EPI 
(atma, hooping-cough, and catarrh : * I do 
not mean by this,” says he, “ that they al- 
ways succeed each other as above ; for 
often the individual infection is wanting, 
when another takes its place, until perhaps 
that infection is imported from a place, 
w hich has been so unfortunate as to have a 
coincidence of the two causes, without which 
it appears that no epidemic can take place ; 
that is, a favourable disposition of the air, and 
that particular infection. Whenever it hap- 
pens that one infectious disorder takes the 
place that should have been more properly 
occupied by another, it becomes much more 
virulent than it is naturally, whilst the for- 
mer, if it afterwards succeeds, becomes 
milder in proportion : this, perhaps, is the 
reason why the same disorders, nay, the 
same appearance in a disorder,, are at- 
tended with much more fatality in one year 
than another.” 
EPIDENDRUM, in botany, a genus of 
the Gynandria Diandria class and order. 
Natural order of Orchidese. Essential cha- 
racter : nectary turbinate, oblique, reflex ; 
corolla spreading; spur none. There are 
124 species. This numerous genus is ob- 
scure in its character, differences, and syno- 
nyms ; for the flowers in dried specimens 
can hardly be unfolded ; the plants are cul- 
tivated in gardens with difficulty ; and the 
species have not been sufficiently described 
by authors, who have had an opportunity 
of seeing them in America, and tire East 
Indies, their native places of growth. 
EPIDERMIS, in anatomy, the same 
with the cuticle. See Cutis. 
EPIG/EA, in botany, a genus of the 
Decandria Monogynia class and order. Na- 
tural order of Bicornes. Ericas, Jussieu. Es- 
sential character: calyx outer tliree-leaved ; 
inner five-parted ; corolla salver-form ; cap- 
sule five-celled. There are but two spe- 
cies, viz. E. repens, creeping epigasa, or 
trailing arbutus, and E. cordifolia, heart- 
leaved epigaea ; the former is a native of 
Virginia and Canada, aud the latter of 
Guadalonpe. 
EPIGLOTTIS, one of the cartilages of 
the larynx or wind pipe. See Anatomy. 
EPIGRAM, in poetry, a short poem or 
composition in verse, treating only of one 
thing, and ending with some lively, inge- 
nious, and natural thought or point. 
EPILEPSY, in medicine, the same with 
what is otherwise called the falling-sickness, 
from the patient’s falling suddenly to the 
ground. 
EPILOBIUM, in botany, a genus of 
the Octandria Monogynia class and order. 
EPI 
Natural order of Calycanthenwe. Onagrre, 
Jussieu. Essential character : calyx four- 
cleft ; petals four ; capsule oblong, inferior ; 
seeds downy. There are fourteen species. 
These plants are hardy perennials, not void 
of beauty ; they are, however, commonly 
considered only as weeds, and are rarely 
cultivated in gardens. 
EPILOGUE, in dramatic poetry, a 
speech addressed to the audience after the 
play is over, by one of the principal actors 
therein, usually containing some reflections 
on certain incidents in the play, especially 
those in the part of the person that speaks 
it. 
EPIMEDIUM, in botany, English bar- 
renwort, a genus of the Tetrandria Mono- 
gynia class and order. Natural order of 
Corydales. Berberides, Jussieu. Essential 
character: nectary four, cupform, leaning 
on the petals ; corolla four-petalled ; calyx 
very caducous ; fruit a silique. There is 
but one species, viz. E. alpinum, alpine bar- 
renwort. \ 
EPIPHANY, a Christian festival, other- 
wise called the manifestation of Christ to 
the Gentiles, observed on the sixth of Ja- 
nuary, in honour of the appearance of our 
Saviour to the three magi, or wise men, 
who came to adore him, and bring him pre- 
sents. The feast of epiphany was not ori- 
ginally a distinct festival, but made a part 
of that of the nativity of Christ, which be- 
ing celebrated twelve days, the first and last 
of which were high or chief days of solem- 
nity, either of these might properly be 
called epiphany, as that word signifies the 
appearance of Christ in the world. 
The kings of England and Spain offer 
gold, frankincense, and myrrh, on epiphany, 
or twelfth day, in memory of the offerings 
of the wise men to the infant Jesus. 
The festival of epiphany is called by the 
Greeks the feast of lights, because our Sa- 
viour is said to have been baptised on this 
day ; and baptism is by them called illumi- 
nation. 
EPISCOPALIANS, in the modern ac- 
ceptation of the term, belong fnore especially 
to members of the Church of England, and de- 
rive this title from episcopus,the Latin word 
for bishop ; or if it be referred to its Greek 
origin, implying the care and diligence with 
which bishops are expected to preside over 
those committed to their guidance and di- 
rection. They insist on the divine origin of 
their bishops, and other church officers, and 
on the alliance between church and state. 
Respecting these subjects, however, War- 
burton and Hoadley, together with others 
