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The contractile membrane perforated by the pupil, and forming the colored portion of the eye. See Eye.

R. H. Dana, Jr. (c) (Naut.) A succession of short cracks in a defective spar. -- Jacob's membrane. See Retina. -- Jacob's staff. (a) A name given to many forms of staff or weapon, especially in the Middle Ages; a pilgrim's staff. [Obs.] Spenser. (b) (Surveying) See under Staff.

Producing horn; as, the keratogenous membrane within the horny hoof of the horse.

ulation of the body fluids, or the cavity or sac, usually of very small size, in a mucous membrane.

Having a leaflike membrane on the nose; -- said of certain bats, esp. of the genera Phyllostoma and Rhinonycteris. See Vampire.

cuum. Horse leech, a less powerful European leech (Hæmopis vorax), commonly attacking the membrane that lines the inside of the mouth and nostrils of animals that drink at pools where it lives.

Inflammation of the pia mater or of the arachnoid membrane.

e, yellowish, or greenish, viscid mucus, resulting from inflammation or irritation of the membrane lining the genital organs of the female; the whites. Dunglison.

Composing a ligament; of the nature of a ligament; binding; as, a strong ligamentous membrane.

llowed by more or less complete paralysis. The principal lesion is an inflammation of the membranes covering the brain and spinal cord.

ng India and Ceylon. It is remarkable for the enormous size and curious shape of the nose membrane and ears. -- Lyre turtle (Zoöl.), the leatherback.

The hymen, or virginal membrane.

t of the three small auditory bones, ossicles; the hammer. It is attached to the tympanic membrane by a long process, the handle or manubrium. See Illust. of Far.

The external fold, or folds, of the soft, exterior membrane of the body of a mollusk. It usually forms a cavity inclosing the gills. See Illusts. of Buccinum, and Byssus.

of ruminants; the omasum; the psalterium. So called from the numerous folds in its mucous membrane. See Illust of Ruminant.

Having or producing membranes.

Having the form of a membrane or of parchment.

The science which treats of membranes.

Pertaining to, consisting of, or resembling, membrane; as, a membranous covering or lining.

The three membranes that envelop the brain and spinal cord; the pia mater, dura mater, and arachnoid membrane.