SYZYGIA, in Astronomy, a term equally used for the conjunction and opposition of a planet with the sun. The word is formed from the Greek συζύγια, which properly signifies conjunctio. On the phenomena and circumstances of the syzygies a great part of the lunar theory depends. See ASTRONOMY.

T.

T, or t, the 19th letter and 16th consonant of our alphabet; the sound whereof is formed by a strong expulsion of the breath through the mouth, upon a sudden drawing back of the tongue from the fore-part of the palate, with the lips at the same time open. The proper sound of t is expressed in most words beginning or ending with that letter; as in take, tell, hot, put. Ti before a vowel has the sound of /ʃ/, or rather of /ʃi/, as in creation, except when s precedes, as in question; and in derivatives from words ending in ty, as mighty, michtier. Th has two sounds; the one soft, as thou, father; the other hard, as thing, think. The sound is soft in these words, then, thence, and there, with their derivatives and compounds; and in the words that, this, thus, thy, they, though; and in all words in which th comes between two vowels, as, whether, rather; and between r and a vowel, as burthen.

In abbreviations, amongst the Roman writers, T. stands for Titus, Titius, &c.; Tab. for Tabularius; Tab. P. H. C. Tabularius Provinciae Hispaniae Citerioris; Tar. Tarquinius; Ti. Tiberius; Ti. F. Tiberii filius; Ti. L. Tiberii libertus; Ti. N. Tiberii Nepos; T. J. A. V. P. V. D. tempore judicem arbitrumve po- Though some account was given of the tabaheer by the Arabian physicians, no accurate knowledge of it was obtained till Dr Ruffel favoured the public with his observations on it.

The tabaheer is produced from the female bamboo, which is distinguished from the male by a larger cavity. The bamboos containing it, make a rattling noise when shaken. Dr Ruffel having examined a bamboo brought from Vellore, consisting of fix joints, found no tabaheer in two of them: all the rest contained some, but of various quality and quantity; the whole amounting to about 27 grains. The best was of a bluish white resembling small fragments of shells, harder also than the rest, but which might be easily crumbled between the fingers into a gritty powder; and when applied to the tongue and palate, had a slight saline and tasteless taste; the weight not exceeding four grains. The colour of the rest was cineritious, rough on the surface, and more friable; having some particles of a larger size intermixed, but light, spongy, and somewhat resembling pumice stones; which appearance, our author supposes, led the Arabians to think that fire was concerned in the production. The two middle joints were of a pure white colour within, and lined with a thin film. In these the tabaheer was principally found. The other joints, particularly the two upper ones, were discoloured within; and in some parts of the cavity was found a blackish substance in grains or in powder, adhering to the sides, the film being there obliterated. In two or three of the joints a small round hole was found at top and bottom, which seemed to have been perforated by some insect.

Garzios informs us, that it is not found in all bamboos, or in all the branches indiscriminately, but only in those growing about Bifnagur, Batcerala, and one part of the Malabar coast. Dr Ruffel was informed by a letter from a medical gentleman attending the embassy to the Nizam, that though tabaheer bears a high price at Hydrabad, it is never brought thither from Bifnagur; and that some of what is sold in the markets comes from the pals of Atcour in Canoul; and some from Ennabad, at the distance of about 80 miles to the north-west; but that the most part comes from Mafsilpattam. That sold in the markets is of two kinds; one the rate of a rupee per dram, but the other only half that price; the latter, however, is supposed to be factitious, and made up mostly of burnt teeth and bones. Dr Ruffel himself also, is persuaded that the tabaheer met with in commerce is greatly adulterated. The above-mentioned gentleman likewise informed the doctor that tabaheer was produced in great quantities at Syihat, where it is sold by the pound, from one rupee to one and an half; forming a considerable article of trade from Bengal to Persia and Arabia. There is, however, a third kind, much superior in quality, being whiter, purer, and also harder and heavier.

Dr Ruffel supposes that the tabaheer is the juice of the bamboo thickened and hardened. The following observations on its medical effects were taken from a Persian work, intitled the "Tofut ul Monein of Mahommend Monein Hofeiny," by Mr Williams, a surgeon in the service of the East India company. The tabaheer puts a stop to bilious vomitings and to the bloody flux. It is also of service in cases of palpitation of the heart, in faintings, and for strengthening those members of the body that are weakened by heat. It is useful also for the piles, and for acute or burning fevers, and for pustules in the mouth (thruth); and, given with oxy-mel, is of service against rattlefiness, melancholy, and hypochondriacal affections. The habitual internal use of it is prejudicial to the virile powers. It is also said to be prejudicial to the lungs. Its correctives are the gum of the pine and honey. The dose of it is to the weight of two d'herems, or seven malhas.