Acontia, and Acontias

[Gr. akon, a dart.] ( Zool.) A genus of non-venomous ophidian reptiles, allied to the snakes proper ( anguis ), but destitute of the bony rud i. ments of the scapular and pelvic arches. They are known by the trivial name of Dart -snakes; are numerous in species, and distributed over the warmer and more arid parts of the old world. Their food consists of small worms, insects, and larvæ. They were the subject of fabulous accounts by the ancient naturalists and poets, who attributed to them the power of projecting themselves with so much force and velocity as to transfix the object aimed at. ( Astron .) A blazing star, shooting like an arrow. Acon'tius, a youth of the island of Cea, who went to Delos to see the sacred rites which were performed there by a crowd of virgins in the temple of Diana, and fell in ever, to ask her in marriage, on account of the meanne of his birth, he presented her with an apple, on which were inscribed these words: "I swear by Diana, AconTIUS shall be my husband." Cydippe read the words, and feeling herself compelled by the oath she had inadvertently taken, married Acontius. Acoo'no-coo no, a town and district of Africa, on the E. bank of the Old Calabar or Cro river; lat. 6° 29′ Ν., lon. 8° 27′ E. Pop. about 4,000. Acop'ic, a. [Gr. a, priv., and kopos, labor.] ( Med.) That which remedies wearine . A'cor, a . [From Lat. aceo , to be sour.] ( Med .) Acidity. It is sometimes used to expre that sourne in the stomach contracted by indigestion, and from whence flatulencies and acid belchings arise.