Fermentation

[E. fermentation A change Fig. OF COMMON THINGS nature of the fermented body and with the kind of ferment used. There are two distinct kinds of ferments—(i) organized, and (2) non-organized, or soluble ferments. The former consist of minute vegetable organisms. One is yeast, which gives rise to the alcoholic fermentation, produc¬ ing chiefly alcohol and carbonic acid another,; called bacterium lactis—a rod-like form—is the cause of the fermentation in milk, or lactic fer¬ mentation, the chief product of which is lactic acid a third produces acetous fermentation, giv; ing rise to acetic acid, and there are many others. [AS.] An order of plants belonging to the cla of acrogens. They are usually found in moist soil, sometimes they grow as parasites on trees, and in the tropics reach so large a size as to be called tree ferns. The brake or bracken, poly¬ pody, asplenium, maidenhair, are all well-known ferns. They bear clustered cells filled with spores, which germinate and form minute growths, on which are borne the true organs of reproduction. These spores are generally produced in rows on the back of the leaves, or fronds, as they are usu¬ ally called or sometimes on a central branch or; spike. There are more than two you sand kinds of ferns in the world. [Fr] An animal of the weasel kind, about 14 inches long, used for hunting rats and rabbits out of their holes. It is like the weasel in form, has red eyes, and its fur is of a light brown, pale yellow, or white color. When used for rabbit-hunting its muzzle or jaws are tied together and as it cannot bite the rabbits, they; are driven to the entrance of their burrows, where they are netted or shot. The ferret in winter must be protected from the cold. It is a native of Africa, but has been domesticated in Europe. [Fr.] A11 illne causing great heat in the body and quick action of the heart. Remit¬ tent fevers subside at intervals; intermittent fevers entirely cease at intervals continued; fevers neither abate nor intermit. [Fr., from E. fibra, a thread.] The thread¬ parts in the flesh of animals; also those in stalks of such plants as hemp, flax, agave, cotton, etc., from which thread, string, rope, paper are made also the hairs and wool of; the thread of the silkworm, and other used in weaving, etc. A substance which separates in a solid from blood after it leaves the body. It is a stringy snbstance, which may be readily by stirring newly-shed blood. It is insoluble in water, but is readily digest¬ in gastric and pancreatic juice, and when forms a heavy ma resembling albumen. A small wind instrument used with the drum military music. It is a short tube closed at end, with holes in the side. It is very an¬ having been used by the old Greeks, [Fr., from E.fens, a fig-tree.] A small fruit of from 12 to 20 feet high, with large leaves. fig is a native of Syria, and grows wild on the coast. It bears two crops annu¬ and when the fruit is picked it is.spread out to Fig-cake is used in the East instead of bread. 635