Climate

(klimat.) [From Gr. klima, the slope of the earth from the equator toward the pole.] In a popular sense the term C. is given to any country or region differing from another in the temperature of the air, or with respect to the seasons, without any regard to the length of the days, or to geographical position: thus we say, a warm or a cold climate, a genial climate, an unhealthy climate, . C. depends chiefly on distance from the equator, and height above the level of the sea; but the effect of these is greatly modified by other circumstances, such as the configuration and extent of the country, its inclination and exposure, the directions of the chains of mountains by which it is intersected, or which are in its neighborhood, the nature of its soil with reference to radiation and evaporation, its distance from the sea, the action of winds having the temperature of different latitudes, the quantity of forest land, and the degree of cultivation. Climax, (klimaks.) [Gr., a ladder.] (Rhet.) A figure consisting of an a emblage of particulars, rising, as it were, step by step. The word is sometimes erroneously employed instead of acme, the highest step of the climax.-Anti-climax is the converse or descending figure. Climber, (klīm'r.) [From A.S. cl iman.) (Bot.) A parasitic plant, or one which climbs or rises by means of some base of support. Climb'ers. (Zool.) Same as SCAN SORES, q. v. Climbing Perch. (Zool.) See LABYRINTHIC I. Clinantheum, (klin-an'the-um.) [From Gr. klinē, a bed, and anthos, a flower.] (Bot.) The dilated apex of a flowering branch covered over by small flowers within an involucre, and thus forming the receptacle of a composite plant. Clinch, (klinsh.) [From Du. klink, a latch.] (Naut.) On shipboard, a large ring attached to the mooring chain; also, a half-hitch of rope made secure to its own part. Clinch, (klinsh,) in Georgia, a S. co., b. on Florida. Area, abt. 1,100 sq. m.; C. Magnolia. Pop. 3,945. Clinens, (klin'e-as,) two worthies of antiquity: one was the father of Alcibiades, killed in the battle ofCoronæa, 447 B. c.; the other, a philosopher of the Pythagorean school, was the friend and contemporary of Plato. Clingman's Peak, (kling'manz,) in North Carolina, the highest summit of the Black Mountains, being 6,941ft. above sea-level, and the highest point E. of the Mi i ippi. Clin'ic, Clinical, (klinik-l.) [From Gr. klinē, a couch.] (Med.) C. medicine is the practice of medicine on those in hospital or in béd. The word clinic is used substantively (Fr. clinique), as applying to a school in which medicine is taught by examining diseases with the patients in person before the cla . Clinker, (klinkr.) [From Swed. kl ing a. ] (Min.) Black oxide of iron, falling in scales from incandescent iron while in proce of forging. Also, the term is commonly applied to the slag of iron which accumulates in stoves, furnaces, ., from the vitrification of the silica and iron present in the coal. Clink'-stone. (Min.) A grayish-green vartiey of felspathic rock, common to volcanic soils. Clino-diagonal, (kli-no-di-ag'o-nal.) [Gr. kline in, to slope, and Eng. diagonal.] (Crystal log.) In a monoclinic crystal, the lateral axis which forms an oblique angle with the vertical axis. Clinodome, (klin'o-dōm.) [Gr. klincin, and Eng. dome.) (Crystal log.) Adome or prism of horizontal form, forming a parallel with the clino-diagonal. Proce es, (klī'noid.) [From Gr. klině, a couch, and eidos, shape.] (Anat.) The name of four proce es at the upper surface of the spheroid bone, which have been compared to the posts of a bed. On them the pituitary gland rests. (klī-nom'e-těr.) [Gr. klinē, bed, and metron, measure.] An instrument employed by geologists and miners for ascertaining the strike and angle of dip of stratified rocks. DE WITT, (klīn'tun,) an American statesman, B. in Orange co., N. Y., 1769, after completing his education at Columbia Coll., was admitted to the bar in 1788, sent to the lower house of the legislature of New York in 1797, and in the year following to the senate. In 1802, he was elected to a seat in the Senate of the U. S., which he resigned in 1803 to fill the mayoralty of New York city, a position he held for some years with two intervals. He was also lieut.-gov. of the State from 1811 to 1813. In 1812, he was a candidate for the presidency of the U. S., but was defeated by Mr. Madison. As the promoter of the Erie Canal he rendered inestimable benefits to his State, which elected him its governor in 1816. D. 1828. GEORGE, an American general and statesman, cousin of the preceding, was B. in Ulster co., N. Y., in 1739. He was elected to the continental congre in 1775, voted for the Declaration of Independence, was appointed brigadier-general of the U. S. in 1777, and also chosen governor of the State of New York, which latter office, by 6 succe ive elections, he held for 18 years. He rendered important services during the war of independence, and was elected vice-president of the U. States in 1804. In 1808, he was an unsucce ful candidate for the office of chief magistrate, but succeeded, however, in retaining the vice-presidency. D. 1812. [s. 197]