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LEFT MATRIX 154 MATTER MATRIX, in mining and geology, the rock or main substance in which any accidental crystal, mineral, or fossil is embedded. MATSUKATA, MASAYOSHI, MAR- QUIS, Japanese statesman; born in Sat- suma, Kagoshima, in the island of Kiu- shiu in 1835, he soon entered politics and took part in the movement for the tax reform of 1875. Five years later attained cabinet rank becoming minister of com- merce, then minister of finance (1881), and president of the cabinet (1891). After a period of retirement he, in 1896, became head of the finance department and introduced gold standard. He later took much interest in the Red Cross Society and received the title of Marquis from the emperor. MATSUMAI (mat-s6-m!'), a seaport of Japan, situated at the S. W. extremity of the island of Yesso, at the W. entrance to the strait of Tsugaru. Formerly the principal town of the island, it has in recent times been outstripped by Hako- date; generally called Fukuyama. ,^op. about 15,000. MATSUMOTO, a town of Japan on the island of Hondo, district of Nagano, 100 miles W. of Tokyo. It is situated on a fertile plain surrounded by mountains. The principal manufactures are silks, baskets, and preserved fruits. Pop. about 45,000. MATSUOKA, YASUKOWA, Japanese statesman; born in Tokushima in 1846, he early secured a position in administra- tive affairs, becoming an official in the justice department when he was 25, and later going abroad to investigate methods of administering justice. He returned from Europe in 1887, entered the House of Peers in 1891, and was assistant minister of home affairs in 1894 and 1898. During the seven years ending in 1906 he presided over court of litigation, and has since been prominent in educa- tional matters. MATSUYAMA. a town of Japan in the western part of Shikoku Island, capital of the district of Shima and of the for- mer province of lyo. An interesting feature of the place is a large feudal castle once occupied by a daimyo, one of the few relics of feudal days which the Imperial Government has preserved. Pop. about 45,000. MATSXTTE (Japan), a town situated on an inlet of the Sea of Japan on the coast of the southwestern peninsula and of Hondo Island, 140 miles W. of Kyoto. It is the capital of the district of Shi- mane, once the province of Idzumo. An attractive and prosperous city of many temples, the chief industries are paper manufacture and the polishing of agates. Pop. about 40,000. MATSYS, METSYS, or MASSYS, QUINTEN, a Flemish painter; born in Louvain, Belgium, in 1466. He quitted his native city in 1491 and went to Ant- werp, when he was made master of the famous guild of painters of that city. The "Descent from the Cross," in the cathedral of Antwerp, is a favorable specimen of his work. His picture of the "Two Misers," at Windsor, is also much admired. He died in Antwerp in 1529. MATTEAWAN, former village in Dutchess CO., N. Y., combined with Fish- kill Landing to form the city of Beacon (incorporated 1916), 1 mile E. of Hudson river, and 3 miles E. of Newburgh. Seat of the State Hospital for the Criminal Insane, and other hospitals. Has man- ufactures of hats, rubber goods, ma- chine tools, air brakes, etc. MATTER, the substance of which all bodies are constituted ; that of which any- thing is made, formed or^ composed; constituent elements; material or sub- stantial part of anything; essential na- ture; embodiment. Body; extended sub- stance; that which is visible or tangible to the perceptive senses; that which fills space, and of which the macrocosm of natui-e, and all essential bodies consists. That which possesses the properties whose existence is revealed to us by our senses; that part of the universe which is neither mind nor force — substance. We know nothing of the essential or inti- mate nature of matter, and are only acquainted with its existence through its essential properties, which are: Divisi- bility, impenetrability, porosity, compres- sibility; to which may be added extension and figure, which belong also to space, and form the subject of geometry. The contingent properties oi matter are mo- bility and weight. Matter in every form is capable of being moved from one place to another; and every substance is sub- ject to the attraction of gravitation. But motion has reference to space, and weight to the attraction of other matter. The above are the general properties of mat- ter, on which physical investigations de- pend. There are, however, various other qualities belonging to particular sub- stances, or to matter in particular states, the consideration of which is important in mechanical philosophy. A^mong these the principal are elasticity, fluidity, hard- ness, rigidity, solidity.