(effeminatus), according to the vulgate, are mentioned in several places of Scripture. The word is there used to signify such as were consecrated to some profane god, and prostituted themselves in honour of him. The Hebrew word *hodeh*, translated effeminatus, properly signifies consecrated, and hence was attributed to those of either sex, who publicly prostituted themselves in honour of Baal and Ashtoreth. Moses expressly forbids these irregularities among the Israelites; but the history of the Jews shows, that they were notwithstanding frequently practised. Levit. xxiii. 18.

**EFFENDI,** in the Turkish language, signifies master: and accordingly is a title very extensively applied; as to the mufti and emirs, to the priests of mosques, to men of learning, and of the law. The grand chancellor of the empire is called reis-effendi.

**EFFERVESCENCE,** an intestine motion excited betwixt the parts of two bodies of different natures, when they reciprocally dissolve each other. Effervescences are commonly attended with bubbles, vapours, frugal jets of the liquid, and a hissing noise; and these phenomena are occasioned by the air which at that time disengages itself. Sometimes also they are accompanied with a great degree of heat, from the decomposition of some substances and the formation of new compounds.

Formerly the word fermentation was also applied to effervescences; but now that word is confined to the motion naturally excited in animal and vegetable matters, and from which new combinations among their principles take place.

**EFFIGY,** the portrait, figure, or exact representation of a person.

**EFFIGY,** is also used for the print or impression of a coin, representing the prince's head who struck it.

**EFFIGIT,** to execute or degrade in, denotes the execution or degradation of a condemned contumacious criminal, who cannot be apprehended or seized. In France, they hang a picture on a gallows or gibbet; wherein is represented the criminal, with the quality or manner of the punishment: at the bottom is written the sentence of condemnation. Such persons as are sentenced to death are executed in effigy.

**EFFLORESCENCE,** among physicians, the same with exanthema. See Exanthema.

**EFFLORESCENCE,** in Chemistry, denotes the formation of a kind of mealy powder on the surface of certain bodies. Efflorescence is occasioned either by decomposition or drying. The efflorescence which happens to cobalt and martial pyrites is of the first; and that observed on the crystals of soda, Glauber's salt, &c., of the latter kind. An efflorescence is sometimes also a species of crystallization; such as the beautiful vegetations which shoot up from different saline substances. See Crystallization.

**EFFLORESCENTIA,** in Botany, (from effloresco to bloom); the precise time of the year and month in which every plant shows its first flowers.

Some plants flower twice a-year, as is common between the tropics; others oftener, as the monthly rose. The former are called by botanists biflora; the latter, multiflora.

The time of flowering is determined by the degree of heat which each species requires. Mezereon and snowdrop produce their flowers in February; primrose, in the beginning of March; the greater number of plants, during the month of May; corn, and other grain, in the beginning of June; the vine, in the middle of the same month; several compound flowers, in the months of July and August; lastly, meadow-saffron flowers in the month of October, and announces the speedy approach of winter.

Grass of Parnassus always flowers about the time of cutting.

(e) This account is extracted from a Narrative of the Building, and a Description of the Construction of the Edystone Lighthouse with Stone. By John Smeaton, Civil Engineer, F.R.S. cutting down the hay; and in Sweden, the different species of thistle, mountain lettuce, succory, and balsam, seldom flower till after the summer solstice: the country men even know, as by a calendar, that the solstice is past when these plants begin to produce their flowers.

The temperature of the seasons has a great influence both in accelerating and retarding the flowering of plants. All plants are earlier in warm countries; hence such as are cultivated out of their native soil, never flower till the heat of the climate, or situation into which they are removed, is equal to that under the influence of which they produced flowers in their own country. For this reason, all exotics from warm climates are later in this country than many plants which it naturally produces.

In general, we may observe, that the plants of the coldest countries, and those produced on the mountains in all climates, being of equal temperature, flower about the same time, viz., during our spring in Europe.

Plants that grow betwixt the tropics, and those of temperate climates, flower during our summer.

Plants of temperate climates, situated under the same parallel of latitude with certain parts of Europe, but removed much farther to the west, such as Canada, Virginia, and Mississippi, do not produce flowers till autumn.

Plants of temperate climates in the opposite hemisphere to Europe, flower during our winter, which is the summer of these regions.

Linnaeus and Adanson have given a sketch of the different times in which plants flower at Upsal and Paris.