general, denotes the body of soldiers, or those who make profession of arms.

In a more restrained sense, militia denotes the trained bands of a town or country, who arm themselves, upon a short warning, for their own defence. So that, in this sense, militia is opposed to regular or stated troops. See Military State, and Feudal System.

Milium, millet, in botany: A genus of the digynia order, belonging to the triandra class of plants; and in the natural method ranking under the 4th order, Gramina. The calyx is bivalved, and uniflorous; the corolla is very short; the stigmata pencil-like.—There are five species; of which the most remarkable is the panicum, or common millet. This is a native of India, but is now commonly cultivated in many parts of Europe as an excellent grain. It rises, with a reed-like stalk, three or four feet high, and channelled: at every joint there is one reed-like leaf, which is joined on the top of the sheath, and embraces and covers that joint of the stalk below the leaf; this sheath is closely covered with soft hairs, but the leaf which is expanded has none. The top of the stalk is terminated by a large loose panicle, which hangs on one side, having a chaffy flower, which is succeeded by a small round seed. There are two varieties; one with white, and the other with black seeds; but they do not differ in any other particular. This plant is greatly cultivated in the oriental countries, and from whence we are annually furnished with it. It is seldom cultivated in Britain but in small gardens, for feeding of poultry, where the seeds generally ripen very well. It is used as an ingredient in puddings, and is by some people greatly esteemed. The seeds must be sown in the beginning of April, upon a warm dry soil, but not too thick, because the plants divide into several branches, and should have much room. When they come up they should be cleaned from weeds; after which they will will in a short time get the better of them, and prevent the future growth. In August the seeds will ripen, when the plant must be cut down, and the seeds beaten out, as is practised for other grain; but if it is not protected from birds, they will devour it as soon as it begins to ripen.