ALGORITHM

silver-mine of Algodes, near Coquimbo, in Chili.

Algorithm (an Arabic word, compounded of al, the, and the Greek pμos, number). The art of computing in reference to some particular subject, or in some particular way; as the algorithm of numbers; the algorithm of the differential calculus, &c.

Alguazil (Arab.). A Spanish officer, answering to the English bailiff. His duty is now confined to the apprehension of criminals, but he was in ancient times executioner also. Alias (Lat. otherwise). In Law, when a defendant sued on a specialty, or a prisoner had more than one common appellation, he was designated in the Latin forms of instruments as 'A. alias dictus B.' When it is necessary for a second writ of the same description with a former one to issue, it is headed 'alias,' as, alias capias, &c.

Alibi (Lat. elsewhere). A cant Law phrase, used to express the species of defence set up by one charged with a criminal offence, who offers evidence to prove that he was elsewhere at the time when the act was committed.

Alidade. An Arabic name given to the index or ruler which moves about the centre of an astrolabe or quadrant, carrying the sights or telescope, and showing on the limb of the instrument the number of degrees and minutes during which the object observed is elevated above the horizon.

Alien (Lat. alienus, foreign). Generally speaking, is one born in a country out of the allegiance of the sovereign, unless his father were a natural-born subject, in which case he will himself be deemed a natural-born subject to all intents and purposes. By 7 & 8 V. c. 66, various statutory disabilities by which aliens were incapacitated from possessing property in England were mitigated; and they are now enabled, on memorialising the home secretary and taking a prescribed oath, to acquire nearly all the rights of natural-born subjects, with the exception that they cannot become members of the privy council, of either house of parliament, or of a municipal corporation. The 10 & 11 V. c. 83, relates to aliens in the British colonies. [DENIZEN.] ALIEN PRIORIES were inferior monasteries in England, belonging to foreign abbeys.

Alien Waters. Any stream of water carried across an irrigated field or meadow, but which is not used for the purposes of irrigation; or any waters which are carried through other properties without being made subservient to their uses.

Alienation. In Law, the act of parting with property, more especially real property. The alienation of real property takes place usually by deed. [REAL PROPERTY.] Alignment (Fr. alignement). A Naval term for a supposed line drawn to preserve a flect in position.

Alimentary Canal. A cavity in the interior of an animal body in which the nutriment is taken to be digested, before it is conveyed

ALKALI

by the nutritive vessels to the system: it affords the best organic characteristic of an animal, but presents various modifications of structure. Sometimes it is a simple cavity with one opening; sometimes a true canal with an outlet or anus, distinct from the inlet or mouth; this canal may be divided into stomach and intestine, as in the oyster; or a mouth, pharynx, and oesophagus may precede the stomach; the esophagus, again, may have one or two sacculi appended to it, called crops. The stomach may be subdivided into four bags, as in the Ruminants, or into seven, as in the bottle-nose whale; and the intestines into small, blind, and large, forming, with their subdivisions, what are termed duodenum, jejunum, ileum, cæcum, colon, and rectum, The cæcum, again, may be single, or double as in most birds; or a single cæcum may exist in addition to a double one, as in the Hyrax, a small Pachydermatous quadruped. Lastly, the various glandular organs which communicate with the alimentary canal are to be regarded as cæcal processes of that tube, since these are developed from it, and in this condition they are permanently retained by one or other of the lower animals: thus, in the sea mouse, the liver is represented by long, branched, lateral processes of the intestine; in the cod fish, &c., the pancreas is similarly represented by numerous cæcal processes of the duodenum.

Alimony (Lat. alimonium, sustenance). In Law, the allowance for which a married woman is entitled to sue on separation from her husband. [MARRIAGE.]

Aliquot Part. A number which divides a given number without leaving a remainder; in other words, a measure or divisor. Thus, 2, 3, 4, and 6 are aliquot parts of 12, being contained in the latter 6, 4, 3, and 2 times exactly. The term is principally employed in the arithmetical rule of practice. [PRACTICE.]

Alismaceae (from the Greek aλioμa). A small natural order of Endogenous plants, marked by the presence of numerous distinct carpels in a tripetaloideous flower. They form a near approach to the Ranunculaceæ among Exogens. Alisma and Sagittaria are the most common genera.

Alisonite. A double sulphide of copper and lead, composed of 53.34 per cent. of copper, 28-88 lead, and 17.78 sulphur. It occurs massive at Mina Grande, near Coquimbo, in Chili, of a deep indigo-blue colour, which quickly tarnishes on exposure. Named after R. E. Alison.

Ali-trunck, Alitruncus. In Entomology, the posterior segment of the thorax of an insect to which the abdomen is affixed, and which bears the legs, properly so called, or the two posterior pairs, and the wings.

Alizarine. From Ali-zari, the commercial name of madder in the Levant; a peculiar colouring principle obtained from madder.

Alkahest. A term of Arabic origin, applied by the alchemists to a supposed universal solvent.

Alkali, or Alcali. Derived from the

ALKALI, FOSSIL

ALLANTOIS

Strychnia.
Thebaia and Narceia
Veratria.

Arabic article al, and kali, the name of a plant Narcotina
the same language. A term originally applied Nicotina .
to the ashes of plants, now generally used to Pierotoxia
designate potash, soda, and ammonia, which Quinia
are also termed vegetable, mineral, and volatile Sanguinaria
alkali. These substances have certain properties Solania
in common, such as neutralising and forming
salts with the acids, reddening several vegetable
yellows, and changing some blues to green, and
ready solubility in water. Lime, baryta, strontia,
and magnesia, have been called alkaline earths,
from their analogous action on vegetable
colours. Lithia is also one of the alkalis. A
singular class of bodies have been discovered in
vegetables, which have been termed alkaloids,
chiefly in consequence of their power of satu-
rating and forming definite salts with the acids.
Morphia, quinia, &c., are substances of this de-
scription.

Alkali, Fossil or Mineral. [SODA.]
Alkali, Phlogisticated. [FERROCYANIDE
OF POTASSIUM.]

Alkali, Vegetable. [POTASH.]
Alkali, Volatile. [AMMONIA.]
Alkalimetry. The process of measuring
or estimating the amount of alkali in a specimen
of carbonate or caustic potash, or soda, of
unknown strength. It is generally accomplished
by exactly neutralising such a quantity of pure
and dry carbonate of soda as contains exactly
one hundred grains of real alkali, with diluted
oil of vitriol. A volume of the acid, equal to
that used in the experiment, is then farther
diluted till it fills a tall narrow glass cylinder
divided into one hundred parts. A large quan-
tity of acid being thus prepared, one part or
measure of which is equal to one grain of real
alkali, it follows that the number of measures
of acid used in exactly neutralising one hun-
dred grains of impure carbonate of soda will
be the number of grains of real alkali in that
crude specimen. The standard acid once pre-
pared, this process of determining percentage
values is a very ready one.

Alkaloids. Substances analogous to alkaline bases, but of vegetable origin, and generally possessed of great medicinal activity. Their ultimate elements are carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, and nitrogen. The principal substances of this class, together with the plants from which they are obtained, are the following:

Aconita
Aricina

Atropia

Brucia

Cinchonia
Codeia

Conia
Corydalia

Cynapia
Daturia
Delphia
Digitalia
Emetina
Hyoscyamia
Meconia
Morphia

Aconitum napellus

A bark from Arica
Atropa belladonna
Strychnos nux vomica
Cinchona lancifolia

. Opium

Conium maculatum

Corydalis tuberosa

Ethusa cynapium

Datura stramonium

Delphinium staphisagria

Digitalis purpurea Cephaelis ipecacuanha . Hyoscyamus niger

Opium
Opium

59

Opium

Nicotiana tabacum
Menispermum cocculus
Cinchona cordifolia

Sanguinaria canadensis
Solanum nigrum
Strychnos nux vomica
Veratrum sabadilla.
Opium
Alkanet (a corruption of the French orcan..
nette). A reddish-purple dye, obtained from
the roots of Anchusa tinctoria. The root of
this plant, which is a native of the warmer
parts of Europe, contains a red resinous colour-
ing matter which it imparts to alcohol and oils:
it is used to tinge some ointments, especially
lip-salves, of a red colour.

Alkarsine. A compound of carbon, hydro-
gen, oxygen, and arsenic; it was formerly
called Cadet's fuming liquor of arsenic; it is
[KAKODYLE.]
the oxide of kakodyle of modern chemistry.

An old pharmaceutical pre-
Alkermes.
paration coloured with kermes, resembling the
A preparation of antimony used
modern aromatic confection.
Alkool.
by the women of eastern nations to tinge the
eyelids and lashes of a black colour. Dr. Shaw,
speaking of the women in Barbary, says, 'None
of these consider themselves dressed till they
have tinged the edges of their eyelids with
alkool.'

Alla Breve (Ital. according to the breve). In Music, the name of a movement each of whose bars or measures consists of the note called a breve, equal therefore to two semibreves or four minims. It is denoted at the beginning of a staff by a C with a bar drawn through it vertically: thus, C.

Alla Capella (Ital.). In Music, the same as ALLA BREVE. The name originates in the circumstance of this time having been princichurch or chapel. pally employed for movements used in the

Allagite (Gr. årλayh, change). A variety of Rhodonite, of a greenish-grey colour, verging upon black, found in the vicinity of Rubeland in the Harz. The name is in allusion to the change of colour which it undergoes on exposure.

Allah. The Arabic name of the Supreme Being. It signifies the True God, as opposed to the deities of idolaters.

Allantoic Acid.

A white crystallizable

acid, obtained by evaporating the allantoic liquid of the foetal calf.

Allantoine.

The substance originally It has been produced termed Allantoic acid. artificially by the action of peroxide of lead on uric acid its formula is C,H,O,N.

Allantois (Gr. àλλâs, a sausage, and elños, form). A thin membranous sac developed from the termination of the alimentary canal

ALLANTURIC ACID

of the embryo, situated between the amnion and chorion, and organised by the hypogastric arteries and umbilical vein. Its function, as a temporary respiratory organ, is of most importance in those oviparous Vertebrates where the embryo has no branchiæ; in the Mammalia, its use is more or less superseded by the chorion and placenta. In some quadrupeds the allantois has the form of a sausage; whence its

name.

Allanturic Acid. A product of the action of heat on allantoin.

ALLIANCE

states-love, loyalty to the emperor, &c. &c.; then their poems, considered with reference to this occult sense, must be regarded as specimens not of allegory but of symbolical writing. But if, as in the more ordinary interpretation of Dante's poem, Satan represents the abstract idea of eternal misery, the beasts particular vices, &c., which in common acceptation are supposed to have some natural analogy with their representatives, the poem is in this respect to be regarded as an allegory. Thus, also, critics have endeavoured to give a symAlleghanies. The part of the Appalachian bolical sense to the sixth book of Virgil's chain of Eastern North America which crosses Eneid; while, independently of that sense, if it Virginia and Pennsylvania. The chain is 150 really exist, there is an obvious allegorical miles long, and includes several very narrow meaning running through the whole. (In ridges of moderate elevation between which are ancient criticism, however, the words allegory narrow valleys. The parallelism of the ridges and symbol were not so accurately distinand valleys is very remarkable and character-guished; and in our translation of the Bible, istic. [APPALACHIAN CHAIN.] St. Paul is made to use the word allegory in the clear sense of type, Gal. iv. 24.) Allegory differs, 2, from parable, only inasmuch as the latter is a species of the former; a parable being a short sententious allegorical narration. And, 3, it is different from metaphor, being in effect a chain of metaphors, or a single metaphor continued and wrought out into a lengthened discourse. 4. Fables may also be mentioned as a species of allegory. [FABLE.] An allegory, or allegorical tale, in the somewhat narrower sense in which the term is used in literature, is generally a tale in which abstract ideas are personified: such (to cite one of the earliest instances of this species of composition) as the Choice of Hercules, between virtue and vice, in the shape of two females: an allegory which descends to us from the Athenian sophist Prodicus. Entire poems are sometimes strictly allegorical, as that of Spenser; or entire narratives, as Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress; in which case it requires consummate art to keep up the propriety of the allegory, which is in fact a compound of two opposite, and sometimes scarcely compatible, qualities - consistency running through its several incidents, when considered merely as a narrative and without reference to the ulterior meaning, and consistency of analogy between the thing represented and the thing indicated.

Allegiance (Fr. allégeance, from the Latin alligare, to bind). The obedience which a citizen owes to his prince or country. The allegiance of a born subject of the English crown is inseparable, and follows him everywhere: nor can he by any act of his own free himself from it. There is also a temporary allegiance, which foreigners incur so long as they reside within the king's dominions. By common law, all persons above the age of twelve years were required to take the oath of allegiance at the court leet; and the oaths of allegiance and supremacy have since been imposed by many statutes. The present form of the oath of allegiance was introduced by the Convention Parliament of 1688. A single oath was substituted for those of allegiance, supremacy, and abjuration, in 1858, by 21 & 22 Vict. c. 48. The American laws require a foreigner to have renounced (as far as possible by his own act) allegiance to his former government two years before he takes the oath of allegiance to that of his acquired country.

Allegory (Gr. αλληγορία). In Rhetoric and Literature, has been defined, 'a figurative representation, in which the signs (words or forms) signify something beyond their literal or direct meaning.' In this sense allegory may be addressed to the eye, in painting and sculpture, by means of forms intended to convey, besides the notion of those sensible objects which they represent, certain abstract ideas to which these objects are supposed to bear analogy. Allegory differs, 1. from symbolical writing or representation; because in the first, the type and antitype, or thing exhibited and thing intended, have some real or natural resemblance, relation, or analogy: in the latter, the resemblance is merely conventional. Thus, to take an instance from modern literature: if it be true, as is now alleged, that the earlier Italian poets of the middle ages, and Dante in particular, attached a conventional meaning to certain ideas frequently recurring in their poems; as, for example, that Satan signified the papal power, the three beasts mentioned in the commencement of Dante's poem three

Allegretto, and Allegro (Ital. a little merry, and merry). In Music, the first term is a diminutive of the second, which, prefixed to a movement, signifies that it is to be performed in a brisk and lively manner; not, however, with hurry or precipitation. [TIME.]

Allemontite. A mineralogical synonym for the arsenical antimony found at Allemont in Dauphiny.

All-hallows. The old English name for All Saints' day (the 1st of November).

Alliaceous Plants. Plants which partake more or less of the qualities of garlic and onions; such as onions, shallots, rocambole, chives, leeks, garlic, &c.

Alliance. In Politics and International Law, a league between two or more friendly powers; which may be either offensive and

ALLIGATION

defensive, or defensive only. Of the former species is the alliance of 1813 against Napoleon, subsequently called the Holy Alliance; and that of 1854 between England, France, and Turkey, against Russia; of the latter, the Quadruple Alliance, concluded in 1833 between England, France, Spain, and Portugal. Alliances are divided by publicists into three classes: 1. Those in which the allied parties agree to prosecute a war with their whole force. 2. Alliances in which auxiliary states pledge themselves to grant to a principal state a fixed contingent of men, money, &c. 3. Such as are constituted by treaties to furnish troops for stated subsidies, to make advances of money, &c.

ALLOPATHY

which the celebrated Vision of Piers Ploughman
is the most remarkable. The use of it did not
wholly disappear until the middle of the 16th
century.

Allituric Acid. One of the bodies formed
A genus of Liliaceous
Allium (Lat.)
when alloxan is boiled with hydrochloric acid.
plants, consisting for the most part of bulbous-
stemmed species, and including the onion, A.
cepa, leek, A. Porrum, garlic, A. sativum, shallot,
A. ascalonicum, chives, A. Schanoprasum, and
other onion-flavoured plants cultivated as con-
diments. It comprises numerous species, some
of which are sufficiently ornamental to be cul-
may be known amongst Endogenous plants by
tivated for the sake of their flowers. They
Of the species employed in
their odour.
medicine, the leek, the onion, and the garlic,
the latter is the most active, as it is the most
strongly flavoured.

Allocation. In Law, the allowance of an
account in the Exchequer. The writ de al-
locatione facienda is for allowing an accountant
sums expended by him in his office. The
certificate of allowance of costs of taxation
granted by the master, prothonotary, or other
officer of court, is termed in practice an allo-
catur.

Allochroite. A massive variety of Irongarnet, which derives its name (Gr. &λλOS, another, xpola, colour) from the various colours it exhibits when melted before the blowpipe with phosphate of soda.

Allocution (Lat. adlocutio). A name given cardinals. to certain addresses made by the pope to the

Alligation (Lat. alligatio, from alligo, I bind together). A rule of Arithmetic, for the solution of questions concerning the compounding or mixing together of different ingredients, or ingredients of different qualities. There are two cases, one of which is alligation medial, and To the first the other alligation alternate. case belongs a question of this sort: Suppose 4 gallons of wine, at 12s. per gallon, to be mixed with 6 gallons at 17s. per gallon, what is the worth of a gallon of the mixture? But if it were asked, in what proportions wines, at 178. and at 12s. per gallon respectively, must be mixed in order that the value of a gallon of the mixture may be 15s., the question would belong to alligation alternate. Questions of this kind are most easily resolved by algebra; they belong, in fact, to a class of indeterminate problems, admitting in general of an indefinite number of solutions. [INDETERMINATE ANALYSIS.] Alligator (a corruption of the Portuguese word 'lagarto,' which is derived from lacerta, a lizard). In modern Zoology, the term is limited to those species of crocodile which have a wide obtuse muzzle, unequal teeth, the fourth pair of which, counting backwards in the lower jaw, pass into corresponding cavities in the upper jaw, where their points are concealed when the mouth is closed. In the true crocodiles, the corresponding teeth pass into open grooves in the margin of the upper jaw, and are consequently exposed. In the alligators the head is less oblong, its length being generally to 2: the teeth are more to its breadth as numerous than in the crocodiles, sometimes Constancy of crystalline amounting to twenty-two in the lower jaw, and to twenty in the upper. The hind legs and feet are rounded, and have neither crests nor form under variation in proportion of the condentations; the interspaces of the toes are only stituents of a crystalline compound. Thus, an occupied for half their extent by a short mem-alloy of zinc and antimony containing 36 per The alligators, so far as is yet known, cent. of the latter metal crystallizes in needles which do not vary in angular measurement brane. are peculiar to the New World. though the antimony be increased 20 per cent.

Alliteration.

In Composition, the frequent recurrence of the same letter, chiefly at the commencement of different words. This is sometimes resorted to, especially in poetry, for the production of effect. In the Celtic languages, alliteration was a recognised ornament in versification: it was so likewise in the early Gothic tongues; and in old English there are entire poems composed in alliterative metre, of

61

Allodium. In Feudal Law, a word of uncertain derivation (see Wedgwood's Dictionary of English Etymology, s. v.; Hallam's Middle Ages, ch. ii. part i. note h). Land held by an individual in his own absolute right, discharged No allodial property can of all feudal obligation; opposed, therefore, to fee, fief, or feud. exist in England, where the king, in the eye of the law, is lord paramount of all lands and hereditaments. In ancient France the rule was, 'nulle terre sans seigneur,' and the presumption was in some parts of that country In Germany, on the always in favour of a fief, unless the land were shown to be allodial. contrary, the legal presumption was in favour of the allodium.

Allomerism.

Allomorphite (Gr. &λλos, other, and μopph, form). A variety of sulphate of baryta found in scaly masses near Rudoldstadt, in Schwarzburg.

Allopathy (Gr. &λλos, different, and ráðos, disease). A term recently invented to describe the ordinary system of medical practice in opposition to Homeopathy [which see].

Allophane (Gr. àλλopavýs, from Aλos, indicating that in some cases they have exother, and paivoμai, to seem). A hydrated sili-panded, and in others contracted. Their fusion cate of alumina, composed of 24-22 per cent. point may also be greater or less than that of of silica, 40-39 alumina, and 35-39 water. It their mean composition; and it is at all times usually occurs lining small cavities and forming difficult to secure a mass which is of the same veins in marl or chalk; sometimes in little reni- composition throughout. Some of the alloys form masses with a resinous or waxy lustre, and are crystallizable, and are probably definite of a pale blue colour, but occasionally green, or atomic. brown, yellow, or colourless; translucent, and very brittle. It is found in the chalk-pits at New Charlton, near Woolwich, and abundantly in the chalk of Beauvais, in France; also in Saxony, Moravia, Bohemia, &c. The name has reference to its change of appearance before the blowpipe.