Hercules' beetle (Zoˆl.), any species of Dynastes, an American genus of
very large lamellicorn beetles, esp. D. hercules of South America,
which grows to a length of six inches. -- Hercules' club. (Bot.) (a) An
ornamental tree of the West Indies (Zanthoxylum Clava-Herculis), of the
same genus with the prickly ash. (b) A variety of the common gourd
(Lagenaria vulgaris). Its fruit sometimes exceeds five feet in length.
(c) The Angelica tree. See under Angelica. -- Hercules powder, an
explosive containing nitroglycerin; -- used for blasting.
Her*cyn"i*an (?), a. [L. Hercynia silva, Hercynius saltus, the
Hercynian forest; cf. Gr. &?; &?;.] Of or pertaining to an extensive
forest in Germany, of which there are still portions in Swabia and the
Hartz mountains.
Herd (?), a. Haired. [Obs.] Chaucer.
Herd (?), n. [OE. herd, heord, AS. heord; akin to OHG. herta,G. herde,
Icel. hjˆr&?;, Sw. hjord, Dan. hiord, Goth. haÌrda; cf. Skr. Áardha
troop, host.]
1. A number of beasts assembled together; as, a herd of horses, oxen,
cattle, camels, elephants, deer, or swine; a particular stock or family
of cattle.
The lowing herd wind slowly o'er the lea.
Gray.
Herd is distinguished from flock, as being chiefly applied to the
larger animals. A number of cattle, when driven to market, is called a
drove.