Page:Collier's New Encyclopedia v. 06.djvu/238

MERIDIAN MERIDIAN, a word connected in various ways with the idea of noon, or applied to the special conditions or culminating point in connection with a country, sphere of life, career, etc.

In geology: Noon-day; in allusion to the mid-day date of the strata to which it is applied. A term appropriated to certain middle formations of the Appalachian Palæozoic system, which are called in the New York Survey the Oriskany Sandstone, and which appear to be on the horizon of the Lower Ludlow rocks of England. The greatest thickness of this sandstone is less than 200 feet.

Celestial meridian: The great circle marked out on the srhere by the prolongation of the terrestrial meridian passing through the spot where the observer stands. Meridian altitude of the sun or of a star, altitude when on the meridian of the place where it is observed. Meridian distance of a point, the distance from the point to some assumed meridian, generally the one drawn through the extreme E. or W. point of the survey. Meridian of a globe, the brazen circle in which it turns and by which it is supported; also meridian lines drawn on the globe itself, generally at a distance of 15°. Terrestrial meridian, the terrestrial meridian of any place on the earth's surface is a great circle passing through both of the earth's poles and the place.  MERIDIAN, a city and county-seat of Lauderdale co., Miss., on the Queen and Crescent Route, the Southern, and the Mobile and Ohio railroads; 90 miles E. of Jackson. It contains Meridian Male College, Lincoln School, Meridian Female College, the Meridian Academy, electric lights, National and savings banks, and daily and weekly newspapers. Meridian is in the heart of a rich lumber region which accounts for its large trade. It has machine shops, cotton mills, and other manufactories. It was here on Feb. 16, 1864, that General Sherman made "the most complete destruction of railways ever held." Pop. (1910) 23,385; (1920) 23,399.  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. A vertical circle is carried on the axis of the transit instrument and revolves with it, its divisions 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, 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, "Colomba" (1830), treating of the Corsican vendetta; and "Carmen" (1840), which furnished the plot of Bizet's opera of the same name. He wrote besides: "Plays of Clara Gazul" (1825); "Historic Monuments" (1843); "Historic and Literary Medleys" (1855), a collection 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.  MERINO, a Spanish breed of the domestic sheep. It is extremely important commercially, on account of the excellence of its wool, which is close-set, soft, spirally twisted, and short. A fine French woolen material is made from the wool of the merino sheep.  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, Admirals Seymour, Wilson, and Lord 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.  MERLIN, a prince of enchanters of the time of the Saxon invasion of England. He was the son of a damsel seduced by a fiend, but Blaise baptized the infant, and so rescued it from the power of Satan. He died spellbound by his mistress Vivian in a hawthorn bush.  MERMAIDS and MERMEN, in the popular folklore of Europe, a class of creatures more or less like human beings, living in the sea, but in some circumstances capable of social relationship with men and women.<section end="Mermaids" />