DEN 
nsed by astronomeis to denote several fixed 
stars. Tims deneb elecet signifies the briglit 
star in the lion’s tail. Deneb adigege, that 
in the swan’s tail, &c. 
DENEKIA, in botany, a genus of the 
Syngenesia Superflua class and order. Re- 
ceptacle naked ; calyx imbricate ; florets 
of the ray two-lipped. There is but a sin- 
gle species, found at the Cape. 
DENIZEN, a denizen is an alien born, 
who has obtained letters patent whereby 
he is constituted an English subject. A 
denizen is in a middle state, between an 
alien and a natural born or naturalized sub- 
ject, partaking of the nature of both. He 
may take lands by purchase, or derive a 
title by descent through his parents or 
any ancestor, though they be aliens. 
DENOMINATION, a name imposed 
on any thing, usually expressing some pre- 
dominant quality. Hence, as the qualities 
and forms of things are either internal or 
external, denomination becomes, 1. Inter- 
nal, which is that founded on the intrinsic 
form. Tims Peter is denominated learned, 
on account of his learning, which is some- 
thing internal. 2. External denomination, 
that founded on an external form. Thus, 
a wall is said to be seen and known, from 
the vision and cognition employed upon it. 
And thus, Peter is denominated honoured 
by reason of honour, which is not so much 
in the person honoured, as in him who ho- 
nours. 
DENOMINATOR, in arithmetic, a 
term used in speaking of fractions. The 
denominator of a fraction is the number be- 
low the line, shewing into how many parts 
the integer is supposed to be divided. Thus 
in the fraction the number 4 shews that 
the integer is divided into four parts. So 
in the fraction p h is the denominator. 
See Fraction. 
Denominator of a ratio, is the quotient 
arising from the division of the antecedent 
by the consequent. Thus 8 is flie denomi- 
nator of the ratio 40 ; 5, because 40 divided 
by 5, gives 8 for a quotient. It is also call- 
ed the exponent of a ratio. See Expo- 
nent. 
DENSITA’ of bodies, is that property di- 
rectly opposite to rarity, whereby they con- 
tain such a quantity of matter under such a 
bulk. Accordingly, a body is said to have 
double or triple the density of another body, 
when their bulk being equal, tlie quantity 
of matter is in the one double or triple the 
quantity of malter in tlie other. The den- 
DEN 
■sides and bulks of bodies arc the two great 
j)oints upon which all mechanics or laws of 
motion turn. It is an axiom that bodies ot 
the same density contain equal masses un- 
der equal bulks. If the bulks of two bo- 
dies be equal, their densities are as their 
masses : consequently, the densities of equal 
bodies are as their gravities. If two bodies 
have the same density, their masses are as 
tlieir bulks ; and as their gravity is as their 
masses, the gravity of bodies of the same 
density is in the ratio of their bulk. Hence 
also bodies of the same density are of the 
same specific gravity; and bodies of dif- 
ferent density, of different specific gravity. 
The quantities of matter in two bodies, are 
in a ratio compounded of their density and 
bulk : consequently their gravity is in the 
same ratio. If the masses or gravities of 
tw'o bodies be'equal, the densities are reci- 
procally as their bulks. The densities of 
any two bodies ar?, in a ratio compounded 
of the direct ratio of their masses, and a re- 
ciprocal one of their bulks : consequently 
since the gravity of bodies is as their 
masse*, tire densities of bodies are in a ra- 
tio compounded of the direct ratio of their 
gravities, and a reciprocal one of their 
bulks. 
Density of the air, is a property that 
has employed the later philosophers since 
the discovery of the toricellian experiment. 
It is demonstrated, that in the same vessel, 
or even in vessels communicating with each 
other at the same distance from the centre, 
the air has every where the same density. 
The density of the air, cceteris paribus, in- 
creases in proportion to the compressing 
powers. Hence the inferior air is denser 
than the superior ; the density, however, of 
the lower air, is nqt proportional to the 
weight of the atmosphere on account of 
heat and cold, and other causes, perhaps, 
which make great alterations in density and 
rarity. However, from the elasticity of the 
air, its density must be always different at 
different heights from the earth’s surface ; 
for the lower parts being pressed by the 
weight of those above, will be made to ac- 
cede nearer to each other, and the more so 
as the weight of the incumbent ah is greater. 
Hence, the density of the air is greatest at 
the earth’s surface, and decreases upwards 
in geometrical proportion to the altitudes 
taken in arithmetical progression. 
If the air be rendered denser, the weight 
of bodies in it is diminished ; if rarer, in- 
creased, because bodies lose a greater part 
of their weight in denser than in rarer me- 
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