These 11 listings are so strange that each appears in only one of the 7 encyclopedias we compared. They include such classics as Electric Crane, Electric Furnace, Electric Girls.
A substitution of the dynamo-electric machine for the steam or other methods usually employed for the purpose of working cranes. These cranes have met with almost universal favor, and are a marvellous improvement on some antiquated specimens which have been removed to allow of their introduction. They are eminently adapted for foundry purposes. See CRANES.
Only in The Encyclopedia of Founding
The Siemens Electric Furnace is used for melting metals that are of a highly refractory nature, using a guarded crucible. It is compact, needs no chimney, is more economical, and melts more rapidly, besides excluding air from the crucible.
Only in The Encyclopedia of Founding
Girls in whose presence certain phenomena occurred, similar in nature to the time-honoured phenomena of the poltergeist (q.v.), but ascribed to the action of some new physical force, probably electricity. The best known of these electric girls was perhaps Angelique Cottin, a Normandy peasant girl, whose phenomena were first observed about 1846. Finally she was taken to Paris and placed under the observation of Dr. Tanchon and others, who testified to the actuality of the phenomena. These included the movement of objects without contact, or at a mere touch from Angeliqué's petticoats, the agitation in her presence of the magnetic needle, and the blowing of a cold wind. She was also able to distinguish between the poles of a magnet at a touch. A commission appointed by the Academy of Sciences, however, could observe nothing but the violent movements of her chair, which were probably caused by muscular force. Other electric girls practised about the same time, and even after the beginding of the spiritualistic movement in America they were occasionally heard of. They are worthy of note as a link between the poltergeist and the spiritualistic medium.
Only in An Encyclopaedia of Occultism
ELECTRIC RAILWAYS, etc.
Only in Collier's New Encyclopedia
our largest bug. So named from its habit of dashing at electric lights. It is an aquatic bug, and is properly called the giant waterbug. It lives on minnows, small frogs, tadpoles, and the like, which it holds with its front legs while it sucks out the blood. The waterbug sticks the tip of his abdomen out of the water to breathe, as its breathing spiracles, corresponding to nostrils, are, insect fashion, situated along the sides of the last segment of the body. An interesting feature is the peculiar construction of the front leg, the second joint of which shuts into a groove in the upper joint like a blade into the handle of a knife. At night waterbugs often come up out of rivers and ponds and fly about, being particularly attracted by street lamps; but, no accident preventing, they are back in the water by dawn of day.
Only in Aiton's Encyclopedia
A mode of producing hypnotism by looking steadily at metallic discs. The process was discovered about the middle of last century, and its fame spread by numerous lecturers in England and America.
Only in An Encyclopaedia of Occultism
the decomposition of chemical compounds by electricity. This word is one of the many that have come into common use since electricity has every-day played so important a part in eve affairs, and means the condition which causes decomposition of gas and water pipes buried near the wires of electric railroads. As long ago as 1833 it was discovered that the earth could be used as a part of a circuit to carry electric currents, and until the introduction of electric cars the earth was almost wholly depended upon for the return current required by telephone and telegraph apparatus. Now the best telephone circuits have carefully insulated wires for the return current. The interference with the telegraph is much less than with the telephone from this cause. When electricity passes through moist earth it causes the decomposition of the water and the formation of oxygen and hydrogen gases. The oxygen, reaching metallic pipes, causes oxidation and ultimate destruction. The time required is, of course, wholly dependent upon the conditions, such as the volume of the current, the size of the conductor, and the amount of oxygen liberated.
Only in Collier's New Encyclopedia
Important: Safety Warning This page describes trade processes that use dangerously toxic materials such as cyanide solutions, mercury amalgams, or strong acids. These processes require training, equipment, and precautions far beyond what the text describes. This information has been left in for historical purposes but should not be acted upon. A cast of metal upon a mould by galvanic action. A wax impression of the type or engraving is coated with black lead, washed with solution of sulphate of copper, and dusted with iron-filings, which leaves a film of copper on the surface, after which it is suspended in a bath of: sulphate of copper 2, sulphuric acid 1, water to stand it at 140 deg. Beaume, and connected with the negative electrode of a battery. The sulphate of copper is decomposed when the circuit is closed, the metallic copper going to the negative plate, which is the plumbago-mould. The deposit or shell is afterwards backed with molten type-metal. See STEREOTYPE; TYPE.
Only in The Encyclopedia of Founding
Amber is the subject of some curious legends under this name, but there is also a metallic electrum, known to the French in modern times as Orbas . A cup of this metal, according to Pliny, has the property of discovering poison, by exhibiting certain semi-circles like rainbows in the liquor, which it also keeps sparkling and hissing as if on the fire. A black species of electrum or amber is the proper gargates of Pliny, and the jet of the present day. The occult virtues of electrum are of the tell-tale character.
Only in An Encyclopaedia of Occultism
a variety of lyric poetry which is expressive of grief. The elegy is called forth usually by the death of some individual; but serious reflection upon mortality is also the theme of elegies. Gray's Elegy in a Country Churchyard, Milton's Lycidas, Shelley's Adonais, and Tennyson's In Memoriam are the most noted elegies in the English language. See Poetry
Only in Aiton's Encyclopedia
gum resins derived from various trees. The American or Brazilian elemi is from Icica Icicariba, the Mexican from Elaphrium elemiferum, and the Eastern or Manila from Canarium commune. In commercial parlance, a brownish yellow resin, from a species of elemi, used to mix with spirit and turpentine varnishes to prevent their cracking as they dry. Distilled with water it yields a transparent colorless oil, which boils at 166°. In pharmaceutical use elemi has an odor like fennel, and a bitter, aromatic taste. It is used to form Unguentum elemi, ointment of elemi, which is applied as a topical stimulant.
Only in Collier's New Encyclopedia