Transformation Myth
a myth changed into an animal, a tree or plant, which represents a human being as or some inanimate being.
Only in Collier's New Encyclopedia
Single-source entries: T (83)
These 11 listings are so strange that each appears in only one of the 7 encyclopedias we compared. They include such classics as Transformation Myth, Transformism, Transfusion of Blood.
Transformism
in biology, the hypothesis that all existing species are the product of the metamorphosis of other forms of living beings; and that the biological phenomena which they exhibit are the results of the interaction, through past time, of two series of factors: (1) a process of morphological and Cyc. Vol. IX concomitant physiological modification; (2) a process of change in the condition of the earth's surface.
Only in Collier's New Encyclopedia
Transfusion of Blood
a surgical operation by which blood is conveyed directly from the body of one person to that of another. The earliest case of transfusion of blood on record is that of Pope Innocent VIII., who was unsuccessfully operated on in April, 1492. Various experiments were afterward made by Wren and Lower in the transfusion of blood from one animal to another, and by Denys of Montpellier in injecting the blood of calves into human subje ubjects; but were not attended with the experiments any great success, so that the operation into desuetude. It was not till about the year 1824, when Dr. Blundell published his work on "Physiological and Pathological Researches," that the transfusion of blood was regarded as a legitimate operation in obstetric surgery; and at the present day the operation is chiefly * restricted to cases of profuse hemorrhage it is in connection with labor, though sometimes practiced in cases of sudden and profuse hemorrhage from other causes. The operation is best performed by taking blood, instantly before injecof a healthy person; tion, from the arm but Dr. Brown-Sequard showed that the blood of various animals can be used in discriminately, provided only certain precautions be taken; and Professor Panum made the important discovery that defibrinated blood is in every respect as well suited for the operation as pure blood.
Only in Collier's New Encyclopedia
Transmission of Power
the doing of useful work at a distance from the engine or whatever other source supplies the energy. The revolving shaft of a screw steamer transmits rotary motion through a considerable distance; but for long distance transmission ordinary mechanical devices, if they do not altogether fail, lose greatly in efficiency. Cable cars also form a good illustration. It is in electricity, however, that we find the most promising agent for indefinite transmission of power. Thus a dynamoelectric machine may be worked by a waterfall; its voltage or potential may be transmitted along wires to distant stations, and there transformed into currents capable of driving an electric motor and keeping a whole factory in operation. Over 60,000 horse power of electric current generated by Niagara Falls is in use in the many factories established at Niagara Falls and in Buffalo, N. Y., 26 miles away. In the latter city street railways, grain elevators and manufacturing plants are run by this current, which is brought to the outskirts of the city over bare copper wires, and then distributed through the city in underground conduits.
Only in Collier's New Encyclopedia
Transmutation of the Body
This is indeed the end and aim of all Alchemy-to restore man to his primordial condition of grace, strength, perfection, beauty and physical immortality. With this in view the alchemists of all the ages have laboured to discover the secret of the Elixir of Life , which mystics believed would, literally, achieve this renewal of youth, and therefore immortality. Endless receipts for this medicine have been given, and some honestly believed they had attained it; but all to no purpose, and the great secret still remains hidden from human eyes. 66
Only in An Encyclopaedia of Occultism
Transparent Cement
A good transparent cement for fastening watch glasses, etc., in bezels or settings, is made by dissolving 7 parts of pure gum Arabic and 3 parts crystalized sugar in distilled 'water; the bottle containing the mixture should be placed in a utensil of hot water until the mixture assumes the consistency of syrup, and then left well corked for use.
Only in American Watchmaker and Jeweler
Transport
a ship or vessel employed by a government for carrying soldiers, warlike stores, or provisions from one place to another. At the beginning of the American-Spanish War the United States had no ships of this class. A number of coastwise crafts were purchased and hastily transformed into transports, on which troops were shipped Manila and other points. Although to so hastily fitted up, they proved adequate. When the war closed, the United States Government fitted up a number of these vessels as model transports. They have every convenience and comfort, including gymnasiums, bath-rooms, hospitals and electric lights etc. United States entered the World War in , When the 1917 all the transports were in use as ocean freighters, but by remodeling the seized German ships and by borrowing transports from England the millions of American soldiers were carried across the sea with a minimum loss of life. a punishment
Only in Collier's New Encyclopedia
Transvaal War
a war between the (then) South African Republic_and Great Britain in 1880-1881 . The Boer victory at Majuba Hill, Feb. 27, 1881, was soon followed by peace.
Only in Collier's New Encyclopedia
Trap
a term rather loosely and vaguely applied by the earlier geologists to some or all of the multifarious igneous rocks that belong to the palæozoic and secondary epochs, as distinct from granite on the one hand and the recent volcanic rocks on the other. Trap rocks often assume a terraced appearance, whence their name from trappa, the Swedish for stair. Their composition may be described as consisting chiefly of feldspar and hornblende. Trap rocks of crystalline structure are distinguished as greenstones, basalts, clink stones, compact feldspar, and feldspar porphyries, while the softer and more earthy varieties are known as claystones, claystone porphyries amygdaloids, trap tuffs, and mackes. BASALT (q. v.) is the most compact, the hardest, and the heaviest of the trap rocks. The hill scenery of trappean districts is often picturesque.
Only in Collier's New Encyclopedia
Trap-Door Spider
. See Tarantula
Only in Aiton's Encyclopedia
Trapani
a coast town in the W. of Sicily; 23 miles W. of Palermo. The cathedral of St. Lorenzo, a town house, a lyceum and a library are the chief public buildings. The town is well built, strongly fortified, and has a good natural harbor. The manufacture of sea salt is the chief industry, but corn, wine, fish and coral are also exported. Tripani is the ancient Drepanum or Drepana. It was fortified by Hamilcar in 260 B. C., and here in 249 Adherbal defeated the Roman fleet. Near it is Mount Eryx, now Monte S. Giuliano. Important discoveries of human and other bones in caves were made in 1869. Pop. (1901) commune, 61,000.
Only in Collier's New Encyclopedia