Genus
a class, a kind, a species.
In logic, a class of objects containing several species; a class more extensive than a species; a universal which is predicable of several things of different species. In music, sort or class, especially used with reference to scales; as, the diatonic, chromatic, and enharmonic genera (plural). In zoölogy and botany, an assemblage of species or of sub-genera closely agreeing together in all essential characteristics, not found GEOFFROY ST. HILAIRE in any others of the sub-family or family to which they belong. It may be divided into sub-genera. Among animals, Mus is a genus containing, among other animals, both the domestic mouse and the rat, which, differing in size, etc., and being clearly distinct species, have still a community of structure obvious to all.
So also among plants, the various species of the rose constitute the genus Rosa.
In the Latin name of a plant or animal adopted by naturalists, the first word indicates the genus, and the second the species: as, Mus musculus, Rosa spinosissina. In other sciences, sometimes a classification like that adopted by naturalists is used. Thus, of skin diseases there is a genus Acne with various species, A. simplex, A. rosacea, etc.
GENZANO (jen-zä'nō), a town of Italy, on the Via Appia, 16 miles S. E. of Rome, near the lake of Nemi. It contains the Cesarina palace, and is noted for its annual flower festival, held on the eighth day after Corpus Christi, which attracts many visitors.
GEODESY (-od'e-si), that branch of applied mathematics which determines, by means of observations and measurements, the figures and areas of large portions of the earth's surface, or the general figure and dimensions of the earth; that branch of surveying in which the curvature of the earth is taken into account. This becomes necessary in all extensive operations. a GEOFFREY OF MONMOUTH, famous English chronicler; born probably in Monmouth about 1100. He was the author of a famous chronicle or history of the first British kings, often quoted by men of letters and remarkable for its curious legends. Geoffrey was successively archdeacon of Monmouth and bishop of St. Asaph. He died in Llandaff in 1152 or 1154.
GEOFFROY ST. HILAIRE, ETIENNE (zhō-frwä' san-të-lar'), a French naturalist; born in Etampes, France, April 15, 1772. He was educated at the colleges of Navarre and Lemoine. At the age of 21 he obtained the chair of zoölogy in the Parisian Jardin des Plantes. As a member of the Egyptian expedition in 1798 he founded the Institute of Cairo, and returned about the end of 1801 with a rich collection of zoölogical specimens.
In 1807 he was made a member of the Institute, and in 1809 Professor of Zoölogy at the Faculty of Science. He devoted himself especially to the philosophy of natural history. Among his principal works are: "The Principle of Unity in Organic Composition"; "Philosophy of Anatomy"; "Natural History GEOGRAPHICAL SOCIETIES of the Mammifers"; "Ideas of Natural Philosophy" (1838). He died in Paris, June 19, 1844. as- GEOGRAPHICAL SOCIETIES, sociations formed with the view of obtaining and disseminating geographical of these associations is the Geographical Society of Paris, founded in 1821, whose knowledge. In point of seniority the first magazine, the "Bulletin of the Geographical Society," began in 1822. The Prussian Geographical Society held its first sittings in Berlin in 1828, and publishes a yearly "Journal." The Royal Geographical Society, established in Lon- Society, established in London in 1830, has a capital of over £25,- 000, and devotes large sums annually to aid the cause of geographical research, or as rewards and recognition of services rendered to the science. Its proceedings are published monthly. The Royal Scottish Geographical Society, founded in 1844, also publishes a monthly magazine.
The Russian Geographical Society, founded at St. Petersburg in 1845, has greatly extended our knowledge of Asia, and especially Asiatic Russia.
The American Geographical Society was founded at New York in 1852. The National Geographic Society was founded in 1888.