Defn: A class, or subclass, of arthropods, related to the hexapod insects, from which they differ in having the body made up of numerous similar segments, nearly all of which bear true jointed legs. They have one pair of antennæ, three pairs of mouth organs, and numerous trachaæ, similar to those of true insects. The larvæ, when first hatched, often have but three pairs of legs. See Centiped, Galleyworm, Milliped.
Note: The existing Myriapoda are divided into three orders: Chilopoda, Chilognatha or Diplopoda, and Pauropoda (see these words in the Vocabulary). Large fossil species (very different from any living forms) are found in the Carboniferous formation.
MYRIARCH
Myr"i*arch, n. Etym: [Gr.
Defn: A captain or commander of ten thousand men.
MYRIARE
Myr"i*are, n. Etym: [F. See Myria-, and 2d Are.]
Defn: A measure of surface in the metric system containing ten thousand ares, or one million square meters. It is equal to about 247.1 acres.
MYRICA
My*ri"ca, n. Etym: [L., fr. Gr. (Bot.)
Defn: A widely dispersed genus of shrubs and trees, usually with aromatic foliage. It includes the bayberry or wax myrtle, the sweet gale, and the North American sweet fern, so called.
MYRICIN Myr"i*cin, n. Etym: [Cf. F. myricine. Prob. so called from a fancied resemblance to the wax of the bayberry (Myrica).] (Chem.)
Defn: A silky, crystalline, waxy substance, forming the less soluble part of beeswax, and regarded as a palmitate of a higher alcohol of the paraffin series; — called also myricyl alcohol.