Humane Association
AMERI- CAN, a federation of approximately 300 societies which has for its object the prevention of cruelty to children and to animals. It originated in a meeting held in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1877 which had before it the question of providing proper facilities for cattle in transit from West to the East. Owing to the efforts of the society the cars were improved and the former cruelties were held to be illegal by the courts. It has also interested itself to prevent the abuses of vivisection as practiced in the schools and colleges. The membership of the societies represented in the federation is nearly 150,000.
Only in Collier's New Encyclopedia
Humane Society
THE, an association formed in 1774 in London, England, for the purpose of resuscitating those who had been immersed in water and were apparently drowned. At the present time it distributes rewards, consisting of medals, clasps, testimonials, and sums of money, to those who save or attempt to save life from drowning. Also "all cases of exceptional bravery in rescuing or attempting to rescue persons from asphyxia in mines, wells, blast-furnaces, or in sewers where foul gas may endanger life, are recognizable by the society." It likewise gives prizes for swimming to the pupils of public schools and of training-ships. The society is supported by bequests and private subscriptions. Since 1873 the Stanhope gold medal has been awarded "to the case exhibiting greatest gallantry during the year."
Only in Collier's New Encyclopedia
Humanists
a party which, during the Renaissance of the 16th century, cultivated literature, especially classical literature. Erasmus is the great type of the humanist, as Luther is of the religious reformer.
Only in Collier's New Encyclopedia
Humanitarians
a name assigned to anti-Trinitarians, who regard Christ as a mere man, and refuse to ascribe to Him any supernatural character, whether of origin rigin or of nature. The name Humanitarian is also sometimes applied to the disciples of St. Simon. For the religion of Humanity, see POSI- TIVISM; UNITARIAN CHURCH.
Only in Collier's New Encyclopedia
Humanities
a term for humane or polite literature, including the study of the ancient classics, in opposition to philosophy and science. In the Scotch universities "humanity" is applied to the study of the Latin language and literature alone.
Only in Collier's New Encyclopedia
Humber
chief of the Huns, defeated by Locrin, King of England, and drowned in the river Abus, ever since called the Humber. HUMBERT I., Italian UMBERTO (öm-ber'tō), King of Italy; born in Turin, March 14, 1844. He was the eldest son of Victor Emmanuel. In the war of 1866, in which Italy joined Prussia against Austria, he took the field in command of a division, and distinguished himself by his bravery in the disastrous battle of Custozza. In 1868 he married his cousin, Margherita, daughter of Duke Ferdinand of Genoa. He succeeded his father Jan. 9, 1878, and was assassinated in Monza, near Milan, July 29, 1900.
a large river, or rather estuary, on the E. side of England, between the counties of York and Lincoln. At its W. extremity it is joined by the Ouse, after the latter has been augmented by the Derwent and Aire; below Goole it receives the Don, lower down the Trent, and still lower the Hull from the opposite side. It is about 35 miles long, and varies in breadth from 1 to 7 miles.
Only in Collier's New Encyclopedia
Humble-Bee
in entomology, the genus Bombus, called also and more accurately the bumble-bee. Darwin has shown that the humble-bees fertilize various plants by unintentionally brushing off the pollen when they are seeking honey in one flower, and carrying it, adhering to the hairs of their body, till they unwittingly clean it off against the pistil of some other individual of the same species.
Only in Collier's New Encyclopedia
Humerus
in human anatomy, the long bone of the arm, consisting of a shaft, an upper extremity articulating with the glenoid cavity of the scap and an articulating with the radius and the ulna. In comparative anatomy, the bone of the upper arm in the vertebrata.
Only in Collier's New Encyclopedia
Humidity
the condition of the atmosphere with respect to its water-vapor content, may be absolute or relative, the former being measured by the actual amount of vapor in the air per unit volume, while the latter is the ratio between such actual amount and the maximum amount which the air would contain at the same temperature. Relative humidity may thus be expressed as a percentage, as it is in the daily weather reports. The higher the temperature of the air the more water vapor it will absorb, whence the drying power of heated air and the dryness commonly found in furnace-heated houses where cold air is drawn in from outside and highly heated without any new supply of moisture. On the other hand, high relative humidity means lessened drying power, so that a combination of high temperature with a high degree of humidity produces feelings of great physical discomfort, the humidity retarding the evaporation of perspiration by which the body heat is largely regulated. Extremely high temperatures in arid regions are on this account found to be more endurable than considerably lower ones where the atmosphere is moist. While vapor baths of over 80 degrees are insupportable, a temperature of 200 degrees Fahrenheit may be borne for several minutes in dry air. Humidity is now recognized as one of the most important factors in ventilation, and the installation of humidifying and dehumidifying systems has become an engineering specialty. Ac-
Only in Collier's New Encyclopedia
Humming Bird
or HUMBIRD, one of the Trochilidæ, a family of birds, tribe Tenuirostres. The bill is long and slender, the tongue bifid and tubular, the wings very long, the toes long and slender. The plumage of the males is of the most lively colors, often with extremely febeautiful metallic reflections; the males are of more somber tint. The species are exceedingly diminutive. They hover over flowers, using their long tongues to lick up, not merely the honey, but also small insects. Their flight is so rapid as to elude the eye. The whole family are peculiar to the New World. There some have a wide range, as Melisuga kingii (Trochilus flammifrons), which is found on the W. coast from Lima to the Tierra del Fuego, a distance of about 2,500 miles; others are limited in their range, some being West Indian only, and others Mexican.
Only in Collier's New Encyclopedia