Sun Silhouettes Across Mist on Harz and Mount Washington
Observation recounts rare sun silhouettes seen in the Harz mountains of Germany and Mount Washington in New Hampshire. A party witnessed figures projected on a translucent mist veil, each shadow framed by a rainbow halo that grew as the bank moved, with wrists knapsacks and staffs visible.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Harz
Germany
Blocksberg
Mount Washington
New Hampshire
Mount Monroe
Mint
W. J. Scandlin
Boston Post
Origin of the Maypole in ancient rites and fertility beliefs
The article cites J. Ernest Pythian noting May day ceremonies began as religious observances linked to tree spirits. The Maypole, tied to the tree spirit, and figures like the May queen and Jack in the Green originated as human forms of that spirit. The belief in Maypole fertility persists in parts of Europe with May trees placed to ensure livestock fertility and milk.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
J. Ernest Pythian
Europe
Germany
Easants
An Ancient Drinking Game Cottabus in Athens
The article notes cottabus as a classical drinking game practiced across the ancient world. Players lay on a couch and try to toss drops from a goblet to strike a Hermes image on a bronze saucer, sometimes afloat, with the game continuing until the cup is filled enough to sink the mark. It was a sign of good breeding in Athens.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Hermes
Athens
Harper’s
Evicting Corpses in Porto Rico Cemeteries
A New Orleans Times-Democrat excerpt notes that in Porto Rico cemeteries landlords routinely evict nonpaying tenants by shovel, since plots are rented not sold, causing bereaved families to face the removal of their dead.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Porto Rico
New Orleans Times-Democrat
Dramatic Rothenburg Tale Of Gustavus Adolphus Siege
A Chicago Record-Herald summary recalls Rothenburg ob Tauber during the Thirty Years War. Tilly besieged the wealthy town after a Swedish defense lasting about thirty hours. The senate faced execution until a risked bet saved lives when ex master Nusch emptied a Tauber wine cup to fulfill a mercy clause.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Rothenburg
Tauber
Gustavus Adolphus
Catholic League
Tilly
Rathhaus
Senate
Nusch
Cole
Chicago Record-Herald
Termite Skyscrapers: Giant Mud Hills in Somaliland
A naturalist in Somaliland reports cone shaped mud and clay hills built by termites reaching eighteen feet high, with others ten to fifteen feet tall. He notes humans average five and a half feet, so a ten foot hill is about 240 times a ant, making termite structures appear colossal compared to their minuscule builders.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Somaliland
His Accursed Luck
A Seattle citizen, intoxicated and lost, encounters an iron tree guard on his journey home. He grips the tree, circles it twice, and curses his fate as he sinks to the ground in despair, while the tale wryly compares his misfortune to a larger civilization fault.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Seattle
Widow's Devotion To Wax Man Shocks Sydney
A man hanged for murder in Sydney is exhibited as a wax figure by his widow with her consent. For six months she visits every Sunday in mourning and clothes the wax form. She later marries again and his new husband opposes her visits to the graven image.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Sydney
Australia
No. 1
Winkles Passes On Pocket Wisdom In Paper Play
In a jocular exchange Mr. Winkles cautions about pickpockets to his mile while Mrs. Winkles boasts she has no pockets. He quips about her pockets being poked and she replies she has none. The humor hinges on wordplay and social wit between the couple.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Mr. Winkles
Mrs. Winkles
Walking as a path to joy and health across seasons
Walter Williams in Columbia Herald extols walking as a supreme, universal pastime that softens sorrow, boosts body and mind, and invites a soul to nature. It suits all moods, can be solitary or shared, and emphasizes outdoor life over overwork.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Ilo
Tia
Walter Williams
Columbia Herald
A Curious Looking Shark Egg Described
A shark egg is described as pillow shaped with horned corners about two inches long and nearly black. It lacks a shell but is protected by a thick elastic leathery covering. The two horn feelers entangle seaweed to anchor the egg as it hatches. One variety lays eighteen eggs in April and the young sharks emerge by December.
Rarest Gird In Cuba Cuban Macaw Described in Vivid Detail
The ara tricolor or Cuban macaw is the rarest Cuban bird. It inhabits swamps and boasts a striking color pattern with red forehead and gal on top, yellow neck, cinnamon-edged back, scarlet underparts, blue secondary feathers, ash orange throat, brown legs and yellow eyes. Often seen at dusk resting on swamp lily pads, it ranks among the most handsome birds in any land.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Cuba
Salt as a Necessity Across Cultures and Wildlife
A renowned scientist states salt is essential for all peoples, civilized or savage, and salt hunger drives behavior. Central Africa natives treat salt as a luxury and season meat with ashes containing saltpeter. Animals seek salt from naturally salted springs, a fact well known to naturalists and used by hunters as bait.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Central Africa
Origin of the cotton plant traced from India to the Americas
An excerpt from the New York American notes that cotton likely originated in India, possibly Mandalay, with early Indian writings from 600 B C mentioning cotton cloth. Herodotus described trees in India bearing white fleece like wool, implying cotton. The Peruvians and Mexicans also cultivated cotton before European contact.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
India
Mandalay
Herodotus
America
New York American
Also Mentioned on This Page
Hamrigk’s
Ust
Coleman’s
Hamrick
Jonge
Ari
Tinailleg Mpalthe
Diradlahy Allis
Carrollton, GA
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