VIC 
power being in tiiis case similar to gravity, 
as acting uniformiy, tlie vibrations of*a 
chord fol'ow the same laws as tliose of pen- 
dulums. Consequent'y the vibrations of 
the same chord, equally stretched, though 
they be of unequal lengths, are isochronal, 
or are performed in equal times ; and the 
squares of the times of vibration are to one 
another inversely as their tensions, or 
powers by w'hich they are stretched The 
vibrations of a spring, too, are proportional 
to tlie powers by which it is bent. These 
follow the same laws as those of the chord 
and pendulum ; and consequently are iso- 
chronal, which is the foundation of spring- 
watches. 
Vibrations are also used in physics, &c. 
and for several otlier regular alternate mo- 
tions. Sensation, for instance, is supposed 
to be performed by means of the vibratory 
motion of the contents of the nerves, begun 
by external objects, and propagated to the 
brain. Tiiis doctrine has been particularly 
illustrate I by Dr. Hartley, w ho has extends 
ed it further than any other writer, in esta- 
blishing a new theory of our mental opera- 
tions. The same ingenious author also ap- 
plies the doctrine of vibrations to the ex- 
planation of muscular motion, which he 
thinks is performed in the same general 
manner as sensation and the perception of 
ideas. For a particular account of his 
theory, and the arguments by which it is 
supported, see bis “ Observations on Blan,” 
vol. 1. : see also Belsham’s “Elements;” 
and “ Introductory Essays to Hartley,” by 
Dr. Priestley. 
VIBRIO, in natural history, a genus of 
the Vermes Infusoria class and order. 
Worm invisible to the naked eye, very sim- 
ple, round, elongated. There are twenty 
species, described by Adams, and other 
authors on the microscope. 
VIBURNUM, in botany, laurustmus, a 
genus of the Pentandria Trigynia class and 
order. Natural order of Dumosm. Capri- 
folia, Jussieu. Essential character: calyx 
five-parted, superior ; corolla five-cleft ; 
berry one-seeded. There are twenty-three 
species. 
VICAR, one who supplies the place of 
another. The priest of every parish is call- 
ed rector, unless the prmdial tithes arc ap- 
propriated, and then he is stiled vicar ; and 
when rectories are appropriated, vicars are 
to supply the rector’s place. For the main- 
tenance of the vicar, there was then set 
apart a certain portion of the tithes, com- 
VIC 
nioniy about a third part of the whole, which 
are now what are called the vicarial tithes, 
tlie re.st being reserved to the use of those 
houses which, for the like reason, are term- 
ed the rectorial tithes. 
VICARAGE. For the most part vi- 
carages were endowed upon appropria- 
tions ; but sometimes vicarages have been 
endowed without any appropriation of the 
parsonage ; and there are several churches 
where the tithes are wholly impropriated, 
and no vicarage endowed ; and there, the 
itnpropriators are bound to maintain curates 
to perform divine service, &c. The par- 
sons, patron, and ordinary, lyay create a vi- 
carage and endow it ; and in time of va- 
cancy of The clmrcli, the patron and ordi- 
nary may do it ; but the ordinary alone 
cannot create a vicarage, without the p^ 
tron’s assent. 
VICE, in smithery, and other arts em- 
ployed in metals, is a machiiip, or instru- 
ment, serving to hold fast any thing they 
are at work upon, whether it is to be filed, 
bent, riveted, &c. To file square, it is 
absolutely necessary that the vice be placed 
perpendicidar, with its chaps parallel to the 
work-bench. 
Vice, /land, is a small kind of vice serv- 
ing to hold the lesser works in, that require 
often turning about. Of these there are 
two kinds : the broad-chapped hand-vice, 
which is that commonly used ; and the 
square-nosed hand-vice, seldom used but for 
filing small round work. 
Vice ia also a machine used by the gla- 
ziers to turn or draw lead into flat rods, 
with grooves on each side to receive the 
edges of the glass. 
Vice is also used, in the composition of 
divers words, to denote the relation of 
something that comes instead, or in the 
place, of another ; as vice-admiral, vice- 
chancellor, vice-chamberlain, vice-president, 
&c. are officers who take place in the ab- 
sence of admirals, &c. See the article 
Admiral, &c. 
VICIA, in botany, vetch, a genus of the 
Diadelphia Decaudria class and order. Na- 
tural order of Papilionace®, or Leguminosae. 
Essential character : stigma transversely 
bearded on the lower side. There are 
twenty-five species. 
VICINAGE, in law, common of vici- 
nage is, where the inhabitants of two town- 
ships, which lie contiguous, have usually in- 
tercommoned with one another, the beasts 
of the one straying mutually into the other’s 
