~Membrane~ (mem"-br[=a]n). (L. membrana = thin skin.) A thin, soft tissue that connects two parts, or lines a body.
~Mercaptan~ (mer-kap"-tan). (L. mercaptans = taking mercury.) A vile-smelling liquid that gets its name because of its strong action on mercury. It seizes upon mercury, so to speak.
~Metallic~ (me-tal"-ik). Made up of metals, or like metals.
~Metamorphosis~ (met-a-mor"-f[=o]-sis). (L. metamorphosis = change, transformation.) A change of form; a development, as the change of the caterpillar into the chrysalis.
~Mica~ (m[=i]"-ka). A transparent mineral that can be separated into thin sheets or layers.
~Microscope~ (m[=i]"-kr[=o]-sk[=o]p). An instrument that magnifies, or makes objects look larger when placed beneath it.
~Moult~ (m[=o]lt). (L. mutare = to change.) To shed or cast off the feathers, hair, or skin.
~Muscle~ (mus"-l). Bundles of fibres that have the power of growing longer or shorter. The body is moved by means of the muscles.
~Nary~ (ner"-i). "Ne"er a," a contraction of "never a."
~Nerve~ (nerv). (L. nervus = a fibre _or_ tendon.) The nerves are fibres or threads that carry impressions to the brain. Nerved = having fibres, as in the wings of insects.
~Neuroptera~ (n[=u]-r[)o]p"-te-ra). (Gr. = nerve-wing.) The name of an insect order.
~Nymph~ (nimf). (L. nympha = a bride, a young girl.) The young of insects that undergo an incomplete metamorphosis.
~Ocelli~ (o-sel"-le), pl. of Ocellus. (L. = a little eye.) The tiny, simple eyes of insects.
~Odonata~ ([=o]-d[=o]-na"-ta). The name of an insect order to which belong the dragon flies.
~Odors~ Pleasant or unpleasant smells.
~Opera-gla.s.s~ (op"-e-ra-glas). Magnifying gla.s.ses used at the theatre or opera to make things seem nearer.
~Organism~ (or"-gan-izm). A member of the animal or vegetable kingdom.
~Orthoptera~ (or-thop"-t[=e]-ra). (Gr. = straight-wing.) An insect order to which belong the gra.s.shoppers.
~Ovipositor~ ([=o]-v[)i]-poz"-[)i]-tor). (L. ovum = egg, _and_ ponere = to place.) The end of the abdomen of some insects, with which they are able to put their eggs in a good place to be hatched.
~Oxygen~ (ok"-si-jen). A part of the air that is necessary to all animal and vegetable life.
~Parasites~ (par"-a-s[=i]tz). Animals or plants that live on others.
~Phylloxera~ (fil-ok-s[=e]"-ra). (Gr. = leaf _and_ dry.) An insect very destructive to grape vines.
~Plaited~ (pl[=a]t"-ed). Folded length-wise like the plaits of a closed fan.
~Plecoptera~ (pl[=e]-k[)o]p"-t[=e]-ra). (Gr. = twist _and_ wing.) An insect to which belong the stone flies.
~Pollute~(p[=o]-l[=u]t"). (L. polluere = to make unclean, to soil.) To make foul or unclean.
~Pores~ (porz). (L. porus = a way, a pa.s.sage.) Small openings in the skin to help in breathing.
~Prey~ (pr[=a]). (L. praeda = property taken in war.) An animal in the chase; game.
Prolific (pr[=o]-lif"-ik). Fruitful; producing young in abundance.
~Propel~ (pr[=o]-pel"). (L. propellere = to drive, or push forward.) To urge onward by force.
Prophet (prof"-et). One who tells of the future.
~Pulvillus~ (pul-vil"-us); pl. ~Pulvilli.~ (L. = a little cushion.) A little pad or cushion on an insect"s foot.
~Ravenous~ (rav"-n-us). Greedy, furiously hungry.
~Repel~ (re-pel"). (L. repellere = to drive back.) To drive back, to check.
~Resinous~ (rez"-i-nus). Like resin, which is made from pine pitch.
~Rudimentary~ (rew-di-men"-ta-ri). (L. rudimentum = a first attempt.) Imperfectly developed or in an early stage of development.
~Saliva~ (sa-l[=i]"-va). Spittle. The liquid formed in the mouth, which mixes with food, and helps it to digest.
~Segment~ (seg"-ment). (L. secare = to cut.) A part cut off, a section.
~Seize~ (s[=e]z). To grasp, to clutch.
~Sensitive~ (sen"-si-tiv). Quick to feel. The nerve of the eye is sensitive to light, quick to feel light.
~Sh.e.l.lac~ (she-lak" or shel-ak"). It is made from a coloring matter in the bodies of certain insects. A polish which is used with varnish.
~Silk~ (s[=i]lk). A fine, soft, strong thread made by the larvae of certain insects.
~Skeleton~ (skel"-e-ton). (Gr. = ~dried~ up.) The dry bones of the body taken together.
~Socket~ (sok"-et). Any hollow thing or place which receives or holds something else.
~Soothsayer~ (soth"-s[=a]-er). One who pretends to know what the future holds for us.
~Source~ (s[=o]rs). The place where anything begins.
~Species~ (sp[=e]"-shez). A group of closely related animals or plants.
~Spine~ (sp[=i]n). (L. spina = a thorn). Anything sharp and slender like a thorn.
~Spiracle~ (spir"-or sp[=i]r-a-kl). (L. spiraculum = a breathing hole).
An air-hole.
~Survivals~ (ser-v[=i]"-valz). (L. supervivo = to live over.) Those outliving the larger number.