Edwards (II)

Collier's New Encyclopedia (1921)

EDWARD IRVING, United States Senator, was born in Jersey City, N. J., December 1, 1863. He studied at New York University, 1880-2, 70 EDWARDS, EDWARD IRVING D successive changes of pitch produced either by a backward and forward motion or by rotation of the sounding source, such motion eastward and westward, for instance, causing a rising sound to be heard in one of these directions, a falling sound in the other, while a combination of changes of pitch may be made to indicate any direction whatever. DUCTLESS GLANDS, those whose secretions are directly absorbed by the blood or lymph, not discharged through ducts, as in ordinary glands. The principal ductless glands of the body are the thyroid, the suprarenals, and the pituitwaves reaching an observer from a mov-ary gland. Certain other glands or organs have external ducts and yet also elaborate internal secretions, like the true ductless glands. Such are the pancreas, the liver, and the reproduction glands. Until recently the functions of the true ductless glands were but little understood. They are now known to be the principal regulators of a number of important bodily functions, and their failure to secrete in proper measure is sometimes attended by disastrous results. The failure of the thyroid gland, for example, produces the disease called myxedema and is also responsible for cretinism, both of which may be cured or greatly ameliorated by the proper administration of thyroid preparations to the patient. Within very recent times a new field of therapy has been opened by the use of the secretions of the ductless glands in medicine. According to Dr. Steinach of Vienna, old age is due to certain changes in the chemical secretions of the ductless glands. He has found that they may be temporarily reinvigorated. (See OLD AGE.) E but went to work at the age of nineteen in the First National Bank of Jersey City of which he became president in 1916. From 1911 to 1917 he was State Comptroller of New Jersey, and in 1919 was elected state senator. In 1920 he was chosen governor, retaining that office until January, 1923. In In 1922 he was elected U. S. Senator for the term 1923 to 1929, after a campaign in which he took strong ground against the enforcement of the 18th Amendment. EGYPT: ARCHEOLOGICAL RE- SEARCH. Egypt has always held a foremost place in the field of archæological research, offering to students the most interesting and richest rewards for their labors by reason both of the high antiquity and the wonderful wealth of its civilization, whose monuments and records have been preserved in many cases to a remarkable degree by favorable climatic and other conditions. Modern scientific research began with the attempts of European scholars in the sixteenth century to decipher the mysterious hieroglyphics or "sacred-sculpture" writings in pictures and symbols found on the tombs and monuments of the country. In 1799 the key to these was found in the famous Rosetta Stone, carved in three languages - Greek, demotic, and hieroglyphic-a discovery which led to the solution of the sculptures and greatly added to the interest felt in Egyptian monuments and other antiquities. Achæological work became organized, first first by European governments interested in Egypt, and later by numerous private societies. The socalled Egyptian Exploration Fund was founded in 1882 (American branch, 1883) to explore and excavate ancient sites, all discoveries made to be divided between the National Museum of Egypt and certain British and American museums. Among the most important of recent expeditions have been those of the New York Metropolitan Museum of Art, which in 1920-21-22 made extensive excavations in the vicinity of Thebes, uncovering and examining temples, pyramids, and tombs and and bringing to light many intimate pictures of Egyptian life and art and manners. The "Hekanakht Letters," written about 2000 B. C. and describing many details of domestic and agricultural life at that period, are among the oldest manuscripts in existence. Other explorations are at present being conducted by the Egyptian Department of the University of Pennsylvania, as well as by other institutions. A very important discovery in Egyptian archæological research was announced in December, 1922, as having been made the previous month by Howard Carter, an American archæologist, working on the so-called Carnarvon concession in the Valley of the Tombs of Kings, adjoining the Metropolitan concessions. Following a search of many years, the tomb of King Tutankhamen was discovered, dating from the fourteenth century, B. C., a period thought by many students to have marked the height of Egyptian art and splendor. Only a limited number of the chambers of the tomb were opened by the explorers in the first excavations, the innermost chambers remaining sealed for the better salvaging of the treasures so far found. In the outer chambers have been found a vast collection of royal palace furnishings and personal effects, accompanied by sculptures, portait statues, and carvings, thrones and royal chariots illusating almost every branch of highly trating refined and artistic workmanship, musical instruments, alabaster vases, embroideries and delicate jewel-work, down to common personal and household articles and mummified foodstuffs such as ducks, geese, and venison. Boxes containing rolls of papyrus yet unopened are expected to yield information of high value. Sixty-one tombs have thus far been found in the same valley, probably the richest situation in the world in its promises of reward to archæologists. It is sunk in a plateau 1,300 feet above sea level, unvisited by rain and devoid of vegetation, the dryness playing an important part in the preservation of all pre objects from disintegration and decay. The valley contains the royal tombs of the kings from the Eighteenth to the Twentieth Dynasties (1587-1102 B. C.). A practice recently inaugurated is to leave the mummies and other objects of the tombs untouched as far as possible, lighting the interiors by electric lights. In general, the private research parties work on concessions from the Egyptian government, the latter receiving a share of all discoveries.