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SIM 
figui'es are such as have equal angles, and 
the sides about tiiose equal angles propor- 
tional. Similar segments of a circle are 
such as contain equal angles. Similar 
curves : two segments of two curves are 
called similar, if, any right lined figure be- 
ing insCTibed within one of them, we can 
inscribe always a similar right-lined figure 
in the other. Similar conic sections : two 
coriic sections are said to be similar, when 
any segment being taken in the one, we 
can assign always a similar segment in the 
other. Similar diameters of two conic sec- 
tions : the diameters in two conic sections 
are said to he similar, when they make the 
same angles with their ordinates. Similar 
^solids are such as are contained under equal 
numbers of similar planes, alike situated. 
Similar triangles are such as have their 
three angles respectively equal to one ano- 
ther : hence, 1. All similar triangles have 
the sides about their angles proportional. 
2. Ail similar triangles are to one another 
as the squares of their homologous sides. 
Similar bodies, in natural philosophy, are 
such as have their particles of the same 
kindiand nature with one another. 
Similar figures, in geometry, such as 
have their angles respectively equal, and 
the sides, about the equal angles, propor- 
tional. 
Similar parts, in anatomy, are those 
parts of the body which at first sight appear 
to consist of like parts, or parts of the 
same nature, texture, and conformation ; of 
these we usually reckon ten, riz. the bones, 
cartilages, ligaments, membranes, fibres, 
nerves, arteries, veins, flesh, and skin. 
SIMILE, or Similitude, in rhetoric, a 
comparison of two things, which, though 
'different in other respects, yet agree in 
some one. The difference between a si- 
mile and comparison, is said to consist in 
this, that the simile properly belongs to 
whatever we call the quality of the thing, 
and the comparison to the quantity. 
SIMIIATUDE, in arithmetic, geometry, 
&c. denotes the relation of two thingS simi- 
lar to each other. 
SIMONY, is the corrupt presentation of 
any one to an ecclesiastical benefice, for 
money, gift, reward, or ' benefit. It was 
not an cfi’ence punishable criminally at the 
common law, it being thought sufficient to 
leave the clerk to ecclesiastical censures. 
But as these did not affect the simouiacal 
patron, none were efficacious enough to 
repel the notorious practice of the thing 
Several acts of parliament have, therefore, 
SIM 
been made to restrain it, by means of civil 
forfeitures, which the modern prevailing 
usage with regard to spiritual preferments 
call aloud to put in execution. 
By one of the canons of 1603, every per- 
son, before his admission to any ecclesiasti- 
cal promotion, shall,- before the ordinary, 
take an oath, that he hath made no simonia- 
cal contract, promise, or payment, directly 
or indirectly, by himself or any other, for 
the obtaining of the said promotion ; and 
that he will not afterwards perform or satis- 
fy any such kind of payment, contract, or 
promise, by any other without his know- 
ledge or consent. 
To purchase a presentation, the living 
being actually vacant, is open and notorious 
simony ; this being expressly in the face of 
the statute. But the sale of an advowson 
during a vacancy is not within the statute 
of simony, as the sale of the next presenta- 
tion is ; but it is void by the common law. 
A bond of resignation is a bond given by 
the person intended to be presented to a 
beiiefipe, with condition to resign the same ; 
and is special or general. The condition of 
a special one is, to resign the benefice in 
favour of some certain person, as a son, 
kinsman, or friend of the patron, when he 
shall be capable of taking the same. By a 
general bond, the incumbent is bound to 
resign on the request of the patron. A 
bond, with condition to resign within three 
months after being requested, to the intent 
that the patron might present his son when 
he should be capable, was held good; and 
the judgment was affirmed in the exchequer- 
chamber : for that a man may, without any 
colour of simony, bind himself for good 
reasons ; as if he take a second benefice, or 
if he be non-resident, or that the patron 
present his son, to resign ; but if the condi- 
tion had been to let the patron have a lease 
of the glebe or tithes, or to pay a sum of 
money, it had been simoniacal. 
SIMOOM. A wind or haze was observed 
by Mr. Bruce, in the course of his travels 
to discover the sources of the Nile, which is 
supposed to be in some respects analogous 
to the sirocco. It is called by him the 
simoom, and from its effects upon the 
lungs, we can entertain but little doubt, that 
it consists chiefly of carbonic acid gas in a 
very dense state, and perhaps mixed with 
some other noxious exhalations. 
Mr. Bruce, who, in his Journey through 
the desart, felt the effects of tlie simoom, 
gives of it the following graphical descrip- 
tion : “ At eleven o’clock, while we con- 
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