible sugar. Also called trehalose. 
3918 
Mydaus (mid'a-us), . [NL., irreg. < Gr. pvdav, 
be damp or wet, < [ivSot;, damp, wet, clamminess, 
decay.] A genus of fetid badgers, of the family 
Mustelida; and subfamily Melince, including the 
stinking badger of Java, or Javanese skunk, M. 
javanensis or M. meliceps. See tcledu. 
myddingt, An obsolete spelling of midding. 
Uiydget, " An obsolete spelling of midge. 
mydriasis (mi-dri'a-sis), . [L., < Gr. uvopiaatf. 
undue enlargement of the pupil of the eye.] 
In med., a morbid dilatation of the pupil of the 
eye. 
mydriatic (mid-ri-at'ik), a. and n. [< mydri- 
(asin) + -atic 2 .] I. a. Pertaining to or causing 
mydriasis. 
II. n. A drug which causes mydriasis. 
myelasthenia (mi-el-as-the-ni'a), n. [NL., < 
Gr. /jDfXof, marrow, + aatteveia, weakness: see 
asthenia.] In pathol., spinal exhaustion; spinal 
neurasthenia. 
myelatrophia (mi'el-a-tro'n-a), n. [NL., < Gr. 
ujK/Wf, marrow, + arptxtiia, atrophy : see atrophy.] 
In pathol., atrophy of the spinal cord. 
Myelencephala(mi // el-en-sef'a-la), n.pl. [NL., 
ueut. pi. of myelencephalus: see myelencepha- 
lous.] In Owen's classification, same as Verte- 
brata. [Not in use.] 
myelencephalic (mi-el-en-se-fal'ik or -sef 'a- 
lik), a. [< myetencephal-on + -ic.] 1. Of or 
pertaining to the cerebrospinal axis ; cerebro- 
spinal. 2. Of or pertaining to the medulla 
oblongata. See myelencephalon. 3. Same as 
myelencephalous. 
myelencephalon(mi"el-en-sef'a-lon), n. [NL., 
< Gr. pveMi;, marrow, + ty/0aAof, brain: see 
encephalon.] 1. The cerebrospinal axis; the 
brain and spinal cord taken together and con- 
sidered as a whole. Owen. 2. The hindmost 
segment of the encephalon ; the afterbraiu or 
metencephalon, more commonly called the me- 
dulla oblongata. See cuts under encephalon and 
brain. Huxley. 
myelencephalous (mi"el-en-sef'a-lus), a. [< 
NL. myelencephalus, < Gr. /vlof, marrow, + 
eyK<t>aAof, brain: see encephalon.] Having a 
brain and spinal cord ; cerebrospinal. Also my- 
elencephalic. 
myelin, myeline (mi'e-lin), . [< Gr. /iw/iof, 
marrow, + -in'J, -ine 2 .] In anat., the white sub- 
stance of Schwann, or medullary sheath of a 
nerve. 
inyelitic (mi-e-lit'ik), n. [< myelitis + -ic.] Of 
or pertaining to myelitis; affected with mye- 
litis. 
myelitis (mi-e-li'tis), . [NL., < Gr. /n>e'/,6f, 
marrow, + -itis.] In pathol., inflammation of 
the spinal cord. Anterior cornual myelitis. See 
cornual. 
myelocele (mi'e-lo-sel), n. [< Gr. /we/ldf, mar- 
row, + Kift.r], tumor.] A variety of spina bifida. 
myelocerebellar (mr'e-16-ser-e-berar), a. [< 
Gr. pvA6s, marrow, + L. cerebellum, cerebellum : 
see cerebellar. ] Pertaining tothecere bellum and 
the spinal cord : as, the myelocerebellar tract. 
myelocoele (mi'e-lo-sel), n. [NL., < Gr. /iueAof, 
marrow, + icotf.of, hollow.] The entire cavity 
of the myelon or spinal cord, consisting primi- 
tively of a syringocosle with a posterior dilata- 
tion termed rhombocrele. See cut under spinal. 
myelocyte (ml'e-lo-sit), n. [< Gr. /ive/^f, mar- 
row, + Kvrof, cell.] Same as myocyte. Nature, 
XLI. 72. 
half natural size. 
parasites in or on any portion of the body. 2. 
The presence of parasitic fungi together with 
the morbid effects of their presence ; the dis- 
ease caused by them. 
mycotic (mi-kot'ik), a. [< mycosis (-ot-) + -ic.] 
Of or pertaining to mycosis. Lancet. 
Mycteria (mik-te'ri-a), . [NL., < Gr. fivurfip, 
nose, snout, < /tvaoeaSai (in comp.), blow the 
nose; cf. L. mungere, blow the nose: see mu- 
cus.] A genus of storks, of the family Cico- 
niidce and the subfamily Ciconiince, having the 
head and neck mostly bare of feathers, ana the 
bill enormously large and recurved. M. ameri- 
cana is the jabiru. Certain Old World storks are some- 
times included in Mycteria, sometimes called Xenorhyn- 
ch-m and Ephippiorhynchus. See cut under jabiru. 
mydaleine (ml-da'le-in), n. [< Gr. [ivda'Aeof, wet, 
dripping, < pvdav, be' damp or wet: see Mydaus.] 
A poisonous ptomaine obtained from putrefy- 
ing liver and other organs. 
Mydas, n. See Midas 2 . 
Mydasidae (mi-das'i-de), . pi. Same as Mi- 
didce, 2. 
The hyphse of lichens, 
elastic, containing lichenine, not becoming pu- 
trid by maceration, with no faculty of penetrat- 
ing or involving, while the hyphee of fungi are 
caducous, soft, flexile, with thin walls, etc. 
myeloid (mi'e-loid), a. [= F. myeloide, < Gr. 
*pveAoEi6>/f, contr. [weUiSris , like marrow, < pvMf. 
marrow, + dSog, form.] Medullary. 
myeloma (mi-e-16'ma). n. ; pi. myelomata (-ma- 
ta). [NL.,< Gr. foxMfj marrow, + -oma.] A 
giant-celled sarcoma. 
myelomalacia (mi"e-lo-ma-la'si-a), . [NL., < 
Gr. /iuc/lof, marrow, + //a?,a/ci'a, 'softness: see 
malacia.] In pathol., softening of the spinal 
cord. 
myelomeningitis (mi"e-16-men-in-jl'tis), . 
[NL., < Gr. jUUEAof, marrow, + NL. meningitis, 
q. v.] In pathol., spinal meningitis. 
myelon (m!'e-lon), . [NL., < Gr. pvMv, neut., 
earlier /ivM<;, m., marrow.] The spinal cord; 
the part of the cerebrospinal axis which is not 
the brain. See cuts under spine, spinal, and 
Pharyngobranchii. 
Myiagra 
myelonal (mi'e-lon-al), a. [< myelon + -al.] 
Of or pertaining to the myelon. 
myelonic (mi-e-lon'ik), a. [< myelon + -ic.] 
Same as myelonal. Encyc. Brit., XVI. 680. 
myeloplax (mi'e-lo-plaks), n. [< Gr. /ivMs, mar- 
row, + irXdf , anything flat and broad.] A large 
multinucleated protoplasmic mass, occurring 
in the marrow, especially in the neighborhood 
of the osseous substance. These masses, also called 
osteoclasts or giant celts, are concerned in the process of 
bone-absorption. 
Myelozoa (ml'e-lo-zo'a), n.pl. [NL. (Geoffroy 
St. Hilaire, 1852),' < Gr" ,uw/lof, marrow, + Cyo", 
an animal.] A class of vertebrated animals with 
a spinal cord or myelon, but no brain or skull. 
They are the acrauial or acephalous vertebrates, repre- 
sented by the lancelet or amphioxus. See cuts under 
laiicelet. 
myelozoan (mi"e-lo-z6'an), a. and n. I. a. Of 
orpertaining to the Myelozoa. 
II. n. A member of the Myelozoa. 
Mygale (mig'a-le), n. [NL., < F. mygale, < L. 
my gale, < Gr. ' fivyc&rj, nvyaf.tq, pvoy(ikri, field- 
mouse, < /iif, mouse, + yt&trj, yatij, a weasel.] 
1. A Cuvierian genus of insectivorous quadru- 
peds, the desmans: later changed to Myogale or 
Myogalia. Cumer,lB50. 
2. The leading ge- 
nus formerly of the 
now disused family My- 
galidce. Thisgenusinclud- 
ed the very largest and hair- 
iest spiders, in the United 
States known astarantulas, 
a name which in Europe 
belongs to quite a different 
kind. The common taran- 
tula of the southwestern 
United States was called M . 
hentzi, a hairy brown spe- 
cies of large size and much 
dreaded. M. avicularia is 
a former name of the South 
American bird-spider, able 
to prey upon small birds, 
but under this designation 
several large hairy spiders have been confounded. It is 
now placed in theisenus Eurypelma. M. javanica and M. 
sumatreHgis inhabit the countries whence their names are 
derived. They inhabit tubular holes in the ground, under 
stones, or beneath the bark of trees. The bite is very pain- 
ful and even dangerous. See cuts under Arariida, arach- 
nidial, and chelicera. Latreille, 1802. 
Mygalidas (mi-gal'i-de), n.pl. [NL.,< Mygale + 
-idie.] A former family of spiders, typified by 
the genus Mygale. It included the largest known spi- 
ders, with four pulmonary sacs, eight eyes clustered to- 
gether, and great mandibles which work up and down. 
Mygale, Cteniza, and Atypus were leading genera. The 
American tarantulas, the trap-door spiders, and others be- 
longed to this family. Synonymous with Tlieraphogidcu. 
See Territelaria. 
Mygalina (mig-a-li'na), n. pi. Same as Myoga- 
lm<K. 
myghtt, myghtet. Obsolete spellings of might 1 , 
mighfi. 
myghtyt, An obsolete spelling of mighty. 
mygranet, mygreynet, . Middle English 
forms of migraine, for megrim. 
Myiadestes (ml"i-a-des'tez), . [NL., improp. 
for "Myiedestes, < dr. fivia, a fly , + <5f or^f , an eat- 
er, <tfav = L. edere=E.eat.] The leading genus 
of Myiadestina;, containing most of the species. 
M. toiviisendi inhabits thewestern part of the United States. 
It is of a dull brownish-ash color, paler below, the wings 
blackish with tawny variegations, the tail blackish, some of 
the feathers tipped with white, the bill and feet black, the 
eye surrounded with a white ring. The bird is 8 inches 
long, the wing and tail each about 4 ',. It is an exquisite 
songster, and nests on the ground or near it, building a 
loose nest of grasses, and layingabout four eggs of a bluish- 
white color with reddish freckles, 0.95 of an inch long by 
0.67 broad. Several other species inhabit the warmer 
parts of America. 
Myiadestinae (mi"i-a-des-ti'ne), n. pi. [NL., < 
Myiadestes + -inas.] An American subfamily 
of oscine passerine birds, typified by the genus 
Myiadestes, usually referred to the Turdida, but 
also placed in the Ampelidw; the fly-catching 
thrushes. The bill is short, much depressed, wide at base, 
and deeply cleft. The feet are small, with booted tarsi and 
deeply cleft toes, of which the lateral ones are of unequal 
length. There are ten primaries, the first spurious, and 
twelve narrow tapering rectrices ; the tail is double-round- 
ed; the head is subcrested; the plumage is somber, spot- 
ted in the young ; the sexes are alike. There are about 12 
species, belonging to the genera Mttiadeftes, Cicldopsis, and 
Platycichla, all but one of them inhabiting ( 'entral Amer- 
ica, South America, and the West Indies. Theyare frugiv- 
orous and insectivorous, and highly musical. 
myladestine (mi"i-a-des'tin), n. Pertaining to 
the Hyiadestinte, or having their characters. 
Myiagra (mi-i-ag'ra), H. [NL., < Gr. fivia, a fly, 
+ ay pa, hunting (taking).] The typical geiuis 
of Myiagrttue, founded by Vigors and Horsfield 
in 1826. It contains some 20 species of small flycatchers 
wilh very broad flat bills and copious rictal vihrissaj, in- 
habiting the Austromalflyan and Oceanian regions. M. 
ritbiculu is a characteristic example. 
