Miscellaneous
Languages of the World
It is estimated that over 100 millions of people now speak the English language, over 41 millions the French, 69 millions German, 30…
Wisdom of the Ancients
Thales, the father of Greek philosophy, and greatest of the seven wise men, lived in the seventh century B. c. The sayings ascribed to him…
Longevity of Plants
Many species of plants live only one or two years, i. e., are annuals or bien- Many species indicate their age-the spruce producing a new…
Human Longevity
Peter Czartan, a Hungarian peasant, is recorded to have been born 1539, and to have died 1724, i. e., he lived 185 years.
Longevity of Animals
Insects live some only a few hours, others for weeks. The toad lives about 15 years.
Remarkable Instance of Human Fertility
In 1818, in Mercer Co., Philadelphia, 10 children were born of one mother within 12 months-5 at each of two births. The mother died about a…
The Periods of Gestation
The period of gestation is shorter in carnivorous than in herbivorous animals. The young of the former are also less developed at birth…
Fecundity of Animals
The elephant, camel, and horse very seldom produce more than one at a time; the lion, 1, oftener 2 or 3, sometimes 5, or more. The…
Notable Bridges of the World
Trajan's magnificent Bridge over the Danube, 4,770 feet in length, built A. D. 115.
Facts for Builders
One man can lift with both hands 236 lbs.
Tunnels of the World
Mount St. Gothard, 48,840 feet long (the longest in the world); Mount Cenis, 39,840 feet long; Hoosac, 25,080 feet long; Nochistongo…
The Bartholdi Statue of Liberty
M. Bartholdi's figure of Liberty stands, without reckoning the diadem, 105 feet high; but the extreme height from the feet to the upper end…