Natuna Islands
three groups of islands extending from the W. coast of Borneo a great way to the N. W. The largest, Great Natuna, is about 30 miles long N. to S., and 20 miles broad E. to W. They are densely wooded.
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Single-source entries: N (7)
Each of these 12 subjects appears in only one of the 6 encyclopedias on this shelf. None is long enough to carry a page by itself, so they are gathered here by letter. Anything that grows moves out to a page of its own.
Natural History
in the widest sense, and as used by the ancients, that branch of knowledge which included all natural science, and had the Cosmos for its subject. In more recent times its ⚫ range was limited to zoology; now again, its bounds are extended, and it may be defined as the science which deals with the earth's crust and its productions. Thus it includes geology, mineralogy, palæobotany, and palæontology, treating respectively of the inorganic world and organic remains of past ages. To these succeed biology, or the science of life, in its widest science (see BIOLOGY). Popularly, natural history is synonymous with ZOOLOGY (q. v.), and some writers of authority use it in that sense.
Only in Collier's New Encyclopedia
Natural Selection
a phrase frequently employed in connection with Darwin's theory of the origin of species, to indicate the process in nature by which plants and animals best fitted for the conditions in which they are placed survive, propagate, and spread, while the less fitted die out and disappear; this process being combined with the preservation by their descendants of useful variations arising in animals or plants.
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Naturalism
in theology, the name given to all forms of belief or speculation which deny or ignore the doctrine of a personal God as the author and governor of the universe. It is opposed to Theism.
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Naucratis
Egypt, in the Nile delta, near the modern village of Nebireh; 47 miles S. E. of Alexandria; existed in the 7th century B. C. It was the only city in Egypt at which the Greeks were allowed to trade; was celebrated for its artistic pottery; and was a center for the worship of Aphrodite. The site was discovered by Flinders Petrie in 1884, and excavated by him in that and the following year.
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Naugatuck
a town and borough of Connecticut in New Haven co. It is 5 miles S. of Waterbury and on the New York, New Haven and Hartford railroad. an important industrial The city is center and has manufactures of indiarubber goods, underwear, iron and copper goods, and paper boxes. It contains the Whittemore Memorial Library and the Whittemore Memorial Bridge. It has a handsome high school and other public institutions. Pop. (1910) 12,722; (1920) 15,051.
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Naugatuck River
a river of Connecticut, rises in Litchfield county, S. through New Haven county, and S. runs enters the Housatonic river at Derby. It is nearly 65 miles long. The chief city on its bank is Waterbury.
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Naumburg
a quaint old town of Prussian Saxony, on the Saale, 30 miles S. W. of Leipsic. Of its six churches, the triple-towered cathedral (1207-1242) is a noble Romanesque and Gothic structure. Prior to the World War the manufactures included ivory carvings, combs, hosiery, toys, wine, etc. The seat of a bishopric (1059-1564), Naumburg suffered much in the Thirty Years' War; in 1814 it came to Prussia. Pop. about 27,500.
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Nausicaa
nau-sic'a-a, in the Odyssey, the daughter of Alcinous, king of the Phaeacians. After leaving Calypso's Isle on the raft which the nymph had aided him to build, Ulysses was overtaken by storm. His raft went to pieces, but he swam to shore. It happened that he reached land in the country of the Phaeacians. Athene had sent a dream to Nausicaa--a dream reminding her that the family washing needed to be done. So the princess accompanied by her maidens, and with the soiled clothing heaped in a wagon, which carried also a hearty luncheon for the party, set off for the river. After the washing was completed and spread to dry the maidens ate their luncheon and then indulged in a game of ball. This, by Athene's guidance, took place near the spot where Ulysses was resting from his long swim. And--still by Athene's plan--Nausicaa threw the ball into the water. All the maidens screamed at this and Ulysses was awakened. Then, of course, Nausicaa gave him food and clothing and led him to her father, who aided him to reach Ithaca, his own island, and thus ended his wanderings.
Only in Aiton's Encyclopedia
Nautch Girl
or NAUTCHEE, a professional dancing and singing-girl India. They are selected for their beauty, generally from the middle class under strict training in physical exercises and taught all the arts of their profession.
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Nauvoo
a village of Illinois, on the Mississippi river; 14 miles above Keokuk. It was built by the MORMONS (q. v.) in 1840, and in a few months contained a population of 15,000. Its principal feature was a great temple of white limestone (1841-1845); but it had also mills and factories, and the beginnings of a university, and was for a few years a prosperous and happy town. After the expulsion of the Mormons in 1846, the temple was half destroyed by fire in 1848, and further ruined by a tornado in 1850. Pop. about 1,000. NAVAJO (nav'a-hō) INDIANS, a half-civilized tribe of the Athabascan group. They have a reservation in northeastern Arizona, extending in New Mexico and Utah. They have considerable native civilization, not a few of them engaging in agriculture, and in raising horses, sheep, and goats. They weave blankets, which are prized highly girl in the fine athletic race and excellent horsemen. While not an aggressive tribe, they have of life, and when very young are placed frequently been at war with the whites. They number about 22,000.
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Naval Institute
UNITED STATES, an association of naval officers having for its object the spreading of information about naval affairs among the officers of the United States Navy. It was founded in 1873 by the officers of the United States Naval Academy and now publishes bimonthly its "Proceedings," which is one of the largest and most authoritative periodicals on naval affairs in the world. The institute annually offers a prize of $200 and a gold medal to the best essay on any matter pertaining to naval affairs. All officers of the navy and persons holding positions in the Navy Department can become members.
Only in Collier's New Encyclopedia