in anatomy, that kind of articulation by which the teeth are fixed in the jaw-bone. See Anatomy, no. 2.

GOMPHRÆNA, GLOBE AMARANTH, in botany: A genus of the digynia order, belonging to the pentandria clas of plants; and in the natural method ranking under the 54th order, Mifcellance. The calyx is coloured; the exterior one triphyllous, or diphyllous, with two carinated connivent leaflets; the nectarium cylindrical, with ten teeth; the capsule monoecious. There are seven species; but only one of them is commonly cultivated in our gardens, viz. the globofa. It hath an upright stalk branching all round, two or three feet high, garnished with oval, lanceolate, and opposite leaves; and every branch and side-shoot terminated by a close globular head of flowers, composed of numerous, very small starry florets, closely covered with dry scaly calices placed imbricatim, perfect, and beautifully coloured purple, white, red, or striped and variegated. The flowers themselves are so small, and closely covered with the scaly calices, that they scarcely appear. The numerous closely placed scaly coverings being of a dry, firm, coniflent, coloured and glittering, collected into a compact round head, about the size of an ordinary cherry, make a fine appearance. They are annual plants, natives of India; and require artificial heat to raise and forward them to a proper growth, so that they may flower in perfection, and produce ripe seed. They flower from June to November; and if the flowers are gathered when at full growth, and placed out of the sun, they will retain their beauty several months.