moonseed; a genus of the decandra order, belonging to the dioeca class of plants. There are three species, all of them climbing plants, rising 14 feet high, and natives of warm climates; but noway remarkable for beauty. The seeds of a kind which grows in the Levant, being formed into a paste, are regarded by the inhabitants as specific against lice and cutaneous eruptions. The same paste is likewise used for the purpose of intoxicating fishes.

MENOCHIUS, vulgarly Menochia, (James), a famous lawyer, meanly born at Pavia, but who became so skilful in the law, that he was called the Balduz and Bartholus of his age; all the princes of Italy soliciting him to their universities. He read at Padua 23 years together; and for love of his country removed to Pavia, and succeeded Nicholas Gratiani. He hath got an immortal fame by his works, De recuperanda possessione; De adipiscenda possessione; De praemunitionibus; De arbitrariorum Judicium questionibus & causis conciliorum, tom. 13. &c. He died in 1607, aged 75.