More than one of these 7 encyclopedias carries each of the following subjects — but every one of them treats it in a sentence or two and then moves on. They are gathered here so the different accounts can sit side by side.
Heliotrope
Aiton's Encyclopedia: he'll-o-trop, a fragrant plant allied to puccoon, forget-me-not, and beggar's lice. There are perhaps 100 kinds of heliotrope found mostly in warm countries. The fragrant garden heliotropes have sprung from two species. One is native to India, the other to Peru. The name is from two Greek words meaning "turning to the sun." Turnsole is the English name--sol meaning sun. Heliotrope is a recognized perfume, and is also the name of a color between violet and purple. See Perfume
An Encyclopaedia of Occultism: Said to render its possessor invisible if it be rubbed over with the juice of the herb of the same name; stops bleeding, and averts danger from poison.
Covered by Aiton's Encyclopedia and An Encyclopaedia of Occultism
Hell Gate
Aiton's Encyclopedia: a rocky channel in the East River at New York , noted for its danger to navigation. The tide pours in at each end and subjects ships to the dangers of being broken up on the jagged rocks. Irving has made Hell Gate, its shoals, whirlpools, and brawling breakers famous. The damage to shipping was so great that numerous surveys were made with a view to improving the channel. In 1869 work began in earnest Operations were rendered difficult by the proximity of expensive buildings. Nearly four miles of tunnels were constructed, and thousands of drill holes charged with dynamite. Over twelve acres of reefs were broken up, and all without damage even to a window. The work was pushed forward rapidly. A channel of a depth sufficient to permit the passage of the largest ocean going vessels was secured.
Collier's New Encyclopedia: a formerly dangerous pass in the east river, at New York City. Rocks here used to form an obstruction much dreaded by mariners, but by extensive submarine mining operations and the passage was cleared. The channel has a uniform depth of 26 feet.
Covered by Aiton's Encyclopedia and Collier's New Encyclopedia
Helmet
Aiton's Encyclopedia: a metal cap worn by the warrior as a protection. The origin of helmets is lost in antiquity. The heroes of the Trojan War wore helmets with plumes. The earliest known representations of warriors depict them as wearing some sort of a defensive head covering. Oftentimes this was of heavy leather. The Roman gladiator wore a heavy helmet that protected the head completely. The medieval helmet was provided usually with sliding attachments to protect the neck and sides of the head. When the knight in heavy armor fastened on his headpiece and lowered his visor it was impossible to reach his head with thrust of sword or spear. Nothing larger than a slender knife blade could be inserted through the openings left for sight and hearing. The modern European soldier, especially the soldier of Germany, wears a defensive cap, terminating in a metal point, from which the blow of a sabre will glance off harmless. The fireman's helmet, worn as a protection against water and falling brands, may be regarded as a modification of this ancient piece of armor. See Armor
Collier's New Encyclopedia: a piece of defensive armor for the head; a defensive covering for the head .
Covered by Aiton's Encyclopedia and Collier's New Encyclopedia
Helsingfors
Collier's New Encyclopedia: a seaport and capital of Finland, on a peninsula in the gulf of that name, 180 miles W. N. W. of St. Petersburg. Helsingfors is the residence of the governor, the seat of important courts and university removed from Abo in 1827. It public offices, and contains a has manufactures of linen, sail-cloth, and tobacco, an important trade in timber, corn, and fish, and one of the best harbors in the Baltic. Pop. with Sveaborg (1917) 187,544.
Aiton's Encyclopedia: the capital of Finland. It is situated on a well defended peninsula of the Baltic. The University of Helsingfors has a library of 200,000 volumes.
Covered by Collier's New Encyclopedia and Aiton's Encyclopedia
Hindustan
Collier's New Encyclopedia: the name commonly given to the whole Indian Empire, but which properly applies only to the Punjab and the valley of the Ganges. See INDIA.
Aiton's Encyclopedia: . See India
Covered by Collier's New Encyclopedia and Aiton's Encyclopedia
Hippocrates
Aiton's Encyclopedia: hip-pok'ra-tees (460-377 B.C.), an extraordinary medical writer of Greece. Little is known of his life beyond the fact that he was a physician on the island of Cos, that he belonged to the most intellectual period of Grecian life, and that he was singularly free from superstition. Over eighty treatises have been attributed to him, but it now is conceded that some were written by others who borrowed his name and reputation. His fame rests on a number of medical treatises which show that, had he lived at the present day, he would have been one of the most progressive men of the century. His works taken together form ten volumes, an encyclopedia of medicine and surgery as known in his day. He has been called the father of scientific medicine. He did not believe in miraculous diseases or cures. He taught that proper diet is a necessity of health, and that climate has a profound influence on both body and mind. See Galen; Medicine
1000 Classical Characters: A celebrated physician of Cos. He delivered Athens from a dreadful pestilence in the beginning of the Peloponnesian war, for which he was rewarded with a golden crown. He died in his ninety-ninth year, B. c. 361. 2026 Editor's Note: Hippocrates is traditionally called the Father of Medicine, and the Hippocratic Oath—still used by physicians today—is credited to him. This account of a golden crown likely conflates the historical Hippocrates with later legends, as little concrete biographical detail survives. (Ed: BR 2026-06-25)
Covered by Aiton's Encyclopedia and 1000 Classical Characters
Hippocrene
Collier's New Encyclopedia: a celebrated fountain on Mount Helicon in Bœotia, sacred to the Muses. It was fabled to have burst from the ground when struck by the feet of Pegasus, and to possess the power of poetic inspiration.
1000 Classical Characters: A fountain of Boeotia , near Mount Helicon, sacred to the Muses. It rose from the ground when struck by the feet of the horse Pegasus .
Covered by Collier's New Encyclopedia and 1000 Classical Characters
Hippolytus
Collier's New Encyclopedia: in classical mythology, a son of Theseus and Hippolyte, famous for his continence. His step-mother, Phædra, fell in love with him, and when he refused to pollute his father's bed, she accused him of offering violence to her person before Theseus, who, believing the accusation, entreated Neptune to punish his son. Hippolytus fled from the resentment of his father, along the seashore. His horses were frightened at the noise of sea-calves, which Neptune had purposely sent there; his chariot was broken and he was killed. On this myth, Euripides founded his play entitled "Hippolytus."
1000 Classical Characters: Son of Theseus and Hippolyte. His stepmother Phaedra fell in love with him. He fled to the seashore, where, his horses taking fright and rushing among the rocks, his chariot was broken in pieces, and he was killed. According to some accounts he was restored to life by Diana . 2026 Editor's Note: The myth of Hippolytus is most famously told in Euripides's tragedy Hippolytus , where his death is caused by a sea-monster sent by Poseidon at Theseus's prayer. The story was later adapted by the Roman playwright Seneca in his Phaedra and by Jean Racine in the 17th-century French tragedy of the same name. (Ed: BR 2026-06-27)
Covered by Collier's New Encyclopedia and 1000 Classical Characters