SYN 
SYNOD, in astronomy, a conjunction, 
or concourse of two or more stars, or pla- 
nets, in the same optical place of the hea- 
vens. 
SYNODENDRON, in natural history, 
a genus of insects of the order Ooleoptera : 
antennae clavate ; the chib lamellate ; thorax 
gibbous, muricate or unequal j tip filiform, 
liorny, palpigerous at the tip. There are 
four species. 
SYNODICAL, something belonging to 
a synod ; thus synodical epistles are circular 
letters written by the synods to the absent 
prelates and churches, or even those gene- 
ral ones directed to all the faithful, to in- 
form them of what had passed in the synod. 
For the synodical month, see the article 
Month. 
SYNOVIA, the name given to a liquid 
secreted within the capsular ligaments of 
the Joints, to facilitate motion by lubricat- 
ing these parts. The synovia of the ox is a 
viscid, semi-transparent fluid, of a greenish 
white colour, which soon acquires the con- 
sistence ofjelly, and not long after becomes 
again fluid, depositing a filamentous matter. 
Synovia mixes with watei-, and renders it 
viscid. When this mixture is boiled it be- 
comes milky, and some pellicles are depo- 
sited on the sides of the vessel. Alcohol 
produces a precipitate when added to syno- 
via. This precipitate is albumen. After 
this matter is separated, the liquid still re- 
mains viscid ; but if acetic acid be added, 
the viridity disappears, and it becomes 
transparent, depositing a white filamentous 
substance, which resembles vegetable glu- 
ten. It is soluble in cold water, and in 
concentrated acids and pure alkalies. This 
fibrous matter is precipitated by acids and 
alcohol in flakes. The concentrated mine- 
ral acids produce a flaky precipitate, which 
is soon re-dissolved ; but the viscidity of the 
liquid is not destroyed till they are so much 
diluted with water, that the acid taste is 
only perceptible. When syfiovia is exposed 
to dry air, it evaporates, and cubic crystals 
remain in the residuum, with a white saline 
efflorescence. The first are muriate of 
soda, and the latter carbonate of soda. This 
substance soon becomes putrid, giving out 
ammonia during its decomposition. By 
distillation in a retort, it yields water, which 
soon becomes putrid ; water containing a 
portion of ammonia, and an empyreumatic 
oil, with carbonate of ammonia : by wash- 
ing the residuum, muriate and carbonate of 
soda may be obtained. A small portion of 
phosphate of lime is found in the coaly mat- 
SYS 
ter. The constituent parts of synovia are 
the following : 
Fibrous matter 11.8 
Albumen 4.5 
Muriate of soda 1.7 
Soda 0.7 
Phosphate of lime 0.7 
Water 80.6 
100.6 
SYNTAX, in grammar, the proper con- 
struction, or due disposition of the words of 
a language, into sentences, or phrases ; or 
the manner of constructing one word with 
another, with regard to the different termi- 
nations thereof, prescribed by the rules of 
grammar. Hence the office of syntax is to 
consider the natural suitablene.«s of words 
with respect to one another, in order to 
make them agree in gender, number, per- 
son, mood, &c. To offend in any of these 
points, is called, to offend against syntax ; 
and such kind of offence, when gros?, is 
called a solecism, and when more slight, a 
barbarism. Syntax is generally divided into 
two parts, viz. concord, wherein the words 
are to agree in gender, number, case, and 
person ; and regimen, or government, where- 
in one word governs another, and occasions 
some variations therein. 
SYNTHESIS, tlie putting of several 
things together, as making a compound me- 
dicine of several simple ingredients, &c. 
Synthesis, in logic, denotes a branch 
of method opposite to analysis, called the 
synthetic method. 
SYRINGA, in botany, lilac, a genus of 
the Diandria Monogynia class and order. 
Natural order of Sepiarite. Jasmine®, Jus- 
sieu. Essential character: corolla four- 
cleft; capsule two-celled. There are four 
species, with several varieties. The S. vul- 
garis, common lilac, is a shrub growing to 
the height of eighteen or twenty feet, divid- 
ing into many branches ; those of the white 
sort grow more erect than the blue ; and 
the purple, or Scotch lilac, has its branches 
yet more diffused. The lilac is very com- 
mon in the English gardens, where it has 
been long cultivated as a flowering shrub. 
It is supposed to grow naturally in some 
parts of Persia; but is so hardy as to resist 
the greatest cold of this country. 
SYRINGE, an instrument serving to im- 
bibe, or suck in a quantity of any fluid, and 
to squirt or expel the same with violence. 
SYRUP. See Pharmacy. 
SY^STEM, in general, denotes an assem- 
