Centuries of Magdeburg

(Eccl. Hist.) The publication of a history, arranged in 13 centuries, was drawn up at Magdeburg, in 1552, to show the agreement of the to write.] ( Anat .) A description of the head. Ceph'aloid, a . [Gr. kephale , and eidos , form.] Shaped like the head. Cephalology, n. [Gr. kephalē , and logos , a discourse.] ( Anat .) A treatise on the head. Cephalonia, ( sef-a-lo'ne-d,) an island in the Mediterranean, and the largest of those composing the former Ionian Republic , now forming part of the kingdom of Greece, near the W. coast of Greece, opposite the Gulf of Patras, between Lat. 38° 3′ and 38° 29′ N., and Lon. 20° 21' and 20° 49′ E.; 8 m. N. of Zante, 5 S. of Santa Maura, and 64 S.S. E. of Corfu. Length, N.N.W. to S.S.E., 32 m.; breadth very unequal. Area , 311 sq. m. Sur face. Generally mountainous and barren. Soil , comparatively scanty and poor. Clim . Mild; but violent storms and earthquakes are frequent. Prod . Wheat, maize, pulse, currants, olive oil, wine, cotton, flax, and salt. Chief Towns . Argostoli (the cap.), and Lixuri. Рор . 75,000.- See IONIAN ISLANDS. Cephalopod a, CEPHALOPODS, n. pl. [Gr. kephalē , head, pous , foot.] ( Zool . ) A cla of molluscous animals characterized by the po e ion of locomotive organs around the head, in the shape of prolonged tentacula, which project forward and more or le conceal the mouth (see Fig. 185). In the whole range of molluscous animals the C. are the most highly organized, presenting undoubted rudiments of an internal skeleton, and containing secretive, digestive, respiratory, and generative organs. The C. are marine, and are remarkable for a peculiar and intensely black fluid, which they secrete, and which, when apprehending danger, they eject into the water, thus discoloring it, and enabling the animals to conceal themselves. They are separated into the two orders DIB RANCH I AT A and TETRA BRANCH I AT A, q . v. Cephalopod'ic, Cephalop'odous, a. Pertaining to the cephalopods. Ceph'alo-tho'rax, n. [Gr. kephale , and thōraz , q. v.] ( Zool .) The first segment of the Arachnid a and Crustacea, consisting of the united head and thorax. Cep halo tribe, n. [Gr. kephalē , and tribe in , to crush.] (Surg.) An obstetrical instrument used for facilitating delivery, by crushing the head of the child in the womb. Ceph'alous, a. That has a head. Ceph'alus. ( Myth .) Son of Deioneus, king of The aly, and husband of Procris, an A then i an prince . Aurora became enamored of him, but he remained faithful to his wife. Aurora, however, with a view of estranging his affections from Procris, wished him to prove his wife's fidelity. Disguised as a merchant, he entered his own house, and Procris's virtue was not proof against the riches he offered her. He then drove her from his door; but a reconciliation was soon effected between them. Finally, Cephalus, while hunting, accidentally pierced her with his spear; and, in despair at her death, killed himself with the same weapon. Ce'pheus. ( Astron .) A northern constellation, midway between the Polar star and Cygnus. It contains 35 stars, of which the principal is Alder am in, of the third magnitude. Cephi's us, CEPHISSUS, a celebrated river of Greece, rising at Lilæa, in Phocis, and which, after pa ing to the N. of Delphi and Mount Parna us, entered Bœotia, where it flowed into the lake Copais. The Graces loved this river, and were called the godde es of the Cepbisus. Modern travellers describe it as winding its way through olive groves in several streamlets. There was another river of the same name in Attica, and one also in Argolis. Cepo'la, n. ( Zool .) A genus of fishes, the BAND-FISH, q. v. Cera'ceo us, a . [From Lat. cera , wax.] Wax-like; partaking of the nature or quality of wax. Cera'go, n. [Lat. cera , wax.] A substance serving as food for bees, derived from the pollen of flowers. Cera'loo, in Mi i ippi , a post-village of Carroll co., 80 m. W. by S. of Columbus. Ce'ram, a considerable island of the E. Archipelago (3d division), chiefly between Lat. 3o and 4° S., and Lon. 1280 and 1316 E.; length, E. and W., about 185 m., by 30 average breadth; area, 5,500 sq. m. A mountain-chain runs E. and W. through the centre of the island, the highest peak of which is apparently about 7,000 feet above sea level. This island is chiefly noticeable for its large forests of sago-palm, and its fine woods for cabinet-work. The shores of C. abound with rare and beautiful shells; and its interior is peopled by the Hora for as tribes, whose numbers are unknown. Ceram'byx, n . Ceramby'cidæ, n . pl . (Zool.) The Capricorn-beetle, a genus and family of coleopterous insects, comprising beetles which have the antennæ very long, tapering, and generally curved, like the horns of a goat. When caught, they make a squealing noise by rubbing the joints of the thorax and abdomen together. In the larva state they are the most destructive of all wood-eating insects, and are known as borers. The Cerambycidæ form a section of the Longicorn is of Latreille. Cer'amen, n. ( Physiol .) A waxy exudation from the ears, thrown out for the double purpose of keeping the external cavity or pa age of that organ in a state favorable to healthy hearing, and to exclude insects from invading the channel by its rank and acrid taste. Ceramia'ceæ, n . pl . ( Bot . ) An order of plants, alliance Algales . DIAG. Cellular or tubular unsymmetrical bodies, multiplied by tetraspores. They are sea-weeds of a rose or purplish color; their cells long and tubular, sometimes arranged in a single row, sometimes disposed in several parallel rows, and of equal length, forming an articulated frond. 662 species have been described, and form 88 genera. Ceram'ic, a. [Gr. keramikós .] Pertaining to, or having the nature of, pottery or porcelain; as, the ceramic art. Ceramics, n. sing . A word used in the arts, to expre all the varieties of the potter's trade, which have been burnt or roasted in a kiln. These productions are of great beauty and delicacy, and they often display the highest artistic talent. See POTTERY. Cera's ium, n. (Chem.) See GUM-TRAGACANTH. Ceras'tes, n. [Gr. kerastes , horn.] ( Zool .) A genue of serpents of the Viperidæ family, distinguished by two small protuberances on the forehead. They are exclu sively African, and very numerous. The best known species is the horned viper. IMG:content-0113.png:[graphic] Cerastium, n. [From Gr. keras , a horn, from the resemblance of the capsules of some of the species.] ( Bot . ) A genus of plants, order Caryophyllacea. Their distinctive characters are: calyx, of 5 ovate, acute sepals; corolla of 5 bifid petals; stamens 10, sometimes 5 or 4, the alternates are shorter; styles 5; capsules superior, cylindrical; seeds numerous. The Mouse-ear Chick weed (C. vulgatum ), Sticky Chickweed ( C. viscosum ), and Field Chickweed (C. arvense) are found in fields in the U.S. Cerasus, n. ( Bot .) A gen. of trees, ord. Drupaceӕ . Several species or varieties of this genus produce the very well-known fruits called cherries. The varieties usually cultivated in gardens are supposed to have been derived originally from 2 wild species, C. avium , and C. vulgar is , (of which 125 varieties are published in American catalogues.) Both have white flowers in clusters or nearly se ile umbels. The timber of C. avium is valuable for the purposes of the cabinet-maker, turner, and musical-instrument maker; the straight small branches are used as a substitute for tea. The leaves of C. capricida contain so much hydrocyanic (pru ic) acid as to prove poisonous to cattle that feed upon them. Most parts of the species C. Lauro-cerasus, the Cherry-laurel, but especially the leaves and seeds, are poisonous. The poisonous effects are supposed to be owing to a volatile oil containing hydrocyanic acid. Even when bruised, the leaves evolve a vapor which is destructible to insect life; hence some gardeners make use of these leaves for killing blight. Cherry-laurel water, obtained by distilling the leaves with water, is used medicinally for similar purposes as hydrocyanic acid. The plant is com- Fig . 556. -AMERICAN BLACK-CHERRY, mon in gardens, ( Cerasus serotina .) and is popularly known as the "laurel," though it is not a member of the true laurel family. The kernels of the species C. occidental is , a native of the West Indies, and others, are used for the purpose of flavoring liqueurs, such as Cherry-brandy, Kirs chen was ser, Maraschino, and Noyau. The species C. pad us , or Bird-cherry, has similar properties, though le powerful, to those of the cherry-laurel. C. Virgin i an a, the Choke-cherry, has astringent and febrifugal properties. C. serotina , the Wild or black cherry of our W. States, is a beautiful and useful tree. The cherries are sometimes eaten, but are not very palatable. The wood is esteemed by cabinetmakers, having a close grain, and taking a very high polish. The inner bark forms a tonic and sedative drug which has been extensively prescribed in the U. States, and begins to receive the attention of European practitioners. It is used as a tonic instead of cinchona, and as a sedative for the alleviation of general and local irritation. It is taken from any part of the tree, but preferably from the root. It has a lively cinnamon color, and, when fresh, a characteristic odor, like that of bitter almonds. C. Pennsylvanica is very common in woods from Canada to Virginia. It has a red, very acid fruit, is of rapid growth, and quickly succeeds a forest clearing if neglected. Ce'rate, n. [Lat. ceratum, wax.] ( Med .) An ointment generally compounded of wax, and oil or spermaceti. Ce'rated, a . Waxed; covered with wax. Cerato'nia, n. ( Bot .) A gen. of plants, ord. Fabiacea . The most important species is C. ciliqua , the ALGAROBA BEAN, q. v. Ceratophylla'ceæ, n . pl. ( Bot .) An order of plants, alliance Urtica les . DIAG. Solitary, suspended ovule, and horned exalbuminous embryo with a superior radicle. There is but one gen., Ceratophyllum , the Horn-wort, the species of which are aquatic herbs, with verticillate leaves and minute monœcio us flowers, natives of the northern hemisphere. Their properties and uses are unknown. Cerau'nics, n . pl . [Gr. keraunós , thunder and lightning.] That branch of physics which treats of heat and electricity. Cerbe'rean, a . Pertaining, or relating, to Cerberus. Cerberus, n. [Gr. Kerberos .] ( Myth .) The three-headed dog which guards the entrance of the kingdom of Hades and Perse phone. Orpheus, when he descended into the infernal regions in search of Eurydice, lulled him to sleep with his lyre; and Hercules dragged him from the gate of Hades, when he went to redeem Alceste. The fellow-monster of C. was Orthros . The names of these dogs appear in the Vedic poems under the forms of Sar vara and Vritra , the two dogs of Yama. Cercop'idæ, n. pl . ( Zool .) An extensive family of Homopterous insects. One of the best known species is the Frog-hopper, or Cuckoo-spit, A. spumaria, a small but singular animal. They pa all their lives on plants, on the stems of which their eggs are laid in the autumn. The following summer they are hatched, and the young immediately perforate the bark with their beaks, and begin to imbibe their sap. Of this they take such quantities, that it oozes out of their bodies continually, in the form of little bubbles, which soon completely envelop the insects. They thus remain entirely buried and concealed in large ma es of foam, until they have completed their final transformation. When the pur, which is of a beautiful green color, is about to undergo its change into the complete insect, it ceases to absorb any longer the juices of the plant, and to discharge the projecting froth. It then emerges from its concealment. The winged insect is scarcely larger than the larva; but its color is brown, with a pair of broad, irregular, pale bands acro the upper wings. Cer'dic, a Saxon chief, who, in the first year of the 6th century, invaded England, and, after an obstinate resistance from the Britons, sustaining many defeats, yet winning more victories, established, about 516, the kingdom of We ex. Cere, (sēr,) n. [Lat. cera , wax.] ( Zool . ) The naked waxlike skin that covers the base of the bill in some birds, as in those of the hawk tr be. -v. a. To wax, or cover with wax. Cere, (St.,) ( ser ,) a town of France, dep. Lot, 35 m. N. E. of Cahors; pop . 5,082. Ce'real, a . [Lat. cereal is , from Ceres .] Relating to Ceres, the fabled godde of corn; hence, pertaining to edible grain, as wheat, rye, barley, . Ce'real, n . ( Agric .) Any edible grain, so called from CERES, q. v.