Scythe
an implement which has been known from the earliest ages. The ancient form being nearly the same as the modern. It consists of a curved steel blade fixed at right angles to a long, crooked handle, to which are fastened two other smaller handles. One of the S.) Atlantic (from Arctic Circle to 40° S.) Sq. miles 63,986,000 31,530,000 28,350,000 Indian (S. boundary 40° S.) Arctic (within the Arctic Circle) 5,541,000 129,407,000 Depth. The solid globe or lithosphere, viewed as to its superficial aspect, may be regarded as divided into two great planes; one of these corresponds to the dry land or upper surface of the continental masses, and occupies about twoseventh of the earth's surface; the other, corresponding to the abysmal regions of the ocean, is depressed over 2½ miles below the general level of the continental plane, and occupies about four-sevenths of the earth's surface. The transitional area, uniting these two planes, forms the sides or walls of the ocean basins, and occupies about one-seventh of the earth's surface. The depressed regions of the globe, represented by the ocean basins, are filled with sea water up to within about 375 fathoms (2,250 feet) of the general level of the continents, the average depth of the water in the ocean basins being on the other hand about 2,080 fathoms (12,480 feet). The average depths of the main divisions of the first American inventions was an improvement in the scythe, originated by Joseph Jenks, who strengthened the back edge of the blade by welding to it a strip of iron. Scythes are used for cutting grass and corn; when for the latter purpose, a piece of wickerwork, called a cradle, is attached. attached. In antiquity, the curved, cutting blade, which was affixed to the wheels of war chariots, was called Atlantic Ocean a scythe. The implement in its agricultural form was an emblem of Saturn or Chronos or old "Father Time."