diaspore

[Gr. diaspora a scattering; dia speiro to scatter; in allusion to the usual decrepitation before the blow-pipe.] Min .: An orthorhombic, ma ive, or sometimes stalactitic mineral of various colors, white to violet or plum-blue. It is very brittle and sub translucent or translucent when thin. In a closed tube it decrepitates strongly, separating into pearly white scales. It is commonly found with corundum or emery in dolomite, chlorite schist, and other crystalline rocks. It occurs in the Urals, Switzerland, Asia Minor, and elsewhere. Hardne , 6.5-7; specific gravity 3-3-35. ( Dana . ) [Gr. diastaltikos = able to *di-a-stal-tic, a. distinguish.] Music : Dilated or extended; a term applied in Greek music to certain intervals, as a major third, major sixth , or major seventh. di'-a-stāşe, *di-as-tā-sis, s . [Gr. a separation: dia between, apart, and stasis a standing, a position; sta , root of histēmi =to stand.] 1. Surg . ( of the form diastasis): A forcible separation of two bones previously in contact, or of the pieces of a fractured bone. 2. Chem. ( of the form diastase): A peculiar nitrog enous substance produced during the malting of grain. Its effect is to act upon the starch of the grain, converting part of it into sugar and rendering it soluble.