THYSANTRA, an order of wingless insects of small size, and which undergo no morphoses. They are furnished with peculiar organs, either along their sides or at the extremity of the abdomen, which, as well as the legs, are used for locomotion. The whole order is comprised in two families--potturida3, or spring-tails (see PODURA), and lepismida. The lepismida have an elongated body, covered with small shining silvery scales. The abdomen is furnished on each side with a series of movable appendages; it has also at its extremity a compressed appendage of two pieces, and three jointed bris• ties, which are used in leaping. The lepismida inhabit dark and moist places, as behind window-shutters, beneath planks, etc. ; many of them often in the interior of houses.
TI, Cordyline ti, formerly draccena terminalis, a plant of the natural order liliaeece, and nearly allied to the dragon tree. See DRAGON'S BLOOD. It is found in the s.e. of
Asia, the eastern archipelago, the Sandwich islands, and many other island groups of the Pacific ocean. It attains a height Lf :0 or 12 ft., sometimes more, with a tree-like• form, lanceolate leaves of a reddish hue, and branching panicles. The fruit is a three celled and three-seeded berry. The leaves afford food for cattle. They also form dura ble thatch for houses. Their fibers are sometimes made into cloth. It is most valuable, however, for its root, which is very large, and when raw, is hard, fibrous, and almost insipid; but becomes soft and sweet when baked—is very nutritious, and much used as an article of food. Good sugar is also made by evaporating its juice; the fermented_ juice is used as an intoxicating beverage, and a kind of ardent spirit is distilled from it.