The <em>Star of the West</em> was a civilian ship hired by the United States government to transport military supplies and reinforcements to the garrison of Fort Sumter before the American Civil War.

The Star of the West

The Star of the West was a civilian ship hired by the United States government to transport…

Frederick Steele (January 14, 1819 &ndash; January 19, 1868) was a career military officer in the United States Army, serving as a major general in the Union Army during the American Civil War.

Frederick Steele

Frederick Steele (January 14, 1819 – January 19, 1868) was a career military officer in the United…

Alexander Hamilton Stephens (February 11, 1812 – March 4, 1883) was an American politician from Georgia. He was Vice President of the Confederate States of America during the American Civil War.

Alexander Hamilton Stephens

Alexander Hamilton Stephens (February 11, 1812 – March 4, 1883) was an American politician from Georgia.…

George Stoneman, Jr. (August 22, 1822 – September 5, 1894) was a career United States Army officer, a Union cavalry general in the American Civil War, and the Governor of California between 1883 and 1887.

General George Stoneman

George Stoneman, Jr. (August 22, 1822 – September 5, 1894) was a career United States Army officer,…

Samuel Davis Sturgis (June 11, 1822 &ndash; September 28, 1889) was an American military officer who served in the Mexican-American War, as a Union general in the American Civil War, and later in the Indian Wars.

Samuel Davis Sturgis

Samuel Davis Sturgis (June 11, 1822 – September 28, 1889) was an American military officer who…

Jasminum grandiflorum (chameli in Hindi) is a species of jasmine native to South Asia. In India, its leaves are widely used as an Ayurvedic herbal medicine and its flowers are used to adorn the coiffure of women. In Pakistan, it grows wild in the Salt Range and Rawalpindi District at 500-1500 m altitude. It is closely related to, and sometimes treated as merely a form of, Jasminum officinale. It is a scrambling deciduous shrub growing to 2&ndash;4 m tall. The leaves are opposite, 5&ndash;12 cm long, pinnate with 5&ndash;11 leaflets. The flowers are produced in open cymes, the individual flowers are white having corolla with a basal tube 13&ndash;25 mm long and five lobes 13&ndash;22 mm long. The flower's fragrance is unique and sweet. It is widely cultivated as an ornamental plant in warm temperate and subtropical regions.

Jasminum grandiflorum

Jasminum grandiflorum (chameli in Hindi) is a species of jasmine native to South Asia. In India, its…

An illustration of a juniper branch, vertical section of fruit (1), and male catkin (2). Junipers are coniferous plants in the genus Juniperus of the cypress family Cupressaceae. Depending on taxonomic viewpoint, there are between 50-67 species of juniper, widely distributed throughout the northern hemisphere, from the Arctic, south to tropical Africa in the Old World, and to the mountains of Central America

Juniper

An illustration of a juniper branch, vertical section of fruit (1), and male catkin (2). Junipers are…

The Red-Legged Seriema (Cariama cristata) is a predatory terrestrial bird in the Cariamidae family of seriemas.

Red-Legged Seriema

The Red-Legged Seriema (Cariama cristata) is a predatory terrestrial bird in the Cariamidae family of…

A sundial is a device that measures time by the position of the Sun. In common designs such as the horizontal sundial, the sun casts a shadow from its style (a thin rod or a sharp, straight edge) onto a flat surface marked with lines indicating the hours of the day. As the sun moves across the sky, the shadow-edge progressively aligns with different hour-lines on the plate. Such designs rely on the style being aligned with the axis of the Earth's rotation. Hence, if such a sundial is to tell the correct time, the style must point towards true North (not the north or south magnetic pole) and the style's angle with horizontal must equal the sundial's geographical latitude.

Sundial

A sundial is a device that measures time by the position of the Sun. In common designs such as the horizontal…

In the common vertical dial, the shadow-receiving plane is aligned vertically; as usual, the gnomon's style is aligned with the Earth's axis of rotation. As in the horizontal dial, the line of shadow does not move uniformly on the face; the sundial is not equiangular.

Vertical South Dial

In the common vertical dial, the shadow-receiving plane is aligned vertically; as usual, the gnomon's…

An illustration of section of mine from the Kimberley Mine located in South Africa.

Kimberley Mine Section

An illustration of section of mine from the Kimberley Mine located in South Africa.

The fort is best known as the site where the shots initiating the American Civil War were fired, at the Battle of Fort Sumter.

Fort Sumter

The fort is best known as the site where the shots initiating the American Civil War were fired, at…

The headquarters of Major Robert Anderson at Fort Sumter, South Carolina during the American Civil War.

Major Anderson's Headquarters

The headquarters of Major Robert Anderson at Fort Sumter, South Carolina during the American Civil War.

The fort is best known as the site where the shots initiating the American Civil War were fired, at the Battle of Fort Sumter. Pictured here is Fort Sumter following the bombardment in 1864.

Fort Sumter in 1864

The fort is best known as the site where the shots initiating the American Civil War were fired, at…

The fort is best known as the site where the shots initiating the American Civil War were fired, at the Battle of Fort Sumter. Pictured here is Fort Sumter following the bombardment in 1864.

Inside the Walls of Fort Sumter

The fort is best known as the site where the shots initiating the American Civil War were fired, at…

The Fort Sumter medal executed by order of the New York Chamber of Commerce in recognition of the Battle of Fort Sumter during the American Civil War.

Fort Sumter Medal (Front)

The Fort Sumter medal executed by order of the New York Chamber of Commerce in recognition of the Battle…

The Fort Sumter medal executed by order of the New York Chamber of Commerce in recognition of the Battle of Fort Sumter during the American Civil War.

Fort Sumter Medal (Back)

The Fort Sumter medal executed by order of the New York Chamber of Commerce in recognition of the Battle…

The gold box presented to Major Robert Anderson for his command of Fort Sumter during the American Civil War.

Gold Box Presented to Anderson

The gold box presented to Major Robert Anderson for his command of Fort Sumter during the American Civil…

One of the most famous Parrott rifles is the Swamp Angel, an 8-inch (200 mm) gun used by federal Brigadier General Quincy Adams Gillmore to bombard Charleston, South Carolina.

Swamp Angel

One of the most famous Parrott rifles is the Swamp Angel, an 8-inch (200 mm) gun used by federal Brigadier…

Coccinellidae is a family of beetles, known variously as ladybirds (British English, Australian English, South African English), ladybugs (North American English) or lady beetles (preferred by some scientists). Lesser-used names include ladyclock, lady cow, and lady fly. The family name comes from its type genus, Coccinella. Coccinellids are found worldwide, with over 5,000 species described, more than 450 native to North America alone. Coccinellids are small insects, ranging from 1 mm to 10 mm (0.04 to 0.4 inches), and are commonly yellow, orange, or scarlet with small black spots on their wing covers, with black legs, head and antennae. A very large number of species are mostly or entirely black, gray, or brown and may be difficult for non-entomologists to recognize as coccinellids (and, conversely, there are many small beetles that are easily mistaken as such, like tortoise beetles).

Ladybug

Coccinellidae is a family of beetles, known variously as ladybirds (British English, Australian English,…

The Hispid Cotton Rat (Sigmodon hispidus) is a small rodent in the Cricetidae family of New World rats and mice.

Hispid Cotton Rat

The Hispid Cotton Rat (Sigmodon hispidus) is a small rodent in the Cricetidae family of New World rats…

An illustration of a silver fir cone and a small branch. Silver Fir or European Silver Fir (Abies alba) is a fir native to the mountains of Europe, from the Pyrenees north to Normandy, east to the Alps and the Carpathians, and south to southern Italy and northern Serbia, where it intergrades with the closely related Bulgarian Fir.

Silver Fir Cone and Foliage

An illustration of a silver fir cone and a small branch. Silver Fir or European Silver Fir (Abies alba)…

Calystegia sepium (Larger Bindweed, Hedge Bindweed, or Rutland beauty) is a species of bindweed, with a subcosmopolitan distribution throughout temperate Northern Hemisphere in Europe, Asia, northwestern Africa, and North America, and in the temperate Southern Hemisphere in Australia, and Argentina in South America.

Calystegia Sepium

Calystegia sepium (Larger Bindweed, Hedge Bindweed, or Rutland beauty) is a species of bindweed, with…

An illustration of a Calystegia sepium bud.  Calystegia sepium (Larger Bindweed, Hedge Bindweed, or Rutland beauty) is a species of bindweed, with a subcosmopolitan distribution throughout temperate Northern Hemisphere in Europe, Asia, northwestern Africa, and North America, and in the temperate Southern Hemisphere in Australia, and Argentina in South America.

Calystegia Sepium Bud

An illustration of a Calystegia sepium bud. Calystegia sepium (Larger Bindweed, Hedge Bindweed, or Rutland…

An illustration of a Calystegia sepium seed cut lengthwise showing the embryo.  Calystegia sepium (Larger Bindweed, Hedge Bindweed, or Rutland beauty) is a species of bindweed, with a subcosmopolitan distribution throughout temperate Northern Hemisphere in Europe, Asia, northwestern Africa, and North America, and in the temperate Southern Hemisphere in Australia, and Argentina in South America.

Calystegia Sepium Seed

An illustration of a Calystegia sepium seed cut lengthwise showing the embryo. Calystegia sepium (Larger…

An illustration of a Calystegia sepium embryo.  Calystegia sepium (Larger Bindweed, Hedge Bindweed, or Rutland beauty) is a species of bindweed, with a subcosmopolitan distribution throughout temperate Northern Hemisphere in Europe, Asia, northwestern Africa, and North America, and in the temperate Southern Hemisphere in Australia, and Argentina in South America.

Calystegia Sepium Embryo

An illustration of a Calystegia sepium embryo. Calystegia sepium (Larger Bindweed, Hedge Bindweed, or…

The King's Chamber is lined with red granite brought from Aswan 935 km (580 miles) to the south, of which the blocks used for the roof are estimated to weigh 50 to 80 tons. Egyptologists believe they were transported on barges down the Nile river.

Great Pyramid of Giza, King's Chamber

The King's Chamber is lined with red granite brought from Aswan 935 km (580 miles) to the south, of…

An illustration of two Hittite women sitting. The Hittites were an ancient Anatolian people who spoke a Hittite language of the Anatolian branch of the Indo-European language family, and established a kingdom centered at Hattusa in north-central Anatolia (on the Central Anatolian plateau) ca. the 18th century BC. The Hittite empire reached its height ca. the 14th century BC, encompassing a large part of Anatolia, north-western Syria about as far south as the mouth of the Litani River (a territory known as Amqu), and eastward into upper Mesopotamia. After ca. 1180 BC, the empire disintegrated into several independent "Neo-Hittite" city-states, some surviving until as late as the 8th century BC.

Hittite Women

An illustration of two Hittite women sitting. The Hittites were an ancient Anatolian people who spoke…

Pagurus bernhardus is the common marine hermit crab of Europe's Atlantic coasts. It is sometimes referred to as the common hermit crab or soldier crab. It is about 3&frac12; cm long ,and is found in both rocky and sandy areas, from the Arctic waters of Iceland, Svalbard and Russia as far south as southern Portugal, but its range does not extend as far as the Mediterranean Sea.

Hermit Crab

Pagurus bernhardus is the common marine hermit crab of Europe's Atlantic coasts. It is sometimes referred…

The Temple of Debod is an ancient Egyptian temple which was rebuilt in Madrid, Spain. The temple was built originally 15 km south of Aswan in southern Egypt very close to the first cataract of the Nile and to the great religious center dedicated to the goddess Isis, in Phil&aelig;.

Great Temple at the Island of Philæ

The Temple of Debod is an ancient Egyptian temple which was rebuilt in Madrid, Spain. The temple was…

Annual Honesty (Lunaria annua) is a tall (height about 1 m), hairy-stemmed biennial plant found throughout Europe, North America, and parts of Asia. It has large, pointed oval leaves with marked serrations. The common name "Honesty" arose in the 16th century, and it may be due to the translucent seed-pods which are like flattened pea-pods and borne on the plant through winter. In South-East Asia and elsewhere, it is called the Money Plant, because its seed pods have the appearance of silver coins. In the United States it may also be known as "Silver Dollars," also because of the seed pods.

Annual Honesty

Annual Honesty (Lunaria annua) is a tall (height about 1 m), hairy-stemmed biennial plant found throughout…

"inverted Vertical Pendulum Seismograph. Marvin System. A stiff vertical tube, pivoted at its bottom end, carries a very heavy mass near its upper end, and is rendered stable or astatic by the elastic reaction of a central steel rod which has its bottom end firmly fixed inside the heavy mass and its top end attached to the framework on the pier. The horizontal motion of the ground and pier relative to the steady mass is magnified 120 times and inscribed on smoked-paper record-sheets by two sets of multiplying levers. One records the north-south, the other the east-west component of motion." -Whitney, 1911

Pendulum Seismograph

"inverted Vertical Pendulum Seismograph. Marvin System. A stiff vertical tube, pivoted at its bottom…

The Odeon of Herodes Atticus is a stone theatre structure located on the south slope of the Acropolis of Athens. It was built in 161 AD by Herodes Atticus in memory of his wife, Aspasia Annia Regilla. It was originally a steep-sloped amphitheater with a three-story stone front wall and a wooden roof, and was used as a venue for music concerts with a capacity of 5,000.

Ground Plan of the Theatre of Herodes Atticus

The Odeon of Herodes Atticus is a stone theatre structure located on the south slope of the Acropolis…

Oxalis is the largest genus in the wood sorrel family Oxalidaceae. Of the approximately 900 known species in the Oxalidaceae, 800 belong to Oxalis. Many of the species are known as Wood Sorrel or Woodsorrel. The genus occurs throughout most of the world, except for the polar areas; species diversity is particularly rich in tropical Brazil and Mexico and in South Africa.

Oxalis

Oxalis is the largest genus in the wood sorrel family Oxalidaceae. Of the approximately 900 known species…

Dianthus is a genus of about 300 species of flowering plants in the family Caryophyllaceae, native mainly to Europe and Asia, with a few species extending south to north Africa, and one species (D. repens) in arctic North America. The species are mostly perennial herbs, a few are annual or biennial, and some are low subshrubs with woody basal stems. The leaves are opposite, simple, mostly linear and often strongly glaucous grey-green to blue-green. The flowers have five petals, typically with a frilled or pinked margin, and are (in almost all species) pale to dark pink. One species, D. knappii, has yellow flowers with a purple center.

Dianthus

Dianthus is a genus of about 300 species of flowering plants in the family Caryophyllaceae, native mainly…

The cassava, yuca, manioc, mogo or mandioca (Manihot esculenta) is a woody shrub of the Euphorbiaceae (spurge family) native to South America that is extensively cultivated as an annual crop in tropical and subtropical regions for its edible starchy tuberous root, a major source of carbohydrates. Cassava is the third largest source of carbohydrates for human food in the world, with Africa its largest center of production. The flour made of the roots is called tapioca.

Yuca

The cassava, yuca, manioc, mogo or mandioca (Manihot esculenta) is a woody shrub of the Euphorbiaceae…

Krak des Chevaliers was the headquarters of the Knights Hospitaller during the Crusades. It was expanded between 1150 and 1250 and eventually housed a garrison of 2,000. The inner curtain wall is up to 100 feet thick at the base on the south side, with seven guard towers 30 feet in diameter.

Krak des Chevaliers

Krak des Chevaliers was the headquarters of the Knights Hospitaller during the Crusades. It was expanded…

Caerphilly Castle is a Norman castle that dominates the centre of the town of Caerphilly in south Wales. Caerphilly Castle was built to stop Llywelyn's southward ambitions. It is the largest castle in Wales, the second largest in Britain (second to Windsor Castle) and is one of the largest fortresses in Europe. Built mainly between 1268 and 1271, it is an early example of a concentric castle.

Caerphilly Castle

Caerphilly Castle is a Norman castle that dominates the centre of the town of Caerphilly in south Wales.…

The Spiny Rat (Echimys cayennensis) is a rodent in the Echimyidae family of spiny rats.

Guyenne Spiny Rat

The Spiny Rat (Echimys cayennensis) is a rodent in the Echimyidae family of spiny rats.

Fumaria is a genus of about fifty annual herbaceous flowering plants in the family Fumariaceae, native to temperate Europe and Asia, though some species are weedy or adventive in North and South America, Australia, etc. It is closely allied to Corydalis (from which it differs chiefly in having single-seeded fruits), and some botanists combine the two genera. The common name is fumitory.

Fumitory

Fumaria is a genus of about fifty annual herbaceous flowering plants in the family Fumariaceae, native…

An illustration of the side-view of the fumitory flower Fumaria is a genus of about fifty annual herbaceous flowering plants in the family Fumariaceae, native to temperate Europe and Asia, though some species are weedy or adventive in North and South America, Australia, etc. It is closely allied to Corydalis (from which it differs chiefly in having single-seeded fruits), and some botanists combine the two genera. The common name is fumitory.

Fumitory (Side-view)

An illustration of the side-view of the fumitory flower Fumaria is a genus of about fifty annual herbaceous…

An illustration of a longitudinal section of the fumitory flower. Fumaria is a genus of about fifty annual herbaceous flowering plants in the family Fumariaceae, native to temperate Europe and Asia, though some species are weedy or adventive in North and South America, Australia, etc. It is closely allied to Corydalis (from which it differs chiefly in having single-seeded fruits), and some botanists combine the two genera. The common name is fumitory.

Fumitory Flower (Longitudinal Section)

An illustration of a longitudinal section of the fumitory flower. Fumaria is a genus of about fifty…

An illustration of a fumitory flower anther. Fumaria is a genus of about fifty annual herbaceous flowering plants in the family Fumariaceae, native to temperate Europe and Asia, though some species are weedy or adventive in North and South America, Australia, etc. It is closely allied to Corydalis (from which it differs chiefly in having single-seeded fruits), and some botanists combine the two genera. The common name is fumitory.

Fumitory Flower Anther

An illustration of a fumitory flower anther. Fumaria is a genus of about fifty annual herbaceous flowering…

An illustration of a berberis branch. Berberis (B&eacute;r-be-ris, barberry, pepperidge bush) a genus of about 450-500 species of deciduous and evergreen shrubs from 1-5 m tall with thorny shoots, native to the temperate and subtropical regions of Europe, Asia, Africa, North America and South America. They are closely related to the genus Mahonia, which is included within Berberis by some botanists.

Berberis

An illustration of a berberis branch. Berberis (Bér-be-ris, barberry, pepperidge bush) a genus…

An illustration of the berberis flower. Berberis (B&eacute;r-be-ris, barberry, pepperidge bush) a genus of about 450-500 species of deciduous and evergreen shrubs from 1-5 m tall with thorny shoots, native to the temperate and subtropical regions of Europe, Asia, Africa, North America and South America. They are closely related to the genus Mahonia, which is included within Berberis by some botanists.

Berberis Flower

An illustration of the berberis flower. Berberis (Bér-be-ris, barberry, pepperidge bush) a genus…

An illustration of the a stamen and pistil of the berberis plant. Berberis (B&eacute;r-be-ris, barberry, pepperidge bush) a genus of about 450-500 species of deciduous and evergreen shrubs from 1-5 m tall with thorny shoots, native to the temperate and subtropical regions of Europe, Asia, Africa, North America and South America. They are closely related to the genus Mahonia, which is included within Berberis by some botanists.

Pistil and Stamen of Burberis

An illustration of the a stamen and pistil of the berberis plant. Berberis (Bér-be-ris, barberry,…

An illustration of the berberis fruit. Berberis (B&eacute;r-be-ris, barberry, pepperidge bush) a genus of about 450-500 species of deciduous and evergreen shrubs from 1-5 m tall with thorny shoots, native to the temperate and subtropical regions of Europe, Asia, Africa, North America and South America. They are closely related to the genus Mahonia, which is included within Berberis by some botanists.

Fruit of Berberis

An illustration of the berberis fruit. Berberis (Bér-be-ris, barberry, pepperidge bush) a genus…

Kalmia latifolia, commonly called Mountain-laurel or Spoonwood, is a flowering plant in the family Ericaceae, native to the eastern United States, from southern Maine south to northern Florida, and west to Indiana and Louisiana.

Mountain-laurel

Kalmia latifolia, commonly called Mountain-laurel or Spoonwood, is a flowering plant in the family Ericaceae,…

"Escallonia macrantha. Escallonia is a South American genus of trees or shrubs, of the natural order Saxifragaceae, allied to the Itea of the United States." -Whitney, 1911

Escallonia

"Escallonia macrantha. Escallonia is a South American genus of trees or shrubs, of the natural order…

East-west section across South Dakota to show the Dakota artesian system. The Dakota sandstone is composed for the most part of well-rounded and well-assorted quartz grains, representing an ancient river and wind-formed sand deposit.

Dakota Artesian System

East-west section across South Dakota to show the Dakota artesian system. The Dakota sandstone is composed…

(1831-1888) Philip Sheridan was a United States Army officer and Union General in the Civil War.

General Philip Henry Sheridan

(1831-1888) Philip Sheridan was a United States Army officer and Union General in the Civil War.

"Fenestella. In Roman Catholic churches, a niche on the south side of an altar, containing the piscina, and frequently also the credence." -Whitney, 1911

Fenestella in the Church of Norrey

"Fenestella. In Roman Catholic churches, a niche on the south side of an altar, containing the piscina,…

Eolian type of cross-bedding in ancient limestones, formed of uniform lime-sand grains south of St. Louis.

Eolian Cross-bedding

Eolian type of cross-bedding in ancient limestones, formed of uniform lime-sand grains south of St.…

Eolian type of cross-bedding in ancient limestones, formed of uniform lime-sand grains south of St. Louis.

Eolian Cross-bedding

Eolian type of cross-bedding in ancient limestones, formed of uniform lime-sand grains south of St.…

A Bay-bar, with narrow inlet which leaves the water of the bay salty. South Shore of Marthas Vineyard.

Bay-bar

A Bay-bar, with narrow inlet which leaves the water of the bay salty. South Shore of Marthas Vineyard.

A Bay-bar completely cutting off a bay and converting it into a closed shore-pond. South Shore of Marthas Vineyard

Bay-bar

A Bay-bar completely cutting off a bay and converting it into a closed shore-pond. South Shore of Marthas…

The Southern Literary Messenger was a periodical published in Richmond, Virginia, from 1834 until June 1864. Each issue carried a subtitle of "Devoted to Every Department of Literature and the Fine Arts" or some variation and included poetry, fiction, non-fiction, reviews, and historical notes. It was founded by Thomas Willis White who served as publisher and occasional editor until his death in 1843. White hired Edgar Allan Poe in 1835 as a staff writer and critic. Others involved with the periodical included Matthew Fontaine Maury and Maury's kinsman Benjamin Blake Minor. It ended in June 1864 in part due to Richmond's involvement in the American Civil War.

Southern Literary Messenger Building

The Southern Literary Messenger was a periodical published in Richmond, Virginia, from 1834 until June…

North-south cross-section of the St. Gothard Massif, Switzerland, showing the fan-folds.

St. Gothard Massif, Switzerland

North-south cross-section of the St. Gothard Massif, Switzerland, showing the fan-folds.

Cross-section of a part of the West Alps, south of Lake Geneva, mainly in France.

West Alps, South of Lake Geneva

Cross-section of a part of the West Alps, south of Lake Geneva, mainly in France.

Block diagram illustrating the formation of three cuestas and lowlands by normal drainage on the peneplaned strata which surround the old Ontario dome on the south and west.

Cuestas and Lowlands

Block diagram illustrating the formation of three cuestas and lowlands by normal drainage on the peneplaned…