R.
Rain, n. A.-S. regn, rain; the water falling in drops through the atmosphere. Water rises as vapor from the moist earth and the sea; it is then condensed by coming in contact with the cold upper air, and falls to the earth as rain.
Reproduced, pp. L. re, again, producere, to produce, to bring forth; produced again, having formed new plants or animals from those already existing.
Retrogressed, pp. Went backward.
Retrogression, n. L. retro, backward, gradi, to go; the act of going backward.
Rhea, n. In classical mythology, the wife of Saturn and mother of Jupiter.
Ribs, n. The bones that form the framework of the chest in the higher animals; the timbers that form the framework of a ship; the stiff fibres that form the framework of a leaf.
Robinson Crusoe, n. A story written by Daniel Defoe and published in 1719. The adventures of Robinson are said to have been suggested by the life of Alexander Selkirk, who was shipwrecked and lived for four years on the desert island of Juan Fernandez.
Root, n. The part of a plant that usually grows down into the soil, fixing the plant and absorbing nutriment.
Root cap, n. The hard cap which covers and protects the growing tip of a root.
Root hairs, n. The fine filaments growing from the skin of young roots that absorb the nutriment for plants.
Rubythroat, n. The name of the North American humming bird, so called because of the bright red feathers on its throat.