A Catechism of Familiar Things

Catechism of Familiar Things, A

The Project Gutenberg EBook of A Catechism of Familiar Things;
Their
History, and the Events Which Led to Their Discovery, by Benziger
Brothers This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and
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Title: A Catechism of Familiar Things; Their History, and the Events
Which Led to Their Discovery With a Short Explanation of Some of
the Principal Natural Phenomena. For the Use of Schools and Families.
Enlarged and Revised Edition.
Author: Benziger Brothers
Release Date: September 20, 2005 [EBook #16728]
Language: English
Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1
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CATECHISM OF FAMILIAR ***

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[Illustration: THE AURORA BOREALIS IN THE ARCTIC
REGIONS.]
A CATECHISM OF FAMILIAR THINGS;
THEIR HISTORY, AND THE EVENTS WHICH LED TO THEIR
DISCOVERY.
WITH A SHORT EXPLANATION OF SOME OF THE PRINCIPAL
NATURAL PHENOMENA.

FOR THE USE OF SCHOOLS AND FAMILIES.
Enlarged and Revised Edition.

NEW YORK, CINCINNATI, AND ST. LOUIS: BENZIGER
BROTHERS PRINTERS TO THE HOLY APOSTOLIC SEE.

COPYRIGHT, 1881, BY BENZIGER BROTHERS.

PREFACE.
This book, a reprint of a successful English publication, has been so
enlarged as to be to all intents and purposes new. It has been carefully
revised by a Reverend gentleman, who for some time filled the chair of
Physics and Chemistry in one of our colleges.
Recent inventions and improvements are described in a simple, popular
style, so as to be easily understood by all, and short notices are given of
prominent inventors and scientists. The paragraphs relating to doctrinal
matters conform in every respect to the teachings of the Church.
A feature which will commend the book to every teacher is the

definitions of difficult words and terms, following the paragraphs in
which such words occur.
Technical language is avoided as much as possible, so as to enable
young pupils to become familiarly acquainted with the various
phenomena of nature, the leading characteristics and general history of
the objects of the animal, vegetable, and mineral kingdoms, and the
fundamental truths of the arts and sciences.
The illustrations are of a superior order, and a very complete Index,
which will be appreciated by every teacher, supplements the book. In a
word, no pains have been spared to enhance the value of the work, and
render it an important auxiliary in the dissemination of useful and
entertaining knowledge.
The publishers beg to acknowledge their obligations to the Sisters of
Mercy, Loretto, Pa., to whose kindness they are indebted for many
valuable suggestions.
In the hope that the book may be found suited to the accomplishment of
its aim, it is respectfully submitted to schools and instructors of youth,
who are the best judges of its merits.

CONTENTS.
CHAPTER
I.
Dew, Water, Rain, Snow, Hail, Atmosphere, Wind, Lightning, Thunder,
Electricity, Twilight, and the Aurora Borealis
II. Corn, Barley, Pearl Barley, Oats, Rye, Potatoes, Tea, Coffee, and
Chocolate
III. Calico, Cotton, Cloth, Wool, Baize, Linen, Flax, Hemp, Diaper,
Holland, Canvas, and Flannel

IV. Cocoa, Toddy, Cherries, Bark, Cork, Cochineal, Cloves, Cinnamon,
and Cassia
V. Bombazine, Crape, Camlet, Cambric, Lace, Silk, Velvet, and
Mohair
VI. Currants, Raisins, Figs, Rice, Sugar, Sugar Candy, &c., Sago,
Millet, Ginger, Nutmeg, Mace, Pimento or Allspice, Pepper, and
Cayenne Pepper
VII. Glass, Mirrors, Earthenware, Porcelain, Needles, Pins, Paper,
Printing, Parchment, and Vellum
VIII. Capers, Almonds, Oranges, Lemons, Citrons, Limes, Olives, Oils,
Melons, Tamarinds, and Dates
IX. Hats, Stockings, Shoes, Gloves, Leather, Furs, and Ink
X. Asbestus, Salt, Coal, Iron, Copper, Brass, Zinc, and Lapis
Calaminaris
XI. Yams, Mangoes, Bread-Fruit, Shea or Butter Tree, Cow Tree,
Water Tree, Licorice, Manna, Opium, Tobacco, and Gum
XII. Spectacles, Mariner's Compass, Barometer, Thermometer,
Watches, Clocks, Telescope, Microscope, Gunpowder, Steam Engine,
and Electro-Magnetic Telegraph
XIII. Soap, Candles, Tallow Tree, Spermaceti, Wax, Mahogany, India
Rubber or Caoutchouc, Sponge, Coral, Lime, Carbon, Oxygen,
Nitrogen, Gas, Hydrogen, Chalk, and Marble
XIV. Gold, Silver, Lead, Tin, Platina, Sulphur, Gems or Precious
Stones--as Diamonds, Rubies, Emeralds, Turquois, Pearls,
Mother-of-Pearl, and Ivory
XV. Starch, Arrow-root, Tapioca, Isinglass, Caviare, the Vine, Wine,
Gin, Rum, Brandy, Vinegar, Indigo, Gamboge, Logwood, Tar, Pitch,
Camphor, Musk, Myrrh, Frankincense, and Turpentine

XVI. Bricks, Mortar, Granite, Slate, Limestone, or Calcareous Rocks,
Steel, Earths, Volcanoes, and Earthquakes
XVII. Architecture, Sculpture, Use of Money, and Navigation
XVIII. Music, Painting, Poetry, Astronomy, Arts and Sciences, Art of
Writing, and Chemistry
XIX. Attraction, Tides, Gravity, Artesian Wells, Air, Aneroid
Barometer, Ear-Trumpet, Stethoscope, Audiphone, Telephone,
Phonograph, Microphone, Megaphone, Tasimeter, Bathometer,
Anemometer, Chronometer
XX. Light, Lime Light, Magnesium Light, Electric Light, Rainbow,
Prism, Spectrum, Colors, Photography, Camera Obscura, Stereoscope,
Kaleidoscope
XXI.