Meridian Circle
or TRANSIT CIRCLE, an instrument used in observatories in modern times to combine the functions of a transit instrument and of the old mural circle. A vertical circle is carried on the axis of the transit instrument and revolves with it, its divisións being read by micrometer microscopes mounted solidly on one of the piers. In this way both co-ordinates of the position of a heavenly body, its right ascension and declination are determined at the same meridian passage-a great saving of time over the old method with the instruments. MÉRIMÉE, PROSPER (mā-rē-mā'), a French author; born in Paris, France, Sept. 28, 1803. He studied law, but never practiced; was senator in 1853. His best known works were the two novels of the Corsican vendetta; and "Carmen" , "Colomba" (1830), treating (1840), which furnished the plot of Bizet's opera of the same name. He wrote besides: "Plays of Clara Gazul" (1825); toric and Literary Medleys' (1843); "Hiscollection of comedies in the style of the Spanish "intermezzo"; "Guzla" (1827), a collection of Illyrian lyrics; "Mateo Falconne," a novel; "Letters to an Unknown"" ("Letters à Une Inconnue": 1873); etc. He died in Cannes, France, Sept. 23, 1870.
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Meridian Dial
An instrument for determining when the sun is on the meridian.
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Merit
ORDER OF, instituted in London, Jan. 26, 1902, by King Edward VII. to confer distinction on persons who have won prominence in science, army and navy, art, literature, and professional services, excepting political. The order consists of the sovereign and members, and initials, after the Bath, have precedence over all other knightly orders. Among distinguished men on whom the order was conferred were Lord Kitchener, Male College, Lincoln School, Meridian Admirals Seymour, Wilson, and Lord Female College, the Meridian Academy, Fisher, representing the navy. Sir William Crookes, Lord Raleigh, and Sir Archibald Geikie in science, and literature has been so honored in Viscount Morley, Lord Cromer, Sir George Trevelyan, and Thomas Hardy. Sir Edward Elgar received the honor for music. Honorary membership in the order has been conferred on distinguished men of other nations.
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Mermaid
or Sea Maiden, a mythical inhabitant of the sea. The traditional mermaid has the form of a woman from the waist upward and the form of a fish from the waist downward. Seamen's tales of mermaids appear to be as old as navigation. The mermaid sits on a rock combing her hair. Sometimes she herds her drove of sea cattle, or else swims with one hand, clasping a child to her breast with the other, and so on. Until of late a sailor who had not seen a mermaid and who was not ready to tell many a marvelous tale of the mermaids, forfeited his title as an old tar. Tales of mermaids are widely distributed from Iceland to India. They seem akin to the myths of sirens and tritons. The German Lorelei is a creation of this kind. It has been suggested that the entire group of tales has its origin in the half human look of many seals, and particularly of the dugong or manatee. Seen at a distance, half erect, holding its young to its breast with one flipper, the dugong might almost pass for a savage woman nursing her child. See Dugong ; Manatee
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Merostomata
the order of Podostomata, represented by Limulus, the horseshoe or king crab, and a number of fossil forms popularly called in Scotland "seraphims," and known to zoölogists as Eurypterida. The latter resemble scorpions in general appearance, but were marine, some of their feet ending in paddles, while they breathed by gills. The typical forms of the latter group were Pterygotus and Eurypterus. They flourished in the Palæozoic Age, disappearing during the Carboniferous Period, when the predecessors of the king crab made their appearance.
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Merovingians
or MERWINGS, the 1st dynasty of Frankish kings in Gaul. The name is derived from Merwig or Merovech, king of the Western or Salian Franks from 448 to 457. His grandson Clovis established the fortunes of the dynasty which gave way to the Carlovingians in 752.
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Merrick
LEONARD, English novelist and dramatist; born in London in 1864, educated at Brighton College and private schools. In 1918 his works were republished in a collected edition with introductions by well-known writers, among them Sir J. M. Barrie and Sir Arthur Pinero. His novels include: "Conrad in Quest of His Youth"; "When Love Flies Out of the Window"; "The Position of Peggy Harper"; "The Man Who Understood Women"; "The Quaint Companions"; "Cynthia"; "The Man Who Was Good"; "A Chair on the Boulevard"; "One Man's View"; "The Worldlings"; "The Actor-Manager"; "The House of Lynch," and "While Paris Laughed." His plays are: "The Free Pardon"; "When the Lamps Are Lighted"; "My Innocent Boy"; "The Elixir of Youth," and "A Woman in the Case."
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Merrill
SELAH, an archæologist; born in Canton Centre, Conn., May 2, 1837. He was chaplain in the Civil War (1864-1865); after that was engaged in explorations in Palestine. He was consul at Jerusalem 1884-1886, in 1890-1893, and after 1898. Among his works are: "East of the Jordan" (2d ed. 1883); "Galilee in the Time of Christ" (1881); "The Site of Calvary" (1886); "Ancient Jerusalem" (1906). He died in 1909.
County-seat of Lincoln co., Wis., 18 miles N. W. of Wausau, on Wisconsin and Prairie rivers, the Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul railroad. Has handsome public buildings and parks. Center of region rich in timber. Has large sash and shoe factories. Pop. (1910) 8,689; (1920) 8,068. American
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Merrimac River
a river of New Hampshire and Massachusetts. Its general course is southerly until it enters Massachusetts; then it turns at almost right angles and flows northeast into the Atlantic. The river receives the waters of Lake Winnepesaukee. During its short course to the sea it tumbles from level to level, furnishing abundant water power at Concord, Manchester, and Nashua in New Hampshire, and at Lowell, Lawrence, and Haverhill in Massachusetts. Important manufactures have grown up at these points. The largest cotton and carpet mills in America stand on its banks. Though otherwise a comparatively unimportant stream, it is one of the greatest industrial rivers in the world. See Lowell
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