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NAHUM 366 of that region are now classed as Nahuas. They are sometimes called Aztecs. NAHUM, a prophet called the El- koshite, from Elkosh, where he was born or where he labored ; but whether it was in Galilee or in Assyria has not been de- termined; the time when he flourished is also uncertain. Also the 7th of the Minor Prophets: i. e., of the minor books of prophecy. The theme is "The burden of Nineveh," the utter destruction of which is predicted. NAIAD, in Greek and Roman mythol- ogy, one of certain inferior deities, who presided over rivers, wells, springs and fountains, and are represented as young, graceful, and extremely beautiful nymphs, to whom great veneration was paid and sacrifices offered. In zoology, one of the Unionidas. In botany, the or- der Naiadace^ {q.v.). NAIADACEiE, an order of endogens, alliance Hydrales. It consists of plants Hving in fresh or salt water. The leaves, which are very cellular, have par- allel veins and membranous interpetiolar stipules. Flowers small, often in ter- minal spikes; the perianth generally of two or four pieces, deciduous or wanting; stamens definite, hypogynous; sti^a simple; ovaries, one or more, superior; ovule oblong, erect, or pendulous; fruit dry, one-celled, one-seeded. The naiad- aceae are of low organization. Found in tempei'ate and tropical countries. NAILS, flattened, elastic, horny plates, which are placed as protective coverings on the dorsal surface of the terminal phalanges of the fingers and toes. Each nail consists of a root, or part concealed with a fold of the skin; a body, or ex- posed part attached to the surface of the skin; and a free anterior extremity called the edge. The skin below the root and body of the nail is termed the ma- trix, from its being the part from which the nail is produced. This is thick, and covered with highly vascular papillae, and its color is seen through the transparent horny tissue. Near the root the papillae are smaller and less vascular; hence the portion of nail corresponding to this part of a whiter color; from its form, this portion is termed the lunula. It is by the successive growth of new cells at the root and under the body of the nail that it advances forward, and maintains a due thickness, while at the same time its growth in a proper direction is in- sured. NAIRN, a city of Scotland, the capital of Nairnshire. It has many factories of rope and twine and in the neighborhood NAMUR are salmon fisheries and quarries. Pop. about 6,500. NAIRNSHIRE, a county of Scotland in the N. E. division, bounded by the Moray Firth and Inverness and Elgin counties. Its total area is 163 square miles, of which about 30,000 acres are under cultivation. In the south the land is chiefly mountainous, but there are im- portant agricultural industries near the coast. The county has important cattle- breeding industries and there are also granite quarries and fisheries. The cap- ital is Nairn. Pop. about 10,000. NAIROBI, a city of British East Africa. The capital of the province of Ukamba. It is about 327 miles N. W. of Mombasa, with which it is connected by railroad. The town has grown rap- idly in recent years and there are ex- tensive railroad works, excellent hotels, stores, several important educational in- stitutions and churches. The town is surrounded by attractive suburbs in which the European portion of the pop- ulation live. Pop. (1920) about 35,000, including about 1,500 Europeans. The country is an important center for hunt- ing parties for the big-game shooting for which the protectorate is famous. NAMANGAN, a town of the former province of .Russian Turkestan. Prior to the war it nad important industries, Including cotton ginning and the manu- facturing of soap and leather. Pop. about 75,000. NAMAQUALAND, GREAT, or NAM- ALAND, the S. extremity of the former province of German Southwest Africa. NAMAQUALAND, LITTLE, a district of Cape province, S. of the lower Or- ange river; much copper is mined here. NAM DINH, a city of French Indo- China. It is surrounded by fertile re- gions and is a well built city. It is the seat of a French Resident. It has im- portant commercial interests and a large trade in rice, silk, cotton, and indigo. Pop. about 40,000. NAMPA, a city of Idaho, in Canyon CO. It is on the Oregon Short Line and the Idaho Traction railroads. It is the center of important mining interests. Agriculture has been promoted by irri- gation projects. The public institutions include a State sanitarium and a public library. Pop. (1910) 4,205; (1920) 7,621. NAMUR (na-mur'), a city of Belgium, at the confluence of the Sambre with the Meuse, 35 miles S. E. of Brussels; is noted for its cutlery, and also manufac- tures firearms, leather, paper, and to-