MERIAN, Marie Sibylle (may-ree-ong), naturalist, born in Frankfort, Germany, 2 April, 1647; died in Amsterdam, 13 January, 1717. She was a daughter of Matthew Merian, the Swiss engraver, and in 1665 married Andre Graft, an artist of Nuremberg. She was early noted for her knowledge of botany and entomology, and attained great reputation as a naturalist. She went to Surinam with her daughter in 1699 and returned in 1701, bringing with her a very large collection of drawings of the insects, shells, and plants of that colony. After her return she published "Metamorphosis Insectarum Surinamensium" (Amsterdam, 1705), which was followed after her death by" Dissertatio de Generatione et Metamorphosibus Insectorum Surinamensium" (1719). She had previously issued in Latin other works which were afterward published together in French under the title "Histoire des insectes de l'Europe" (1730). Both works appeared in French under the title "Histoire generale des insectes de Surinam et de toute l'Europe" (3 vols., Paris, 1771). Many of the plates in these works were her own work and possess great merit. Some of her beautiful designs on vellum are in the British museum.--Her daughters, JEANNE MARIE HELENE and DOROTHEE MARIE HENRIETTE, assisted their mother. The former was sent to Suriham on a second expedition in 1702, MERINO, Ignacio (may-ree'-no), Peruvian artist, born in Piura in 1819. In early life he showed great talent for art, and, after being thoroughly instructed in drawing, went in 1837 to Paris, where he finished his studies under the direction of the Spanish painter, Manuel Silvela. In 1840 he returned to his native country, where he was appointed by the government director of the National academy of design and painting in Lima. In 1851 he returned to Paris, where he established his studio and has since remained, exhibiting frequently in the salon. He is noted for his rich coloring, especially in his sunsets. His works include "Columbus before the Council of the Indies," which forms one of the chief ornaments of the National museum of Lima, " The Reading of the Testament," "The Vengeance of Carrazo," and " Hamlet."