Unconscious (Strata must have been more)
THE of the strata must have been more or less acted on by denudation, which has rendered them a nearly horizontal plane on which fresh strata can easily rest. Thirdly, these fresh strata have been actually deposited. Approximately to measure the interval of time which these changes have occupied, intermediate beds must be sought for in other districts or regions, or, failing these, note must be taken of the amount of alteration in life which has occurred during the unknown interval. This may be determined by comparing the fossils in the lower with those in the upper beds . Unconformability is of value in fixing the date of ancient seismic or volcanic action. If it tilted up the lower and had no influence on the upper strata, the irresistible inference is that it occurred between the deposition of the two.
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Undercut
A pattern or model is said to be undercut when its lower dimensions are largest--exactly opposite to taper or draught. Such patterns may in some cases be rammed within a flask and withdrawn after reversing the whole, or the projecting parts may be made loose on the main block and drawn inward after the latter has been taken out. Another method is to proceed contrary to the usual custom and draw the mould from the pattern in as many sections or drawbacks as will allow the pattern to be lifted away from the remainder. See STATUE-FOUNDING; TAPER; DRAWBACK; FALSE CORE.
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Underground Railroad
prior to the Civil War, a name given to a more or less systematic plan for the escape of slaves. Throughout the territory extending from the Ohio River to Canada there were many slave sympathizers who concealed slaves during the daytime and conveyed them in the night to someone farther on, who, in turn, performed a like service. Instead of forming a line direct from Kentucky to Ontario these self-appointed agents who maintained stations for the underground railway formed a sort of network. It was impossible to foretell in what direction Farmer A would send his passengers. Sometimes, to avoid pursuers who made a business of catching runaway slaves for a reward, he would send a passenger back toward Kentucky, or take him across country and leave him in another line of communication. These agents became very skillful and persistent. Once a runaway slave succeeded in reaching the haymow of an agent of the underground railway he was fairly sure of making his escape. Mrs. Stowe's Uncle Tom's Cabin gives an account of one of these conductors.
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Underwood
LUCIEN MARCUS, an American botanist; born in New Woodstock, N. Y., Oct. 26 , 1853; spent his youth on a farm, and was graduated at Syracuse University in 1877. He was instructor in several colleges in Illinois in 1879-1883; at Syracuse University in 1883-1891, and at De Pauw University in 1891-1895. He was made Professor of Botany at Columbia University in 1896. He was the author of "Descriptive Catalogue of North America Hepatice" (1884); "Moulds, Mildews and Mushrooms" (1899); and "Our Native Ferns and How to Study Them" (1900); etc. He edited the Torrey Botanical Club "Bulletin." He died Nov. 16, 1907.
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Underwood (FRANCIS HENRY an American auth)
FRANCIS HENRY, an American auth author; born in Enfield , Mass., Jan. 12, 1825. He was an active abolitionist; clerk of the Massachusetts Senate in 1852; afterward literary editor of the publishing house of Phillips , Sampson & Co. He assisted in the management of the "Atlantic Monthly" for two years; was elected clerk of the superior court in Boston , which position he held for 11 years. In 1885 he was appointed United States consul at Glasgow; in 1888 the University of Glasgow conferred upon him the degree of LL. D. His works include a " Hand-Book of American Literature " (1872); "Cloud Pictures," a series of imaginative stories musical in theme (1877); "Lord of Himself," a novel of old times in Kentucky (1874); "Man Proposes" (1880); and biographical sketches of Longfellow (1882); Lowell (1882); and Whittier (1883). He died in Edinburgh, Scotland, Aug. 7 1894.
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Underwood (II)
OSCAR WILDER, a United States Senator from Alabama, born in Louisville, Ky., in 1862. He was educated at the Rugby School and at the University of Virginia, studied law, was admitted to the bar in 1884, and engaged in practice in Birmingham, Ala. Taking an active part in politics, he served in 1894 as chairman of the Democratic district executive committee, was later elected to the 54th Congress, and was successively re-elected up to and include ing the 63d Congress. During his service in the House of Representatives he made a careful study of financial and economic subjects and became one of the leading authorities on all matters relating to the tariff. He was chairman of the Ways and Means Committee of the 63d Congress. In 1914 he was elected to the Senate for the term ending 1921.
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Underwriter
one who writes his name at the foot of a policy of insurance. On some policies, only one such name appears; on others several names are added, when each party thus entering his name, is said to "take a line." The system still prevails abroad, but there are also numerous companies companies whose business it is to grant marine insurances. The underwriters of American cities do not confine their business to marine insurance, but fire-risks, etc., are now taken.
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Undine
. See Fouque ; De La Motte
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Undue Influence
in law, a phrase used specially in connection with voting or the making of a will. In the first case it consists of bribery or any force, violence, restraint, threat to inflict injury or intimidation, designed to coerce a person into voting ng for a particular candidate, or abstaining abstaining from voting at all, or as an infliction because of his having done so. The perpetrator exposes himself to a legal penalty. In case of a contested election the principal may be declared, by the court, not elected. In the case of a will, undue influence is exerted when one acquires such an ascendancy over the testator's mind as to prevent the latter from being a free agent. If he spontaneously bequeath money to one whom he esteems or loves, the esteem or affection does not constitute undue influence. Importunity does. When undue influence is proved the will becomes void.
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