Page:The New International Encyclopædia 1st ed. v. 14.djvu/171

* MURCHISOlir. 139 MUBDER. became director of the British Geological Survey. He was kiiiglitoil in 18411, made knislit Com- mander of the liath in 1853, and a baronet in ISti'S. From the Emperor of Russia he received the grand cross of Saint Anna and that of Saint Stanislas. The greater portion of his con- tributions to science were pulilishecl in the so- ciety journals. Among his principal works are: Geology of Cheltenham (1834); The iSiluriwn Hystem (18.'i!)) ; On the (Icalogical structure of the yortlicrn and Central Regions of liussia in Europe ( 1841 ) ; and fleoloijy of Russia in Europe and the Ural ilountains (1845). Consult Geikie, Life of Sir Rodetiek I. Murchison (London, 1875). MXJR'CHISO'NIA (Neo-Lat., named in honor of Sir R. 1. ilurchison). An extinct gastropod of the family PleurotomariidiP, found in rocks of Ordoviciau to Triassic age, and especially com- mon in the Devonian and Carboniferous forma- tions. The shell lias a more or less pointed spire consisting of numerous coils or whorls. The aperture has in its outer lip a slit like that of Pleurotomaria, and a corresponding slit-band that forms a more or less pronounced ridge on the outside of the whorls all the wa^' from the aper- ture to the apex of the shell. The earlier species as a rule have smooth surfaced shells ; the later species are more frequently ornamented b_v nodes and transverse ridges. A subgenus, Hormotoma, with rounded whorls, is represented by Murehi- sonia gracilis, a verv common species in the Tren- ton limestone of the United States and Canada. Lo.Koplocus, another very peculiar genus, with the coils of the spire unrolled and somewhat carinate in section, lived in the cavities of the corals that made up the Guelph beds of Canada and western New York. See Plei'Rotoji.^ria. MTIRCIA, moor'the-a. A former division and an old Moorish kingdom of Spain, situated in the southeastern part of the country, and bounded on the north by Xew Castile, on the east by the former Kingdom of Valencia, on the south by the Mediterranean Sea, and on the west by the former kingdoms of Granada and Jaen and by New Castile (Map: Spain, E 4). The division com- prised the modern Province of JInrcia. the greater part of Albacete, and small portions of .Taen and .-Micantc, with a total area of about 10.000 sipiare miles. The surface of JIurcia partakes of the general character of the whole peninsula — the interior plateau, the ra])id and mountainous slope toward the sea, and the low coastal region. The last is a sandy semi-arid belt from 10 to 20 miles wide, and broken by several coast lagoons, of which the Mar Menor is the largest. The moim- tainous belt occupies the greater part of the di- vision, and consists of an irregular system of ranges whose nucleus and highest point is the Sierra de Espufia. Avith an altitude of 5103 feet. North of the mountains the interior plateau forms a part of La llancha (q.v. ), a deforested and almost arid plain. The principal water system is the Segura River with its tribu- taries, w'hich are used only for irrigation, and are subject to great variations in volume, being at some seasons almost dry. and at other times subject to disastrous inundations. The climate is subtropical near the coast and temperate on the slopes and plateaus. The winters are mild, the sky nearly always clear, and the climate is pleasant and healthful: but the rainfall is insuf- VOL. XIV.— 10. ficient for the needs of agriculture. The whole region has been almost entirely deforested, and agriculture can l>e carried on only in the valleys by means of irrigation. Many of the valleys, how- ever, are well cultivated, especially the Huerta or 'Garden' of .lurcia. which is one of the most beau- tiful places in Sjjain. The chief agricultural prod- ucts are wheat, barley, and Max. Oranges, lemons, olives, grapes, and hemp arc grown in the south. Mining is an important industry, producing iron, lead, zinc, copper, and sulphur. The production of zinc has increased fourfold within the last ten years, being 46,000 tons in 1000. The output of iron has decreased from 430,000 tons in 1890 to 370,000 tons in 1900. Other industries are silk manufactures and the plaiting of articles of esparto grass. The population in 1887 was 708,828, and in 1900, 815,804. The chief city is Murcia (q.v.). ilurcia was the centre of the Carthaginian colonies in Spain. It was conquered by the Sara- cens early in the eighth century and by them called Todmir. It formed a province of the Cali- phate of Cordova, after whose dissolution, in the early part of the eleventh century, it became an independent iloorish kingdom. About the middle of the thirteenth century it was conquered by Castile. MTJRCIA. The e^ipital of the Province of Murcia, in Southeastern Spain. It lies on both banks of the Segura River, in the beautiful valley known as the Huerta or 'Garden" of Murcia (Map: Spain, E 4). This valley rivals in the luxuriance of its vegetation the famous Vega of Granada. It was carefully irrigated by the Moors, and is covered with vineyards and groves of mulberry, olive, and fig trees. The city itself has narrow streets, but a clean and generally neat appearance. Several promenades and pleasure grounds have been laid out along the embank- ments of the river, and the Pasco de Florida- blanca is a wide avenue with fine rows of plane trees. Though the city still retains some of its old Moorish atmosphere, it has preserved but few objects of interest. The only building which at- tracts considerable notice is the cathedral, a Gothic-Romanesque structure begun in the four- teenth century. Its facade in the baroque style dates from the eighteenth century, and its tower, the most interesting feature, was begun in 1522 and completed in 176G. Other prominent build- ings are the imposing bishop's palace, the city liall, with a monumental facade, the Colegio de San Fulgencio, two theatres, a bull ring, and the large and well-built silk factories. There are a provincial museum, two normal schools, and a secondary school. The industries are large- ly derived from the surrounding huerta, the chief being the silk industry, which, with grain and fruit, furnishes the principal articles of trade. There are also manufactures of woolen goods, gunpowder, soap, leather, hats, and musical in- struments. The population in 1887 was 98,538, and in 1000, 111,693. MURDER (AS. mor'por, morpur, from mor]), OHG. mord, Ger. Mord. death: connected with Welsh marw, Lith. smertis. Lat. mors, death, Gk. /SpoTiSs, hrotos, mortal. Skt. ninr, to die). The unlawful killing of a human being with malice aforethought. The term appears to have been limited in early English law to a homicide com- mitted in secret, or accompanied by concealment