Spiral
in geometry, a curve which may be generated by a point moving along a straight line, in the same direction, according to any law, while the straight line revolves uniformly about a fixed point, always continuing in the same plane. The portion generated during one revolution is called a spire. The moving point is the generatrix of the curve, the fixed point is the pole of the spiral, and the distance from the pole to any position of the generatrix is the radius vector of that point. The law according to which the generatrix moves along the revolving line is the law of the spiral, and determines the nature of the curve. Any position of the revolving line, assumed at pleasure, is called the initial line. Spirals are known by the names of their inventors, or by terms derived from the properties by which they are characterized; as, the spiral of Archimedes, hyperbolic spirals, logarithmic spirals, parabolic spirals, etc. Also a helix or curve which winds round a cylinder like a screw. SPIRES. See SPEYER.
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Spiral Conveyers
A conveying device composed of a central shaft and surrounding spiral screw, which, when revolved within a trough or pipe, presses out at the mouth whatever material is inserted at the opposite end. This mode of conveying was first invented by Archimedes, who was born at Syracuse in Sicily, about 287 B.C. He used it for raising water from the Nile. See CONVEYERS.
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Spirit-lamp
A lamp in which alcohol is burned. These lamps are employed for their heat rather than for light--especially in the arts and manufactures, air-blast and other contrivances helping to make them more effective.
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Spiritism
The name bestowed upon the French form of spiritualism, which was in the main founded on the doctrines of "Allan Kardec" (M. Rivail), (q.v.) Spiritism differed from spiritualism as expounded in Britain, America and elsewhere, chiefly in that it included among its tenets the doctrine of reincarnation. Allan Kardec, who prior to his adoption of spiritualistic creeds, about 1862 had been an exponent of animal magnetism and phrenology, based his new teachings on spirit revelations received through clairvoyants, and so popular were these teachings that they rapidly spread over the Continent. In Britain, however, spiritism obtained but little hold, its only exponent being Miss Anna Blackwell, who endeavoured without success to establish the doctrine of reincarnation in this country. Spiritism and spiritualism must not be confused. since the adherents of each section were opposed to the tenets of the other, and even in France , where spiritism obtained the most footing, there was a distinct spiritualistic party who looked askance at the doctrine of reincarnation. The word spiritist is sometimes applied to one who seeks only the physical phenomena, and neglects the religious and philosophic aspect of spiritualism.
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Spitz
a small dog resembling somewhat the shepherd dog. The spitz is a native of Pomeramia. The word spitz is German, meaning a point, and has reference to the sharp-pointed muzzle of the dog. The Pomeranian name is spitzhund.
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Spitzka
EDWARD ANTHONY, an American physician, born in New York, in 1876. He was educated in the College of the City of New York and at the College of Physicians and Surgeons. From 1904 to 1906 he was demonstrator of anatomy; from 1906 to 1914 professor of general anatomy at Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia; acting also from 1911 to 1914 as director of the Daniel Baugh Institute of Anatomy, Philadelphia. In the latter year he began the private practice of medicine in New York, specializing in nervous and mental diseases. He has made exhaustive studies of the brains of eminent men, as well as those of criminals. He was a member of several scientific societies, and during the World War served with the Medical Reserve Corps, reaching the rank of lieutenant-colonel.
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Split Seconds
A variety of double chronograph in which there are two center-seconds hands.
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Spofford
HARRIET PRESCOTT, an American author; born in Calais, Me., April 3, 1835; was graduated at the Putnam Free School, Newburyport, Mass., in 1852. In 1859 she published "In a Cellar" in the "Atlantic Monthly." This story made her reputation, and thereafter she became a regular contributor to the chief periodicals of the country. Among her publications are:
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Spofford
HARRIET PRESCOTT 33 "Sir Rohan's Ghost"; "The Amber Gods, and Other Stories"; "New England Legends"; "Hester Stanley and St. Marks"; "A Master Spirit"; "Old Washington" (1906); etc. She died on Aug. 15, 1921.
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Spofford
AINSWORTH RAND, an American librarian; born in Gilmanton, N. H., Sept. 12, 1825. He was a journalist to 1861, when appointed chief assistant librarian of the Congressional Library, and was librarian in 1864-1897, when he became again chief assistant. He was famed for a comprehensive and accurate knowledge of books and their contents, and besides many essays and articles on historical, literary, and scientific subjects for the current journals published: "The American Almanac," for several years; and, with others, edited "Library of Choice Literature" (10 vols. Philadelphia, 1881-1888); "Library of Wit and Humor" (1884); and "A Practical Manual of Parliamentary Rules" (1884); and wrote "A Book for All Readers" (1900). He died Aug. 11, 1908.
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Spofford, Ainsworth Rand
Ainsworth Rand (1825-), a noted American librarian. Spofford is a native of New Hampshire . He was for years a bookseller and publisher in Cincinnati. Prior to the Civil War he was associate editor of the Cincinnati Daily Commercial, a position which he resigned to become assistant librarian of Congress. Later he acted as librarian-in-chief. Mr. Spofford is known in the world of letters as a compiler rather than an author. Among the pieces of work credited to him are catalogs of the Congressional Library, Annual American Almanac, Library of Choice Literature (ten volumes), Library of Wit and Humor (five volumes), and other works of less note.
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Spoleto
an archiepiscopal city of ancient Umbria in the middle of Italy; on a rocky hill, 75 miles N. E. of Rome. It is commanded by a citadel which dates from the days of the Goths, and has a fine cathedral, built in the time of the Lombard dukes, and containing fine frescoes by Lippo Lippi. The churches of St. Domen Domenico, St. Peter, St. Gregory, and St. Nicholas present interesting architectural features. Water is brought to the city by a 7th century aqueduct, 270 feet high and 680 long. The ancient Spoletium had its origin in a Roman colony planted here about 240 B. C.; Hannibal was repulsed in an assault he made on the town (217 b. c.) after the battle of Lake Trasimene. Under the Lombards it became the capital of an independent duchy, and its of Central dukes ruled over great part Italy. Having been united to Tuscany, it was bequeathed by the Countess Matilda to the Pope (1115). Pop. commune, about 26,000; town, about 10,000.
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