Each of these 10 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.
in geometry, a line falling directly on another line, so on each line. A as to make equal angles straight line is said to be perpendicular to a curve, when it cuts the curve in a point where another straight line to which it is perpendicular makes a tan- In this case the gent with the curve. perpendicular is usually called a normal to the curve. 13
Only in Collier's New Encyclopedia
the third period of Pointed Architecture. It originated at the end of the 11th century, and continued till the close of the 16th, when it was succeeded by the Revived, or Debased Classic, known as the Elizabethan. It is also known as the Florid, from the multiplicity, profusion, and minuteness of ornamental detail, and its more general name, Perpendicular, is derived from the mullions of the windows and the divisions of ornamental panel work running in straight or pependicular lines, which was not the case in any earlier style. The pointed arches are constructed from almost every radius. The most common doorway is the depressed four-centered arch (almost peculiar to this style) within a square head, having generally a hood molding over, the spandrels being filled with quatrefoils, paneling, roses, foliage, small shields, or other sculptured ornaments. Fan-shaped roofs, ornamented with dependent pendants resembling stalactites, are also peculiar to the Perpendicular style. Richly decorated roof trusses, which are left clearly visible, are also of frequent occurrence. In these roofs the spaces between the highly ornamented and molded beam are filled with rich tracery.
Only in Collier's New Encyclopedia
a motion which, once generated by mechanical means, should have the power of perpetuating itself. A machine which, according to the hopes of its inventors, after it has once set in motion, will keep in motion without drawing on any external source of energy. As early as 1775 the Académie des Sciences of Paris placed the problem in the same category with the duplication of the cube and the quadrature of the circle, and refused to receive schemes claiming to have overcome the difficulty-in reality, to have performed the impossible. The overbalancing wheel was a favorite contrivance with the seekers after a perpetual motion. It appears as early as the 13th century.
Only in Collier's New Encyclopedia
uninterrupted or continued duration or succession; endless duration; continuance to eternity; something of which there will be no end; that which continues indefinitely. The number of years in which the simple interest of any sum invested in an annuity or annuities becomes equivalent to the principal; also, the amount which will purchase an annuity payable forever. In law, quality or class of an estate by which it becomes inalienable, either perpetually or for an indefinitely long period of time; also, the estate so perpetuated.
Only in Collier's New Encyclopedia
a town of France, and a fortress of the first rank; in the department of Pyrénées-Orientales, on the river Têt, 7 miles from the Mediterranean, 40 S. of Narbonne, and 17 from the Spanish frontier. It commands the passes of the Eastern Pyrénées, and is defended on the S. by a citadel, which incloses the old castle of the Counts of Roussillon, and by a detached fort. The streets are narrow and the houses of semi- Moorish construction, and show evidences of Spanish influence. The cathedral (begun in 1324), the Moorish-Gothic cloth hall or bourse (1396), the town house (1692), the building of the former university (1349-French Revolution), the court house, and a col college are the principal public buildings. Good red wine is made, sheep and silkworms are bred, vegetables and fruit grown, brandy distilled, cloth woven, and corks cut; and there is a good trade in wine, spirits, wool, cork bark, oil, cloth, and silk. As capital of the former county of Roussillon Perpignan was in the hands of the kings of Aragon from 1172 to its capture by France in 1475; it was restored to Spain in 1493; but Richelieu retook it in 1642, and France has possessed it ever since. Pop. (1911) 39,510.
Only in Collier's New Encyclopedia
a Cornish coast parish, 10 miles N. by W. of Truro. The rude little stone oratory (25 by 12/2 feet) of St. Piran, who was sent to Cornwall by St. Pat Patrick in the 5th century, had been buried in the sands for 1,000 years, when it was discovered in 1835; it is probably the earliest ecclesiastical structure in England. Perran Round is a circular inclosure, with seven rows of seats that could seat 2,000 spectators, in which miracle plays were performed of old.
Only in Collier's New Encyclopedia
pa-ro, Charles (1628-1703), a French poet and story writer. Perrault was a man of wide learning. His name was brought into prominence by a famous literary controversy between himself and Boileau, as to the respective merits of the ancients and moderns. Perrault's poetry was not of a high order and won him no lasting fame. He is better known as the author of two prose works, Illustrious Men of the Seventeenth Century and a collection of stories entitled Tales of Mother Goose . These were from varied sources, some of oriental origin but retold in modern form. The book is mentioned frequently as Perrault's Tales. It includes eighteen stories. Among them are Puss-in-Boots, Cinderella, Bluebeard, and Little Red Riding-Hood.
Only in Aiton's Encyclopedia
Matthew (1794-1858), a brother of Capt. Oliver Hazard Perry. He rose to be a commodore in the American navy. He commanded an expedition to Japan, 1853-54, during which he concluded a treaty opening Japan to American commerce. The immediate purpose of the expedition was the protection of the American whalers who frequented the Japanese coast.
Only in Aiton's Encyclopedia
Nora (1832-1896), an American poet and story writer. She was a native of Massachusetts and was engaged for many years in journalistic work. She is best known for her stories for girls, her ballads, and other short poems. Among her stories may be mentioned Hope Benham, The Youngest Miss Lorton, and A Flock of Girls. Her volumes of poems include After the Ball and Other Poems and Her Lover's Friend.
Only in Aiton's Encyclopedia
Oliver Hazard (1785-1819), an American sailor. He was born at South Kingston, Rhode Island , and died at Port Spain, Trinidad. He was trained as a midshipman in the United States navy, and served in the Tripolitan War. In the War of 1812 he defeated the British in the celebrated battle of Lake Erie, September 10, 1813. He announced his victory to General Harrison in the oft quoted words, "We have met the enemy and they are ours." This victory enabled Harrison to invade Canada. Perry pursued Proctor's squadron up the Thames and won a second victory October 5, 1813, at Put-in-Bay, near Detroit. These victories were of great service in recovering possession of Michigan. At the close of the war Perry received a vote of thanks from Congress, a medal and the rank of captain. In 1905 three of Proctor's ships were found in the Thames. The red oak and walnut used in the construction of the hulls was found as sound as the day it was hewn from the forest. About two tons of cannon balls were found, but no cannon. It is supposed that the cannon were thrown overboard. One of the ships lay buried in a sand bank beneath eighteen feet of soil, 100 yards from the present center of the stream. A tree three feet in diameter was found growing above it.
Only in Aiton's Encyclopedia