Catalysis
the process of facilitating chemical reactions by the introduction of agents which do not themselves enter into the reactions. It was first discovered by Jacob Berzelius and is now employed widely in various industries, of nitrogen fixation as in some processes and in the manufacture of sulphuric acid. In the latter manufacture, platito facilitate num is used as a catalyzer the combining of oxygen and sulphur dioxide. In the Haber process of nitrogen have been emfixation, several catalyzers ployed for the purpose of causing nitrogen and hydrogen to unite in ammonia.
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Catamarca
a W. province of the Argentine Republic, sinking S. E. from the Andes to the salt marshes which separate it from Cordoba. Almost twothirds of its surface is mountain or waterless desert, where the rivers are lost in the sands; but the remainder is very fertile, and yields much wine and corn, besides supporting large herds of cattle. Only copper has been much mined. Area, 36,800 square miles; pop. about 106,000. Catamarca (pop. about 10,000), the capital, lies 82 miles N. E. of Rioja.
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Catania
a city on the E. coast of Sicily, the capital of the province of Catania (area, 1,907 square miles; pop. about 850,000), at the foot of Mount Etna. It has been repeatedly visited by tremendous earthquakes, and has been partially laid in ruins by lava from eruptions of Mount Etna; but it has always revived, and has much more the features of a metropolis than Palermo. Most of the edifices have an air of magnificence unknown in other parts of the island. The cathedral, founded by Count Roger in 1094, is a fine building. The manufacture of linen, and articles in lava, amber, etc., constitutes the chief industry. of silk, etc., The ruins of the amphitheater, which was more extensive than the Colosseum at Rome, are still to be seen, as also the remains of the theater, baths, aqueducts, sepulchral chambers , hippodrome, and several temples. The harbor was choked up by the eru eruption of 1669, so that for the larger vessels there is nothing but a roadstead. In spite of this Catania has a considerable trade , and exports wheat, barley, wine, oil, etc. It is the seat of a bishop and of a university, founded in 1445. Pop. about 220,000.
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Catanzaro
a city of Italy, capital of the province of the same name, located 8 miles from the Gulf of Squillace. It contains a cathedral, an academy of sciences, a lyceum and three hospitals . Situated on a height, it is cool in summer and a desirable place of residence. There is a considerable trade in wines, wheat, and oils , and the chief manufactures are silk and velvet. Pop. about 40,000.
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Catapult
a Roman engine of war. Although we use the expressive phrase, "shot from a catapult," we have no exact description at hand. Makers of cuts have conjectured that a powerful bow was drawn by winding up a windlass and let go by slipping some sort of a catch. By this means bolts or arrows were hurled with great force. Large catapults requiring the strength of several men were used in besieging walled cities. This before the invention of cannon. They were capable of throwing a six-foot sixty-pound wooden bolt, to a distance of 400 yards. Small catapults were carried by single soldiers. On the whole the catapult seems to have been built on the principle of a bow and arrow .
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Catarrh
ka-tar', in medicine, an inflammation of the mucous membrane that lines the air passages of the head and throat. The membrane throws off an offensive discharge of matter freely. Catarrh differs from diphtheria in that the surface of the membrane is not destroyed, nor does it become covered with patches of false growth. Like bleeding, catarrh is not a disease; but it is a symptom of some general cause--some general disorder of the mucous membrane. It arises frequently from a severe cold. Inflammation of the mucous membrane of the stomach or other tubular organs may also occur, and is also termed catarrh. See Disease
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Catawba
ka-taw'ba, in horticulture, an excellent variety of cultivated grapes. This grape originated from the fox grape of the Catawba River in the Carolinas, from which locality it takes its name. The Catawba grape was brought to perfection by Mr. Longworth in a vineyard on the hills of Cincinnati. It is of a red, coppery color. In size it is midway between a Concord and a Delaware. The growers of the Ohio Valley are partial to this grape, which they send to the market in five and ten pound baskets. It is considered an excellent wine grape. See Grapes; Mutation
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Catbird
a well known slaty-gray bird with black crown and tail. About nine inches in length. It is related to the wren, the brown thrasher, and the mocking bird, the latter of which it resembles not a little. It ranges from Hudson Bay to the Gulf, nesting in dense thickets and closely foliaged trees. Three to five eggs, greenish blue. The catbird is intensely distressed when her nest is discovered. Mrs. Olive Thorne Miller gives the catbird a high reputation for hospitality and charitable behavior toward its unfortunate neighbors, feeding the hungry and distressed like a good Samaritan; but Lowell speaks of catbirds as "weasel Scots," that from their home in a syringa bush, tore down the unguarded nests of their neighbors. The catbird is a fine singer, performing late into the night; but it demands prompt payment in raspberries and other small fruits in sufficient quantities for self and fledglings. See Mocking Bird Catbird
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Cateau
LE, or CATEAU-CAMBRÉ- SIS, (kat-ō), a town in the French department of Nord, on the Selle, 14 miles E. S. E. of Cambrai. Pop. about 10,000 . Here in 1559 the treaty of Cateau -Cambrésis was concluded between Henry II. of France and Philip II. of Spain. death, after they had on Hence the
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Catechism
kat'e-kizm, a pamphlet or volume of religious instruction put in the form of question and answer. The Roman Catholic catechism was put forth in Latin by the Council of Trent in 1556. It has been translated into various modern languages. The first English translation appeared in 1829. The Westminster Shorter Catechism, drawn up by a meeting of Presbyterian divines at Westminster in 1647, is taught by the Church of Scotland and Presbyterians generally. It was long taught by the Congregationalists of New England . An abridgment is the Shorter Catechism, embalmed in literature as far from a delight to children. The catechism written by Martin Luther is taught in Lutheran parochial schools the world over. The catechism of the Church of England has been a manual of instruction for centuries. Other denominations, notably the Methodists and Baptists, have each a catechism. The Protestant dissenters of England were attached to Dr. Watts' catechism.
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