A Catechism of Familiar Things | Page 5

the electric fluid occasioning a sudden
motion by the contraction of the muscles through which it passes. The
force of the shock is in proportion to the power of the machine.
What are the Muscles?
Bundles of thin fleshy fibres, or threads, fastened to the bones of
animals, the contraction and expansion of which move the bones or
perform the organic functions of life.
Organic, relating to organs or natural instruments by which some
process is carried on.
Functions, employments or offices of any part of the body.
Contraction, drawing in or shortening.
Expansion, extending or spreading out.
What is Twilight?
The light from the first dawning of day to the rising of the sun; and
again between its setting and the last remains of day. Without twilight,
the sun's light would appear at its rising, and disappear at its setting,

instantaneously; and we should experience a sudden transition from the
brightest sunshine to the profoundest obscurity. The duration of
twilight is different in different climates; and in the same places it
varies at different periods of the year.
Instantaneously, done in an instant, in a moment's time.
Obscurity, darkness, want of light.
How is it produced?
By the sun's refraction--that is, the variation of the rays of light from
their direct course, occasioned by the difference of density in the
atmosphere.
Variation, change.
Density, closeness of parts, compactness.
What is the poetical name for the morning Twilight?
Aurora, the goddess of the morning, and harbinger of the rising sun:
whom poets and artists represent as drawn by white horses in a
rose-colored chariot, unfolding with her rosy fingers the portals of the
East, pouring reviving dew upon the earth, and re-animating plants and
flowers.
Harbinger, a forerunner.
Portals, gates, doors of entrance.
Reanimating, invigorating with new life.
What remarkable phenomenon is afforded to the inhabitants of the
polar regions?
The Aurora Borealis, or Northern Lights, a luminous appearance in the
northern parts of the heavens, seen mostly during winter, or in frosty
weather, and clear evenings; it assumes a variety of forms and hues,

especially in the polar regions, where it appears in its perfection, and
proves a great solace to the inhabitants amidst the gloom of their long
winter's night, which lasts from one to six months, while the summer's
day which succeeds it lasts in like manner for the same period of time.
Of what nature is the Aurora Borealis?
It is decidedly an electrical phenomenon which takes place in the
higher regions of the atmosphere. It is somehow connected with the
magnetic poles of the earth; and generally appears in form of a
luminous arch, from east to west, but never from north to south.
Phenomenon, an extraordinary appearance. The word is from a Greek
one, signifying, to show or appear.
Magnetic, belonging to the magnet, or loadstone.
Luminous, bright, shining.
In what country is it seen constantly from October to Christmas?
In Siberia, where it is remarkably bright. On the western coast of
Hudson's Bay, the sun no sooner disappears, than the Aurora Borealis
diffuses a thousand different lights and colors with such dazzling
beauty, that even the full moon cannot eclipse it.
CHAPTER II.
CORN, BARLEY, PEARL BARLEY, OATS, RYE, POTATOES,
TEA, COFFEE, AND CHOCOLATE.
What is Corn?
Corn signifies a race of plants which produce grain in an ear or head, fit
for bread, the food of man; or the grain or seed of the plant, separated
from the ear.
What is generally meant by Corn?

In this country, maize, or Indian corn, is generally meant; but, in a
more comprehensive sense, the term is applied to several other kinds of
grain, such as wheat, rye, barley, oats, &c.
Where was Corn first used?
It is uncertain. The Athenians pretend that it was amongst them it was
first used; the Cretans, Sicilians, and Egyptians also lay claim to the
same. From the accounts in the Bible, we find that its culture engaged a
large share of the attention of the ancient Hebrews.
Culture, growth, cultivation. Hebrews, the children of Israel, the Jews
Who were the Athenians?
Inhabitants of Athens, the capital city of Greece.
Who were the Cretans?
The inhabitants of Crete, an island of the Archipelago.
Who were the Sicilians?
Inhabitants of Sicily, the largest island of the Mediterranean Sea, now a
part of Italy, and separated from the mainland by the Strait of Messina.
Where do the Egyptians dwell?
In Egypt, a country of Africa. It is extremely fertile, producing great
quantities of corn. In ancient times it was called the dry nurse of Rome
and Italy, from its furnishing with corn a considerable part of the
Roman Empire; and we are informed, both from sacred and profane
history, that it was anciently the most fertile in corn of all countries of
the world.