Chalcis
a typical genus of a large family of Hymenopterous insects, not unlike small wasps. The family (Chalcididæ or Pteromalini) has this great importance, that the larvæ of its members are parasitic in the eggs, larvæ, or pupe of other insects, and as some of the latter are very destructive to plants, their parasites are animals to be thankful for. Thus forms so different as the cabbage butterfly and the destructive Hessian fly have their attendant Pteromalini. Many of the so-called gallwasps (Cynipida) which cause many of the commonest galls for instance, on the oak, or the curious bunches on rose and briar bushes are preyed upon by Chalcididæ. Some of the hosts of these Chalcidæ are themselves parasitic, and thus we have parasites within parasites, or double parasitism. Altogether over 2,000 species of Chalcididæ are known.
a Greek town, anciently the chief town of Eubœa, separated by the narrow strait of Euripus from the Bœotian coast, on the mainland of Greece, with which it was connected by a bridge. Chalcis, which is mentioned by Homer, early became one of the greatest eatest of the Ionic cities, carrying on an extensive commerce, and planting numerous colonies in Syria, Macedonia, Italy, Sicily, and the islands of the Ægean Sea. It was subsequently a place of importance under the Romans. There is still a town on the site, consisting of an inner walled town and an outer suburb. Pop. about 17,500.
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Chaldaea
In the narrower sense, was a province of Babylonia, about the lower course of the Euphrates, the border of the Arabian Desert, and the head of the Persian Gulf. In a wider sense, the term is applied to the JOOO CLASSICAL CHARACTERS whole of Babylonia, and even to the Babylonian empire, on account of the supremacy which the Chaldeans acquired at Babylon.
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Chaldea
in ancient geography the regions of Babylonia, or more generally Babylonia. The early history of Chaldæa as a separate kingdom is very uncertainly known. The Chaldæans were conquered by the Assyrians, with Babylon, and waged frequent wars with the latter power. When the Assyrian power began to wane, the Chaldæans, being a more warlike and powerful people than the Babylonians, became supreme; Chal- Babylonia, by their conquests Band Babylon dæa and Ba under Nebuchadnezzar, became one kingdom, and the names Chaldæa and Babylonia became synonymous terms. CHÂLET, the French-Swiss name for the wooden hut of the Swiss herdsmen on the mountains; but is also extended to Swiss dwelling-houses generally, and to picturesque and ornate villas built in imitation of them.
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Chaleur Bay
or BAY OF CHA- LEURS (shäl-er'), an inlet of the Gulf of St. Lawrence, between Quebec and New Brunswick. The French fleet was here defeated by the British in 1760. There are a number of islands in this bay, notably Shippegan, near its mouth. The navigation is good and the mackerel fishery is important. The Restigouche river flows into the bay, as do numerous other large streams. Length Leng from E. to W. 90 m miles, and greatest est breadth 20 miles. The bay is a great resort of fishermen, as its waters teem with many varieties of the finny tribe, including salmon. The bay, whose original name was Ecketam Nemauchi, or Bay of Fish, forms a single great harbor, destitute of shoals and reefs, and forming a safe refuge from storms and dangerous currents, as well as affording exceptionally safe anchorage.
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Chalk Composition
For obtaining impressions of simple objects, as medals, etc., or for forcing into well-oiled moulds, as busts, statuettes, etc., this composition is very good. It is composed of powdered chalk and thin glue worked to the consistency of putty, which, when allowed to dry, becomes almost as hard as marble. All that is needed is to press the composition hard down into all the cavities of the mould, and the impression is perfect. See PLASTERCAST. Change-hook. See DOUBLE HOOK.
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Challis
shal'ly, a soft, fine, thin dress fabric of wool, wool and silk, or wool and cotton. The original challis was made at Norwich, England, in 1832. It was of silk and wool, and was of a superior quality, the special characteristics being lightness, pliability, and dull finish. Challis is made in plain colors or figured. The patterns are copied usually from French silk. They are tasteful and often artistic. They are produced in the loom or are printed. Cotton challis is one of the cheapest prints made. It is, however, soft, durable, and attractive in coloring. It is used largely for bed comforts, draperies, house gowns, dressing sacques, etc. All wool challis is quite similar to old-fashioned muslin-delaine. It is not crumpled easily, and is desirable where light weight, dainty coloring, and graceful draping are required. See Delaine
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Chamber of Commerce
an association of merchants and others with a view to promote the business interests of the town. Most American cities have such an organization. The newspapers contain daily items relative to their efforts in the line of favorable railroad rates, the establishment of manufactures, the reception of distinguished visitors, contributions to sufferers from great disasters, and the like. A committee from a chamber of commerce representing the united commercial interests of a city has more influence than that the same men exercise if acting on their own responsibility. This sort of association appears to have originated at Marseilles, in France, about 1400. It took definite form in 1650 and was imitated at Dunkirk, Paris, Lyon, Rouen, Toulouse, and Bordeaux. The first in Great Britain was organized at Glasgow in 1783; that of Manchester in 1820. The first in this country was established in New York as early as 1768.
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Chambersburg
a borough and county-seat of Franklin co., Pa., on the Conococheague and Falling Creeks and the Cumberland Valley and Western Maryland railroads, 52 miles W. S. W. of Harrisburg. In Early's raid in the entered Civil War General McCausland Chambersburg with Confederate cavalry, July 30, 1864, and demanded a tribute of $200,000 gold; this not being paid, the place was set on fire and two-thirds of it burned, causing a loss of $1,000,000. It was soon rebuilt, chiefly of brick or stone, and is now the seat of Wilson College, for women, and has an academy, several churches, and newspapers, public schools, manufactories, machine shops, National banks, etc. Pop. (1910) 11,800; (1920) 13,171. CHAMBÉRY (shäm-bā're'), capital of the former duchy and present French department of Savoie, beautifully situated between two ridges of hills, amid gardens and country-seats, 370 miles S. E. of Paris. The scenery around, with the river Laisse flowing through the valley, is exceedingly fine. The town itself, however, is dull and uninteresting, with narrow and gloomy streets winding between high, well-built houses. Notable edifices are the small cathedral, the palace of justice, and the old castle of the Dukes of Savoie, restored early in the 19th century. Chambéry has manufactures of clocks, silk-gauze, soap, hats, paper, and a trade in silk, wine, coal, etc. Pop. about 25,000.
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