DIV 
in order to a clearer explication of the 
whole, this is called a subdivision : thus, a 
year is divided into twelve months, a month 
is subdivided into weeks, weeks into days, 
days into hours, and so on. 
The rules for a good division are these, 
that the members entirely exhaust the 
whole ; that they be opposite ; that sub- 
divisions be not too numerous ; that the 
whole be first divided into its larger parts, 
and these into the more remote and minute 
parts. 
Division, in natural philosophy, is the 
taking a thing to pieces, that we may have 
a more complete conception of the whole : 
this is frequently necessary in examining 
very complex beings, the several parts of 
which cannot be surveyed at one view. 
Thus, to learn the nature of a watch, the 
workman takes it to pieces, and shews us 
the spring, wheels, axles, pinions, balances, 
dial-plate, pointer, case, &c. and after des- 
cribing the uses and figures of each of them 
apart, explains how they contribute to form 
the whole machine. 
Division, in music, the dividing the in- 
terval of an octave into a number of less 
intervals. The fourth and fifth divide the 
octave perfectly, though diiferently : when 
the fifth is below, and serves as a bass to 
the fourth, the division is called harmoni- 
cal; but when the fourth is below, it is 
called arithmetical. To run a division, is 
to play, or sing, after the manner above- 
mentioned ; that is, to divide the intervals 
of an octave, fifth, fourth, &c. into as many 
parts, and as agreeably as possible, which 
depends entirely upon taste and fancy. 
Division of proportion. If four quan- 
tities be proportional, aib:: c: d-, then the 
assumption of the difference between the 
antecedent a — 6, or b — a, to either the an- 
tecedent a, or consequent b, of the first 
ratio a to b; and the difference between 
the antecedents c — d or d — c to either the 
antecedent b, or consequent d of the second 
ratio ctod; is called division of proportion. 
Division, in the sea-language, the third 
part of a fleet of men of war, and some- 
times the ninth part: which last happens 
when the fleet is divided into three squa- 
drons; for then each squadron is distri- 
buted into three divisions. See Tactics, 
Naval. 
Divisions of a battalion, are the several 
parcels into which a battalion is divided in 
marching. The lieutenants and ensigns 
march before the divisions. 
DIVORCE, a separation of two de facto 
DOC 
married together; of which there are tw» 
kinds; one a vinculo matrimonii, from the 
very bond of marriage : the other a mensa 
et thora from bed and board. Causes for 
separation a vinculo, are consanguinity or 
affinity within the degrees prohibited, also 
impuberty or frigidity ; where the marriage 
was merely void ab initio, and the sentence 
of divorce only declaratory of its being so. 
This divorce enables the parties to marry 
again ; but in the other case a power for 
so doing must be obtained by act of par- 
liament. The woman divorced a vinculo 
matrimonii, receives all again she brought 
with her. Divorce a mensa et thora, is 
where the use of matrimony, as the use of 
cohabitation of the married persons, on 
their mutual conversation, is prohibited 
for a time, or without limitation of time. 
And this is in cases of adultery, cruelty, or 
the like ; in which case the marriage having 
been originally good, not dissolved or 
affected as to the vinculum, or bond. The 
woman under sepai-ation by this divorce, 
may sue by her next friend ; and she may 
sue her husband in her own name for ali- 
mony. But the children which she hath 
after the divorce, shall be deemed bas- 
tards ; for a due obedience to the sentence 
will be intended, unless the contrary be 
shewn. 
DIURETICS. See Pharmacy. 
DIURIS, in botany, a genus of the Gy- 
nandria Diandria class and order. Nectary 
dependent ; petals nine ; the five outer 
ones very large ; of two shapes ; column 
of the fructification reversed, with a lid at 
top. One species D. australasia described 
by Dr. Smith in Linnean Transactions. 
DIURNAL, in astronomy, something 
relating to the day, in opposition to noc- 
turnal, which regards the night. 
Diurnal arch, the arch or number of 
degrees that the sun, moon, or stars de- 
scribe between their rising and setting. 
Diurnal motion of a planet, is so many 
degrees and minutes as any planet' moves 
in twenty-four hours. Hence the motion 
of the earth about its axis, is called its 
diurnal motion. 
DOBCHICK, a species of Colymbus. 
DOCK, in maritime affairs, is a pit, great 
pond, or creek, by the side of an harbour, 
made convenient either for the building or 
repairing of ships. It is of two sorts : 1. 
Dry-dock, where the water is kept out by 
great flood-gates till the ship is built or 
repaired, when the gates are opened and 
the water let in to float and launch her. 
