These 9 listings are so strange that each appears in only one of the 7 encyclopedias we compared. They include such classics as Plastic Wood, Plata, Plataea.
a made of wood meal and collodion which, preparation when soft, may be handled and moulded like putty, but which sets hard and may then be cut and turned like wood. It is capable of being finished with sandpaper, and nails may be driven into it without cracking it.
Only in Collier's New Encyclopedia
RIO DE LA, River of Silver; a body of water which extends for more than 200 miles between the Argentine Republic and Uruguay, and is not, strictly speaking, a river, but rather an estuary, formed by the junction of the great rivers Paraná and Uruguay. It flows into the Atlantic between Cape St. Antonio and Cape St. Mary, and has here a width of 170 miles. On its banks are the cities and ports of Montevideo and Buenos Ayres. It was discovered in 1515 by Juan Diaz de Solis, and called Rio de Solis; it owes its present name to the famous navigator Cabot.
Only in Collier's New Encyclopedia
A town of Boeotia , near Mount Citheron, celebrated as the scene of a battle between Mardonius, the general of Xerxes , king of Persia, and Pausanias , who commanded the Athenians. The Persians were defeated with great slaughter. 2026 Editor's Note: Pausanias , a Spartan regent and general, commanded the Hellenic League's combined land forces at Plataea. The battle in 479 BC decisively ended the second Persian invasion of Greece. After Mardonius ordered his forces to pursue what he believed was a Greek retreat, the Greeks halted and routed the Persian infantry, killing Mardonius and trapping much of the Persian army in its camp. (Ed: BR 2026-07-13)
Only in 1000 Classical Characters
a city in the W. part of Bœotia, on the borders of Attica, and at the foot of Mount Cithæron, 6 miles from Thebes. In 480 B. c. it was destroyed by the Persians, because the inhabitants had taken part with Athens in the battle of Marathon; but in the following year it was the scene of the glorious victory won by the Lacedæmonian Greeks, under Pausanias and Aristides, over the Persian hordes commanded by Mardonius. In the third year of the Peloponnesian war (429) it was attacked by a Theban-Lacedæmonian force, and heroically defended itself for more than two years, when the little garrison of about 200 men were put to the sword, and the city demolished. Some Platæans escaped to Athens and by the treaty of Antalcidas (387) their descendants were allowed to return and rebuild their city. They were driven forth again by the Thebans, and half a century passed before Philip of Macedon's victory at Chæronea enabled the Platæans to return home where they remained until the 6th century A. D.
Only in Collier's New Encyclopedia
The scaffold round the cupola, built for convenience in charging. If possible, they should always be of sufficient area to accommodate the stowing of all the iron, fuel, material for repairs, etc., required for one day's melting at least, for which reason there should be no mistake made as to the strength of such structures. If there be a system of tracks in the yard, an incline from the platform will serve to communicate therewith. See PIGIRON SCALES; CHARGING-PLATFORM. Platform-cranes are walking cranes erected on trucks which run on rails or road. See CRANES.
Only in The Encyclopedia of Founding
a heavy metal of a tin-white color. The name is derived from the Spanish and means silvery. Platinum may be hammered into thin sheets and drawn into slender wire. It is not inclined to unite with other elements but forms alloys with metals readily. It melts only at an exceedingly high temperature-3200 deg. F. Platinum crucibles and spoons are considered indispensable in the chemical laboratory. Platinum occurs in most gold-bearing gravels, but, as it does not amalgamate with mercury, it is difficult to collect. California and Oregon produce small quantities. The world's supply has been derived for centuries chiefly from the Siberian side of the Ural mountains , where it is associated with iron. Colombia exports platinum. Other producers are Brazil, Borneo, Australia, and New Zealand . The market value of platinum varies from $4 to $15 an ounce. Russia used to employ platinum alloy in hardening gold for coinage, but it is now too valuable for that purpose. Platinum pins are used to fasten artificial teeth to the plate, as it is the only metal that will stand the heat of baking. Platinum wires are used in electric lamps. Platinum is also in some demand for filling teeth, in photography, and in jewelry. An authority writing in 1903 states that the world uses 16,591 pounds a year. The Urals produce 10,500 pounds; other regions, 2,000. The deficit is made up by the use of old platinum. See Ductility
Only in Aiton's Encyclopedia
in chemistry, symbol, Pt .; at. wt., 194.3; sp. gr. 21.6, a tetrad metallic element discovered first in the United States; still produced there; also found in the Ural chain, and in copper ore from the Alps. Pure forged platinum takes a high luster, is nearly malleable. as It silver resists, and the very strongest ductile heat and of the forge fire, but can be fused by the electric current; is the heaviest iridium, is unalterable in the air, disknown substance excepting osmium and solves slowly in nitromuriatic acid, but is not attacked by any single acid. It is used extensively in the manufacture of expensive jewelry, and delicate instruments. During and after the World War (1914-1918) it ranged in value from $120 to $150 per ounce.
Only in Collier's New Encyclopedia
These alloys are almost nonoxidizable, and may be prepared by the usual methods of melting, without flux. Nickel 100, tin 10, platinum 1--suitable for table-ware. Nickel 100, tin 20, platinum 1, silver 2--a good mixture for bells. Nickel 100, tin 20, platinum 20--optical and similar instruments. Another non-oxidizable alloy of platinum is composed of nickel 60, brass 130, platinum 70. Platinum alloys readily with steel, and produces a very tough and fine-grained product when present to the extent of 1 per cent. See SILVER; SILVER ALLOYS; SILVERING; NICKEL.
Only in The Encyclopedia of Founding
THOMAS COLLIER, an American legislator; born in Owego, N. Y., July 15, 1833; prepared for college at Owego Academy; entered Yale College 1853, but ill-health forced him to leave. Engaged in mercantile life; was president of the Tioga National bank at its organization; interested in the lumbering business in Michigan; was county clerk of the county of Tioga in 1859, 1860 and 1861; was elected to the 43d and 44th Congresses; was elected United States Senator Jan. 18, 1881, and resigned that office May 16 of the same year, with Roscoe Conkling, both Senators being offended because President Garfield made New York appointments without consulting them; was chosen secretary and director of the United States Express Co. in 1879, and in 1880 was elected president of the company; was member and president of the board of quarantine commissioners of New York from 1880 till 1888; was delegate to the National Republican conventions from 1876 to 1904 uninterruptedly; was president of the Southern Central railroad; a member of the National Republican committee; and United States Senator from 1896. He died March 6, 1910.
Only in Collier's New Encyclopedia