power, that he set on fire with them the ships of the Roman fleet, which was besieging Syracuse. Hiero, King of Syracuse, suspecting that an artist had added some common metal to a crown, which he had directed to be made of pure gold, requested Archimedes to ascertain the fact. He discovered the method of solving the question, while he was in the bath, as mentioned in this volume, page 67. Aristotle, a distinguished Grecian philosopher, born three hundred and eighty-four years before Christ, at Stagira, in Macedonia; whence he is sometimes called 'the Stagirite.' Arkwright, (Sir Richard,) inventor of the spinning-jenny, who was The Athenian hero, (on page 247,) see Themistocles. Automatic, mechanical, not voluntary, not depending on the will. Babbage, (Charles,) a distinguished English writer and mathematician, Professor of Mathematics in the University of Cambridge, author of the Economy of Machinery and Manufactures,' and other valuable works. Bacon, (Francis, Lord Verulam,) Lord High Chancellor of England, was born A. D. 1561, and died A. D. 1626. He was a profound scholar in the whole circle of the sciences, and is to be regarded as one of the most remarkable men of any age. He advocated, with great eloquence and learning, the reforming of philosophy, by founding it on the observation of Nature, though he is not, perhaps, to be regarded as the first who made this great step towards the advancement of science. Bacon, (Roger,) an English monk of the thirteenth century, distinguished for his discoveries in chemistry and natural philosophy. For an account of him, see the second volume of Pursuit of Knowledge under Difficulties,' being volume xv. of 'THE SCHOOL LIBRARY, Larger Series. Baker's Chronicle of the Kings of England,' a work written by Sir Richard Baker, who was born in the county of Kent, in England, about A. D. 1568, and died Feb. 18, 1644-5. Bakewell, (Robert,) an English grazier, who was born at Dishley, in Leicestershire, Á. D. 1726, and died in 1795. He obtained great celebrity by his strenuous efforts to improve the breed of cattle; in effecting which object, he travelled over England, Ireland, and Holland. Bannockburn, battle of, a sanguinary engagement, which took place near the village of Bannockburn, in Scotland, on the River Bannock, between the English and Scottish armies, June 24, 1314, in which the English were defeated. The contending armies were commanded by the Sovereigns of England and Scotland, Edward II. and Robert Bruce; and the issue of the battle decided the question of the liberty of Scotland. Barilla, the ashes of certain marine plants. Barlie, barley. Batoon, or batten, (called also a lay,) that part of a weaving loom, in which the reed is placed, and which, moving backwards and forwards, presses the crossing threads, or weft, close together, after each passage of the shuttle through the warp. Battering-ram, an ancient military engine, consisting of a long and heavy wooden beam with an iron end shaped like a ram's head, suspended from a frame of timber, and employed for battering down walls. Beaters, in a cotton-cleaning machine, are projections on a revolving cylinder, by which the cotton is struck with great velocity and force as it passes into the machine, and is thus loosened and prepared for carding. Becket, Thomas à, a celebrated Roman Catholic prelate, who was born in London, A. D. 1119, was made Archbishop of Canterbury, in 1162, and was killed, December 22, 1170. He was a haughty and imperious prelate, yet after his death he was canonized, or called a saint, and many miracles were said to have been wrought at his tomb. Beckmann, (John Anthony,) an ingenious and learned scholar, a native of Hoye, in Hanover, who in 1767 became Professor of Physic in the University of Gottingen, where he died in 1811. He wrote many works; one of which, a History of Discoveries and Inventions,' has been translated into English. 6 Bergmann, (Torbern Olof,) a Swedish natural philosopher, physician, and chemist, who was born March 9, 1735, and died in 1784, exhausted by his exertions in the cause of science. He was Professor of Mathematics and Natural Philosophy, and also of Chemistry, at the University of Upsal, and was a member of most of the learned Societies of Europe. He made many discoveries in science, and published many learned works. Bevil, or bevel, an instrument composed of two straight edges or blades, connected at one end as a centre, and movable, so as to form any desired angle. Bin, a box or place parted off for the reception of corn, bread, or any other article in bulk. Bismuth, a brittle metal, of a reddish white color, very fusible, requiring but little heat to melt it. Bitartrate, a compound, having two proportions of tartaric acid. Black, (Dr. Joseph,) a very celebrated modern chemist, who was born of British parents, at Bordeaux, in France, A. D. 1728, and died in Edinburgh, November 26, 1799, in the seventy-first year of his age. Black drop, a preparation of opium and acetic acid, or vinegar. Bloom, the blue color upon plums and grapes newly gathered. Bossut, (Charles,) an eminent French mathematician, who was born at Lyons, in 1730, and died in 1814. He was author of several valuable works on Mathematics. Bowing, a process in the preparation of furs for making hats. It is performed with a bow made of a pole seven or eight feet in length, to which are fixed two bridges somewhat like those of a violin, and over which is stretched a catgut. The bow is held horizontally among the fur, when the string is stretched and sprung; the elasticity of the string scatters the fur, and by repeated strokes opens and separates the filaments, till it is all in a fit condition for felting, or making into felt, the substance of which the bodies of hats are generally composed. Boyle, (Robert,) a celebrated natural philosopher, who was born at Lismore, in Ireland, January 26, 1627, and died at London in 1691. For a further notice of him, see Pursuit of Knowledge under Difficulties,' Vol. ii., forming the fifteenth volume of the Larger Series of THE SCHOOL LIBRARY. Bramah, (Joseph,) a very ingenious English engineer and mechanieian, who was born in Yorkshire, April 13, 1749, and died near London, December 9, 1814. He distinguished himself by his inventions, particularly by his locks, and his hydraulic press, and for his improvements in fire engines. Brantôme, (so called, from an Abbey which he possessed, but whose real name was Pierre de Bourdeilles,) a French courtier of the reigns of Charles IX. and Henry III., who was born A. D. 1527, and died in 1614. He wrote several works; and his memoirs of his contemporaries form fifteen volumes. Brassica, the generic name for the cabbage, and plants of that family. Brenning, burning. Brenning of wild-fire, highly-seasoned. Briarean, having many hands; from Briareus, a fabled giant, who is said to have had one hundred hands and fifty heads. Broccoli, a species of cabbage. Brunell, (M. J.,) a skilful and enterprising English engineer, who projected, and is still (1840) superintending, the construction of a tunnel or passage under the River Thames, from one side to the other. Burleigh, (William Cecil,) Lord, a celebrated English statesman, who was born in 1520, and died in 1598. He was characterized as "the oldest, the gravest, and the greatest statesman in Christendom." He was Secretary of State to Queen Elizabeth. Busked, adorned, decorated, prepared, made ready. Cadmium, a metal of a light whitish color, resembling tin, but somewhat harder and more tenacious. It was discovered in 1817, by Professor Stromeyer. Cæsar, (Caius Julius,) a very distinguished Roman general, emperor, statesman, and historian, who was born B. C. 100. He is said to have been victorious in five hundred battles, and wrote Commentaries on the wars in which he was engaged, on the spot where his battles were fought. He was assassinated at Rome, March 15, B. C. 44. Cæsar was also the family name of the first five Roman emperors, and the surname given to the next seven; and became, subsequently, the second, and finally the third, title of dignity under the emperors Calamine, carbonate of zinc. Cam, (from the French came, a lift,) a wheel, the axis of which is not situated in its centre, and the object of which is to produce an eccentric, or alternate, motion, in any part exposed to its action. Campan, Madame, (Jeanne Louise Henriette,) a French lady, who was born at Paris, October 6, 1752, and died March 10, 1822. She was attached to the family of Marie Antoinette, wife of Louis XVI., King of France; and was afterwards principal of a school founded by the Emperor Napoleon, for the daughters of some of his officers. She wrote Memoirs of the Private Life of the Queen, with Recollections of Louis XIV., XV., and XVI., and other works. Caoutchouc, elastic gum, or India rubber. Caoutchoucine, a liquid obtained from caoutchouc, by distillation. Carbonate, a compound, or salt, containing carbonic acid. Carbonate of ammonia, a compound of carbonic acid and ammonia. Carbonic acid, a gas composed of carbon and oxygen. It has lately been obtained in a solid form. Caseous, resembling cheese. Castelled, surrounded or adorned with turrets and battlements, like a castle. Cato, (Marcus Porcius,) the Roman farmer, called also the Censor, from his having exercised that office, was born at Tusculum, B. C. 232. He cultivated a small farm with his own hands, and died in an extreme old age, about B. C. 147. He composed many works, only one of which, a treatise on Husbandry, now remains. Cementation, a chemical process, by which the character of a metal is changed, as iron into steel, copper into brass. Glass is also changed into porcelain, by cementation. Centre-bit, an instrument turning on a centre, used by carpenters, cabinet-makers, &c., for making circular holes. Certes, certainly. Champagne, a particular kind of wine, originally made in Champagne, in France. Chaptal, (Jean Antoine Claude,) Count of Chanteloup, and Peer of France, a distinguished physician, chemist, and author, who was born A. D. 1756, and devoted himself to the study of medicine and the natural sciences. He was author of many valuable works, on national industry, chemistry, the cultivation of the vine, chemistry applied to the arts and agriculture, &c. &c. Charing-cross, a large open triangular space in London, fronting on some of the principal streets. A large marble cross formerly stood in the centre of it, which was erected by King Edward I., and destroyed by the Republicans in 1643. A statue of Charles I. on horseback, in brass, was erected upon the same spot, on the restoration of Charles II. Charles II., King of England and Scotland, born in 1630, was the son of Charles I. He became King, May 29, 1660, and died February, 1685. He was a licentious and immoral prince. Chaucer, (Geoffrey,) one of the greatest, as well as most ancient of the English poets, born in London, A. D. 1328, and died October 24, 1400. He is considered the "father of English poetry." Chaunge, change. Chloride, a compound of chlorine and some other substance. Chromate, a compound of chromic acid with some other substance. Cicero, (Marcus Tullius,) the most distinguished writer and orator of Citric acid, the acid obtained from the juice of lemons or limes. Cloaca maxima, a large subterranean passage or street, constructed under ground by the Romans, for the purpose of purifying their city, and draining off the filth, &c., from the houses and streets. Clutch, a projecting tooth on a wheel or other piece of machinery, intended to connect two or more parts of a machine moved by the same power, so that one can be stopped while the other is in motion. Coagulum, that which has the power of coagulating, or making hard. Cobalt, a brittle metal, of a reddish gray color, and weak metallic lustre. Cocoa-nut lard, the oil of the cocoa-nut, in a state of lard. Coke, (Thomas William,) now Earl of Leicester, a celebrated English agriculturist, who was born about A. D. 1748. He was made Earl of Leicester by Queen Victoria. Commissariat, the body of officers providing provisions for an army. Cop, the conical ball of thread wound on the spindle of a spinning frame, whence it is reeled, or transferred to bobbins. Cotes, (old Scotch,) coats. Coyfe, a coif or headdress, a lady's cap. Daie, day. Dagswaine, a rough, coarse mantle. Damiani, (Peter,) a cardinal of the Romish Church, who died A.D. 1073. Data, admitted truths. Davy, (Sir Humphrey,) one of the most distinguished chemists of the age, who was born in Cornwall, England, A. D. 1779, and died in 1829. See 'Pursuit of Knowledge under Difficulties,' Vol. ii., forming the fifteenth volume of "THE SCHOOL LIBRARY,' Larger Series. Decolorant, a substance which extracts color. Decoloration, an extraction of the color from any substance. Decrees, French, decrees passed by the French government, in 1807, prohibiting the trading of neutral vessels to any port of Great Britain, with whom France was then at war. See Orders in Council. Democritus, a celebrated philosopher of Abdera, a city of Thrace, who was born about B. C. 470, and died about B. C. 361. Disintegrating, separating into particles. Domesday (or doomsday) book, a very ancient record, made A. D. 1081 to 1086, containing a survey of nearly all the estates in England. Donned, put on, invested with. Ductor, (Latin,) a guide, leader, or conveyor. East. The countries in Asia, being east of Europe, are generally spoken of as the East, or Eastern or Oriental World. Eddystone lighthouse, a lighthouse built on some ridges of rocks in the English Channel, where the ocean swell is very tremendous. The foundation of the lighthouse is one entire solid mass of stones to the height of thirty feet. These stones are engrafted into each other, and united by every means of additional strength. The whole height is about eighty feet. The first lighthouse here was erected in 1696, but it was destroyed by a storm in 1703. Another was built in 1709, and was destroyed in 1755. A third was erected in 1759, and withstood all the rage of the weather, till 1830, when it was found necessary to rebuild it. Eden, (Sir Frederic Morton,) an English statesman, and statistical |