Metchnikoff
ELIE, a Russian bacteriologist, born in Kharkov, Russia, 1845. He studied in Germany, then became professor of zoology at Odessa in 1870. In 1882 he devoted himself exclusively to private research, especially devoting himself to the digestive functions in animal organisms. Later he settled in Paris and was made chef de service in the Pasteur Institute in 1892. He was especially known for his theory on dieting, to the effect that old age may be retarded by refraining from eating certain foods which tend toward autointoxication. In 1908 he shared with Professor Ehrlich the Nobel prize for medicine. In 1909 he advanced his theory that a certain kind of soured milk contained bacilli, counteracting or retarding autointoxication. He died in Paris in 1916.
Only in Collier's New Encyclopedia
Metelli
The surname of the family of the Caecilii at Rome, the most noted of whom are: a general who defeated the Achaeans, took Thebes , and invaded Macedonia; Quintus Caecilius, rendered famous by his successes against Jugurtha , the king of Numidia; Q. Caecilius Celer, who distinguished himself against Catiline. He died fifty-seven years before Christ, greatly lamented by Cicero, who was one of his warmest friends; L. Caecilius, a tribune in the civil wars of Caesar and Pompey, who favored the cause of Pompey; Q. Caecilius, a warlike general who conquered Crete and Macedonia; Metellus Cimber, one of the conspirators against Caesar. He gave the signal to attack and murder the dictator. 2026 Editor's Note: The Metelli were a prominent branch of the plebeian gens Caecilia , rising to power in the late Republic. The family's notoriety extended to women such as Clodia Metelli, a scandalous figure immortalized in the writings of Cicero and Catullus. (Ed: BR 2026-06-22)
Only in 1000 Classical Characters
Meteoric Steel
Important: Safety Warning This page describes trade processes that use dangerously toxic materials such as cyanide solutions, mercury amalgams, or strong acids. These processes require training, equipment, and precautions far beyond what the text describes. This information has been left in for historical purposes but should not be acted upon. Steel resembling the famed Damascus steel is made by melting in a plumbago crucible, well covered with charcoal, silver 4, nickel 16, zinc 80, and pouring the alloy into water, which renders it friable. It may then be readily crushed to powder, and added to steel as follows: Blister-steel, 28 pounds; chromate of iron, 8 ounces; quicklime, 2 ounces; porcelain clay, 3 ounces; meteor-powder, 10 ounces; melted in the regular way, cast into an ingot, drawn into bars, and in every respect treated like any other cast steel. If the surface is washed with dilute nitric acid (acid 1, water 19), the wavy surface common to Damascus steel will be more pronounced. See STEEL; DAMASCUS STEEL.
Only in The Encyclopedia of Founding
Meteoric Stones
Usually called aerolites, fire-balls, or shooting-stars, which occasionally fall from the atmosphere. When taken up soon after their fall they are found to be hot; and, no matter where they descend, they are all similar in composition, being composed of silica, magnesia, sulphur, iron in the metallic state, nickel, and some traces of chromium; their specific gravity varies from 3.352 to 4.281, that of water being taken as 1.000 or unity. Their exterior appears as if blackened in a furnace but the interior appears of a grayish white. Their size varies from a few ounces up, one in the Museum of Natural Sciences, Philadelphia, weighing 800 pounds. See METEORIC IRON.
Only in The Encyclopedia of Founding
Meteorite
a so-called "shooting star" which has fallen upon the earth from space. The friction encountered when these portions of matter enter the earth's atmosphere, causes them to become incandescent, and as a rule they are completely disintegrated. Occasionally one will reach the earth's surface and in composition is found to consist of elements well-known terrestrially, iron and nickel being common. Meteorites vary in weight from a few ounces to several hundred pounds, one of the largest being known as the Caille Aerolite, which fell upon the Alps and weighed nearly 1,400 pounds.
Only in Collier's New Encyclopedia
Methuen
a town of Essex co., Mass., 30 miles N. of Boston, on the Spicket river, Boston and Maine railroad. Has handsome buildings, including library and schools, and home of aged incurables. Cottons, woolens, knitted goods, chief manufactures. Town meeting form of city government. Pop. (1910) 11,448; (1920) 15,189.
Only in Collier's New Encyclopedia
Methuen
PAUL SANFORD, 3d BARON, an English military officer; born Sept. 1, 1845, was educated at Eton and in 1864 became lieutenant of the Scots Guards. He served in Ireland, Egypt, Bechuanaland, was military attaché at Berlin, and saw active service in the Ashanti, Egyptian, and Boer wars. In the latter he was made commander of the 1st Division, 1899, and rendered signal service under On March Lords Kitchener and Roberts. 7, 1902. while leading a force of 1,200 by men to Lichtenburg, he was attacked the Boers under General De la Rey. The British were completely routed, ed, losing men in killed four guns, several hundred and captured, among the latter being Lord Methuen, who was, however, re- 19,122 2,108,061 leased on March 13. He was general 186,873 officer commanding-in-chief in South Africa 1907-1909 and in 1911 was made field-marshal.
Only in Collier's New Encyclopedia
Methyl
an organic radical homologous with ethyl. Its formula is CH3, but as it cannot exist in the free state, two such groups of atoms unite together to form ethane, CH3-CH3. As in the case of ethyl, methyl is the center of a whole group of substances known as the Thus, the hydride of methyl group. methyl, CH&H, known as light carburetted hydrogen, marsh gas, or fire damp, is well known as the cause of explosions in coal mines. It is a light, inodorous gas, half as heavy as air; nonpoisonous and very inflammable, forming an explosive mixture with seven volumes of air. Methyl alcohol, CH3OH, is obtained as a by-product in the manufacture of beet-root sugar, and by the dry distillation of wood and from other sources.
Only in Collier's New Encyclopedia
Methylated Spirit
a mixture of 9 parts of alcohol, sp. gr. 0.920, with 1 part of pyroxylic or wood-spirit. This addition of wood-spirit renders it unfit for drinking, though it scarcely interferes with its power as a solvent.
Only in Collier's New Encyclopedia