"A small fore-and-aft rigged vessel with one mast, generally carrying a jib, fore-staysail, mainsail, and gaff-topsail. Some sloops formerly had a square topsail. It is generally understood that a sloop differs from a cutter by having a fixed instead of a running bowsprit, but the names are used somewhat indiscriminately." —Whitney, 1889

Sloop

"A small fore-and-aft rigged vessel with one mast, generally carrying a jib, fore-staysail, mainsail,…

"In mining, a trough made of boards, used for separating gold from the gravel and sand in which it occurs. Its bottom is lined with riffles, and these, with the help of quicksilver, arrest and detain the particles of gold as they are borne along by the current of water." —Whitney, 1889
<p>Illustration of miners working in a forest, shoveling material into the sluice.

A Sluice Box - Miners Work in the Forest

"In mining, a trough made of boards, used for separating gold from the gravel and sand in which it occurs.…

"A system of pulleys in two blocks, so arranged that the parts of continuous rope are approximately parallel. The order in which the rope passes round the pulleys consecutively is shown by the figures in the cut. Named after the engineer who invented it." &mdash;Whitney, 1889

Pulleys - Smeaton's Blocks

"A system of pulleys in two blocks, so arranged that the parts of continuous rope are approximately…

"A furnace in which metals are separated from their ores. a, fire-brick lining; b, masonry; c, opening in the side of the upper part of the furnace through which it is charged; e, boshes; f, throat; g, hearth or crucible; h, dam-stone; i, twyer; That part lying below the widest diameter, above the boshes, is called the shaft." &mdash;Whitney, 1889

Smelting Furnace with Fire Burning

"A furnace in which metals are separated from their ores. a, fire-brick lining; b, masonry; c, opening…

<i>Mergellus albellus</i>. "A small merganser or fishing duck...The male in adult plumage is a very beautiful bird, of a pure white, varied with black and gray, and tinged with green on the crested head; the length is about 17 inches. The female is smaller, with reddish-brown and gray plumage, and is called the red-headed smew." &mdash;Whitney, 1889

Smew - A Merganser or Fishing Duck

Mergellus albellus. "A small merganser or fishing duck...The male in adult plumage is a very beautiful…

"A machine for turning a roasting-spit by means of a fly-wheel or -wheels, set in motion by the current of ascending air in a chimney. a,a, the chimney, contracted in a circular form; b, strong bar placed over the fireplace, to support the jack; c, wheel with vanes radiating from its center, set in motion by the ascent of the heated air, and communicating by the pinion d and the crown-wheel e, with the pulley f, from which motion is transmitted to the spit by the chain passing over it." &mdash;Whitney, 1889

Smoke-Jack Used for Roasting Meat

"A machine for turning a roasting-spit by means of a fly-wheel or -wheels, set in motion by the current…

"A small sail hoisted against the foremast forward of the galley-funnel when a ship rides head to wind, to give the smoke of the galley an opportunity to rise, and to prevent it from being blown aft to the quarter-deck." &mdash;Whitney, 1889

Smoke Sail

"A small sail hoisted against the foremast forward of the galley-funnel when a ship rides head to wind,…

<i>Helix pomatia</i>. "A large-shelled, edible" snail, also called the Burgundy snail or escargot when used in cooking. —Whitney, 1889.
<p>This illustration shows only the shell and not the animal. It is an air-breathing, land snail.

Roman Snail Shell

Helix pomatia. "A large-shelled, edible" snail, also called the Burgundy snail or escargot when used…

<i>Circaetus gallicus</i> is a "bird of prey inhabiting all the countries bordering the Mediterranean, and thence eastward to the whole of the Indian peninsula and part of the Malay archipelago. The male is 26 inches long; the female, 30 inches; the pointed wings are more than half as long again as the tail; the tarsi are mostly naked; the nostrils are oval perpendicularly; the head is crested with lanceolate feathers; and in the adult the breast is white, streaked with brown." &mdash;Whitney, 1889

Snake Buzzard, Also Called a Short-Toed Eagle

Circaetus gallicus is a "bird of prey inhabiting all the countries bordering the Mediterranean, and…

"<i>Polygala senega</i> of eastern North America. It sends up several stems from hard knotty root-stocks, bearing single close racemes of white flowers." &mdash;Whitney, 1889
<p>This illustration includes the upper portion of the stem and the flowers.

Seneca Snakeroot - Stem and Flowers

"Polygala senega of eastern North America. It sends up several stems from hard knotty root-stocks, bearing…

"<i>Polygala senega</i> of eastern North America. It sends up several stems from hard knotty root-stocks, bearing single close racemes of white flowers. It is the source of the officinal senegaroot, and from being much gathered is said to have become scarce in the east." &mdash;Whitney, 1889
<p>This illustration is of the fruit of the plant.

Seneca Snakeroot - the Fruit

"Polygala senega of eastern North America. It sends up several stems from hard knotty root-stocks, bearing…

"<i>Polygala senega</i> of eastern North America. It sends up several stems from hard knotty root-stocks, bearing single close racemes of white flowers. It is the source of the officinal senegaroot, and from being much gathered is said to have become scarce in the east." &mdash;Whitney, 1889
<p>This illustration shows the knotty roots and the lower portion of the stem.

Seneca Snakeroot - Roots and Base of the Stem

"Polygala senega of eastern North America. It sends up several stems from hard knotty root-stocks, bearing…

<i>Ammonites bisulcatus</i>. "Same as ammonite; from an old popular notion that these shells were coiled snakes petrified." &mdash;Whitney, 1889

Snakestone - Ammonite

Ammonites bisulcatus. "Same as ammonite; from an old popular notion that these shells were coiled snakes…

"An eel-like fish, <i>Nemichthys scolopaceus</i>; any member of the <i>Nemichthyidae</i>. The snipe eel attains a length of 3 feet; it is pale-colored above, the back somewhat speckled; the belly and anal fin are blackish. It is a deep-water fish of the Atlantic often taken off the Atlantic coast." &mdash;Whitney, 1889

Snipe Eel

"An eel-like fish, Nemichthys scolopaceus; any member of the Nemichthyidae. The snipe eel attains a…

"A becket fitted round a boat's mast with an eye to hold the lower end of the sprit which is used to extend the sail. a, sprit with the lower end in the snotter, b." —Whitney, 1889

Snotter

"A becket fitted round a boat's mast with an eye to hold the lower end of the sprit which is used to…

"The aqueous vapor of the atmosphere precipitated in a crystalline form, and falling to the earth in flakes, each flake consisting of a distinct crystal, or more commonly combinations of separate crystals. The crystals belong to the hexagonal system, and are generally in the form of thin plates and long needles or spiculae; by their different modes of union they present uncounted varieties of very beautiful figures." —Whitney, 1889

Snowflakes as Described by William Scoresby

"The aqueous vapor of the atmosphere precipitated in a crystalline form, and falling to the earth in…

<i>Nyctea scandiaca</i>." The great white or snowy owl, <i>Strix nyctea</i> or <i>Nyctea scandiaca</i>, inhabiting arctic and northerly regions of both hemispheres, and having the plumage more or less white." &mdash;Whitney, 1889

Snow Owl

Nyctea scandiaca." The great white or snowy owl, Strix nyctea or Nyctea scandiaca, inhabiting arctic…

"An implement for clearing away snow from roads, railways, etc. a, body of plow; b, caboose for implements and workmen; c, movable wings for widening the cuttings; c1, doors which give access to leading truck for oiling, etc.; d, cupola; e, headlight; f, iron plates, scrapers, or shoes which remove snow from the outer margins of the track; f, adjustable aprons which clean out the snow from between the tracks flush with the wheel flanges; g, intermediate apron; h, draw-bar for hauling the plow when not in use; i, adjustable scraper for removing hard-packed snow or ice from the inner side of the rails." &mdash;Whitney, 1889

Wing Snow Plow

"An implement for clearing away snow from roads, railways, etc. a, body of plow; b, caboose for implements…

"An implement for clearing away snow from roads, railways, etc. a, caboose; b, cab; c, tender; d, show, plate, or scraper which cuts horizontally at a level with the tops of the rails; e, auger which cuts in to the snow-drift, and assists by its screw-like action to propel the machine (its centrifugal action projects the snow upward through the chute f, and laterally to a distance of 60 feet)." &mdash;Whitney, 1889

Centrifugal Snow Plow

"An implement for clearing away snow from roads, railways, etc. a, caboose; b, cab; c, tender; d, show,…

"A contrivance attached to the foot to enable the wearer to walk on deep snow without sinking to the extent of being disabled...The Canadian is a contracted oval in front and pointed behind, and is from 3 to 5 feet long and from 1 to 2 feet wide, the foot being fastened on the widest part of the shoe by means of thongs and so as to leave the heel free. It has a light rim of tough wood, on which is woven from side to side a web of rawhide." —Whitney, 1889

Canadian Snow Shoe

"A contrivance attached to the foot to enable the wearer to walk on deep snow without sinking to the…

"A box for holding snuff, especially one small enough to be carried in the pocket. When it was customary to take snuff, as in the eighteenth century, a snuff-box was a common present, whether of good will or ceremony. On this account, and for personal display, these boxes were often made of the most costly materials, highly finished portraits were set in their lids, and settings of diamonds or pearls were not unknown." &mdash;Whitney, 1889
<p>A snuff box with encrusted enamel and an enamel portrait.

Golden Snuff Box from the 18th Century

"A box for holding snuff, especially one small enough to be carried in the pocket. When it was customary…

"An instrument for cropping the snuff of a candle, usually fitted with a close box to receive the burnt snuff and retain the smoke and smell." &mdash;Whitney, 1889

Silver Snuffers from the 18th Century

"An instrument for cropping the snuff of a candle, usually fitted with a close box to receive the burnt…

"Under Louis XV, and Louis XVI, the sou was struck in copper, and had an intrinsic value of two deniers twelve grains, though retaining the conventional value of twelve deniers, and this coinage continued until the adoption of the existing decimal system in 1793." &mdash;Whitney, 1889
<p>This illustration shows the obverse of the coin, on which is illustrated a proclamation, a bunch of grapes, and a sheaf of wheat.

French Sou from 1793, Obverse

"Under Louis XV, and Louis XVI, the sou was struck in copper, and had an intrinsic value of two deniers…

"Under Louis XV, and Louis XVI, the sou was struck in copper, and had an intrinsic value of two deniers twelve grains, though retaining the conventional value of twelve deniers, and this coinage continued until the adoption of the existing decimal system in 1793." &mdash;Whitney, 1889
<p>This illustration shows the reverse of the coin, on which is displayed an oak wreath with a scale.

French Sou from 1793, Reverse

"Under Louis XV, and Louis XVI, the sou was struck in copper, and had an intrinsic value of two deniers…

"To measure the depth of; fathom; try or test, as the depth of water and the quality of the ground, by sinking a plummet or lead attached to a line on which is marked the number of fathoms...a, rod with horns b pivoted thereto; c, sounding-line; d, wires by which the lead e is attached to the horns, connected with a washer f under the lead; h, opening in lower end of rod, by which specimens of the bottom may be secured. When the rod strikes the bottom, the lead slides downward, bringing the horns into the position shown in B, and releasing the wires d and the lead; the rod only is then drawn up, leaving the lead at the bottom." &mdash;Whitney, 1889

Brooke's Deep Sea Sounding Apparatus

"To measure the depth of; fathom; try or test, as the depth of water and the quality of the ground,…

"To measure the depth of; fathom; try or test, as the depth of water and the quality of the ground, by sinking a plummet or lead attached to a line on which is marked the number of fathoms...a, lead; b, counterpoised hooks which engage the loop at the top of the lead; d, wedge-shaped cup for specimens, attached by cord or wire to the pivot of the hooks; e, attachment for the sounding-line or wire. When the cup d touches bottom, the hooks b drop into the position show in E; the sinker or lead then drops over, releasing the cup, and this, with its specimen and the hooks, is drawn to the surface." &mdash;Whitney, 1889

British Navy Sounding Apparatus

"To measure the depth of; fathom; try or test, as the depth of water and the quality of the ground,…

"To measure the depth of; fathom; try or test, as the depth of water and the quality of the ground, by sinking a plummet or lead attached to a line on which is marked the number of fathoms...a and b, arms pivoted to c; d, lead, which is attached to a stem at the top of which is a crosspiece. When the arms are raised into the position shown in A, the crosspiece engages them and holds them in that position till the lead strikes the bottom; they are then released, and fall into the position show in B. The cups (shown in the cuts), on closing, scoop up a specimen of the bottom." &mdash;Whitney, 1889

Taselli's Sounding Apparatus with Cups Opened and Closed

"To measure the depth of; fathom; try or test, as the depth of water and the quality of the ground,…

"A plant of the genus <i>Sonchus</i>, primarily <i>S. oleraceus</i>, a weed of waste places, probably native in Europe and central Asia, but now diffused nearly all over the world. It is a smooth herb with a milky juice, bearing runcinate-pinnatifid leaves and rather small yellow flower heads... 1. upper part of the stem with the heads; 2. one of the basal leaves; a, a flower; b, the achene with the pappus." &mdash;Whitney, 1889

Sow Thistle - Stem with Heads, Basal Leaves, Flower, Achene with Pappus

"A plant of the genus Sonchus, primarily S. oleraceus, a weed of waste places, probably native in Europe…

"A tool for digging and cutting the ground, having a rather thick iron blade, usually flat, so formed that its terminal edge (either straight or curved) may be pressed into the ground or other resisting substance with one foot, and a handle, usually with a crosspiece at the top, to be grasped by both hands... a, Irish spade with foot-piece; b, Greek spade with foot-piece; c, Japanese spade; d, spade for cutting turf; e, ditching spades; f, post-spade for digging post-holes; g, polished drain-spade with foot-piece; h, long-handled garden spade; i, ditching-spade." &mdash;Whitney, 1889

Spades - a Collection of Various Types

"A tool for digging and cutting the ground, having a rather thick iron blade, usually flat, so formed…

"A guinea coined by George III during the period 1787-99. It is now so called because the shield of arms on the reverse has the shape of the spade of playing cards." &mdash;Whitney, 1889
<p>The obverse of the coin carries George III's profile.

Spade Guinea Coined by George III, Obverse

"A guinea coined by George III during the period 1787-99. It is now so called because the shield of…

"A guinea coined by George III during the period 1787-99. It is now so called because the shield of arms on the reverse has the shape of the spade of playing cards." &mdash;Whitney, 1889

Spade Guinea Coined by George III, Reverse

"A guinea coined by George III during the period 1787-99. It is now so called because the shield of…

"...hobbled or fettered to a clog; said of a horse. When the bearing is properly depicted, a fore and a hind leg should have each a fetter-lock above the foot and fastened to the one end of a heavy clog." &mdash;Whitney, 1889
<p>Illustration of a shield with a depiction of a spancelled (spanceled) horse.

Spancelling of a Horse

"...hobbled or fettered to a clog; said of a horse. When the bearing is properly depicted, a fore and…

"...the triangular space comprehended between the outer curve or extrados of an arch, a horizontal line drawn through its apex, and a vertical line through its springing; also, the wall-space between the outer moldings of two arches and a horizontal line or string-course above them, or between these outer moldings and the intrados of another arch rising above and inclosing the two. In medieval architecture the spandrels are often ornamented with tracery, sculptured foliage, and the like." —Whitney, 1889
<p>Illustration of a spandrel from the cloisters at Mont Saint-Michel in France.

Sculptured Spandrel from Mont Saint-Michel

"...the triangular space comprehended between the outer curve or extrados of an arch, a horizontal line…

"...a variety of calcite, crystallizing in scalenohedral forms; so named from a fancied resemblance of its crystals to canine teeth." —Whitney, 1889

Dogtooth Spar

"...a variety of calcite, crystallizing in scalenohedral forms; so named from a fancied resemblance…

"An embiotocoid fish of the Pacific coast of North America, <i>Micrometrus aggregatus</i>; a name also extended to others of the same waters and genus. That above named is about six inches long; the adult males in spring are almost entirely black; the usual coloration is silvery with dusky back and longitudinal dark stripes interrupted by three vertical yellow bars." &mdash;Whitney, 1889

Sparada

"An embiotocoid fish of the Pacific coast of North America, Micrometrus aggregatus; a name also extended…

<i>Padda oryzivora</i>. "...the rice bird of Java...about as large as the bobolink, of a bluish-gray color with pink bill and white ear-coverts; a well-known cage bird." &mdash;Whitney, 1889

Java Sparrow on a Branch

Padda oryzivora. "...the rice bird of Java...about as large as the bobolink, of a bluish-gray color…

<i>Amphidotus cordatus</i> or <i>Echinocardium cordatum</i>, commonly called a sea urchin, viewed from above. a, anterior ambulacrum, forming with b, b, anterolateral ambulacra, the trivium; c, c, two posterolateral ambulacra, forming the bivium; d, madreporic tubercle surrounded by genital pores; e, intrapetalous semita or fasciole; f, circumanal semita." &mdash;Whitney, 1889

Sea Urchin - View from Above

Amphidotus cordatus or Echinocardium cordatum, commonly called a sea urchin, viewed from above. a, anterior…

<i>Spathura underwoodi</i>. The <i>Spathura</i> is a "remarkable genus of <i>Trochilidae</i>, containing hummingbirds with the lateral tail-feathers, long-exerted, narrowed, and then dilated into a spatule or racket at the end, and with conspicuous leg muffs." &mdash;Whitney, 1889

Racket-Tailed Hummingbird

Spathura underwoodi. The Spathura is a "remarkable genus of Trochilidae, containing hummingbirds with…

"Skull of <i>Spatularia</i>, with the long beak removed, the anterior (asc) and posterior (psc) semicircular canals exposed; Au, auditory chamber; Or, orbit of eye; N, nasal sac; Hy, hyoidean apparatus; Er, representatives of branchiostegal rays; Op, operculum; Mn, mandible; A, B, suspensorium; D, palatoquadrate cartilage; E, maxilla." &mdash;Whitney, 1889
<p>Illustration of the exposed and labeled skull of a paddle-fish with the long beak removed.

The Skull of a Paddle-Fish with the Beak Removed

"Skull of Spatularia, with the long beak removed, the anterior (asc) and posterior (psc) semicircular…

<i>Notropis hudsonius</i>. The spottail minnow, also called the spottail shiner is a spawn-eater. These fish "habitually feed upon spawn, to the detriment of the fisheries or of fish-culture." This minnow is one of the largest and has a "pale coloration", sides with a "broad silvery band, and usually a dusky spot at the base of the caudal fin. It is sometimes called smelt." &mdash;Whitney, 1889

Spottail Minnow or Shiner

Notropis hudsonius. The spottail minnow, also called the spottail shiner is a spawn-eater. These fish…

"A trumpet-shaped instrument by which the sound of the human voice is reinforced so that it may be heard at a great distance or above other sounds, as in hailing ships at sea or giving orders at a fire. In the United States navy a speaking trumpet is the badge of the officer of the deck at sea... a, tube; b, bell; c, mouthpiece; d, rings for a band by which the trumpet may be attached to the person." &mdash;Whitney, 1889

Speaking Trumpet

"A trumpet-shaped instrument by which the sound of the human voice is reinforced so that it may be heard…

"A weapon consisting of a penetrating head attached to a long shaft of wood, designed to be thrust by or launched from the hand at an enemy or at game." —Whitney, 1889
<p>Illustration of two different hunting spears. The spear on the left has a long handle and a simple arrowhead. The spear on the right has a shorter handle and a crosspiece at the base of the blade with a curved blade attached.

Hunting Spears from the 15th or 16th Century

"A weapon consisting of a penetrating head attached to a long shaft of wood, designed to be thrust by…

<i>Tetrapturus albidus</i>. Also called a billfish or spearfish, "the dorsal fin is low or moderately developed, and the ventrals are represented only by spines. It inhabits American waters as far north as New England in summer, and is not seldom taken in fathoms deep. The spear-fish is related to the swordfish (though of another family), and has a similar beak or sword. It attains a length of six or eight feet. In the West Indies its Spanish name is <i>aguja</i>." &mdash;Whitney, 1889

White Marlin, a Sailfish

Tetrapturus albidus. Also called a billfish or spearfish, "the dorsal fin is low or moderately developed,…

"An aromatic plant, <i>Mentha viridis</i>, the common garden-mint, or mint proper. It is known chiefly in gardens, or as an escape from them, in both hemispheres, and is suspected to be a garden or accidental variety of <i>M. sylvestris</i>. Its properties are those of peppermint, and it yields an oil like that of the latter, but with a more pleasant flavor." &mdash;Whitney, 1889
<p>This illustration shows the flower of the plant.

Spearmint Flower

"An aromatic plant, Mentha viridis, the common garden-mint, or mint proper. It is known chiefly in gardens,…

"A, spectacles with bows hinged to the shoulders on the rims connected by the nose or bridge. B, spectacles with hook-bows and with bridge and shoulders riveted to the lenses. C, detail showing construction of shoulder. D, side view, showing rim. In all the figures: a, bows; b, shoulders; c, rims; d, bridge." &mdash;Whitney, 1889

A Collection of Spectacles

"A, spectacles with bows hinged to the shoulders on the rims connected by the nose or bridge. B, spectacles…

<i>Tremarctos ornatus</i>. "The only South American bear, having a light-colored mark on the face, like a pair of spectacles." &mdash;Whitney, 1889

Spectacled Bear

Tremarctos ornatus. "The only South American bear, having a light-colored mark on the face, like a pair…

"...a tube with a slit at the further end through which the light enters, and at the other end a collimating lens which brings the rays into a parallel beam (the slit is formed between two parallel edges the distance between which can be varied at will)..." —Whitney, 1889

Prism Spectroscope from the Late 19th Century

"...a tube with a slit at the further end through which the light enters, and at the other end a collimating…

"...an instrument which gives a spectrum when the source of the light is in a straight line with the eye&mdash;that is, which gives dispersion without deviation&mdash;is called a direct vision spectroscope..." —Whitney, 1889

Direct Vision Spectroscope

"...an instrument which gives a spectrum when the source of the light is in a straight line with the…

<i>Spelerpes ruber</i>. "...of a bright red color, more or less spotted with black, and is found in cold springs and brooks." —Whitney, 1889
<p>Illustration of a salamander with its tongue extended, in the process of catching a flying insect to eat.

Red Salamander Eating an Insect

Spelerpes ruber. "...of a bright red color, more or less spotted with black, and is found in cold springs…

"One of the numberless microscopic bodies contained in semen, to which the seminal fluid owes its vitality, and which are the immediate and active means of impregnating or fertilizing the ovum of the female... I. broadest view; II. profile, of k, kernel or nucleus of the head, and m, filamentous body, ending in s, the long slender tail." —Whitney, 1889

Human Spermatozoa

"One of the numberless microscopic bodies contained in semen, to which the seminal fluid owes its vitality,…

"One of the numberless microscopic bodies contained in semen, to which the seminal fluid owes its vitality, and which are the immediate and active means of impregnating or fertilizing the ovum of the female... I. broadest view; II. profile, of k, kernel or nucleus of the head, and m, filamentous body, ending in s, the long slender tail." &mdash;Whitney, 1889
<p>Illustration of two spermatozoa from an ape.

Spermatozoa of an Ape

"One of the numberless microscopic bodies contained in semen, to which the seminal fluid owes its vitality,…

<i>Spermophilus tridecemlineatus</i>. Illustration of the most common of the <i>Spermophilinae</i>. "...having a number (six or eight) of longitudinal stripes, with five or seven rows of spots between them, likened by that patriot to the 'stars and stripes'. It inhabits the prairies of the United States at large, and extends northward into British America." &mdash;Whitney, 1889

Thirteen-Lined Spermophile, Also Called a Federation Squirrel

Spermophilus tridecemlineatus. Illustration of the most common of the Spermophilinae. "...having a number…

"A genus compound radiolarians, typical of the family <i>Sphaerozoidae</i>, the protoplasm of which contains colored cellaeform bodies, and gives rise to a network of spicules forming a loose detached skeleton." &mdash;Whitney, 1889

Sphaerozoum Ovodimare

"A genus compound radiolarians, typical of the family Sphaerozoidae, the protoplasm of which contains…

<i>Chalybion caeruleum</i>. "A family of fossorial hymenopters, or digger wasps. The prothorax is narrowed anteriorly, and forms a sort of neck; the basal segment of the abdomen is narrowed into a long, smooth, round petiole; and the head and thorax are usually clothed with a long, thin pubescence. These wasps usually burrow into sand-banks, and provision their cells with caterpillars and spiders." &mdash;Whitney, 1889

Spider Huntress Wasp

Chalybion caeruleum. "A family of fossorial hymenopters, or digger wasps. The prothorax is narrowed…

<i>Sphenocercus sphenurus</i>. The Kokla Green Pigeon, also called a Wedge-tailed Pigeon, "a genus of fruit pigeons or <i>Treroninae</i>, having the tail cuneate." &mdash;Whitney, 1889
<p>Illustration of two pigeons sitting on branches, one in the forefront and the other in the background.

Kokla Green Pigeon

Sphenocercus sphenurus. The Kokla Green Pigeon, also called a Wedge-tailed Pigeon, "a genus of fruit…

"An instrument for measuring the radii of spheres; a sphere-measurer. It is of especial service to opticians in determining focal lengths, etc. of lenses. The common form consists of a vertical screwc, with a large graduated head a, a, turning in a socket supported by three legs whose hard steel points are exactly equidistant. The fixed scale b at the side, together with the graduated screwhead, makes it possible to measure with great accuracy the distance between the extremity of the screw and the plane passing through the ends of the three supports, when, for example, all the points are in contact with the surface of the sphere." &mdash;Whitney, 1889

Spherometer

"An instrument for measuring the radii of spheres; a sphere-measurer. It is of especial service to opticians…

A Graeco-Roman marble table support in the shape of a sphinx. It was found in the ruins of the Villa of Antoninus Pius at Lanuvium. The sculpture is half woman, half bird, with wings stretching out behind the body.
<p>"In Greek mythology, a female monster, said to have proposed a riddle to the Thebans who passed her as she sat on a rock by the roadside, and to have killed all who were not able to guess it." &mdash;Whitney, 1889

Sphinx of Lanuvium

A Graeco-Roman marble table support in the shape of a sphinx. It was found in the ruins of the Villa…

<i>Deilephila lineata</i>"...a common American moth of striking coloration, whose larva feeds on purslane." &mdash;Whitney, 1889
<p>A large moth with white and black stripes. The left wings are omitted.

White-Lined Morning Sphinx

Deilephila lineata"...a common American moth of striking coloration, whose larva feeds on purslane."…

"An instrument which, when applied over an artery, traces on a piece of paper moved by clockwork a curve which indicates the changes of tension of the blood within... a, band by which the instrument is fastened on; b, spring which rests upon the artery; c, adjusting-screw (with graduated head) which regulates the pressure of the spring b according as the pulse is strong or weak; d, d, supports for paper upon which the tracing is made; e, e to engage the paper positively; g, small spring clockwork (incased) by which motion is imparted to the feed-roller e1; h, milled-headed winding key; i, stop-motion; j, tracer attached to the oscillating arm k, which is moved by the rod l that connects this arm with the spring b." &mdash;Whitney, 1889

Sphygmograph with All Parts Labeled

"An instrument which, when applied over an artery, traces on a piece of paper moved by clockwork a curve…