araucaria

[From the Chilian name This again is called after the Araucarian tribe of Indians, or their country, Araucaria, which is between the Andes and the Pacific Ocean, about 37° S. lat., and nominally constitutes part of Chili, but is really independent.] Bot. A genus of plants belonging to the order Pinaceæ (Conifers) and the family or section Abietinæ. The inflorescence is terminal; the male flowers in cylindrical spikes; and the fruit succeeding the female ones large and globular; each scale, if not abortive, bearing a single seed. The branches are verticillate and spreading, with stiff pointed leaves. Five or six species are known; all from the Southern hemisphere. The one so common in English gardens is A. imbricata , a native of the mountainous parts of Southern Chili. It is of hardy constitution, scarcely requiring protection, except in very severe weather. Another species, A. excels a , or Norfolk Island Pine, is a splendid tree of giant IMG:content-0690.jpg:[blocks in formation] * a-rā'y, v. & s. [ARRAY.] *a-rā'ye (pret. & pa. par. a-rā'id), v.h [ARRAY.] To trouble, to afflict. "The blak knycht than on to hyme-self he said: Remembir the, how y how haith ben araid ." Lance lot of the Lake (ed. Skeat), iii., 3,269-70. a-rā'yne, pa . par . [ARRAY, v .] ( Scotch .) *ar-bal-est, * ar-bal-ist, * ar-bal-ět, * ar-blast, * ar-cu-bal-ist, * ar-cubal-is-ta, s. [In Fr. arbalète ; O. Fr. arba leste; Port. arbalist a ; Lat. arcuballista , from arcus a bow, and ballesta , balista = a military engine for hurling stones and other mi iles. Gr. βάλλω ( ballō ) = to throw.] 1. A steel cro bow used in med iæval times. It was set in a wooden shaft, with a sling and ARBALEST AND ARROW. trigger bent with a piece of iron, fitted for the purpose, and used to throw bullets, large arrows, darts, and other mi iles. (James: Mil . Dict .) "It is reported by William Brito, that the arcu balista or arbulist was first shewed to the French by our king Richard the Fi First,.."-Camden. *2. A mathematical instrument, called also a Jacob's staff , formerly used to measure the height of stars above the horizon. (James: Mil . Dict .)