the HAIR-WORM, a genus of insects belonging to the class of vermes intestina. There are several species. 1. The aquaticus, or water hair-worm, is 10 or 12 inches in length, and of about the thickness of a horse hair: its skin is smooth and somewhat glossy, without furrows; its colour pale yellowish white all over, except the head and tail, which are black and glossy. The body is rounded, and very slender in proportion to its length: the mouth is small, and placed horizontally; the jaws are both of the same length, and obtuse at their extremities. This species is common in our fresh waters, more especially in clay, through which it passes as a fish does through the water, and is the author of many springs. This is the worm that in Guinea and in some other of the hot countries gets into the flesh of the natives, and occasions great mischief; with us, though frequent enough in water where people bathe, it never attempts this.—2. The argillaceus, or clay hair-worm, is only a variation of the preceding one in colour, being yellowish at the extremities. It chiefly inhabits the clay; and Linnæus calls that its proper element, from its being generally dug out of it.—3. The medinensis, or mutcular hair-worm, is all over of a pale yellowish colour. It is a native of both Indies; frequent in the morning dew, from whence it enters the naked feet of the slaves, and occasions a disease much known in those countries, and to which children are very liable: it creates the most troublesome itchings, and too often excites a fever and inflammation. It particularly infests the muscles of the arms and legs, from whence it may be drawn out by means of a piece of silk or thread tied round the head: but the greatest caution is necessary in this simple operation, lest the animal, by being strained too much, should break; for if any part remains under the skin, it quickly grows with redoubled vigour, and becomes a cruel, and sometimes fatal enemy, to the poor slaves in particular. Baths with infusions of bitter plants, and all vermifuges, destroy it.—4. The marinus, or sea hair-worm, is filiform, twisted spirally, and lying flat, about half an inch in length; of a whitish colour, smooth, and scarcely diminishing at the head. It is as great a tormentor of herrings, bleaks, and various other fish, as the gordius medinensis is of man. The fish when infected with these animals rise to the surface, and tumble about as if in great agony.

king of Phrygia, and father of Midas, was a poor husbandman, with two yokes of oxen, wherewith he ploughed his land and drew his wain. An eagle sitting a long while upon one of his oxen, he consulted the footholders; a virgin bid him sacrifice to Jupiter in the capacity of king. He married the virgin, who brought forth Midas. The Persians instructed by the oracle to set the first person they met in a wain upon the throne, met Gordius, and made him king. Midas for this good fortune dedicated to Jupiter his father's cart. The knot of the yoke, they say, was so well twisted, that he who could unloose it was promised the empire of Asia; hence the proverb of the Gordian knot had its original. See Gordian Knot.