A library of wonders and curiosities found in nature and art, science and literature

Chapter III

curiosities respecting man— {Continued).

nishing Acquisitions made by Blind Persons—Wonderful Performances of a Fenale, blind almost from Infancy—Wonderful Instances of Adroitness of Persons Dorn defective in their Limbs—Curious Account of Incapacity of distinguishing Colors—Ventriloquism—Sword-Swallowing—Indian Jugglers. 46

CHAPTER IY.

curiosities respecting man— ( Continued ).

Instances of Extraordinary Fasting—Wonders of Abstinence—Sleep-walking—Sleep¬ ing Woman of Dunninald—Instances of Extraordinary Dreams—Poetical, Gram¬ matical, and Scientific Deaths—Anthropophagi, or Men-eaters—Account of a Wild Man. . 68

CHAPTER Y.

curiosities respecting man— {Continued).

Striking Instances of Integrity—Shocking Instances of Ingratitude—Extraordinary Instances of Honour—Surprising Effects of Anger—Remarkable Effects of Fright, or Terror—Notable Instance of the Power of Conscience. 77

CHAPTER VI.

curiosities respecting man— {Continued).

Remarkable Instance of Memory—Surprising Instance of Skill in Numbers—Extraor dinary Arithmetical Powers of a Child—Curious Instance of Mathematical Talen -Stone-eater—Poison-eater—Bletonism—Longevity. 80

CHAPTER VII.

curiosities respecting man— {Continued).

Combustion of the Human Body, produced by the long immoderate Use of Spirituous Liquors. From the “Journal de Physique,” Pluviose, Year 8: written by Pierre Aime Lair.. 91

CHAPTER VIII.

curiosities respecting man—( Continued T).

John Elwes—Daniel Dancer—Henry Wolby—John Henley—Simon Brown, and his Cu¬ rious Dedication to Queen Carolina—Edward Wortley Montague—Blaise Pascal- Old Parr—George Psalmanazar—John Case—John Lewis Cardiac—John Smeaton— George Morland—Henry Christian Heinecken—Thomas Topham—Zeuxis. 104

C0NTTEN8

IV

CHAPTER IX

curiosities respecting man—( Continued ).

Nicholas Peace—Paul Scarron—Maria Gaetana Agnesi—Anna Maria Schurman— Samuel Bieset, the noted Animal Instructor—John Philip Baratier—Buonaparte.

Ill

CHAPTER X.

curiosities respecting man— (Continued). 12a

CHAPTER XI.

curiosities respecting man— (Concluded). lai

CHAPTER XII.

curiosities respecting animals.

&nlmai Generation—Formation of Animals—Preservation of Animals—Destruction of Animals—Animal Reproductions. . 18®

CHAPTER XIII.

curiosities respecting animals—( Continued).

Phe Beaver, and its Habitations—The Mole—The Frog—The Toad—The Rhinoceros— Crocodiles and Alligators—Fossil Crocodile—The Ornithorhynchus Paradoxue—

The Marmot, or Mountain Rat, of Switzerland. 1M

CHAPTER XIV.

curiosities respecting animals— (Continued).

The Elephant—Fossil Elephant—The Chameleon—The Common Tortoise—Orang-Ou¬ tang—The Unicorn—The Common Seal—The Ursine Seal—American Natural Histor7 168

CHAPTER XV.

curiosities respecting animals— (Concluded).

Remarkable Strength of Affection in Animals—Surprising Instances of their Sociality- Unaccountable Faculties possessed by some Animals—Remarkable Instances of Fasting in Animals—Extraordinary Adventures of a Sheep—Sagacity of a Monkey —Astonishing Instance of Sagacity in a Horse—Sagacity of Dogs—Curious Anec¬ dotes of a Dog—Remarkable Dog. . 184

CHAPTER XVI.

CURIOSITIES respecting fishes.

The Frog-fish—Bird-catching Fish—The Nautilus—The Air-bladder in Fishes—Respira¬ tion in Fishes—Showe. of Fishes. . 19fl

CHAPTER XVII.

curiosities respecting fishes— (Concluded).

The Whale—Whale Fishery—The Kraken. 204

CHAPTER XVIII.

curiosities respecting serpents and worms.

The 8corpion—The Boa Constrictor—The American Sea Serpent—FascinatingSerpente —The Caterpillar—Caterpillar-eaters—The Silk-worm—The Tape-worm—The Ship-worm—The Lizard imbedded in Coal.. JH|

CHAPTER XIX.

curiosities respecting birds.

The Common Peacock—The Egyptian Vulture—The Secretary Vulture—The Stork—

The Great Pelican—The Bird of Paradise—The Ostrich-The Mocking-bird of America—The Social Grosbeak—The Bengal Grosbeak—The Humming-bird—The GoldeD Eagle..... m

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER XX.

curiosities respecting birds—( Continued ).

The Cnc/coo—The Cormorant—The Great Bustard—The Alarm-bird—The Carrier, or Courier Pigeon—The Wild Pigeon, its multiplying Power—Singular Bird inhabiting a Volcano in Guadaloupe—Curious Adventure of an Owl—Curious Facts in Natural History—The Chick in the Egg. . 24C

CHAPTER XXI.

curiosities respecting birds—( Concluded ).

Birds’ Nests—Migration of Birds—Curious Method of Bird-catchingdn the Faro Isles— Song of Birds. 251

CHAPTER XXII.

CURI08ITIES RESPECTING INSECTS. 2W

CHAPTER XXIII.

curiosities respecting insects— { Continued ).

The Clothier Bee—The Carpenter Bee—The Mason Bee—The Upholsterer Bee—The Leaf-cutter Bee—Curious Account of an Idiot Boy and Bees—Mr. Wildman’s Cu¬ rious Exhibitions of Bees explained. 277

CHAPTER XXIV.

curiosities respecting insects— { Continued ).

rhe Wasp.. . S&5

CHAPTER XXV.

curiosities respecting insects— { Continued ).

Ants—White Ants—Green Ants—Visiting Ants—The Ant-lion. 29C

CHAPTER XXVI.

curiosities respecting insects— { Continued ).

The Spider—Ingenuity of the Spider—Spider tamed—Curious Anecdote of a Spider, etc. 314

CHAPTER XXVII.

curiosities respecting insects— { Continued ).

Luminous Insects. 811

CHAPTER XXVIII.

curiosities .respecting insects— { Continued ).

The Flea—On the Duration of the Life of a Flea—The Louse... 825

CHAPTER XXIX.

CHAPTER XXX.

curiosities respecting insects— { Continued ).

The Common House Fly—The Hessian Fly—The May Fly—The Vegetable Fly—The Boat Fly—The Ephemeral Flies—Butterflies—Metamorphoses of Insecte—The Death-watch. 33"

CHAPTER XXXI.

curiosities respecting insects— { Continued ).

Locusts and Musquitoes, and their Uses in the Creation ;—from Kirby, Spence and

Fotbergill. 34fl

CONTENTb

CHAPTER XXXII.

CURIOSITIES RESPECTING INSECTS—( Concluded ). Animalcules—The Cheese Mite—The Hydra, or Polypes.

.364

CHAPTER XXXIII.

CURIOSITIES RESPECTING VEGETABLES.

Curiosities in the Vegetable Kingdom-Germination in Seeds-Dissemination of Plants

—Number of Plants upon the Earth—Sensibility of Plants—The Sensitive Plant... ow

CHAPTER XXXIV.

CURIOSITIES RESPECTING VEGETABLES—( Continued ).

The Cocoanut Tree—The Bread-fruit Tree—The Bannian Tree—Fountain Trees—The Tallow Tree—The Paper Tree—The Calabash Tree—Remarkable Oak—Dimensions, etc., of some of the largest Trees now growing in England—Upas, or Poison lree .. oil

CHAPTER XXXV.

curiosities respecting vegetables—( Continued ).

Cfurious Plant near the Cape of Good Hope—The Mandrake—Changeable Flower—Chi¬ nese Method of Preparing Tea—Antiquity of Sugar—Curious Effects of Cinchona, or Peruvian Bark—Curious Particulars of a Pound Weight of Cotton-wool—Ani¬ mated Stalk—'Animal Flower.

CHAPTER XXXVI.

CURIOSITIES RESPECTING VEGETABLES— {Concluded). m

CHAPTER XXXVII.

CURIOSITIES RESPECTING STONES.

The Meteoric Stone—Labrador Stone—Asbestos—Mushroom Stone—The Changeable Stone—A Wonderful Diamond—A Singular Curiosity. 401

CHAPTER XXXVIII.

CURIOSITIES RESPECTING MOUNTAINS.

Natural Description of Mountains—The Peak in Derbyshire—Snowden in Wales—Skiddaw in Cumberland. 40C

CHAPTER XXXIX.

CURIOSITIES RESPECTING MOUNTAINS—( Continued ).

it Ance»—FAhinea—Monte Bolea—Pausilipo—Monte Nuovo—Spectre of the Broken —Gsuta, or Indian Apennines—Pico—Written Mountains—Atnos—Sulphur Moun¬ tains. 415

CHAPTER XL.

CURIOSITIES RESPECTING mountains— {Continued). 427

CHAPTER XLI.

CURIOSITIES RESPECTING mountains— {Concluded).

Description of Vesuvius—Hecla—Etna. . 434

CHAPTER XLII.

CURIOSITIES RESPECTING GROTTOES, CAVES, ETC.

Grotto in South Africa—Grotto del Cani—Grotto of AntiparoB—Grotto of Guacharo— Snow Grotto—Cave of Fingal—Cave near Mexico—The Nitre Caves of Missouri— Okey Hole—Borrowdale—Needle’s Eye. 445

CHAPTER XLIII.

CURIOSITIES RESPECTING MINES.

Diamond Mine in the Brazils—Mines of Peru—Volcanic Eruptions of Mud and Salt- Pitch Wells—Visit to a Coal-pit. 4 < 5 f

CONTENTS.

vii

CHAPTER XLIV.

CURIOSITIES RESPECTING THE SEA.

General Observations respecting the Sea, or Ocean—Particular Curiosities of the Sea- Ou the Saltness of the Sea—On the Tides—Waves stilled by Oil. 471

CHAPTER XLY.

CURIOSITIES RESPECTING THE SEA— {Concluded). 401

CHAPTER XLYI.

CURIOSITIES RESPECTING WATERFALLS, LAKES, GULFS, WHIRL¬ POOLS, ETC.

The Falls of Niagara—Lake of Killamey—Lake Solfatara—Whirlpool near 8 uderoc— Maelstrom—Gulf Stream—New Island starting from the Sea. 485

CHAPTER XLYII.

CURIOSITIES RESPECTING BURNING SPRINGS.

Naphtha Springs—Burning Springs in Kentucky—Hot Springe of Iceland—Hot Springs of Ouachitta—Other Burning Springs. 19S

CHAPTER XLYIII.

CURIOSITIES RESPECTING EARTHQUAKES. 498

CHAPTER XLIX.

CURIOSITIES RESPECTING WINDS, HURRICANES, ETC.

Remarkable Winds in Egypt—Whirlwinds of Egypt—Tornado—Harmattan—Hurricane —Monsoons—Velocity of the Wind. 507

CHAPTER L.

CURIOSITIES RESPECTING SHOWERS, STORMS, ETC.

Surprising Showers of Hail—Singular Effects of a Storm—The Mirage—Sand Floods— Showers of Gossamers—Winter in Russia. 513

CHAPTER LI.

CURIOSITIES RESPECTING ICE.

On the Greenland, or Polar Ice—On the Tremendous Concussion of Fields of Ice—Ice¬ bergs—Magnitude of Icebergs—The Glaciers—Shower of Ice—Remarkable Frosts.. BSB

CHAPTER LII.

CURIOSITIES RESPECTING RUINS.

Ruin at Siwa, in Egypt—Ruins of Palmyra—Ruins of Herculaneum and Pompeii- Ancient Ruins of Balbec—Ruins of Agrigentum, in Sicily—Ancient Grandeur of Carthage. . 634

CHAPTER Lin.

CURIOSITIES RESPECTING ANCIENT BUILDINGS, TEMPLES, AND OTHER

MONUMENTS OF ANTIQUITY.

Egyptian Curiosities : —Pompey’s Pillar—Buildings and Library of Alexandria— Temple of Tentyra—Palace of Memnon—Temple of Osiris. 544

CHAPTER LIY.

CURIOSITIES RESPECTING BUILDINGS, ETC.— {Continued).

Temple of Diana at Ephesus—Laocoon—Babylon—Alhambra. 554

CHAPTER LY.

curiosities respecting temples, etc.— {Continued).

Seraglio—Museum—Colossus—and Obelisk

CONTENTS.

nn

CHAPTER LVL

CURIOSITIES RESPECTING TEMPLES, ETG.—( Concluded)

tnverlochy Castle—Magdalen’s Hermitage—Curiosities of Fribnrg—Curiosities of Augs¬ burg—Escurial—Florence Statues—Great Wall of China—Floating Gardens—Curi¬ osity at Palermo.

CHAPTER LVII.

CURIOSITIES RESPECTING THE ARK, ETC.

Curiosities respecting the Ark of Noah—The Galley of Hicro—and the Bridge of Xerxes 583

CHAPTER LVIII.

BASALTIC AND ROCKY CURIOSITIES.

Giant’s Causeway—Stonehenge. 590

CHAPTER LIX.

CURIOSITIES RESPECTING THE VARIOUS CUSTOMS OF MANKIND.

Curious Demonstrations of Friendship—Singularities of different Nations in Eating- Female Beauty and Ornaments—Various Modes of Salutation—Maiden—Lady of the Lamb—Curious Custom respecting Catching a Hare—Extraordinary Ancient Custom 594

CHAPTER LX.

CURIOSITIES RESPECTING THE CUSTOMS OF MANKIND—( Continued ).

Marriage Ceremonies of different Nations—Marriage Custom of the Japanese—Bacon Flitch Custom at Dunmow, Essex—On the Origin of Rings in general—Matrimonial Ring—Extraordinary Marriage Custom—Hand-fasting. 002

CHAPTER LXI.

CURIOSITIES RESPECTING THE CUSTOMS OF MANKIND—( Continued ).

Funeral Ceremonies of the Ancient Ethiopians—Funeral Ceremonies of the Chinese— Ancient Funeral Ceremonies of the Dajakkese—Ancient Modes of Mourning— Feasts among the Ancients of various Nations—Feast of Lanterns.... 609

CHAPTER LXII.

CURIOSITIES RESPECTING THE CUSTOMS OF MANKIND—( Continued ).

Origin of the Sheriff’s counting Hobnails—Origin of the Order of the Garter—Origin and History of the Claim and Allowance of the “ Benefit of Clergy ” in Criminal Convictions—Curious Tenures—The Origin of May Poles and Garlands—Curious Custom at Oakham—Curious Practice in North Holland. 622

CHAPTER LXIII.

CURIOSITIES RESPECTING THE CUSTOMS OF MANKIND — {Continued).

Shrovetide—Candlemas Day—Passion or Roly Week—Origin of Valentine’s Day—Ori¬ gin of Plough Monday—New Year’s Gifts—Chiltern Hundreds—Origin of the term “ John Bull ’’—Origin of the Old Adage, “ If it rains on St. Swithin’s Day, it will rain Forty Days afterwards’’—Curfew Bell.. 6 > 3 Q

CHAPTER LXIV.

CURIOSITIES RESPECTING THE CUSTOMS OF MANKIND.— ( Concluded .)

Ancient Religions, Mysteries and Oracles—Curious Baptism—Kalmuck Praying Ma¬ chines—Curious Penance at Calcutta.® po <3

CHAPTER LXV.

CURIOSITIES RESPECTING VARIOUS PHENOMENA OR APPEARANCES

IN NATURE. ^

CHAPTER LXVI.

CURIOSITIES RESPECTING VARIOUS PHENOMENA OR APPEARANCES

IN NATURE— ( Continued ).

Extraordinary Properties and Effects of Lightning—Thunder Rod—Fire-halls—Terrible Effects of Electrified Clouds—Surprising Effects of extreme Cold—Astonishing Expansive Force of Freezing.. s qj.

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER LXVII.

CURIOSITIES RESPECTING VARIOUS PHENOMENA OR APPEARANCES

IN NATURE—( Continued).

Water-spout—Fata Morgana—Fairy Rings—Sheet of Phosphoric Fire—Phosphorus ... 661

CHAPTER LXVIII.

CURIOSITIES RESPE7TING VARIOUS PHENOMENA OR APPEARANCES

IN NATURE—( Continued ).

Spots in the Sun-Diminution of the Snn—Parhelia, or Mock Suns—Eclipses—Halo, or Corona, and similar Appearances—Falling or Shooting Star—Volcanoes in the Moon 671

CHAPTER LXIX.

CURIOSITIES RESPECTING VARIOUS PHENOMENA OR APPEARANCES

IN NATURE— (Concluded).

The Aurora Borealis. 68-1

CHAPTER LXX,

CURIOSITIES RESPECTING GALVANISM. 68S

s

CHAPTER LXXI.

CURIOSITIES RESPECTING MAGNETISM. 692

CHAPTER LXXII.

CURIOSITIES RESPECTING THE ARTS, ETC.

Early Invention of several useful Arts—Automaton—Androides—Extraordinary Pieces of Clock-work — Heidelberg Clock — Strasburg Clock — Clepsydra — Invention of Watches.7. 69S

CHAPTER LXXIII.

curiosities respecting the arts— (Continued).

Telegraph—Spectacle of a Sea-fight at Rome—Wooden Ea- le and Iron Fly—Whitehead’s Ship—Scaliot’s Lock, etc.—Praxiteles’ Venus—Weaving Engine—Hydraulic Birds— Herschel’s Grand Telescope—Boverick’s Curiosities—Eunzlau Curiosities—Artificial Flying.. 70S

CHAPTER LXXIV.

CURIOSITIES RESPECTING THE arts— (Concluded).

Burning Glasses—Ductility of Glass—Remarkable Ductility and Extensibility of Gold— Pin-making—Needles—Shoes—The Great Bell of Moscow .. 711

CHAPTER LXXV.

CURIOSITIES IN HISTORY, ETC. 721

CHAPTER LXXVI.

CHAPTER LXXVII.

curiosities in history, etc.— (Continued). isr,

CHAPTER LXXVI H.

curiosities in history, etc.— (Continued).

Long Absent Husband returned—Curious Historical Fact—The most Extraordinary Fact on Record- The Travelling Faquirs. .

X

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER LXXIX.

CURIOSITIES IN HISTORY, etc.— {Concluded).

Great Events from Little Causes—Dreadful Instances of the Plague in Europe-— Fire of London—Vicar of Bruy—Curious Account of the Ceremonies at Queen Elizabeth 8 Dinner—A Blacksmith’s Wife become a Queen—Swine’s Concert. ••

CHAPTER LXXX.

CURIOSITIES OF LITERATURE.

Origin of the Materials of Writing—Minute Writing—Titles of Bocks—Literary Labour and Perseverance—Curious Account of the Scarcity of Books—Celebrated Libraries —Book of Blunders—Curious Account of the Means of Intellectual Improvement in London. .

CHAPTER LXXXI.

curiosities of literature—( Continued ).

Origin of the Word “ News ’’—Origin of Newspapers—Instances of New Studies in Old Age—Literary Shoemakers—Imprisonment of the Learned—Singular Customs annually observed by the Company of Stationers—Book of Sports—Origin of Cards —Explanation of all the Letters on a Guinea.. 702

CHAPTER LXXXTI.

curiosities OF literature—( Concluded ).

Curious Address to the late Queen Charlotte—Quaint Lines on Queen Elizabeth—Cu¬ rious Names adopted in the Civil Wars—Curious Extracts from the Will of an Earl of Pembroke—Curious Letter from Pomare. King of Otaheite, to the Missionary Society—Curious Love Letter and Answer—Creeds of the Jews—The Unbeliever’s Creed—Explanation of the Terms “ Whig ” and “ Tory ”. 709

CHAPTER LXXXIII.

MISCELLANEOUS CURIOSITIES.

Monster—Individuation—Reproduction—Peruke—Centaurs and Lapith*. 777

CHAPTER LXXXIV.

miscellaneous curiosities— {Continued).

Spontaneous Inflammation—Diseases peculiar to Particular Countries—Injuries from Swallowing the Stones of Fruits—Extraordinary Surgical Operation—Extraor¬ dinary Cures by Burning—Illumination by Electricity—Divisibility of Matter. 786

CHAPTER LXXXY.

miscellaneous curiosities—( Continued).

The Jew’s Harp—Remarkable Aqueducts—Crichup Linn—Eddystone Rocks—Dismal Swamp—Curious Wine-cellar—Mint of Segovia—Remarkable Mills—Silk Mill at Derby—Portland Vase—Murdering Statue—A Curious Pulpit. 7 %

CHAPTER LXXXYI.

miscellaneous curiosities—( Continued ).

Extraordinary Echoes and Whispering Places—Natural Productions resembling Arti¬ ficial Compositions — Remarkable Lamps —Perpetual Fire — Magical Drum — An Extraordinary Cannon—Curious Account of Old Bread—Substitute for Spectacles —Winter Sleep of Animals and Plants. 802

CHAPTER LXXXYII.

miscellaneous cukiosities—( Continued ).

Lama—Nun—Mahometan Paradise—Opinions respecting Hell—London—Coins of the Kings of England—Coinage and Coins of the United States.

CONTENTS.

XI

CHAPTER LXXXVIII.

miscellaneous curiosities—( Continued ).

The Five Human Races—Rome—Rome from the Capitol—Cologne Cathedral—Destrucof the Bastile—Cleopatra’s Barge—Jewish High-Priest—Invention of Printing — 811

CHAPTER LXXXIX.

miscellaneous curiosities—( Continued ).

Wonderful Fast of Dr. Tanner—Other Celebrated Fasts—Human Work and Human Waste—Spirit Rappings—The Man-Turtle—Mesmerism—Hypnotism—Ice Factories —Pulque—Celluloid—Petroleum, Benzine. 824

CHAPTER XC.

miscellaneous curiosities—( Continued ).

The First Steamboat—Steamship Great Eastern—Ship Great Harry—Pacific Railroad- Great Trestle Bridge on Pacific Railroad—Sutro Tunnel—Flying Machine—Dis¬ covery of Gold. 835

CHAPTER XCI.

miscellaneous curiosities—( Concluded ).

New Mode of Telegraphy—Telephone—Phonograph—Photophone—Electric Light— Elevated Railroads—Great Suspension Bridge, New York City—Central Park, New York City—Egyptian Obelisk, New York Central Park—Mammoth Cave of Ken¬ tucky-Hot Springs of Arkansas. 839

Appendix

Containing Curious Experiments and Amusing Recreations

CONTENTS OF APPENDIX.

fag a

A Pbbbon having an even Number of Counters in one Hand, and an odd Number in the

other, to tell in which Hand each of them is . 848

A Person having fixed on a Number in his Mind, to tell him what Number it is. 849

Another Method of discovering a Number thought on. 849

To tell the Number a Person has fixed upon, without asking him any Questions. 849

A curious Recreation—The Blind Abbess and her Nuns. 8ol

Any Number being named, add a Figure, which shall make it divisible by 9. 85!

A Person having made choice of several Numbers, to tell him what Number will

exactly divide the Sum of those which he has chosen. 852

To find the Difference between any two Numbers, the greater of which is unknown.... 852

A Person striking a Figure out of the Sum of two given Numbers, to tell him what

that Figure was. 853

By knowing the last Figure of the Product of two Numbers, to tell the other Figures.. 853 A curious Recreation with a Hundred Numbers, usually called the Magical Century.... 854

A Person in Company having privately put a Ring on one of his fingers, to Name the

Person, the Hand, the Finger, and the Joint on which it is placed. 855

To make a Deaf Man hear. 856

When two Chests are like one another, and of equal Weight, being filled with different

Metals, to distinguish the one from the other. 856

To find the Burden of a Ship at Sea or in a River. 857

To Measure the Depth of the Sea. 857

Method of Melting Steel, and causing it to Liquefy. 858

How to dispose two little Figures, so that one shall light a Candle and the other put

The Camera Obscura, or Dark Chamber. 858

To show the Spots in the Sun’s Disc. 860

To magnify small Objects by means of the Sun’s Rays. 860

To cut a Looking-glass or Crystal without the help of a Diamond. 861

By the means of two plain Looking-glasses, to make a Face appear under different

forms. 861

To know which of two different Waters is the lightest, without any Scales. 862

To know if a suspicious Piece of Money is good or bad. 8G2

To hold a Glass full of Water with the Mouth downwards, so that the Water shall not

run out..

The Mysterious Watch. 883

To make a Glass of Water appear to boil. 863

How to make a Cork fly out of a Bottle.. 864

To produce Gas Light on a small scale. 864

Thunder Powder. 864

To tell, by the Dial of a Watch, at what hour any Person intends to rise. 864

Experiments showing the Power of Attraction and Repulsion. 865

Experiments respecting the Centre of Gravity. 866

Experiment showing the Power of Steam. S67

Diminution of Heat by Evaporation. 867

Experiment to ascertain the Strength of Spirits of Wine. 867

To ascertain the Strength of Brine. 867

Experiments showing the Pressure and Elasticity of Air. 867

Experiments respecting Sound. 868

Electrical Experiments. 869

Electricity of Silk Stockings. 870

Xiv CONTENTS OF APPENDIX.

PAGE

To suspend a Ring by a Thread that has been burnt. 878

Chemical Illuminations. 872

A Flash of Lightning when one enters a Room with a lighted Candle. 872

The Fiery Fountain. 872

A Lamp that will burn Twelve Months without replenishing. 872

The Magic Oracle. 873

Method of constructing a Voltaic Pile... 875

Magnetical Experiments. 876

Light produced by Friction, even under Water. 878

Hydraulic Experiments. . 879

Another Hydraulic Experiment, called the Miraculous Vessel. 880

A curious Hydraulic Experiment, called Tantalus’s Cup . 880

A curious Chemical Experiment, called the Tree of Diana. 880

A remarkable Experiment, called Prince Rupert’s Drops . 881

How to make Sympathetic Inks of various Kinds. 881

Other Sympathetic Inks. 883

A Sympathetic Ink which appears by being wetted with water. 884

Experiments with Sympathetic Ink. 884

How to Write on Glass by means of the Rays of the Sun. 886

To produce different Colors, by pouring a colorless Liquor into a clean Glass. S 86

To produce a Color which appears and disappears by the Influence of the Air.. 886

To turn a colorless Liquor Black, by adding a White Powder to it. 887

Freezing Mixture. 887

Experiments with the Microscope. 887

Experiments with the Thermometer and Barometer. 891

Rules for judging of and predicting the State of the Weather by the Barometer. S92

Method of Preserving Birds. 893

To take the Impression of the Wings of a Butterfly in all their Colors. 894

To take the Impression of a Leaf of any Tree, Plant, or Shrub, with all its Veins. 394

Experiments respecting Colors, etc... 395

A Quantity of Eggs being broken, to find how many there were without remembering

the Number. ggg

To find the least Number of Weights, that will weigh from One Pound to Forty. 898

A Number ef Metals being mixed together in one Mass, to find the Quantity of each of

them. 899

To make a mutual Exchange of the Liquor in two Bottles, without using any other

Vessel. 900

How to make a Peg that will exactly fit Three different Holes. 900

To place Three Sticks upon a Table in such a manner that they may appear to be

unsupported by anything but themselves. 901

How to prevent a heavy Body from falling, by adding another heavier Body to it on that

side toward which it inclines. 901

To make a false Balance that shall appear perfectly jus*, when empty, or when loaded

with unequal Weights. 90 j

How to lift up a Bottle with a Straw, or any other slight Substance. 902

To make a Pen, which holds One Hundred Sheep, hold double the Number, by only

adding two Hurdles more. 902

How to make a Piece of Metal, or any other heavy Body, swim upon the Surface of

Water like a Cork. ggg

How to prove that Two and Two do not make Four. 904

Method of Secret Writing. ^

Optical Experiments. ^

How to make a violent Tempest by means of artificial Rain and Hail. 90 g

Magic Square. ggg

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS

Face

Page

Muscles of the Human Body, Profile View, 18 Muscles of the Human Body, Back View, . 19 Daniel Lambert and George Morland, , 42

Indian Chief, Black Buffalo, . . .43

Daniel Dancer and Old Par, . . .83

Orator Henley and John Elwes, . . 106

Simon Brown and Blaise Pascal, . . 107

Edward Wortley Montague and George

Psalmanzar, . . . .114

John Lewis Cardiac and John SmCaton, . 115 John Case and Thomas Topham, . . 114

Zeuxis and Nicholas Pesce, . . .115

Paul Scarron and Samuel Bisset, . . 122

Maria Galtana Agnesi and Anna Maria

Richard Savage and William Huntington, 130 Napoleon I, .. .. 131

Musk Ox and American Bison, . . 138

Gazelle and Antelope, . . . 139

Brown Bear and Grizzly Bear, . . . 146

Fossils—Iguanodon, . . . .147

Rhinoceros, . . . . . .162

The Ornithorhyncus Paradoxus, . . 163

Vampire Bat and Rougette, . . . 170

Hunting the White Elephant, . . 171

The Orang-Outang, . . . .178

Seal Hunting, ... . . 179

St. Bernard Dog and the Iceland Dog, . 186 Esquimaux Dog and Bull Dog, . . 187

Danish Dog and Fox Hound, . . .194

Various specimens of the Monkey Tribe, 195 Persian Greyhound and Pointer, . . 202

Animal Sagacity, .... 203

Terrible Adventure with a Shark, . . 210

Whale Fishery, . . . . . 211

The Frog-Fish, ..... 218

The Sea Serpent, .... 219

Humming Birds, .... 234

Birds in the Tropics, .... 235

The Great Bustard and Ostriches of South . Africa. ..... 250

Indian Bird’s Nest, .... 251

Bird Catcher at St. Kilda, . . . 267

The Ant-Eater, . . . . .298

Ingenuity of tne Spider; . . . 299

The Bannian Tree, ..... 370

Cedars of Lebanon, .... 371

Norway Spruce Fir, , . . .378

The Peak Cavern, . . . .379

Face

Page

Effects of an Earthquake, Sand Flood in

the Deserts of Arabia, . . .498

Arctic Regions, ..... 499

Icebergs of Greenland and Spitzbergen, . 522 Traveling in the Arctic Regions, . . 523

Navigating among the Icebergs, . . 530

Palmyra..531

The Parthenon at Athens, . . .538

Amphitheatre of Vespasian, . . 539

Roman War Chariot, . . . .546

King Solomon’s Ancient City of Baalbec, 546 Pompey’s Pillar, . . . .547

Pyramids of Gizeh, Egypt, . . .554

Temple of Tentyra in Egypt, . . 555

Temple of the Ancient Egyptians at Thebes, 562 Interior of Ancient Roman House, . 563 Church of Notre Dame at Paris, . . 570

City of Damascus, . . . .571

Cocoanut Trees and Pyramids of Egypt, . 578 The Giant’s Causeway and the Spectre of

the Broken ..... 579 The Great Wall of China, . . .586

Ancient Methods of Storming a Fort, . 587 The Emperor of China, . . . 594

A Chinese School, . . . . 1 595

Witnessing a Battle from the Clouds, . 602

Egyptian Shop-keeper, . , . .603

Roman Soldiers and Consul. . . 618

Ancient Persian Soldiers, . . . 619

Water Spouts, . . . . .666

The Fata Morgana as observed in Harbor of

Parhelia, or Mock Sun—The Ignis Fatuus, 674 Falling Stars—Monsoon in India, . . 675

Aurora Borealis, in Arctic Regions and

Glass Blowing, Process of, 715

Caesar Landing in Great Britain, . . 730

Caesar Crossing the Rubicon, . . . 731

Great Bell of Moscow, . . . 794

Eddystone Lighthouse, .... 795 Races of Man, ..... 818

Cleopatra’s Barge, .... 819

Destruction of the Bastile, . . . 826

A Jewish Priest, . . . . .827

John Gutenberg, .... 834

Ship Great Harry, ..... 835 Elevated Railroads, .... 842

Suspension Bridge, . . . .848

Egyptian Obelisk (Cleopatra’s Needle), . 874

Diagrams of Wonderful Experiments, . 875

• • u

. ’ T ft-

.

i to

.

Introduction

It was well observed by Lord Bacon, that “ It would much conduce to the magnanimity and honour of man, if a collection were made of the extraordinaries of human nature, principally out of the reports ol history; that is, what is the last and highest pitch to which man’s nature, of itself, hath ever reached, in all the perfection of mind and body. If the wonders of human nat¬ ure, and virtues as "well of mind as of body, were collected into a volume, they might serve as a calendar of human triumphs.”

The present work not only embraces the Curiosities of human nature, but of Nature and Art in general, as well as Science and Literature. Surrounded v T ith wonders, and lost in admiration, the inquisitive mind of man is ever anxious to know the hidden springs that put these wonders in motion; he eagerly inquires for some one to take him by the hand and explain to him the cm. riosities of the universe. And though the works of nature are great, and past finding out, and we cannot arrive at the perfection of science, nor discover the secret impulses wdiich nature obeys, yet can w 7 e by reading, study, and investigation dissipate much of the darkness in which we are enveloped, and dive far beyond the surface of this multifarious scene of things. The noblest employment^ of the human understanding is to contenqfiate the works of the great Creator of the boundless universe, and to trace the marks of infinite wisdom, power, and goodness throughout the whole.

A considerable portion of the following pages is devoted to Curiosities in the works of Nature. It also presents to the reader a view of the great achievements of the human intellect in the discoveries of science, and the wonderful operations of the skill, power, and industry of man in the invention and improvement of the arts, in the construction of machines, and in the buildings and other ornaments the earth exhibits, as trophies to the glory of the human race.

The work is divided into ninety-one chapter's. The Curiosi¬ ties respecting Man occupy eleven chapters. The next four chap¬ ters are devoted to Animals ; then two to Fishes ; one to Serpents

XVI11

INTRODUCTION.

and Worms; three xo Birds ; eleven to Insects ; six to Vegeta¬ bles ; three to Mountains; two to Grottoes, Caves, etc.; one to Mines; two to the Sea ; one to Lakes, Whirl pools, etc.; one to Burning Springs; one to Earthquakes ; one to Remarkable Winds; one to Showers, Storms, etc. ; one to Ice ; one to Ruins; four to Buildings, Temples, and other Monuments of Antiquity; and one to Basaltic and Rocky Curiosities. The fifty-eighth chapter is devoted to the Ark of Noah, the Galley of Hiero, and the Bridge of Xerxes. The next six chapters detail at length the various Customs of Mankind in different parts of the World, and also ex¬ plain many Old Adages and Sayings. The next five chapters ex¬ hibit a variety of curious phenomena in nature, such as the Ignis Fatuus, Thunder and Lightning, Fire Balls, Water Spouts, Fairy Rings, Spots in the Sun, Volcanoes in the Moon, Eclipses, Shoot¬ ing Stars, Aurora Borealis or Northern Lights, etc., etc. The' seventieth chapter is on Galvanism. The seventy-first on Mag¬ netism. The next three chapters delineate the principal Curiosi¬ ties respecting the Arts. Then follow five chapters on some of the principal Curiosities in History; three on the Curiosities of Literature ; and nine on Miscellaneous Curiosities.

Truthful descriptions are given of the finest Buildings, the most remarkable Ruins ; of the most extensive Libraries ; of Animals, their propagation, nature and habits; of Wonderful Automatons and strange Machines ; of Icebergs and Hot Springs; of huge Mountains and deep Caverns ; of Bees and Birds ; of the Ant and the Beaver ; of Mines, Mining, Currency, and Coins ; of Diseases and Cures ; of Mesmerism and Galvanism ; of Feasts and Famines; of Female Beauty, how to promote and how to injure it; of splen¬ did Palaces and gorgeous Temples; of Scientific Investigations and priceless Discoveries ; of Music and Musical Instruments ; of Microscopic and Telescopic Wonders; of Human Perfections and Monstrosities; of Lightning, Thunder, Tornadoes, Cyclones ; of Virulent Poisons and their Antidotes ; and of the other wonders of Air, Earth, Fire, and Water.

An Appendix is added, containing a number of easy, innocent, amusing Experiments and Recreations.

The Compiler trusts the work will afford both entertainment and instruction for the leisure hour of the Philosopher or the La¬ borer, the Gentleman or the Mechanic. In short, all classes may find in the present work something conducive to their pleasure and improvement, as it will afford a constant source of subjects for interesting and agreeable conversation.

THE

Book of Wonders and Curiosities.