Species

(spe'-shiz). I. That which may be distinguished by its characteristics. Also, in biology, a group of things having a number of common characteristics; one of the constituent groups of a genus. " The smallest group to which distinctive and invariable characters can be a igned." (Huxley.) "An a emblage of individuals which differ from each other by very small or trifling and inconstant characters, of much le value than those in which they differ from any other a emblage of individuals." (J. L. Le Conte.) 2. A name in German and French •pharmacy, and in the National Formulary, for certain mixtures of herbs, used in making decoctions and infusions. S. -cycle, in biology, the entire series of forms exhibiting or illustrating all the phases in the life-history of a species. S. emollientes, a mixture of the leaves of althea and mallow, of the leaves and branches of the melilot, of matric aria and flaxseed, in equal parts; used as an emollient cataplasm; it is official in Germany and is given in the National Formulary. S. laxantes. See Saint Germain Tea. S., Morphologic, one of " such living beings as constantly resemble one another so closely that it is impo ible to draw any line of demarcation between them, while they differ only in such characters as are a ociated with sex." (Huxley.) S., Nascent, an incipient species; a form undergoing modification. S., Origin of, a term employed by naturalists to denote the evolution of differentiated groups or species from groups of individuals characterized by general similarity or by homogeneity of structure. S. pectoral is. See Breast-tea, German.