A Catechism of Familiar Things - Anonymous

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fleshy fibres, or threads, fastened to the bones of animals, the contraction and expansion of which move the bones or perform the organic functions of life.

      Organic, relating to organs or natural instruments by which some process is carried on.

      Functions, employments or offices of any part of the body.

      Contraction, drawing in or shortening.

      Expansion, extending or spreading out.

      What is Twilight?

      The light from the first dawning of day to the rising of the sun; and again between its setting and the last remains of day. Without twilight, the sun's light would appear at its rising, and disappear at its setting, instantaneously; and we should experience a sudden transition from the brightest sunshine to the profoundest obscurity. The duration of twilight is different in different climates; and in the same places it varies at different periods of the year.

      Instantaneously, done in an instant, in a moment's time.

      Obscurity, darkness, want of light.

      How is it produced?

      By the sun's refraction—that is, the variation of the rays of light from their direct course, occasioned by the difference of density in the atmosphere.

      Variation, change.

      Density, closeness of parts, compactness.

      What is the poetical name for the morning Twilight?

      Aurora, the goddess of the morning, and harbinger of the rising sun: whom poets and artists represent as drawn by white horses in a rose-colored chariot, unfolding with her rosy fingers the portals of the East, pouring reviving dew upon the earth, and re-animating plants and flowers.

      Harbinger, a forerunner.

      Portals, gates, doors of entrance.

      Reanimating, invigorating with new life.

      

      What remarkable phenomenon is afforded to the inhabitants of the polar regions?

      The Aurora Borealis, or Northern Lights, a luminous appearance in the northern parts of the heavens, seen mostly during winter, or in frosty weather, and clear evenings; it assumes a variety of forms and hues, especially in the polar regions, where it appears in its perfection, and proves a great solace to the inhabitants amidst the gloom of their long winter's night, which lasts from one to six months, while the summer's day which succeeds it lasts in like manner for the same period of time.

      Of what nature is the Aurora Borealis?

      It is decidedly an electrical phenomenon which takes place in the higher regions of the atmosphere. It is somehow connected with the magnetic poles of the earth; and generally appears in form of a luminous arch, from east to west, but never from north to south.

      Phenomenon, an extraordinary appearance. The word is from a Greek one, signifying, to show or appear.

      Magnetic, belonging to the magnet, or loadstone.

      Luminous, bright, shining.

      In what country is it seen constantly from October to Christmas?

      In Siberia, where it is remarkably bright. On the western coast of Hudson's Bay, the sun no sooner disappears, than the Aurora Borealis diffuses a thousand different lights and colors with such dazzling beauty, that even the full moon cannot eclipse it.

       Table of Contents

       Table of Contents

      What is Corn?

      Corn signifies a race of plants which produce grain in an ear or head, fit for bread, the food of man; or the grain or seed of the plant, separated from the ear.

      What is generally meant by Corn?

      In this country, maize, or Indian corn, is generally meant; but, in a more comprehensive sense, the term is applied to several other kinds of grain, such as wheat, rye, barley, oats, &c.

      Where was Corn first used?

      It is uncertain. The Athenians pretend that it was amongst them it was first used; the Cretans, Sicilians, and Egyptians also lay claim to the same. From the accounts in the Bible, we find that its culture engaged a large share of the attention of the ancient Hebrews.

      Culture, growth, cultivation. Hebrews, the children of Israel, the Jews

      Who were the Athenians?

      Inhabitants of Athens, the capital city of Greece.

      Who were the Cretans?

      The inhabitants of Crete, an island of the Archipelago.

      Who were the Sicilians?

      Inhabitants of Sicily, the largest island of the Mediterranean Sea, now a part of Italy, and separated from the mainland by the Strait of Messina.

      Where do the Egyptians dwell?

      In Egypt, a country of Africa. It is extremely fertile, producing great quantities of corn. In ancient times it was called the dry nurse of Rome and Italy, from its furnishing with corn a considerable part of the Roman Empire; and we are informed, both from sacred and profane history, that it was anciently the most fertile in corn of all countries of the world. The corn of Syria has always been very superior, and by many classed above that of Egypt.

      For what is Barley generally used?

      It is very extensively used for making malt, from which are prepared beer, ale, porter, &c.; in Scotland it is a common ingredient in broths, for which reason its consumption is very considerable, barley broth being a dish very frequent there.

      Ingredient, a separate part of a body consisting of different materials.

      What is Pearl Barley?

      Barley freed from the husk by a mill.

      What are Oats?

      A valuable grain, serving as food for horses. Oats are also eaten by the inhabitants of many countries, after being ground into meal and made into oat cakes. Oatmeal also forms a wholesome drink for invalids, by steeping it in boiling water.

      What are the uses of Rye?

      In this and some other countries it is much used for bread, either alone or mixed with wheat; in England principally as food for cattle, especially for sheep and lambs, when other food is scarce in winter. Rye yields a strong spirit when distilled.

      Distilled, subjected to distillation—the operation of extracting spirit from a substance by evaporation and condensation.

      Of what country is the Potato a native?

      Potatoes grew wild in Peru, a country of South America; whence they were transplanted to other parts of the American continent, and afterwards to Europe. The honor of introducing this useful vegetable into England is divided between Sir Francis Drake, in 1580, and Sir Walter Raleigh, in 1586, some ascribing it to the former, and others to the latter. It is certain they were obtained from Virginia in the time of Raleigh; they were cultivated only in the gardens of the nobility, and were reckoned a great delicacy. They now constitute a principal article of food in most of the countries of Europe and America; in Ireland, they have long furnished nearly four-fifths of the entire food of the people.

      What part of the plant is eaten?

      The

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