Somnus
in Greek mythology, the god of sleep. He was the son of Nox, Night, and was twin brother to Mors, or Death. He dwelt in a dark cave in the far west. Poppies and other herbs grew about the door, from which Night pressed slumbergiving juices for mankind. Somnus slept on an ebony couch surrounded by black drapery. Only the most urgent message from the gods could rouse him so far as to rest on one elbow. Having given his son and messenger, Morpheus, the desired command to visit some mortal, the god lay back drowsily and composed himself anew to sleep. This is the account given by Ovid. Other poets represent Somnus as a young man. In art, he is a graybeard, or again a youth bearing a wreath of poppies or else a horn in which he carries dreams. See Sleep ; Dreams; Poppy , etc.
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Son (American astronomer born near)
an American astronomer; born near JACK- Montgomery City, Mo., Feb. 19, 1866; was graduated at the University of Missouri in 1889, and at the University of Berlin in 1892; was in charge of the observatory of the University of Missouri in 1887- 1889; had charge of and aided in the organization of the Yerkes Observatory of the University of Chicago in 1893-1896; was astronomer of tory during the survey of the Southern the Lowell Observaheavens in 1896-1898; became Professor of Mathematics in the United States Naval Academy in 1899; and in December of that year took charge of the 26-inch equatorial telescope of the United States Naval Observatory, Naval Academy 1899- 1902. From 1903 he was in charge of the Naval Observatory, Mare Island, Cal. He completed about 45 orbits of double stars; was a Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society ; member of the American Philosophical Society; the American Mathematical Society, the Astronomische Gesellschaft, etc.; and was the author of numerous astronomical papers and books, including "Researches on the Evolution of the Stellar Systems," and "The Evolution of the Double -star Systems."
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Son (American naval officer born)
an American naval officer, born in Greensboro, N. C., in 1868. He graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1887, and became an ensign in 1889. He saw service in Korea, where, in 1896, he assisted in protecting the life of the Emperor of Korea, who had sought refuge in the Russian Legation. During the Spanish-American War he served on the "Topeka." He was promoted to be commander in 1909, and captain in 1914. In 1916 he was appointed captain of the "Delaware," and took part in the operations of the Grand Fleet in the North Sea, following the entry of the United States into the World War. He commanded the Great Lakes Naval Training Station, and in 1919 was appointed superintendent of the United States Naval Academy.
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Sonata
a term originally applied to any kind of musical composition for instruments, as distinguished from vocal compositions, which were called cantatas. It is now, however, confined to compositions for solo instruments, generally the pianoforte. The term sonata or suonata, as applied to a musical composition, was first used about the beginning of the 17th century. Those of that time so called had but one movement; they were in fact simply airs arranged in parts for an instrument or instruments. A modern sonata is generally constructed upon the following plan: The first movement is an allegro, sometimes with an introduction, but more frequently without one; the second, "the slow movement," is set in any time, between adagio and andante; and the final movement is an allegro. See CONCERTO.
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Song of Songs
or CANTICLES, one of the canonical books of the Old Testament.
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Sonic Wave Transmission
a method of transmitting power in machinery through waves or pulsations impressed on a column of water. The system was invented by George Constantinesco and was first applied to the transmission of impulses from airplane propellers to airplane machine guns during the World War, the purpose here being to synchronize the firing of the guns with the revolutions of the propeller. More recently the system has been employed in the operation of rock drills in mines, where a flexible steel pipe is used to transmit pulsations impressed on the inclosed water column by a plunger operated at the rate of forty strokes per second. The sonic waves are forwarded through the water at the rate of 4,800 feet per second.
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Sonnino
SIDNEY, BARON, an Italian statesman, who, as Minister of Foreign Affairs, represented Italy at the Paris Peace Conference. He was born in 1847, and while still a young man served in diplomatic posts in Spain, France, and Austria. He was elected to Parliament at the age of 30, and attained prominence at once through his knowledge of economic and financial methods. He favored reforms in the land policy by which large estates should be broken up. From 1887 to 1890 he was Undersecretary for Finance, and again from 1893 to 1896. He was later Minister of the Treasury, and, while he held this office, put in effect many reform measures. Following the defeat of Crispi, he led opposition in Parliament for about 10 the years. During this period he was Prime Minister in 1906 and in 1910. He became Foreign Minister in November, 1914, and carried on the negotiations with Austria and Germany for the recognition of Italy's claims. He also negotiated the Treaty of London, with England, France, and Russia. He took a conspicuous part in the Peace Conference, and made every effort to secure Italy's claims to Fiume and Dalmatia. Unable to secure the assent of the Conference, he left Paris and returned to Italy. Shortly after, the ministry of which he was a member, fell.
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Sons of the Revolution
a patriotic society composed of the descendants of those who co-operated in the American Revolution. It was organized in New York City in 1876 and reorganized in 1883. Membership is restricted to male lineal descendants and the society has been active in marking with tablets and otherwise indicating and safe-guarding places associated with persons and events connected with the war of independence. Among the monuments due to the society are tablets commemorating the site of the battles of Long Island and of Harlem Heights. The statue of Nathan Hale in City Hall Park was erected by the society. Membership is about 7,000.
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