basification (ba"sifikashon)

[ Two extreme cases may therefore be distinguished in leaves, although closely connected by intermediate forms: the predominantly basifugal or apical, and the predominantly basal growth. Sachs , Botany (trans.), p. 138. IMG:content-1722.png:[merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small] Basilian summit, as in plants of the genus Cleome. Also called podogynium, or more frequently gупо phore (which see). basihyal (ba-si-hi'al), ), n. and a. [L. basis, a base, + hy ( oid ) + -al.] I. n. 1. In vertebrate an at., the distal bony element of the second postoral visceral arch, or hyoidean apparatus, represented in human anatomy by the so-called body of the hyoid bone, bearing two pairs of horns or cornua; in general, the basis or body proper of the hyoid arch; the basihyoid. See cut under skull.-2. In ichth., the segment of the branchiostegal arch next to the bas i branchial and urohyal. It is generally double, or composed of two pieces on each side. II. a . Relating to the basis or body of the hyoid bone or hyoid arch. basihyoid (bā-si-hioid), a. and n. [L. basis, a base, + E. hyoid.] I. a. Of or pertaining to the basihyal. : II. n. Same as basihyal . basil i (baz'il), n. [Early mod. E. also bazil , bas sel , basile , basile , mod. F. basilic = It. basilico , basilicum , basilicon (cf. L. ba silisca , a plant, also called regula , mentioned as an antidote for the bite of the basilisk: see basilisk), βασιλικός , royal, βασιλεύς , king, a word of unknown origin.) A name of several labiate plants, especially of the genus Ocymum. O. basilicum , a native of India, is much used in cookery, especially in France, and is known as sweet or common basil. Bush or le er basil is 0. minimum . The holy basil of India, O. sanctum , is considered sacred to Vishnu, and rosaries are made of its wood. For the wild, stone, or field basil of Europe, see basil - weed . In the United States the name is given to other aromatic labiates, especially to species of Pycnanthemum . The ancients had a curious notion relative to the plant basil (O. basilicum), viz., that there is a property in basil to propagate scorpions, and that by the smell thereof they are bred in the brains of men. Quoted in N. and Q., 1st ser., VIII. 40. He once called her his basil plant; and when she asked for an explanation, said that basil was a plant which had flourished wonderfully on a murdered man's brains. George Eliot , Middle march, Finale. Basil-oil, an aromatic oil obtained from the roots of the basil. McElrath .