MELANOSIS

(Gr. fjkiXoe.;.) A malignant disease, characterized by deposition of a black matter in various parts of the body. MELANTERITE, (Gr. /mXhh.) A mineralogical name of the native sulphate of iron. MELANTHACEiE. (Melanthiura, one of the genera.) An order of Endogenous plants, with a regular six-parted inferior perianth, and six stamens with the anthers looking outwards. The number of species included in it is inconsiderable; but among them are the Veratrum, or white hellebore, and Colchicum, or meadow saffron, the poisonous qualities of which indicate the general properties of the order. [s. 742]