La phytographie ou l'art de décrire les végétaux (Paris, 1880); and Origine des plantes cultivées (Paris, 1883). Besides these works he wrote a history of the sciences and scientists of the last two centuries (Geneva, 1872), and edited the memoirs and souvenirs of his father (Geneva, 1862).

DECAP'ODA (Neo-Lat. nom. pl., from Gk. Sɛkáπovę, dekapous, from déka, deka, ten nous, pous, foot). (1) The largest and most impor tant order of malacostracan crustaceans, distinguished by the fact that the carapace is firmly grown to the dorsal side of all the thoracic segments, and that the last five pairs of thoracic appendages serve as walking feet, while the first three pairs are mouth-organs. All of the crustaceans ordinarily used for food (crabs, lobsters, shrimps, and prawns) are decapods. Many hundred species are known, and they are found in all parts of the world, on land and in fresh water, but chiefly in the sea. The decapods contain three groups-the long-tailed (Macrura), the short-tailed (Brachyura), and the peculiar-tailed (Anomura). The first has the abdomen long and covered by a hard shell, and the lobster, crayfish, prawn, etc., are good illustrations; the second suborder has the abdomen very short and weak (this group is made up of the crabs): while the third includes the hermit-crabs, which seem to be intermediate between the others. See CRAB; CRUSTACEA; LOBSTER.

(2) A suborder of dibranchiate cephalopods, having ten arms, the squids. See CEPHALOPODA ; SQUID; and Colored Plate of DECAPODS AND OCTOPODS.

DECAP'OLIS (Lat., from Gk. Aekáπols, Dekapolis, ten cities). A geographical term used in Josephus, the New Testament (Matt. iv. 25; Mark v. 20; vii. 31), and other ancient writings to designate certain districts in and near Palestine, situated mainly east of the Jordan. The Decapolis was a confederacy or league, originally of ten cities, though the number was not constant, apparently having been increased in the second century. The details of the history of the confederation are somewhat obscure. Its outlines can be recovered, however, with a good degree of certainty.

When Alexander the Great conquered the East (B.C. 331), the ancient Semitic world was at once opened to the influences of Greek civilization. Many of Alexander's veterans either settled in cities already founded, or established new ones for themselves. Palestine, outside of Judea proper, was not exempt from this movement, and soon here and there throughout the ancient Hebrew territory numerous Greek cities came into existence. These cities, all constituted after the same general idea of the Greek polis, were centres of Greek culture. During the Maccabean War of Independence (B.C. 167-141), waged by the Jews against the Greek-Syrian Kingdom, their sympathies were with Syria. Consequently, with the triumph of the Jews, and especially during the reigns of the Asmonæan princes, John Hyrcanus (B.c. 135-105) and Alexander Jannæus (B.C. 104-78), they suffered great hardship, in many cases being deprived of their independence. In B.C. 63, when Pompey took charge of affairs in Syria and Palestine in the name of Rome, he freed them from the Jewish yoke. It was probably at this time that ten of these cities formed

the league known as the Decapolis. The charter members seem tc have been Scythopolis (the only one west o. he Jordan), Dium, Pella, Gadara, Hippos, Gerasa, Philadelphia, Damascus, Raphana, and Kanatha. Such is the list given by our earliest authority. iny the Elder (Hist. Nat. v. 18), in the first tury. The geographer Ptolemy, in the second century, omits Raphana, but adds nine other names, making eighteen in all belonging to the league in his time. The purpose of the confederation was in part to sethe Jews and the Arabian tribes, who were natcure better protection against enemies, such as urally hostile to Roman and Greek influences. Another equally powerful motive was the desire to obtain better trade advantages. The members Each one of these cities covered with its jurisdicof the league were all situated on trade routes. tion a large adjacent district. Yet the Decapolis tricts belonging to the respective cities were was not one solid territory, but between the dislarge tracts governed by the various tetrarchies to exist under her general supervision. The most or other forms of government permitted by Rome compact part of the Decapolis lay just south and east of the Sea of Galilee. Here the regions main line of communication with the East-Jordan of Scythopolis, west of the Jordan and on the territory: of Hippos, east of the Sea of Galilee; and of Gadara, south of Hippos, on the Hieromax, the ancient Yarmuk, were contingent, each This was the Decapolitan region referred to in possessing a section of the shore of the lake. the Gospels as the scene, for a brief time, of Jesus's ministry and into which His fame spread. South of Gadara, bordering on the Jordan Valley, were Pella and Dium, both probably founded by Alexander's veterans. East of these were the districts belonging to Abila on the Yarmuk; a late addition, Gerasa, farther south and very extensive; and Philadelphia (the ancient Rabbath-Ammon of the Old Testament), the most southern member of the league. To the northeast were the cities Kanata, Kanatha (the ancient Kenath of Num. xxxii. 42), now called Kanawat, both on the western slope of the Hauran Hills, and Damascus. Other members, such as Edrei and Bosra, though old cities, were late additions, and carried the influence of the league eastward, south of the Hauran.

From the organization of the league until the third century-a period of nearly three hundred years the Decapolitan country was exceedingly prosperous. When Trajan organized the Province of Arabia (B.C. 106) the security of the region was assured, commerce expanded, literature and art flourished, and in all conditions this was one of the most-favored regions of the Empire. Of the cities making up the league, some were of more than ordinary size and importance. The ruins of Gerasa (the modern Jerash) are very extensive; the amphitheatre of Philadelphia had a seating capacity of more than seven thousand; Gerasa had a naumachia. Greater than any of these, in Josephus's day, was Seythopolis, the ancient Beth-shean (modern Beisan), west of the Jordan, famous for its linen manufactures. The confederation seems to have dissolved gradually. Some of the cities became incorporated with the Province of Arabia; others maintained their independent position until the break-up of the Roman Empire.

Consult: Schürer, History of the Jewish Peo

DECAPOLIS.

ple in the Times of Jesus Christ (New York, 1885); G. A. Sinith, The Historical Geography of the Holy Land (New York, 1896).

DE CASSAGNAC, de ka'sà'nyak', PAUL GRANIER. See GRANIER.

DECA'TUR. A city and county-seat of Morgan County, Ala., on the south bank of the Tennessee River, about 18 miles above the Muscle Shoals, and on the Louisville and Nashville and the Southern railroads (Map: Alabama, B 1). It has charcoal and iron furnaces, bridge and car works, foundries, engine works, and manufactures of lumber, sashes and blinds, furniture, agricultural implements, flour, leather, cotton, cottonseed oil, etc. Population, in 1890, 2765; in 1900, 3114.

DECATUR. A town and county-seat of De Kalb County, Ga., six miles east-northeast of Atlanta; on the Georgia Railroad (Map: Georgia, B 2). A fine climate and a beautiful situation make the town popular as a residential place. It is the seat of the Agnes Scott Institute (Presbyterian) for Girls and the Donald Frazer (Presbyterian) High School for Boys. Here, on July 20, 1864, the battle of Peachtree Creek (q.v.) was fought, the Confederates, under General Hood, attacking unsuccessfully part of Sherman's army under Generals Thomas and Schofield. Decatur was settled and incorporated in 1823. Population, in 1890, 1013; in 1900,

1418.

DECATUR. A city and county-seat of Macon County, Ill., 38 miles east of Springfield and 173 southwest of Chicago; on the Sangamon River, and on the Illinois Central, the Wabash, and other railroads (Map: Illinois, D 4). It contains a Carnegie library, Fairview and Riverside parks, and James Millikin University. The city is in a fertile agricultural section, and, owing to its exceptional railroad facilities, has large trade and shipping interests, particularly in grain. It is also an important industrial centre, manufacturing iron, agricultural implements, furniture, corn-flour, meal, and hominy, plumbing, waterworks, electric-light fixtures, coffins, etc. The government is vested in a mayor, elected every two years, a city council, and administrative offieials, the majority of whom are appointed by the mayor. The city clerk, attorney, and treasurer are chosen by popular vote. The water-works and electric-light plant are owned and operated by the municipality. Decatur was settled in 1830 and incorporated six years later. Population, 1900, 20,754; 1905 (local census), 27,770.

DECATUR. A city and county-seat of Adams County, Ind., 21 miles southeast of Fort Wayne; on Saint Mary's River, and on the Toledo, Saint Louis and Western, the Erie, and other railroads (Map: Indiana, E 2). It has several fine stone-quarries, and manufactures of lumber in various products, machinery, tiles, etc. Decatur was settled in 1840 and incorporated in 1882. The government is administered by a elected every four years, and a city council. The city owns and operates its water-works and elec trie-light plant. Population, in 1890, 3142; in

1900, 4142.

mavor,

DECATUR. A town and the county-seat of Wise County, Tex., 40 miles north by west of Fort Worth; on the Fort Worth and Denver City Railroad (Map: Texas, F 3). It is the seat of the Northwest Texas Baptist College. The city is

the centre of a corn and cotton growing section, and has cotton-gins, a cottonseed-oil mill, a rolling-mill, a canning-factory, etc. Limestone is extensively quarried in the vicinity. Population, 1900, 1562; 1906 (local est.), 2000.

DECATUR, STEPHEN (1751-1808). An American naval officer, born in Rhode Island. He early adopted a sea life, and during the Revolution had command of several privateers. In 1798 he became a captain, and was put in charge of the Delaware, 20 guns, with which he captured two French privateers. On the declaration of peace he went into business in Philadelphia. His son Stephen (q.v.) attained great distinction in the navy.

An

In

DECATUR, STEPHEN (1779-1820). American naval officer, born in Sinnepuxent, Md., January 5, 1779. He entered the navy as midshipman on board the United States, in 1798. In November, 1803, he had command of the Norfolk, and afterwards of the Enterprise. On February 16, 1804, at the head of a small party, he made a dash into the harbor of Tripoli and burned the frigate Philadelphia, which had fallen into the hands of the Tripolitans. recognition of this act, which Admiral Nelson pronounced "the most daring of the age," he was made captain, and was presented with a sword. Decatur had much more hard fighting in the harbor and neighborhood of Tripoli, and in all cases showed the utmost daring and bravery. In 1812 he was in command, as commodore, of a squadron off the Atlantic coast, and on October 25, in the United States, captured the English frigate Macedonian. From 1813 till the summer of 1814 he was forced by a British blockading squadron much superior to his own to remain in the harbor of New London. In January, 1815, he attempted to get to sea from New York with a small squadron. His flag-ship, the President, was injured by striking on the bar at Sandy Hook. He had not proceeded far when he was pursued and forced to engage in an unequal fight. He was finally overpowered and compelled to surrender, and was taken to Bermuda with his frigate.

He was soon paroled, and in May, 1815, sailed from New York as commander of three frigates, one sloop, and six brigs and schooners, to operate against Algiers. He captured two important vessels; but the war was soon concluded by a treaty abolishing the demand upon the United States for tribute and giving. up all prisoners. He made similar arrangements with the rulers of Tunis and Tripoli, and thus put an end to the enslaving of the Americans by the corsairs of those countries. In November, 1815, he was made navy commissioner, with Commodores Rodgers and Porter, holding the office until his death, March 22, 1820, in a duel at Bladensburg, near Washington, with Commodore James Barron (q.v.). Consult the Life by Mackenzie (Boston, 1846), and Brady, Stephen Decatur (Boston, 1900). His nephew, STEPHEN (181576), was commodore in the United States Navy.

DECAZES, de-kaz, ELIE, Duke (1780-1860). A French statesman. He began his career as a lawyer, became a judge in Paris, and in 1806 was called to Holland by King Louis, who esteemed him highly as his trusted counselor. Afterwards he became secretary to Napoleon's mother, Letizia Bonaparte, joined the Bourbons after the Restoration, and won the favor of

Louis XVIII., who made him prefect of police, Minister of Police, and in 1818 Prime Minister. He carried out a number of liberal measures, but did not succeed in pleasing the radicals, and at the same time incurred the enmity of the ultra-royalists, who availed themselves of the murder of the Duke de Berry in 1820 to accuse Decazes of complicity in the crime, alleging that his revolutionary policy had instigated the assassin to his deed. The King accepted his minister's resignation with great reluctance, and sent him as Ambassador to England. Having returned in 1821, Decazes took part in all important debates in the Chamber of Peers, opposing the Government, and after the Revolution of 1830 supported the Orleans dynasty. He retired from public life in 1848 and thereafter devoted himself to the administration of his

estates.

DECAZES, LOUIS CHARLES ELIE AMANIEU, Duke de Glücksberg (1819-86). A French diplomat, born in Paris. His father was the statesman Elie Decazes, and through his influence Decazes became secretary to the embassy in London, and afterwards Minister Plenipotentiary to Spain and Portugal. The Revolution of 1848 forced him to retire to private life, but he remained a devoted Orleanist, and always hoped for a restoration of the dynasty. In 1873, after having been for a short time Ambassador at London, he was given the portfolio of Foreign Affairs. He resigned in 1877.

DEC'CAN (Hind. dakhan, Prak. dakkhana, Skt. dakṣina, southern, pertaining to the right hand, from dakṣa, right hand; connected with Gk. değiós, dexios, Lat. dexter, right). A term sometimes applied to the peninsula of India (Map: Asia, G 7), south of the Nerbudda, but now generally restricted to the portion bounded on the north by the Nerbudda and on the south by the Kistna or Krishna. In a still narrower sense, the name is applied to the elevated plateau region of the interior. It is also the official designation of a division of the Bombay Prov

ince.

DECCAN HEMP. See HIBISCUS.

DECEASED WIFE'S SISTER. By the law of England the marriage of a widower with the sister of his deceased wife is null and void. The

origin of this law may be traced to the interpretation of the early Church upon the old Mosaic law as to marriages, contained in Lev. xviii. Formerly the ecclesiastical court had power to declare such marriages void during the lifetime of both parties, thus rendering their children illegitimate; but until so declared they remained voidable. This led to great confusion, and in 1835 Parliament passed a statute, 5 & 6 Will. IV., c. 54, known as Lord Lyndhurst's Act, which provided that all such marriages should be null and void. Since that time there has been great opposition to this law, and bills have been introduced into practically every Parliament, including the session of 1905, but have always been defeated. Relationship by affinity is not consid ered a bar to marriage in the United States, although the English law in this regard obtained in a few States until recent years. It has been abolished in the various countries of Europe and in most of the English colonies. See AFFINITY; CONSANGUINITY; MARRIAGE.

DECEBALUS, dê-seb'à-lús (Lat., from Gk. Aexéßaλos, Dekebalos; supposed to be a title of honor equivalent to king). A king of Dacia, who for a number of years was one of the most formidable of the enemies of Rome and was a military leader of no mean ability. He crossed the Danube during Domitian's reign, overran Moesia, and defeated the Imperial army under Cornelius Fuscus. Later he forced Domitian to conclude a treaty, according to the terms of which the latter was to pay an annual tribute. He was completely overthrown by Trajan in A.D. 105, and his territories were reduced to a Roman province. He committed suicide to escape capture by the conquerors about 106.

DECE'DENT (Lat. decedens, from decedere, English and American law, a deceased personto depart, die). Strictly, a dying person; in the term being employed only in connection with the passing of the estate of such person, or the administration thereof. When the estate in question is disposed of by will, the decedent is properly described as 'testator,' or 'devisor,' and thus the term decedent has come to be commonly appropriated to a person dying intestate. As thus restricted, decedents' estates come under the operation of two distinct sets of rules, which, though now usually embodied in statute form, do not depart in essential particulars from the common-law doctrines in which they originated. These rules are, first, that the real estate of a decedent shall descend to his heir, and, second, that his personal property shall pass to his personal representative for purposes of administration and distribution. This personal representative may or may not be a person entitled to share in the ultimate distribution of the property, and under some circumstances the duty of administration is undertaken by the State. In the early history of the law in England it devolved upon the Church, the right of administering upon the estate of a decedent being vested in the bishop of the diocese in which he died, such administration, together with the probate of wills, constituting an important part of the ordinary jurisdiction of the ecclesiastical courts. This jurisdiction has now been assumed by the High Court of Justice in England. In the United States it is commonly exercised by local tribunals of the rank of county courts, known, variously, as surrogates' courts, probate courts, orphans' courts, and the like. See those titles; also DESCENT; DISTRIBUTION; HEIR; PERSONAL REP RESENTATIVE; EXECUTOR; ADMINISTRATION.

DECEIT. In law, a misrepresentation or other device or contrivance by which one man intentionally deceives another to the legal injury or damage of the latter. The deceit need not be accomplished by any spoken or written words, or by any positive statement or representation; but the concealment of any fact or circumstance which the deceiver is under a legal obligation to disclose, or his mere silence concerning it when the circumstances are such as to put upon him an obligation to speak, amount to deceit as fully as if positive misrepresentation was made. But mere silence concerning matter which there is no obligation to disclose is not generally deceit, even though the party misled may be known to be acting upon a false idea as to those facts. Thus, if A sells a plot of land to B, who pays a larger price for it than he otherwise would have done