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sterile plain, containing an excess of alkali, at the bottom of an undrained basin in an arid region; a playa.

Any one of various soils found in arid and semiarid regions, containing an unusual amount of soluble mineral salts which effloresce in the form of a powder or crust (usually white) in dry weather following rains or irrigation. The basis of these salts is mainly soda with a smaller amount of potash, and usually a little…

A fresh-water weed of the frog's-bit family (Hydrocharidaceæ), native to America. Transferred to England it became an obstruction to navigation. Called also waterweed and water thyme.

disease, usually accompanied by colicky pains and diarrhea, caused by the presence of ascarids in the gastrointestinal canal.

er serves for attachment. The interior is divided into four large compartments. See Lucernarida.

A hydroid of the family ampanularidæ, characterized by having the polyps or zooids inclosed in bell-shaped calicles or hydrothecæ.

profit, value, success, etc.; a discouragement or hindrance; objectionable feature. The avaridrawback from the wisdom ascribed to him. Hallam.

lly, such dryness of the weather as affects the earth, and prevents the growth of plants; aridity. The drought of March hath pierced to the root. Chaucer. In a drought the thirsty creatures cry. Dryden.

Characterized by drought; wanting rain; arid; adust. Droughty and parched countries. Ray.

Free from moisture; having little humidity or none; arid; not wet or moist; deficient in the natural or normal supply of moisture, as rain or fluid of any kind; -- said especially: (a) Of the weather: Free from rain or mist. The weather, we agreed, was too dry for the season. Addison.

Like, or pertaining to, the genus Eschara, or family Escharidæ.

Like or pertaining to the family Formicaridæ or ant thrushes.

an artificial coal-tar dyestuff, of a metallic green color superficially, resembling cantharides, but when dissolved forming a brilliant dark red. It consists of a hydrochloride or acetate of rosaniline. See Rosaniline.

small California bird (Chamæa fasciata) allied to the wrens and titmice. It inhibits the arid plains. Called also gronnd tit, and wren lit. -- To bite the ground, To break ground. See under Bite, Break. -- To come to the ground, To fall to the ground, to come to nothing; to fail; to miscarry. -- To gain ground. (a)…

y extension, any enzyme which splits cane sugar, milk sugar, lactose, etc., into monosaccharides.

Of or pertaining to the Gull family (Laridæ).

Like or belonging to the Gull family (Laridæ).

Any species of a family (Liparidæ) of destructive bombycid moths, as the tussock moths.

Of or pertaining to the Lucernarida. -- n.

ving short oval elytra; the oil beetles. These beetles are sometimes used instead of cantharides for raising blisters. See Oil beetle, under Oil.