Surinam Toad
in zoölogy, the Pipa americana, a large flat toad, found on the edges of swamps in Surinam and the neighboring country. It is about a foot long, with a short, broad, pointed head, the nostrils produced into a leathery tube; large hind limbs with webbed feet; fore feet small, with four slender webbed fingers, terminating in four small projections. It is brownish-olive above, whitish below; the skin is covered with a number of tiny hard granules, interspersed with horny, tubercular projections. It has no tongue, and the jaws and palate are toothless. The species is propagated in an extremely curious manner. When the eggs the male impregnates then them, takes them in his paws, and places them on the back of the female, where they adhere by means of a glutinous secretion, and become by degrees embedded in a series of cells which then form in the skin. When the process is completed a membrane closes over the cells, and the back of the female bears a strong resemblance to a piece of dark honeycomb. In these cells the eggs are hatched and the young undergo their metamorphosis, bursting through the protecting membrane as perfect frogs.
Only in Collier's New Encyclopedia
Surmounted
in architecture, denoting an arch or dome which rises higher than a semicircle. In heraldry, a term denoting the position of a charge over which another charge of different color or metal is laid. The annexed figures, which may respectively be blazoned: "Sable," a pile argent surmounted by chevron gules; and a "argent," a cross gules surmounted by another "or."
Only in Collier's New Encyclopedia
Surplice
the outer garment of an officiating priest, deacon, or chorister in the Church England and the Roman Catholic Church, worn over their other dress during the performance of religious services. It is a loose, flowing vestment of white linen, generally reaching almost to the feet, with broad, full sleeves. It differs from the alb in being fuller, and in having no girdle, nor embroidery at the foot.
Only in Collier's New Encyclopedia
Surprise Piece
The four-armed piece secured to the quarter snail which is free to move within certain limits, and prevents the rack from reaching the snail. See Repairing Repeating Watches.
Only in American Watchmaker and Jeweler
Surrey
Earl of. See Howard ; Henry
Only in Aiton's Encyclopedia
Surrey
HENRY HOWARD, EARL OF, an English poet; born about 1516, 1010, was the grandson of the Earl of Surrey who was the victor at Flodden, and who, as a reward for his services, was created Duke of Norfolk. He succeeded to the when his courtesy title of Earl of Surrey father became 2d Duke of Norfolk in 1524. The Howards held an eminent position at the court of Henry VIII., and Surrey's cousin, Catherine Howard, became the king's fifth wife. Surrey was one of the leaders of the early poetic movement under Henry VIII. Most of his poems were translations or adaptations of Italian originals. His translations of the second and fourth books of the Æneid are the first attempt at blank verse in the English language. Shortly before Henry's death Surrey and his father were suspected of aiming at the throne, and were arrested and lodged in the Tower, and Surrey was tried, condemned, and executed on Tower Hill Jan. 19, 1547.
Only in Collier's New Encyclopedia
Surrey (Inland county of southeast)
an inland county of southeast England. Area, 758 square miles. Pop. about 900,000. The county capital is Guildford (pop. about 25,000). The surface is hilly with a slope toward the Thames. The Mole and Wey are the principal streams. The northern half of the county is fertile, hops and wheat being the chief crops. Market gardening is carried on extensively. The western and southwestern part is covered to a great extent with heath. The manufacturing enterprises are of importance and include beer, cloth, leather, paper, pottery, and silk. As a result of its picturesque scenery the county is one of the most favored residential districts of London business men.
Only in Collier's New Encyclopedia
Surrogate
generally a deputy, a substitute, a delegate, a person appointed to act for another; specifically, the deputy of an ecclesiastical judge, most commonly of a bishop or his chancellor, who grants marriage licenses and probates. Also an officer who presides over the probate of wills and testaments and the settlement of estates.
Only in Collier's New Encyclopedia
Surtees
ROBERT, an English historian; born in Durham, April 1, 1779; was graduated at Oxford (1800), and studied law at the Middle Temple till by his father's death in 1802 he came into the Mainsforth property. Thenceforth he devoted himself to writing his "History and Antiquities of the County Palatine of Durham" (3 vols. 1816-1823), to the fourth volume (1840) of which, completed by the Rev. J. Baine, a "Memoir" by G. Taylor is prefixed. Surtees died Feb. 11, 1834, and in the same year was founded the Surtees Society for editing مرا unpublished MSS. chiefly relating to the Northern Counties.
Only in Collier's New Encyclopedia
Surya
the sun god of Hindu mythology.
Only in Collier's New Encyclopedia
Susa
a town of Northern Italy, on a tributary of the Po, at the foot of the Cottian Alps, 32 miles W. of Turin. It has a cathedral (1029), and a triumphal arch erected by the Romanized Sugusian chief to Augustus in 8 B. C. The people grow fruit and grapes, and carry on iron, leather, and silk industries.
Only in Collier's New Encyclopedia
Susa
one of the capitals of ancient Persia; was situated on the Choaspes, and has now been identified with the extensive ruins on the left bank of the Kerkha, about 250 miles S. E. of Bagdad. It had a circumference of 120 stadia, and like Babylon was built of burnt bricks cemented with asphalt. It was without walls, but its citadel, containing the treasury and mausoleum of the Persian kings, was strongly fortified. The founder of Susa is not known with certainty, but it was at least much enlarged by Darius Hystaspes, the ruins of whose palace, repaired by Artaxerxes Longimanus, have been excavated by Loftus and Williams. From the time of Cambyses Susa was a favorite residence of the Persian kings. After Alexander and his successors had fixed their court at Babylon Susa declined in importance, though when besieged by Antigonus in 315 B. c. it was still one of the chief cities of Persia, and even as late as the middle of the 7th century A. D. it offered under Hormuzan an obstinate resistance to the Saracens; but in the 13th century it had become a heap of ruins. The most important of these ruins are those of the palace of Darius, the colonnade of which has a frontage of 343 feet and a depth of 244. In general construction it exactly resembles the Hall of Xerxes at Persepolis. References to Susa abound in the ancient authors, especially Herodotus, Xenophon, and Arrian.
Only in Collier's New Encyclopedia