MATRIX, in anatomy, the womb, or that part of the female of any kind, wherein the fetus is conceived and nourished till the time of its delivery. See ANATOMY, n° 168.
MATRIX is also applied to places proper for the generation of vegetables, minerals, and metals. Thus the earth is the matrix wherein seeds sprout; and marcescences are by many considered as the matrices of metals.
The matrix of ores is the earthy and stony substances in which these metallic matters are enveloped: these are very various, frequently spar, quartz, fluors, or horn-blend.