Scales of Notation
methods of representing numbers of any magnitude by means of a few symbols. We ordinarily express numbers in terms of the first nine digit symbols and the symbol known as the cipher-i. e., 10 in all. The number "ten" is then represented by 10, a combination of the "one" and cipher symbols, and so on in the familiar manner. Mathematically there is no reason why 10 should be chosen in preference to any other number as the radix of our common scale of notation. Its convenience arises from the way in which it suits our numeration or naming of numbers.
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Scaliger
JULIUS CÆSAR (originally DELLA SCALA), a celebrated Italian scholar; born near Lago di Garda, Italy, to France in April 23, 1484. He went 1526, and there practiced medicine. According to some scholars, "no one of the ancients could be placed above him, and the age in which he lived could not show his equal" in learning and talent. He published an "Oration against Erasmus" (1531), in reply to that scholar's "Ciceronianus"; "Poems" (1533-1574), in Latin, filling several volumes; "Comic Meters"; and a variety of dissertations and essays on classical subjects. He died in Agen, France, Oct. 21, 1558,
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Scallop
a well-known bivalve, one of those with a single muscle closing the are fan-shaped, the shell. The valves left often more or less flat, the right more arched; both are marked with sinuous radiating ridges, to which the name Pecten (Latin, "a comb") refers. The hinge line is without teeth, and is extended laterally in two ears. The beautiful coloring of the shells is remarkable even among bivalves. On the margins of the mantle there are hundreds of small sparkling eyes of different degrees of visual efficiency. The small finger-shaped foot is usually marked with bright orange or red color. The scallops are widely distributed in all seas, at depth of 3 to 40 fathoms. When young they are active and able to swim a little by rapidly opening and closing their valves, but as they grow older they become more sedentary. P. Jacobæus, a native of the Mediterranean, is the scallop shell which pilgrims were accustomed to wear in front of their hat in token of having visited the shrine of St. James at Compostella. P. maximus, found on many parts of the British coasts, is about six inches broad. About 180 living species are known, and over 400 are recorded as fossils from Carboniferous strata.
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Scalp
the term employed to designate the outer covering of the skull or brain case. Except in the fact that hair in both sexes grows more luxuriantly on the scalp than elsewhere, the skin of the sc scalp differs only slightly slightly from ordinary skin. Besides the skin the scalp is composed of the expanded tendon of the occipito-frontalis muscle, and of intermediate cellular tissue and blood vessels. Injuries of the scalp, however slight, must be watched with great caution, for they may be followed by erysipelas, or by inflammation and suppuration under the occipito-frontal muscle, or within the cranium, or by suppuration of the veins of the cranial bones, and general pyæmia that may easily prove fatal. If dressed antiseptically at an early stage the risk of such accidents is of course greatly diminished. Burns of the scalp are very liable to be followed by erysipelas erysipelas and diffuse inflammation, but the brain is comparatively seldom affected in these cases. Tumors of the scalp are not uncommon.
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Scalper
a term applied in the United States to a man who buys railroad, theater, or steamship tickets at a discount from people unable to use them, and sells them again at an advance on the price he paid for them.
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Scalping
the act peculiar to North American Indian warfare, of partly cutting, partly tearing off a piece of the skin of the head, with the hair attached; whether the victim is alive or dead at the time does not affect the operation. The Indians, with whom scalps are the trophies of victory, have always left a long lock or tuft on the scalp as a challenge. Bounties have, in American history, more than once been offered for scalps: in 1724 £100 (about $500) was offered by Massachusetts for Indian scalps; in 1754, during the French and Indian War, a bounty was offered by the French for British sca scalps, and by the colonies for Indian scalps; in 1755 Massachusetts offered £40 (about $200) for every scalp of a male Indian over 12 years old, and £20 (about $100) for scalps of women and children.
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Scamander
a small stream in the Troad, in northwestern Asia Minor; associated with the little river Simois in the story of the Trojan War.
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Scammony
in botany, the scammony bindweed. In chemistry, scammonium, a purgative gum resin obtained from the root of Convolvulus scammonia. When the root is cut there exudes a milky juice, which dries up to a yellowish-brown, gummy-looking substance. Two varieties are known in commerce, Aleppo and Smyrna, the former being considered the more valuable. It forms flat irregular masses, very brittle, and having a dark gray or blackish hue. Viewed in thin fragments, it appears translucent and of a golden brown color. Genuine scammony should contain from 75 to 82 per cent. of resinous matter, soluble in alcohol, the remainder being wax, gum, starch, etc. It is, however, frequently adulterated. Pure scammony is a powerful drastic purgative and anthelmintic. Montpellier scammony is obtained from Cynanchum mouspeliacиt.
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Scanderbeg
(properly ISKENDER BEY, or PRINCE ALEXANDER), an Albanian chief whose real name was George Castriota; born in Croia, Albania, in 1403. He was the son of a Christian prince, but was brought up by the Turks and fought for some time for Amurath II. Becoming possessed of the chief city of his country, which the Turks had taken, he turned against them, abjured Mohammedanism, raised hammedanis of Epirus in revolt. For 25 years he withstood all the efforts of the Turks to overcome him, defeating them in 22 bat, tles, even when led by the Sultan. Shorts ly before he died, he was compelled to yield to superior forces. He died in Alessio, Albania, Jan. 17, 1467.
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