ichthyology, a genus belonging to the order of amphibia nantes. The jaws are bony, stretched out, and undivided; the aperture or mouth is a transverse transverse line. The body is every way beset with sharp moveable prickle. It has no belly-fins. There are two species, viz. 1. The atringa, which is spherical, and has triangular prickle. It is a native of India. 2. The tryfrictrix, which is oblong, with cylindrical prickle, and is a native of the Cape of Good Hope.

DIOMEDEA, in ornithology, a genus belonging to the order of anseres. The bill is strait; the superior mandible is crooked at the point, and the lower one is truncated; the nostrils are oval, open, a little prominent, and placed on the sides. There are two species, viz. 1. The exulans, has pennated wings, and three toes on each foot. It is the abbatros of Edwards, and is found in the ocean betwixt the tropics, and at the Cape of Good Hope. It flies pretty high, feeds upon flying fish, and is about the size of a pelican. 2. The demerfa, has no quill-feathers on the wings; and the feet have four toes, connected together by a membrane. It is the black penguin of Edwards, about the size of a goose, and is found at the Cape of Good Hope.

DIONYSIA, in Grecian antiquity, solemnities in honour of Bacchus, sometimes called by the general name of orgia; and by the Romans bacchanalia, and liberalia. See BACCHANALIA.