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ASCITE.

that appeared about the second century, and made ASCEprofession of uncommon sanctity and virtue, which TICK. they supposed to consist in self-denial and mortification. They considered it an act of great merit to deny themselves the use of those things which were esteemed lawful for all other Christians to enjoy, and held it as an indispensable duty to undergo continual non, abstinence, and to subject themselves to the most severe discipline. Their object was, by raising the soul above all external objects and all sensual pleasures, to enjoy a nearer communion with God on earth, and, after the dissolution of their mortal bodies, to ascend to the supreme centre of happiness and perfection, unretarded by the impurities and imperfections which debase mankind in general. (Mosheim Eccl. Hist. cent. ii. part 2.) The appellation was also given to those who were more than ordinarily intent on the exercises of prayer and devotion, and hence St. Cyril, of Jerusalem, calls the prophetess Anna, "who departed not from the temple, but served God night and day,” ἀσκήτρια ευλαβεστάτη, a most religious ascetic.' In the present day, by Ascetics we understand those who retire from the onversation and pleasures of the world, and pass heir time in religious mortification, although in the imitive ages such as pretended to this title were en of active life, living in society, and differing m the rest of mankind only in their exact adherence the rules of virtue and forbearance inculcated in gospel.

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SCHARIANS, v. ASHARIANS.
SCHBILIA, v. SEVILLA.

SCIDIA, in Zoology, a genus of the class Tuni-
order Disjuncta. Generic character; body en-
ed in a double tunic; fixed to marine bodies
e base. Exterior tunic somewhat coriaceous,
g an irregular ovate, or cylindrical sac, per-
above by two unequal foramina, one lower
e other. The interior, or proper, tunic, en-
the body, not entirely filling the external sac,
h it is united only at the foramina.
nimals of this genus were by Linnæus consi-
analogous to those inhabiting bivalve shells;

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by subsequent naturalists been generally
with the mollusca. Cuvier appears to have
this opinion; and in order more completely
strate the analogy, compares the external
the shell of the acephalous mollusca. But
y can be no real analogy between sub-
ssentially distinct: the one an unorganiz-
is covering, serving only the purposes
n and muscular attachment; the other
ll the indications of a truly organized
ad appearing, as Lamarck observes, even
its internal surface. The comparative
e animals is not less distinct, when fol-
o a more detailed investigation. La-
refore, very properly arranged them in
5. The species of Ascidia are rather
several of them are natives of the
Britain. !

iratical tribe, on the southern coast
r vessels were rafts, fixed on inflated
eir name from ȧokos a bladder); their
rows; their food, the berries of the
es of zizyphus); they were naked,
The Arabian geographers observe,

2

ENCYCLOPÆDIA METROPOLITANA;

OR, THE

UNIVERSAL DICTIONARY OF KNOWLEDGE.

Fourth Division.

MISCELLANEOUS AND LEXICOGRAPHICAL.

ASCARIS. ASCARIS, in Zoology, a genus of the class Vermes;

order Rigiduli. Generic character; body elongated, ASCEND. round, often attenuated at the extremities; three valves at the anterior extremity. Mouth terminal, minute, covered by the valves.

The numerous species of which this genus is composed, inhabit the intestines of various animals, living upon the mucus which lines their internal surface. The three valves at the mouth, which are to be considered as a distinctive generic character, appear to perform the office of lips, to assist the animal in fixing itself to the surface, and in sucking its nourishment. They are found not only in the intestines of man, and of the higher classes of animals, but in those also of reptiles, and even of other worms. The sexes are distinct and the female is oviparous. The most important species, because the only one which infects the human body, is Ascaris lumbricoides, the A. vermicularis of Linnæus being referred to the genus Oxyurus. Ascaris lumbricoides is not less than from 6 inches to nearly a foot in length, of a whitish colour, shining, and somewhat hard and rigid in its structure. ASCE'ND, ASCENDANT, n. ASCENDANT, adj. ASCENDANCY, ASCENSION,

ASCE'NSIVE,

ASCENT.

Ascendo, from ad, and scando, (of uncertain etymology) to go up to. In Wiclif, To stigh up. To go, come, move upwards, to climb, to mount, to rise, to become higher, more elevated, superior.

By nature he knew eche ascentioun

Of the equinoctial in thilke toun;

For whan degrees fiftene were ascended,

Than crew he, that it might not ben amended.

Chaucer. The Nonnes Prestes Tale, vol. ii. p. 176.

Eneas and vnsilly Dido baith tuay

To forest grathis in hunting furth to wend,

To marrow als fast as Titan dois ascend,
And ouer the warld gan his bemes spred.
Douglas Encados, book iv. p. 104.

VOL. XVIII.

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He commaunded his brother, L. Manlius, from the south-west to get up the hill, as the place would permit with safetie, giving him in charge that if he met with any daungerous places, steepe and hard of ascent, that hee should not wrestle with the difficulties of the ground, nor strive against things, which to force and overcome were unpossible. Holland's Livy.

The stairs were then let down, whether to dare
The fiend by easie ascent, or aggravate
His sad exclusion from the dores of bliss.

Milton's Par. Lost, book iii.

On the morow being the third dai of January, and Saturday, in a fayre playne on black heth, more nerer the foote of shoters hyl then the ascendent of the hyll called black heth hyl, was pitched a riche cloth of gold. Hall. Henry the VIII.

Here's a prophet that I brought with me
From forth the streets of Pomfret, whom I found
With many hundreds trading on his heeles:
To whom he sung in rude harsh sounding rimes,
That ere the next Ascension day at noone,
Your Highness should deliuer vp your crowne.
Shakespeare's King John, fol. 15.

Hee hath deserued worthily of his country, and his assent is not by such easie degrees as those, who hauing beene supple and courteous to the people. Shakespeare's Coriolanus, fol. 10.

B

ASCEND.

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Sweet voices, mixed with instrumental sounds Ascend the vaulted roof, the vaulted roof rebounds. Dryden's Fables. Arimant. Madam, you have a strange ascendant gain'd, You use me like a courser, spurr'd and rein'd: If I fly out, my fierceness you command, Then sooth, and gently stroke me with your hand. Dryden's Aurenge-Zebe.

Who can observe the vapours to ascend, especially from the sea, meet above in clouds, and fall again after condensation, and not understand this to be a kind of distillation in order to clear the water of its grosser salts, and then by rains and dews to supply the fountains and rivers with fresh and wholesome liquor.

Wollaston's Religion of Nature.

This (Laud, Bishop of London) was the man who acquired so great an ascendant over Charles, and who led him, by the facility of his temper, into a conduct which proved so fatal to himself and to his kingdoms. Hume's History of England.

In the first fire-engines, a boy was constantly employed to open and shut alternately the communication between the boiler and the cylinder, according as the piston either ascended or descended. Smith's Wealth of Nations, ·

That predominant love of righteousness and hatred of iniquity; maintaining an absolute ascendency in the mind, in all times and upon all occasions, which the Psalmist attributes to his heavenly King, has belonged to none that ever wore an earthly crown. Horsley's Sermons.

-Fire fill'd his eyes;

Turning, he bade the multitude without
Ascend the rampart; they his voice obey'd,
Part climb'd the wall, part pour'd into the gate.
Cowper's Iliad, book xii.

Themistocles now entered. At his look
Which carry'd strange ascendancy, a spell
Controlling nature, was the youth abash'd.

after our Lord's ascension.

Glover's Athenaid, book xiv. The Acts of the Apostles continue the history of our religion Portens' Lectures, v. 1. ASCENDANT, is that portion of the heavens which ascends above the horizon in the east. In astrology it signifies the horoscope, that is, the star ascending above the horizon at the time the question is put, or the person is born; and in the latter case it is supposed to have an influence on his character and destiny. From this arises the signification which the word bears in a moral sense, as such a one has the ascendant over another, meaning that he possesses a certain superiority, from some cause not to be defined. Ascendant is also used in genealogical inquiries, denoting ancestors, those ascending, in contradistinction to the descending line.

ASCENDING, is used in anatomy, astronomy, botany, and music; all which see. In the first it is applied to the vessels which carry the blood upwards. In the second, to those stars, or degrees, rising above the horizon, in any parallel of the equator. In botany it denotes such leaves, &c. as grow first horizontally and afterwards are inclined upwards: and ascending harmony in music is modulating by 5ths.

ASCENSION, in astronomy is right and oblique. Right ascension of the sun, or a star, is that degree of the equinoctial, counted from the beginning of Aries, which rises with the sun, or star, in a right

sphere. Oblique, is an arch of the equator inter- ASCENcepted between the first point of aries, and that point SION. of the equator which rises together with a star in an oblique sphere.

ASCENSION DAY, commonly called Holy Thursday. A festival of the church of England in commemoration of the day on which our Saviour ascended into Heaven. It is the fortieth day after Easter Sunday, and the Sunday but one before Whitsunday. On this day (says Wheatley) our blessed Saviour publicly ascended, with our human nature, into heaven, and presented it to God, who placed it at his own right hand, and, by the reception of those first fruits, sanctified the whole race of mankind.

ASCENSIONAL DIFFERENCE, is the difference between the right and oblique ascension of any point in the heavens; or it is the space of time any of the planets rise or set before or after the sixth hour, from the time of their coming to the meridian. See ASTRO

NOMY.

ASCENSION, Isle of. An island between Africa and Brazil, so called from having been discovered on Holy Thursday, in the year 1508. It is about ten miles in length, six in breadth, and sixty in circumference, mountainous, sandy and barren. From the quantity of ashes and heaps of black cavernous stone, which resembles the common lavas of Vesuvius and Iceland, there can be no doubt of its being volcanic. "It is a barren place (says captain Beeckman, who visited it in 1715) not inhabited, and seems as if it had been formerly on fire, a great part of the rocks being burnt to a pumice." Captain Cooke touched there in 1775. He says not a shrub or plant is to be seen for several miles, and nothing to be found but stones and sand, or rather slags and ashes. A high mountain at the south-east end of the isle, called the Green Mountain, seems to be left in its original state, and to have escaped the general destruction. Its soil is a kind of white marl, which yet retains its vegetative qualities, and produces a kind of purslain, spurge, and one or two grasses, a supply, however scanty, which is sufficient to provide for a considerable number of goats. The island is chiefly valuable on account of an excellent harbour, which is much frequented by the homeward bound ships from India, who take in turtle and seafowl. These are found in great abundance, particularly the former, which are peculiarly large and fine, and to be taken from January to June, when they come thither for the sole purpose of depositing their eggs. See Beeckman's Voyage to Borneo, Svo. London, 1718, p. 200. Cooke's Voyage round the World, 4to. 1777, p. 272.

ASCERTAIN,

Fr. Acertener; from Ad, and

ASCERTAINMENT.} certum, from cerno, cretum; from the Greek Kpivw, to separate, to distinguish, to decide. To be or make sure or certain; to be or make surely or certainly known; to determine, to establish.

My hands to heauen I held, and prayed, and giftes and off'rings In fires to them I threw; and all my duty done with cure,

pure,

Anchises I ascertaine then, and him declare the caas.

Eneidos, by Thos. Phaer, book iii.

In whiche tyme, and soone after, whereof the tyme is nat duely ascertayned, dyed the forenamed kynge Lowys surnamed nought doynge, whan he had reygned, after moost wryters, viii yeres,

ASCER

TAIN.

ASC

ASCER- leuynge after him a sone, named Charlys. the whiche after, was
Fabyan.
TAIN- surnamed symple.

ASCE
TICK.

Necessary it is that both good and badde knew it. The faithfull to be assartened that their final redemption is at hande, to their consolation. The vnfaithfull to haue knowledge that their judgemente is not farre of, that they may repent and be saved. Bale Image.

As soon as men cease to range the woods and plains in common, like their fellow animals, if they ever did so, as soon as societies were formed, and in those societies a division of property was made, nature, that led them to assign, led them to ascertain possessions.

Bolingbroke's Essay on Human Knowledge.

TICK.

ASCITE.

that appeared about the second century, and made ASCE-
profession of uncommon sanctity and virtue, which
they supposed to consist in self-denial and mortifica-
tion. They considered it an act of great merit to
deny themselves the use of those things which were
esteemed lawful for all other Christians to enjoy, and
held it as an indispensable duty to undergo continual
abstinence, and to subject themselves to the most
severe discipline. Their object was, by raising the
soul above all external objects and all sensual plea-
sures, to enjoy a nearer communion with God on
earth, and, after the dissolution of their mortal

Fools only engage on a sudden, without ascertaining the bodies, to ascend to the supreme centre of happiness
strength of their enemy.

Sir William Jones' Hitopadisu.

He tells us, that the positive ascertainment of its limits, and
its security from invasion, were among the causes for which civil
society itself has been instituted.
Burke on the Revolution in France.

To what common use or want of the insect kind, a provision so
universal (i. e. the antennæ) is subservient, has not yet been
ascertained; and it has not been ascertained, because it admits
not of a clear, or very probable comparison, with any organs
which we possess ourselves, or with the organs of animals which
resemble ourselves, in their functions and faculties, or with which
we are better acquainted than we are with insects. We want a
Paley's Theology.
ground of analogy.

ASCETERIUM, a name sometimes given in old writings to a monastery. The college of the funerarii, or undertakers, founded by the emperor Anastasius, was so called. This consisted of eight monks and three acolythists, whose occupation was one of most active employment, namely that of continually burying the dead.

ASCE TICK, n. Ασκητικος, from ἀσκέω, to exASCE'TICK, adj. ercise. It is applied by the Greek ASCE'TICISM. fathers to those who exercise themselves in, who employ themselves in, who devote themselves to the contemplation of divine things: and for that purpose, separate themselves from all intercourse with the world.

Anthony de Corro.. was born at Sevil in Spain, educated there from his childhood in the Roman Catholic religion, and was at length an ascetic, but whether a monk or fryer, I know not.

Wood. Athenæ Oxonienses.

Our calling therefore doth require great industry; and the business of it consequently is well represented by those perform ances, which demand the greatest intention, and laborious activity; it is styled exercise; agonistic and ascetic; exercise.

Barrow's Sermons.

He (Bishop Burnet) resolved to live in a more retired manner, than he had done hitherto; and abstracting himself from all mixt company, confining himself wholly to study and the duties of his function, he entered into such an ascetic course, as had well

nigh put an end to his life.

The Life of Bishop Burnet.

The Ascetics, who obeyed the absurd and rigid precepts of the gospel, were inspired by the savage enthusiasm, which represents man as a criminal, and God as a tyrant. They seriously renounced the business and the pleasures of the age; abjured the use of wine, of flesh, and of marriage; chastised their body, mortified their affections, and embraced a life of misery, as the Gibbon's History, vol. vi. price of eternal happiness.

The truth is, we have seen, and yet do see, religious societies, whose religious doctrines are so little serviceable to civil government, that they can prosper only on the ruin and destruction of it. Such are those which teach the sanctity of celibacy and Warburton. Alliance, book ii.

asceticism.

ASCETIC, the term was originally applied to a sect

and perfection, unretarded by the impurities and im-
perfections which debase mankind in general. (Mo-
sheim Eccl. Hist. cent. ii. part 2.) The appellation
was also given to those who were more than ordina-
rily intent on the exercises of prayer and devotion,
and hence St. Cyril, of Jerusalem, calls the prophetess
Anna, "who departed not from the temple, but
Anna,
served God night and day,” ἀσκήτρια ευλαβεστάτη,
' a most religious ascetic.' In the present day, by
Ascetics we understand those who retire from the
conversation and pleasures of the world, and pass
their time in religious mortification, although in the
primitive ages such as pretended to this title were
men of active life, living in society, and differing
from the rest of mankind only in their exact adherence
to the rules of virtue and forbearance inculcated in
the gospel.

ASCHARIANS, v. ASHARIANS.
ASCHBILIA, v. SEVILLA.

ASCIDIA, in Zoology, a genus of the class Tunicata; order Disjuncta. Generic character; body enveloped in a double tunic; fixed to marine bodies at the base. Exterior tunic somewhat coriaceous, forming an irregular ovate, or cylindrical sac, perforated above by two unequal foramina, one lower than the other. The interior, or proper, tunic, enclosing the body, not entirely filling the external sac, to which it is united only at the foramina.

The animals of this genus were by Linnæus considered as analogous to those inhabiting bivalve shells; and have by subsequent naturalists been generally arranged with the mollusca. Cuvier appears to have supported this opinion; and in order more completely to demonstrate the analogy, compares the external tunic with the shell of the acephalous mollusca. But there surely can be no real analogy between substances so essentially distinct: the one an unorganized testaceous covering, serving only the purposes of protection and muscular attachment; the other presenting all the indications of a truly organized structure; and appearing, as Lamarck observes, even vascular, on its internal surface. The comparative anatomny of the animals is not less distinct, when followed out, into a more detailed investigation. Lamarck has, therefore, very properly arranged them in separate classes. The species of Ascidia are rather numerous, and several of them are natives of the shores of Great Britain.

ASCITÆ, a piratical tribe, on the southern coast of Arabia. Their vessels were rafts, fixed on inflated skins, (whence their name from døros a bladder); their arms, poisoned arrows; their food, the berries of the pale urus (a species of zizyphus); they were naked, ferocious pirates. The Arabian geographers observe,

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