These 9 listings are so strange that each appears in only one of the 7 encyclopedias we compared. They include such classics as Richthofen, Ricimer, Ricinus.
(See- Rosicrucians .) Riko, A. J.: (See Holland .) Rinaldo des Trois Echelles : A much-dreaded French sorcerer of the reign of Charles IX., who, at his execution, boasted before the king that he had in France three hundred thousand confederates, whom they could not thus commit to the flames-meaning, doubtless, the demons of the Sabbath.
Only in An Encyclopaedia of Occultism
FERDINAND BARON VON, a German geographer; born in Karlsruhe, ne, Silesia, May 5, 1833; was educated at Breslau and Berlin universities, and at the Geological Institute of Vienna (1856); and in 1860 accompanied a Prussian expedition to eastern Asia. The next 12 years he spent in California, Sierra Nevada, and China and president of the Berlin Geographical Society (1873-1878), Professor of Geology at Bonn (1875), and of Geography at Leipsic (1883) and at Berlin (1886). His reputation as a geographer is built principally upon his great work on "China" (Berlin, 4 vols. 1877-1883), and upon "The Metallic Production of California" (1865), "The Natural System of Volcanic Rocks" (San Francisco, 1867), "Exercises and Methods of Modern Geography" (1883). He died Oct. 6, 1905.
Only in Collier's New Encyclopedia
2026 Editor's Note: This page uses language about other peoples, religions, or nationalities that was commonplace when the book was published and is offensive by today's standards. The text has been left exactly as it was printed, rather than cut or softened, so that the historical record — including how ordinary such language once was — is preserved. (Ed: ET 2026-07-22) a general of barbarian descent who ruled the W. Roman empire by emperors whom he set up and put down at will. He dethroned Avitus in 456, and appointed Majorianus emperor, whom he caused to be assassinated in 461. He then placed Libius Severus on the throne, and on his death in 465 he carried on the government for some time alone. In 467 Anthemius was put on the throne, and gave his daughter in marriage to Ricimer. The latter soon took up arms against his father-in-law, who was assassinated in 472. died soon after.
Only in Collier's New Encyclopedia
a genus of plants, order Euphorbiaceæ. R. communis is the palma christi, or castor-oil plant, a native of the East and West Indies and Florida. Castor oil is obtained from the seeds, either by expression with or without the aid of heat, or by decoction, or sometimes by the aid of alcohol. Castor seeds, when taken whole, are extremely ac acrid, and have produced death; but the expre expressed oil is a mild and most efficient non-irritating laxative. The palma christi has been cultivated in Algeria for the purpose of feeding silk worms on the leaves.
Only in Collier's New Encyclopedia
EDWARD VER- NON ("EDDIE"), an American aviator, born in Columbus, Ohio, in 1890. Early EDWARD VERNON RICKENBACKER traveling through Java, Siam, Burma, in his life he acquired a wide reputation as an automobile racer, winning many Japan pan (1868-1872). He was appointed championships at national and interna- So- tional meetings. On the entrance of D-Cvc Vol 8 America in the World War, he accompanied General Pershing to France as a member of the Motor Car Staff, and in August, 1917, was transferred at his own request to the Air Service. He became commanding officer of the 94th Aero Pursuit Squadron, the first American aero unit to participate actively ly on the western front. As a member of this unit he was credited with 26 victories. At the end of the war he retired with the rank of major, having received the Distinguished Service Cross with 9 palms, the Legion of Honor, and the Croix de Guerre. He wrote "Fighting the Flying Circus" (1919).
Only in Collier's New Encyclopedia
a disease peculiar to infancy, chiefly characterized by changes in the texture, chemical composition, and outward form of the bony skeleton, and by altered functions of the other organs. The chief external features are the legs bent outward, chest unduly projecting, head large and forehead projecting, spine often curved, joints large and prominent, general form stunted, etc. Rickets is chiefly a disease of large cities, and its development is favored by want of nourishing food, overcrowding, and neglect of sanitary and hygienic precautions generally.
Only in Collier's New Encyclopedia
JAMES BREWERTON, an American military officer; officer; born in New York City, June 21, 1817; was graduated at the United States military academy, in 1839; was a captain in the regular army in 1852; and gained a record for excellent service during the Mexican War. In 1861 he was appointed a Brigadier- General of volunteers, and commanded a division at the battle of Antietam, in September, 1862. He was in the thick of the battle of the Wilderness, May 5 and 6, 1864; was severely wounded at the battle of Cedar Creek, Oct. 19, 1864; and was brevetted Major-General, U. S, A., in 1865. He served in the Army of the Potomac from the first battle of Bull Run till Petersburg was besieged in 1864. He died in Washington, D. C., Sept. 22, 1887.
Only in Collier's New Encyclopedia
HERMAN, an American newspaper publisher and editor, born in New York City in 1851, of German parents. His boyhood was spent in various lines of industry, including life insurance, and in 1878 he established the "Katholisches Volksblatt." He founded the "Catholic News" in 1886. In 1890 he became trustee and manager, and in 1907 president of the New York "Staats-Zeitung," the largest and most influential daily paper, printed in the German language, in the United States. He came into conflict with the Federal authorities following the outbreak of the World War for an alleged pro-German campaign which he was charged with having carried on in his papers. In 1908 he was treasurer of the Democratic National Committee. He was an official of several important financial institutions. He died in 1915.
Only in Collier's New Encyclopedia
or Enigma, an obscure saying in which a hidden meaning is proposed for discovery. The famous riddle proposed by the Grecian Sphinx to Oedipus will bear repetition: What animal is that which in the morning goes on four feet, at noon on two, and in the evening upon three? Oedipus made reply, Man, who in childhood goes on hands and knees, in manhood walks erect, and in old age with the aid of a staff. Samson, who, it may be remembered, had found a swarm of bees housed within the ribs of a dead lion proposed the following riddle to the Philistines: Out of the eater came forth meat, and out of the strong came forth sweetness. What we caught we threw away, and what we could not catch, we kept, is said to be a popular riddle among the fishermen of France. The following, referring to a candle and a well respectively, are popular nursery riddles: Little Nancy Etticoat, with a white petticoat and a red nose, The longer she stands, the shorter she grows. Round as a saucer and deep as a cup, All the horses of King George can't pull it up. In the seventeenth century the riddle was a favorite form of literary and social diversion. The collected riddles of France, Germany, and England form a small library. Of late the riddle seems to have degenerated into the conundrum and the pun. See Puzzle; Conundrum ; Charade
Only in Aiton's Encyclopedia