Drachmann
HOLGER (dräch' man), a Danish poet, painter, and novelist; born in Copenhagen, Oct. 9, 1846. His works show a lively fancy and excel in descriptions of the life of the common people, especially fishermen and mariners. His "Poems" appeared in 1872. His novels include "Condemned," "Once Upon a Time," and "Sea Tales." His best known painting is "From Hamburg Harbor," which was presented by the Danes in Hamburg to the King and Queen of Denmark. Drachmann visited the United States in 1898. He died Jan. 13, 1908.
DRACO (drā'ko), an Athenian legislator, the extraordinary and indiscriminate severity of whose laws has rendered endogen with linear entire evergreen his name odious to humanity. During sheathing leaves, which leave annular the period of his archonship, about 623 scars as they fall annually, it continues B. C., he enacted a criminal code in which to advance slowly to maturity, the process, it is said, taking 25 to 30 years. Then the leaf scars are gradually obliterated, and branches begin to be put forth. Next a glorious panicle of inflorescence appears at the apex of the stem, the individual flowers of which, however, are small and greenish white.
At an indefinitely long period it begins to decay. The celebrated dragon-tree of Teneriffe was one of the wonders of the world. Bethencourt in 1402 or 1406 described it as old and hollow. It had changed but little from that time till its destruction in 1867. It was between 70 and 75 feet high, with a circumference at the base of about 462 feet. D. slight offenses were punished as severely as murder or sacrilege. Hence it was said to be "written in blood." The laws of Draco, the first written laws of Athens, were for the most part superseded by the legislation of Solon. Draco is said to have been accidentally killed in a theater at Ægina.