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Ondines or undines are elementals, enumerated as the water elementals in works of alchemy by Paracelsus. They also appear in European folklore as fairy-like creatures; the name may be used interchangeably with those of other water spirits. Undines were said to be able to gain a soul by marrying a human and bearing his child. Undine A water nymph without a soul, which she later received by marrying a mortal and bearing a child: Heroine of a book (1812) by Baron Friedrich de la Motte Fouqué, German author.

Ondine

Ondines or undines are elementals, enumerated as the water elementals in works of alchemy by Paracelsus.…

An illustration of a mace also known as the holy water sprinkler and morning-star mace.

Holy Water Sprinkler Mace

An illustration of a mace also known as the holy water sprinkler and morning-star mace.

Lophelia pertusa is a species of cold-water coral which grows in the deep waters throughout the North Atlantic ocean. L. pertusa reefs are home to a diverse community, however the species is extremely slow growing and may be harmed by destructive fishing practices, or oil exploration and extraction.

Cold-water Coral

Lophelia pertusa is a species of cold-water coral which grows in the deep waters throughout the North…

An illustration of a flowering branch of common mare's tail; a, flower before athesis; b, flower after athesis; c, fruit. The Common Mare's tail, Hippuris vulgaris, is a common aquatic plant of Eurasia and North America. The species is also sometimes called Horsetail, a name which is better reserved to the Horsetails of genus Equisetum. These are unrelated to the water plant, though there is some resemblance in appearance.

Common Mare's Tail

An illustration of a flowering branch of common mare's tail; a, flower before athesis; b, flower after…

"Longitudinal Section through a Fresh-water Mussel. a, edge of mantle; b, foot, with position of ganglion indicated; c, gills; d, mouth; e, tentacles or palps; f, posterior adductor muscle; g, anterior adductor; h, head-ganglion; i, ventricle of heart; j, auricle of heart; k, rectum; l, kidney; m, exhalent aperture; n, inhalent aperture." -Vaughan, 1906

Mussel Anatomy

"Longitudinal Section through a Fresh-water Mussel. a, edge of mantle; b, foot, with position of ganglion…

The artist's bristle brushes are flat brushes with either short, medium or long bristles. They are used by artists in both water or oil colors.

Artist's Bristle Brushes

The artist's bristle brushes are flat brushes with either short, medium or long bristles. They are used…

An illustration of a man sitting on the shore of a lake and a child standing behind him pointing into to the water.

Man Sitting & Child Standing Near Lake

An illustration of a man sitting on the shore of a lake and a child standing behind him pointing into…

An illustration of a man standing in knee deep water filling a water pitcher.

Man Filling Pitcher in Lake

An illustration of a man standing in knee deep water filling a water pitcher.

An illustration of a centaur and man standing on the shore of a lake.

Centaur & Man Standing on Shore

An illustration of a centaur and man standing on the shore of a lake.

The Common Mudpuppy (Necturus maculosus) is a species of aquatic salamander found throughout the northeastern United States, and parts of Canada. Mudpuppies prefer shallow water with many places to hide, but have been found at depths of up to 90 feet. The mating season is late autumn, however eggs are not laid until late spring when 50 to 100 eggs are deposited in a nest cavity under a rock or other object. It takes 1 to 2 months for the eggs to hatch and 4 to 6 years for the young to reach maturity. Mudpuppies may live for up to 20 years.

Common Mudpuppy

The Common Mudpuppy (Necturus maculosus) is a species of aquatic salamander found throughout the northeastern…

"Sayiornis fusca. Pewit Flycatcher. Water Pewee. Pewit. Phaebe. Dull olivaceous-brown, the head much darker fuscous-brown, almost blackish, usually in marked contrast with the back; below, solid whitish, or palest possible yellow, particularly on the belly; the sides, and the breast nearly or quite across, shaded with grayish -brown; wings and tail dusky, the outer tail-feather, inner secondaries, and usually the wing-coverts, edged with whitish; a whitish ring round the eye; bill and feet black. Varies greatly in shade; the foregoing is the average spring condition. As summer passes, the plumage becomes much-duller and and darker brown, from wearing of the feather; then, after the moult, fall specimens are much brighter than in spring, the under parts being decidedly yellow, at least on the belly." Elliot Coues, 1884

Pewit Flycatcher

"Sayiornis fusca. Pewit Flycatcher. Water Pewee. Pewit. Phaebe. Dull olivaceous-brown, the head much…

"Ceryle alcyon. Belted Kingfisher. Upper parts, broad pectoral bar, and sides under the wings, dull blue with fine black shaft lines. Lower eyelid, spot before eye, a cervical collar and under parts except as said, pure white; the female with chestnut belly-band and the sides of the same color. Quills and tail-feathers black, speckled, blotched or barred on the inner webs with white; outer webs of the secondaries and tail feathers like the back; wing-coverts frequently sprinkled with white. Bill black, pale at base below. Feet dark; tibiae naked below. A long, thin, pointed occipital crest; plumage compact and oily to resist water, into which the birds constantly plunge after their finny prey." Elliot Coues, 1884

Belted Kingfisher

"Ceryle alcyon. Belted Kingfisher. Upper parts, broad pectoral bar, and sides under the wings, dull…

"The most noteworthy of the successors of Palladio at Venice were Scamozzi, and Longhena, the architect of the Della Salute church. Some of the churches of this style retain the Byzantine system of the Greek cross with barrel-vaultings and a central dome resting on four pillars or piers. Others, again, have the form of the basilica but with a system of their own, which produces a beautiful effect. This system consists of smaller domes in the aisles, all resting on pierces masses of masonry with barrel-vaultings connected with them, as, for instance San Salvador." The Basilica di Santa Maria della Salute (Basilica of St Mary of Health/Salvation), commonly known simply as the Salute, is a famous church in Venice, placed scenically at a narrow finger of land which lies between the Grand Canal and the Bacino di San Marco on the lagoon, visible as one enters the Piazza San Marco from the water. While it has the status of a minor basilica, its decorative and distinctive profile and location make it among the most photographed churches in Italy.

Della Salute Church and Custom House

"The most noteworthy of the successors of Palladio at Venice were Scamozzi, and Longhena, the architect…

"Another small family, characterized by the extreme length of the slender legs, and the extreme slenderness of the long acute bill, which is either straight or curved upward. Recurvirostra is a 4-toed, and full-webbed; the bill is decidedly recurved, flattened, and tapers to a needle-like point; the body is depressed; the plumage underneath is thickened as in water-birds. The species swim well. Himantopus is 3 toes, semipalmate, the bill nearly straight, and not flattened; in relative length of leg it is probably not surpassed by any bird whatsoever. " Elliot Coues, 1884

Avocets Head and Foot

"Another small family, characterized by the extreme length of the slender legs, and the extreme slenderness…

"The third class of timber buildings which has to be described is the so-called Swiss-Cottage style [shown here]. This class belongs exclusively to the country in contradistinction to the town. It is only lately that its application has been extended to other purposes, as for example, (and in combination with framed half-timbered construction) to railway stations, &c."

Group of Swiss Houses

"The third class of timber buildings which has to be described is the so-called Swiss-Cottage style…

An illustration of a sea anemone opened (left) and closed (right).

Sea Anemone

An illustration of a sea anemone opened (left) and closed (right).

"Rallus longirostris crepitans. Clapper Rail. Salt-water Marsh-hen. Mud-hen. Above, variegated with olive-brown and pale olive-ash, the latter edging the feathers, the variegation dull and blended. Below, pale dull ochrey-brown, whitening on the throat, frequently ashy-shaded on the breast, without decided cinnamon-brown shade. Flanks, axillars, and lining of wings, fuscous-gray, with sharp narrow white bars. Quills and tail plain dark-brown, without chestnut on the coverts. Eyelids and short superciliary line whitish. The general tone is that of a gray bird, without any reddishness." Elliot Coues, 1884

Clapper Rail

"Rallus longirostris crepitans. Clapper Rail. Salt-water Marsh-hen. Mud-hen. Above, variegated with…

"Gallinula. Gallinules. Water Hens. Mud Hens. Bill not longer than head, stout at base, tapering, compressed, the culmen running directly up on the forehead and expanding into a frontal plate of different shape in different species. Nostrils near middle of bill, linear. Feet large and stout; tibia naked below; tarsus moderately compressed, scutellate; toes very long, the outer longer than the inner, with an evident though slight marginal membrane; claws long, slender, little curved, acute. Wings short and rounded, but ample. Tail very short, of 12 weak feathers, with long ample under coverts, as in Rails. Plumage not rich blue." Elliot Coues, 1884

Gallinule

"Gallinula. Gallinules. Water Hens. Mud Hens. Bill not longer than head, stout at base, tapering, compressed,…

"Fulicia. Coot. Bill and frontal plate much as in the Gallinultes. Body depressed; the under plumage thick and duck-like, to resist water. feet highly natatorial' toes, including the hinder, lobate, being furnished with large semicircular membranous flaps. The Coots are eminently aquatic birds, swimming with ease, by means of their lobate feet, like phalaropes and grebes; but this ability results from very slight modification of a structure shared by the Rails and Gallinules. There are about ten species, of both hemispheres, distinguished, among other characters, by the size and shape of the frontal shield. That, for instance, is of an exotic species, much larger than that of Fulica americana, and differently shaped. One species is remarkable for having the forehead singularly carunculate; the others closely resemble our common species." Elliott Coues, 1884

Coot Head

"Fulicia. Coot. Bill and frontal plate much as in the Gallinultes. Body depressed; the under plumage…

"Phalacrocorax dilophus. Double-crested Cormorant. Tail of 12 feathers. Gular sac convex behind. No colored gorget. Glossy greenish-black; feathers of the back and wings coppery-gray, black-shafted, black-edged. Adult with curly black lateral crests in the breeding season, but few if any other filamentous white ones, over the eyes and along the sides of the neck; white flank-patch not observed in any specimens examined, probable not occurring; iris green; gular sac and lores orange. Winter spec. with bill bright yellow, blackening along culmen, gular sac red anteriorly, ochrey-yellow posteriorly; legs dull black." Elliot Coues, 1884

Double-crested Cormorant

"Phalacrocorax dilophus. Double-crested Cormorant. Tail of 12 feathers. Gular sac convex behind. No…

The Brook is an engraving on a wood block that was created by Edward Calvert, an English printmaker during the 19th century. It shows two ladies taking water out of a brook with their urns.

The Brook

The Brook is an engraving on a wood block that was created by Edward Calvert, an English printmaker…

The Pont du Gard is an aqueduct and bridge that was built over the Gard River by the Roman Empire. It is located in Southern France, in the Vers-Pont-du-Gard and Remoulins area. The bridge is built on three levels. The lower level has 6 arches and carries a road, the middle level has 11 arches, and the upper level has 35 arches and was used as a water conduit.

Pont du Gard

The Pont du Gard is an aqueduct and bridge that was built over the Gard River by the Roman Empire. It…

Solutions for silhouette outlines of people (woman standing, water skier, woman kneeling, man walking) made from tangram pieces. Tangrams, invented by the Chinese, are used to develop geometric thinking and spatial sense. 7 figures consisting of triangles, squares, and parallelograms are used to construct the given shapes.

People Silhouette Solution Tangram Card #3

Solutions for silhouette outlines of people (woman standing, water skier, woman kneeling, man walking)…

"In Dresden, owing to the method of instruction in the technical schools, as well as to the influence of the buildings, as, for instance, those by Zwinger, and the new theatre by Semper, the Renaissance style is the one preferred by the architects who have been there educated." The Semperoper is the opera house of the Saxon State Opera Dresden (German: Sächsische Staatsoper Dresden) and the concert hall of the Sächsische Staatskapelle Dresden in Dresden, Germany. It was first built in 1841, by architect Gottfried Semper. The building style itself is debated among many, as it has features that appear in the Early Renaissance style, Baroque and even features Corinthian style pillars typical of classical Greece (classical revival). Perhaps the most suitable label for this style would be Eclecticism; where influences from many styles are used- a practice most common during this period. It had to be rebuilt after a fire destroyed it in 1869. The citizenry demanded that Gottfried Semper do the reconstruction, even though he was in exile at the time because of his activities in the May Uprising in Dresden in 1849. So the architect had his son Manfred Semper complete the second opera house with his father's plans. This second one was constructed in Neo-Renaissance style in 1878. During construction, performances were held at the Gewerbehausall, which opened in 1870. The building is considered to be a prime example of "Dresden-Baroque" architecture. It is situated on the Theater Square in central Dresden on the bank of the Elbe River. On top of the portal there is a Panther quadriga with a statue of Dionysos. The interior was created by such famous architects of the time as Johannes Schilling. Monuments on the portal depict famous artists such as Johann Wolfgang von Goethe and Friedrich Schiller, William Shakespeare, Sophocles, Molière and Euripides. The building also features work by Ernst Rietschel and Ernst Julius Hähnel. In the pre-war years, the building premiered many of the works of Richard Strauss. During the last weeks of World War II in 1945 the building was destroyed again - this time by Allied bombing and the subsequent fire storms. Exactly 40 years later, on February 13, 1985 the opera was rebuilt almost the same as it was before the war. It reopened with the same opera that was performed last before the destruction in 1945: Weber's Der Freischütz. During the flood of the Elbe in 2002 the building suffered heavy water damage. With substantial help from around the world, it reopened in December 2002. Today, most operas are accompanied by the Sächsische Staatskapelle Dresden.

Theatre at Dresden

"In Dresden, owing to the method of instruction in the technical schools, as well as to the influence…

This is a vaporizing apparatus with an attached boiler. A steam generator is a device used to boil water to create steam.

Boiler Combination Steam Generator

This is a vaporizing apparatus with an attached boiler. A steam generator is a device used to boil water…

This street sprinkler provided a slot which gradually widened from one end, and featured a valve for controlling the water usage.

Four wheeled Street Sprinkler

This street sprinkler provided a slot which gradually widened from one end, and featured a valve for…

This portable fire extinguisher is a classic copper building type soda acid extinguisher. This can contains a mixed solution of water and sodium bicarbonate with tartaric acid, producing a propellant CO2 gas.

Portable Fire Extinguisher

This portable fire extinguisher is a classic copper building type soda acid extinguisher. This can contains…

A bathtub is a plumbing fixture used for bathing. This free-standing tub was patented in 1895.

Metal Body Bath Tub

A bathtub is a plumbing fixture used for bathing. This free-standing tub was patented in 1895.

This clothes wringer is a mechanical laundry aid consisting of two rollers connected by cogs, powered by hand crank. Originally wringers were used to wring water from wet laundry, today they are used to press or flatten sheets, tablecloths, and other laundry.

The Laundry Aided Clothes Wringer

This clothes wringer is a mechanical laundry aid consisting of two rollers connected by cogs, powered…

This windmill is a machine which converts the energy of wind to rotational motion by means of adjustable sails. The main use is as a grinding mill powered by the wind, reducing a solid or coarse substance into pump or minute grains, by crushing, grinding, or pressing. Windmills have also provided energy for obtaining fresh water from underground or drainage.

The Renewable Energy Source of Windmills

This windmill is a machine which converts the energy of wind to rotational motion by means of adjustable…

A boiler is a closed vessel in which water or other fluid is heated. The heated or vaporized fluid exits the boiler for use in various processes or heating applications. The pressure vessel in a boiler is usually made of steel.

Closed Vessel Boiler

A boiler is a closed vessel in which water or other fluid is heated. The heated or vaporized fluid exits…

A clothes washer, or washer, is a machine designed to wash laundry, such as clothing, towels, and sheets. The term is mostly applied only to machines that use water as the primary cleaning solution, as opposed to dry cleaning.

Washing Machine

A clothes washer, or washer, is a machine designed to wash laundry, such as clothing, towels, and sheets.…

Water tanks are liquid storage containers, these tanks are usually storing water for human consumption. A water tank produces for the storage of drinking water, irrigation agriculture, fire suppression, agricultural farming and livestock, chemical manufacturing, food preparation as well as many other solutions.

Water Tank

Water tanks are liquid storage containers, these tanks are usually storing water for human consumption.…

A saw is a tool that uses a hard blade or wire with an abrasive edge to cut through softer materials. The cutting edge of a saw is either a serrated blade or an abrasive. This tool may be worked by hand, or powered by steam, water, or electric power.

Abrasive Saw Blade

A saw is a tool that uses a hard blade or wire with an abrasive edge to cut through softer materials.…

A water well is an excavation or structure created in the ground by digging, driving, boring or drilling to access ground water in underground aquifers. The well water is drawn by an electric submersible pump, a vertical turbine pump, a hand pump or a mechanical pump.

Water Elevating Device

A water well is an excavation or structure created in the ground by digging, driving, boring or drilling…

Wave motors were machines designed and built in the late 19th and early 20th century to harness the power of wave or tidal energy. The earliest wave motors were not intended for the creation of electricity. Prior to 1880, wave motors were designed to operate non electrically to power vehicles, mills, flush sewers, clean streets and conserve fresh water

Wave Motor

Wave motors were machines designed and built in the late 19th and early 20th century to harness the…

A mop is a textile mounted on a handle used in cleaning. It is generally used for cleaning floors. To clean a floor, the mop is soaked in a bucket of water, into which some cleaning solution has usually been added, and swept against the floor surface. This bucket includes a wringer to strain excess water from the mop, to control the amount of water transferred to the floor.

Mop Wringer

A mop is a textile mounted on a handle used in cleaning. It is generally used for cleaning floors. To…

A steam generator is the term used to describe a type of boiler used to produce steam for climate control and potable water heating in railroad passenger cars. The output of a railroad steam generator is low pressure, saturated steam that is passed through a system of pipes and conduits.

Steam Generator

A steam generator is the term used to describe a type of boiler used to produce steam for climate control…

A street sweeper can refer to a persons profession or a machine that cleans streets, usually in an urban area. Street sweepers have been employed in cities since sanitation and waste removal became a priority. A street-sweeping person would use a broom and shovel to clean off litter, animal waste and filth that accumulated on streets. Later water hoses were used to wash the streets.

Street Sweeper

A street sweeper can refer to a persons profession or a machine that cleans streets, usually in an urban…

A boiler or steam generator is a device used to create steam by applying heat energy to water. Although the definitions are somewhat flexible, it can be said that older steam generators were commonly termed boilers and worked at low to medium pressure.

Steam Boiler

A boiler or steam generator is a device used to create steam by applying heat energy to water. Although…

A water craft is a vehicle, vessel or craft designed to move across water, including saltwater and freshwater, for pleasure, recreation, physical exercise, commerce, transport and military missions. It is derived from the term craft which was used as term to describe all types of water going vessels.

Marine Vessel

A water craft is a vehicle, vessel or craft designed to move across water, including saltwater and freshwater,…

A fountain pen is a nib pen that, unlike its predecessor the dip pen, contains an internal reservoir of water-based liquid ink. From the reservoir, the ink is drawn through a feed to the nib and then to the paper via a combination of gravity and capillary action. As a result, the typical fountain pen requires little or no pressure to write. Filling the reservoir with ink may be done manually, or via an internal filler mechanism which creates suction to transfer ink directly through the nib into the reservoir. Some pens employ removable reservoirs, in the form of pre-filled ink cartridges.

Fountain Pen

A fountain pen is a nib pen that, unlike its predecessor the dip pen, contains an internal reservoir…

An atomizer nozzle is a kind of nozzle for producing a fine spray of a liquid based on the Venturi effect. When a gas is blown through a constriction it speeds up; this reduces the pressure at the narrowest point. The reduced pressure sucks up a liquid through a narrow tube into the flow, where it boils in the low pressure, and forms thousands of small droplets. Atomizer nozzles are used for spraying perfumes, for painting and in carburetors as well as water nozzles.

Atomizer

An atomizer nozzle is a kind of nozzle for producing a fine spray of a liquid based on the Venturi effect.…

Water heating is a thermodynamic process using an energy source to heat water above its initial temperature. Typical domestic uses of hot water are for cooking, cleaning, bathing, and space heating. In industry, both hot water and water heated to steam have many uses.

Hot Water Heater

Water heating is a thermodynamic process using an energy source to heat water above its initial temperature.…

This coffee pot contains a bottom chamber which contains water. When this is heated, pressure from the steam pushes the water through a basket containing ground coffee.

Original Type Coffee Pot

This coffee pot contains a bottom chamber which contains water. When this is heated, pressure from the…

The term water closet was an early term for a room with a toilet. Originally, the term bath room referred only to the room where the bathtub was located, which was usually a separate room, but this connotation has changed.

Popularized Water Closet

The term water closet was an early term for a room with a toilet. Originally, the term bath room referred…

This jug s a type of container for liquid. It has a wide opening, from which to pour or drink, and nearly always has some kind of handle. One could imagine a jug being made from nearly any watertight material, but most jugs throughout history have been made from clay, glass, or plastic. In American English usage, a jug is a large container with an opening and a handle for liquids.

Vessel For Holding Liquids

This jug s a type of container for liquid. It has a wide opening, from which to pour or drink, and nearly…

This design with natural induction used for marine purposes was the popular “Scotch” marine boiler, a scheme for a multi-tube one-pass horizontal boiler made up of two units: a firebox surrounded by water spaces and a boiler barrel consisting of two telescopic rings inside which were mounted 25 copper tubes; the tube bundle occupied much of the water space in the barrel and vastly improved heat transfer.

Steam Boiler Engine

This design with natural induction used for marine purposes was the popular “Scotch” marine boiler,…

Ironing is the work of using a heated tool, or tools, (an iron) to remove wrinkles from fabric. The heating is commonly done to a temperature of 100° Celsius. Ironing works by loosening the bonds between the long-chain polymer molecules in the fibers of the material. While the molecules are hot, the fibers are straightened by the weight of the iron, and they hold their new shape as they cool. Some fabrics, such as cotton, require the addition of water to loosen the intermolecular bonds. Many modern fabrics are advertised as needing little or no ironing. Permanent press clothing was developed to reduce the ironing necessary by combining wrinkle-resistant polyester with cotton.

Wrinkle Free Sad Iron

Ironing is the work of using a heated tool, or tools, (an iron) to remove wrinkles from fabric. The…

A siren is a loud noise maker. The original version would yield sounds under water, suggesting a link with the sirens of Greek mythology. Most modern ones are civil defense or "air raid" sirens, tornado sirens, or the sirens on emergency service vehicles such as ambulances, police cars and fire trucks. There are two general types, pneumatic and electronic.

Noise Making Siren

A siren is a loud noise maker. The original version would yield sounds under water, suggesting a link…

Pressure cooking is a method of cooking in a sealed vessel that does not permit air or liquids to escape below a preset pressure. Because the boiling point of water increases as the pressure increases, the pressure built up inside the cooker allows the liquid in the pot to rise to a higher temperature before boiling.

Steam and Water Cooker

Pressure cooking is a method of cooking in a sealed vessel that does not permit air or liquids to escape…

An atomizer nozzle is a kind of nozzle for producing a fine spray of a liquid based on the Venturi Effect. When a gas is blown through a constriction it speeds up, which reduces the pressure at the narrowest point.

Atomizer Nozzle

An atomizer nozzle is a kind of nozzle for producing a fine spray of a liquid based on the Venturi Effect.…

A siphon discharge cistern is provided in which the cistern can be discharged either partially or fully with the necessity of the operator waiting until the flushing action is completed.

Water Closet Cistern

A siphon discharge cistern is provided in which the cistern can be discharged either partially or fully…

A flush toilet is a toilet that disposes of human waste by using water to flush it through a drainpipe to another location. Flushing mechanisms are found more often on western toilets (used in the sitting position), but many squat toilets also are made for automated flushing.

Water Closet Flushing Tank

A flush toilet is a toilet that disposes of human waste by using water to flush it through a drainpipe…

The waste water from the various appliances, fixtures, and taps is transferred to the waste and sewage removal system via the sewage drain system. This system consists of larger diameter piping, water traps, and is well vented to prevent toxic gases from entering the living space. The plumbing drains and vents article discusses the topic further, and introduces sewage treatment.

Waste Water Trap Pipe

The waste water from the various appliances, fixtures, and taps is transferred to the waste and sewage…

This device is similar to a water mill. A water mill is a structure that uses a water wheel or turbine to drive a mechanical process such as flour, lumber or textile production, or metal shaping. A water mill that generates electricity is usually called a hydroelectric plant.

Device for Lifting Water

This device is similar to a water mill. A water mill is a structure that uses a water wheel or turbine…

An oar is a tool used for water propulsion. Oars in general have one flat blade at one end. The user grabs the oar at the other end.

Water Propulsion Oar

An oar is a tool used for water propulsion. Oars in general have one flat blade at one end. The user…

Sinks generally have faucets that supply hot and cold water and may include a spray feature to be used for faster rinsing. They also include a drain to remove used water; this drain include a shut off device and an overflow-prevention device.

Generic Bathroom Sink

Sinks generally have faucets that supply hot and cold water and may include a spray feature to be used…

The valve closet has a valve or flap at the exit of the bowl with a water-tight seal to retain a pool of water in the pan. When the toilet is flushed, the valve is opened and the water in the pan flows rapidly out of the bowl into the drains, carrying the waste with it.

Water Valve Closet

The valve closet has a valve or flap at the exit of the bowl with a water-tight seal to retain a pool…

"A contour is a line on the surface of the ground which at every point passes through the same elevation, thus the shore line of a body of water represents a contour. If the water should rise one foot the new shore line would be another contour, with foot 'contour interval.'" —French, 1911

Shoreline Contour

"A contour is a line on the surface of the ground which at every point passes through the same elevation,…