Meloe, s. Insects, of which the two principal species are the oil beetle, so called because, on being handled, it exudes from its legs drops of a clear deep-yellow oil or fluid, of a very peculiar or penetrating smell; and the meloë vesicatorius, or Spanish fly, which is used for blistering.—Ibid.
Melwel, s. A kind of fish.
Membrane, s. A membrane is a web of several sorts of fibres interwoven together for the covering and wrapping up of some parts.
Membranous, a. Consisting of fibres.
Menage, s. A collection of animals.
Menagerie, s. A place for keeping foreign birds, and other curious animals.
Menstruum, s. All liquors are called menstruums which are used as dissolvents, or to extract the virtues of ingredients by infusion or decoction.
Mercurial, a. Under the influence of Mercury; active, sprightly; consisting of quicksilver.
Mercurial ointment is made by rubbing together in a mortar quicksilver and hogs’ lard, in various proportions, according to the strength required, until the former disappears, and the mixture assumes a dark blue or lead colour.
In the strongest mercurial ointment there are equal parts of quicksilver and lard; these are the best proportions in which it can be made, as it is easily weakened by the addition of lard.