Amphibolite
A rock composed largely or dominantly of minerals of the amphibole group. The term has been applied to rocks of either igneous or metamorphic origin. In igneous rocks, the term hornblendite is more common and restrictive; hornblende is the most common amphibole and is typical of such rocks. Hornblendite is an ultramafic rock (dominantly dark minerals) and is also
Furniture, France
In France the Italian influence of the 16th century was gradually assimilated, and a national style of furniture was evolved that soon spread its influence into neighbouring countries. The reign of Louis XIII, covering most of the first half of the 17th century, was a time of transition. The Gobelins factory was founded by Louis XIV for the production of deluxe furniture
Biblical Literature, Late-2nd-century canons
By the end of the 2nd century, Irenaeus used the four canonical Gospels, 13 letters of Paul, I Peter, I and II John, Revelation, Shepherd of Hermas (a work later excluded from the canon), and Acts. Justin Martyr (died c. 165), a Christian apologist, wrote of the reading of the Gospels, �the memoirs of the Apostles,� in the services, in which they were the basis for sermons. In his writings he quoted
Hyde Park
The park shares a large curved lake with its western neighbour; the portion of the lake in Kensington Gardens is known as the Long Water, whereas the Hyde Park portion is called the Serpentine. The lake is used for boating
Olt Defile
Defile in south-central Romania. The defile was cut into the Transylvanian Alps (Southern Carpathians) by the Olt River. It was particularly important during the Roman occupation (1st century BC to the 2nd century AD), when the Romans built a road and a line of fortifications along the Olt, north of its junction with the Danube River. The line of fortifications, known as the Limes
Halfmoon
(Medialuna californiensis), edible Pacific fish of the family Kyphosidae (order Perciformes). Some authorities place it in the subfamily Scorpidinae, as distinct from the other Kyphosidae, which are known as sea chubs. Halfmoons are bluish gray in colour, with dark gray fins. They normally reach a length of about 30 centimetres (1 foot). They inhabit Pacific coastal areas
Metatron
Greatest of angels in Jewish myths and legends, variously identified as the Prince (or Angel) of the Presence, as Michael the archangel, or as Enoch after his ascent into heaven. He is likewise described as a celestial scribe recording the sins and merits of men, as a guardian of heavenly secrets, as God's mediator with men, as the �lesser Yahweh,� as the archetype of man, and
R�mnicu V�lcea
Also spelled �R�mnicu V�lcea, � city, capital of V�lcea judet (county), south-central Romania, on the Olt River. Documented as a town in the late 14th century, it was a local market town during the Middle Ages. Historic buildings in the city include the house of Anton Pann, folklorist and writer; a fortified church, Cetatuia; and the local museum, with art and history sections. Since World War II R�mnicu V�lcea has
Aquarium
Receptacle for maintaining aquatic organisms, either freshwater or marine, or a facility in which a collection of aquatic organisms is displayed or studied.
Tasmania
Formerly �Van Diemen's Land� island state of Australia, lying about 150 miles (240 kilometres) south of the state of Victoria, from which it is separated by the relatively shallow Bass Strait. Physically, Tasmania forms part of the Great Dividing Range. The state comprises a main island called Tasmania; Bruny Island, nestling close to the southeastern coast; King and Flinders islands in Bass Strait; numerous
Swastika
Equilateral cross with arms bent at right angles, all in the same rotary direction, usually clockwise. The swastika as a symbol of prosperity and good fortune is widely distributed throughout the ancient and modern world. The word is derived from the Sanskrit svastika, meaning �conducive to well-being.� It was a favourite symbol on ancient Mesopotamian coinage. In
Nicholas Of Lyra,
Becoming a Franciscan c. 1300, by 1309 Nicholas was a professor at the Sorbonne, where he taught for many years. From 1319 he headed the Franciscans in France and in 1325 founded the College
Indian Literature
The earliest Indian literature took the form of the canonical Hindu sacred writings, known as the Veda, which were written in Sanskrit. To the Veda
Sotho
Traditionally, most Sotho groups relied both on cultivation
Palmer Archipelago
Also called �Antarctic Archipelago, � island group off the northwestern coast of the Antarctic Peninsula, from which it is separated by Gerlache and Bismarck straits. The archipelago, which includes the islands of Anvers (46 miles [74 km] long by 35 miles [56 km] wide), Li�ge, Brabant, and Wiencke, was discovered in 1898 by the Belgian explorer Adrien de Gerlache. Argentina and the United Kingdom have operated research stations
Computers, From Star Trek to Microsoft
The first programs developed for the hobbyists' microcomputers were games. With the early machines limited in graphic capabilities, most of these were text-based adventure or role-playing games. However, there were a few graphical games, such as Star Trek, which were popular on mainframes and minicomputers and were converted to run on microcomputers. One company
Yacht
After the decade 1840 - 50, when steam began to replace sail power in commercial vessels, the steam engine and, later, the internal-combustion engine were increasingly employed in pleasure vessels. Large power yachts were developed to a high degree, and long-distance cruising became a favourite pastime of the rich. The earliest power yachts were paddle-wheel boats; these then
Ufj Holdings, Inc.
Japanese bank holding company that became one of the world's largest banking institutions through the merger of Sanwa Bank, Tokai Bank, and Toyo Trust in 2001. With headquarters in Osaka, UFJ operates banks, issues credit cards, provides venture capital funding, and offers other banking and financial management services.
Kekkonen, Urho Kaleva
A northern lumberman's son, Kekkonen studied at the University of Helsinki, receiving bachelor's and doctoral degrees in civil law in 1928 and 1936, respectively. While working as an attorney, he became increasingly involved, from the 1920s, in the agrarian movement
Affirmation
In law, a promise by a witness concerning testimony allowed in place of an oath to those who cannot, because of conscience, swear an oath. For example, members of the Society of Friends (Quakers), Jehovah's Witnesses, and other persons who have objections against taking an oath are allowed to make affirmation in any manner they may declare to be binding upon their consciences
Good Neighbor Policy
Popular name for the Latin American policy pursued by the administration of the U.S. president Franklin D. Roosevelt. Suggested by the president's commitment �to the policy of the good neighbor� (first inaugural address, March 4, 1933), the approach marked a departure from traditional American interventionism. Through the diplomacy of Secretary of State Cordell Hull, the
Ebullism
In the atmospheric pressure at sea level (760 mm of mercury), water boils at 212� F (100� C). When the pressure on a liquid
Conservatory
In music, institution for education in musical performance and composition. The term and institution derive from the Italian conservatorio, which in the Renaissance period and earlier denoted a type of orphanage often attached to a hospital (hence the term ospedale also applied to such institutions). The foundlings (conservati) were given musical instruction
Brown, Charles
One of the most influential singers of his day, Brown was an accomplished classical pianist whose career began in 1943 after he moved to Los Angeles. He played with the Bardu Ali band before joining Johnny Moore's Three Blazers, a piano-guitar-bass
Clapar�de, �douard
Psychologist who conducted exploratory research in the fields of child psychology, educational psychology, concept formation, problem solving, and sleep. One of the most influential European exponents of the functionalist school of psychology, he is particularly remembered for his formulation of the law of momentary interest, a fundamental
Liechtenstein
With the theme "Small Is Beautiful," Liechtenstein in 1998 began preparations to serve as host of the eighth Games of the Small States of Europe, scheduled for May 24-29, 1999, in Vaduz. A new stadium at Schaan opened in August for the track and field trials. Trials for judo took
Edgar The Aetheling
Anglo-Saxon prince, who, at the age of about 15, was proposed as king of England after the death of Harold II in the Battle of Hastings (Oct. 14, 1066) but instead served the first two Norman kings, William I, Harold's conqueror, and William II. His title of aetheling (an Anglo-Saxon prince, especially the heir apparent) indicates he was a prince of the royal family; he was a grandson
Stifter, Adalbert
Stifter was educated at the Kremsm�nster abbey school. He enrolled
Earth, Composition of the crust
Most of the Earth's surface is covered by oceanic crust. The composition of this crust is documented on the basis of rocks sampled by deep-sea dredging and by studies of ophiolites, which are slivers of oceanic crust and uppermost mantle that have been tectonically emplaced on land. The oceanic crust is found to be relatively uniform in composition (Table 3). It consists
Aschelminth
In the absence of useful fossils, the evolutionary history of the aschelminths can only tentatively
