FESCENNINE VERSES. (Vol. V, p. 148.) These verses are so termed from Fescennia, an Etrurian town where they first had their origin. They were rude extemporaneous pieces of poetry recited by the youth of Latium and Etruria at rustic festivals, especially at harvest home, with gestures adapted to the sense. They consisted chiefly of rustic lines of raillery and abuse, a species of humor very much in vogue with the Grecian and Egyptian country people. The verses are remarkable for having given rise to satire, the only class of poetry of native Italian growth. GREEK FIRE. (Vol. V, p. 56.) I remember an article on Greek Fire" in one of the English quarterlies (I think the Westminster Review), many years ago. The writer seemed to think that it was a Chinese invention, if I remember aright, and of the character of gunpowder. I suspect myself that petroleum was part of the compound, and that spontaneous combustion was depended upon for its ignition. Perry Chand Mitra of Calcutta wrote a little monograph, now in my possession, which was designed to show that the Hindûs of the Punjab possessed gunpowder and used it in explosives for military purposes; and that Alexander the Great was once defeated by their use. A. WILDER. GNOSTICISM. This word is derived from the Greek gnosis (knowledge), that is, a higher kind of knowledge. Those who claimed to possess it, claimed to have acquired the higher wisdom, and were the Gnostics. Paul speaks of a "gnosis" falsely so called, (I Tim. xvi, 20). They were a secret sect at the beginning of the Christian era. SALIENT POINTS IN THE GEEAT PYRAMID. What are some of the leading claims of those who believe the Great Pyramid of Egypt was built for a Metrological Monument ? INQUIRER II. The Great Pyramid of Ghized has been established to be the oldest monument in Egypt. Mr. C. Piazzi Smyth, in view of this fact, has devoted a long period of time to studying, not its hieroglyphics, but the peculiar relations of its structure, position, etc. He has by a long series of reasoning, arrived at the following conclusions : I. The Great Pyramid is accurately located as regards the points of compass (orientation), and its base is practically a perfect square. The vertical height of the pyramid (5,835 inches), is to the sum of the four sides of its base (63,702,36+ inches), as the radius of a 2. circle, approximately, is to the circumference; or as 1 to 2′′; or as 1 to 6.9832. 3. The area of the meridional section of the pyramid is to the area of the base, as 1 to π. 4. The length of the side of the base (9,156.45+ inches), divided by the contents of the pyramidal cubit (25, 025 cubic inches), gives the number 366.24+, which equals the number of revolutions of the earth on its axis during the sidereal year. 5. The distance of the sun from the earth, indicated by the height of the pyramid, is given by the following relation : sun is precisely that to which the latest investigations approach. 6. The four faces of the pyramid are equally inclined on the cen tral axis, the angle being 51° 51′ 14.3". 7. The inch, as deduced from the great pyramid, equals 1.0001 English inches. 8. The inch of the pyramid is the 500,000,000th part of the polar axis of the earth. 9. The cubit of the pyramid equals 25 of these inches; it repre sents the 20,000,000th part of the polar axis, or the 10,000,000th part of the semi-axis. IO. The modern value of the space passed over by the earth in 24 hours in its orbit around the sun equals 1011 inches of the pyramid, or 100,000,000,000 pyramidal inches. II. The weight of the pyramid is the fraction ()15, or involved it is 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0000 of the weight of the earth. 12. The pyramid indicates that the average temperature of the total surface of the earth is 20° centigrade, or the interval between the temperature of melting ice and of boiling water. 13. The sum of the two diagonals of the pyramid, valued in English inches, is 25,859, a number sensibly equal to the year that separates the successive returns of the meridian of some fixed star; for example, a Draconis, or the number of years that the sun occupies in traversing the circle of the ecliptic. 14. The pyramid indicates that the density of the earth is 5.7, water being taken as unity. This density has been found by experimental methods, subject to great uncertainty, to be 5.67, 5.568, and 5.316, of which the average differs little from the figures given by the pyramid. I. QUESTIONS. Of whom was it said that he would eat at a breakfast, 500 figs, 100 peaches, 10 melons, 20 bunches of grapes, 100 small birds, and 400 oysters? FENLON FOSTER. 2. Who first called man the Microcosm in contradistiction to the world as being the Macracosm or Megacosm. SANFORD. 3. What President of the United States first used the expression, By the Eternal," to emphasize his determination, and when, aud on what occasion ? SANFORD. 66 4. What is the game called Pharaon, and where did it originate? JONATHAN. 5. What historical writer received the name Rambam, and why was he so called? JONATHAN. 6. Pythagoras advised his disciples to "abstain from beans." What reasons are given for this advice? ENQUIRER II. 7. Why was one of the leading thoroughfares in London called Paternoster Row ("Our Father") ? G. S. CLARK. 8. "Work done is won, soul's joy lies in the doing." Can some reader give me the correct version and source of the above? G. F. K. 9. Which are considered the seven greatest hymns of the Christian dispensation? WELLINGTON HOWARD. 10. There is a tradition or record that all person before the days of the patriarch Jacob, by sneezing slew themselves, and that Jacob obtained a relaxation of such a sudden death. Where can the account be found. WELLINGTON HOWARD. What is the origin of the expression: "A sic vos non vobis AGNOSTIC. II. affair." 12. Does there actually exist fire known as "Jack-with-a-lantern," 'Will-o'-the-Wisp," "St. Elmo's Fire," etc.? JEROME. 13. Who was the "Brahan Seer," and what were the character of his prophecies ? M. M. W. 14. Who was Potter Christ who lived somewhere in the West of the United States several years ago, and left a work for the guide of his followers? M. M. W. 15. Who was Barchocab who took up arms against Rome, under the emperor Adrian? SEARCHEH. 16. Why was the Crescent adopted as the symbol of the followers of Mohammed? SEARCHER. 17. In the "Queen's Wake," a Scottish poem a Rev. Mr. Grey is immortalized as the "bard of Greece," and author of a poem entitled "India." Where can this poem on India be found? ENOCH. 66 BIBLIOGRAPHY OF NOTES AND QUERIES." MISCELANEOUS Notes and QUERIES, WITH ANSWERS. Commenced July, 1882. A Monthly Magazine of History, Folk-Lore, Science, Art, Mathematics, Mysticism, etc. Vols. I-IV, July, 1882, to December, 1887. Vol. V, 1888. Octavo; $1.00 a year. Vol. I, Nos. 1-10, Prof. N. B. Webster, editor. Vol. I, (Nos, 11-20), Vols. II-V, S. C. Gould, editor, S. C. &. L. M. Gould, publishers. Manchester, N. H. William Brotherhead, editor 1857; discontinued April 1857. Vol. I, pp. 160. Philadelphia. William S. Walsh, publisher. AMERICAN NOTES AND QUERIES. and publisher. Commenced January Monthly; 4 numbers published, 8vo. AMERICAN NOTES AND QUERIES. Commenced May 5, 1888. Weekly; sm. 4to. Vol. I. Philadelphia. Commenced September, 1883. AMERICAN TEACHER. (ten numbers a year), 4to. Vols. I-V. Boston, Mass. Monthly THE CURIO. E. De Vermont, Editor; R. W. Wright, publisher. Commenced September, 1887; discontinued February, 1888. Monthly; 6 numbers, 4to. Vol. I. New York. "CURIOSITY SHOP," in The Inter-ocean. Thomas C. Mac Millan, editor. Commenced 1878. Ten annual volumes published 8vo, 18781887. Chicago, Ill. EDUCATIONAL NOTES AND QUERIES. William D. Henkle, editor and publisher. Commenced January, 1875; discontinued December, 1881. Monthly; 10 numbers a year, 8vo; Vols. I-VII, 1875-1881. Salem, Ohio. Wim. Downs Henkle, b. Oct. 8, 1828, d. Nov. 22, 1881. THE FREE PARLIAMENT, in Good Literature. John B. Alden, publisher. Commenced September 25, 1880; discontinued January 4, 1884. Weekly and fortnightly; 156 numbers published, Vol. I, folio; Vols. II-VI, quarto. Good Literature merged with The Critic Jan. 4, 1884. New York. NOTES AND QUERIES, in The Transcript. William A. Ford, editor. Commenced October 16, 1876. Weekly. Boston, Mass. ONE HUNDRED PRIZE QUESTIONS, in Canadian Spectator, 1879; with the answers of "HERMES" (Henry Miles, Jr.), Montreal. Vol. I, 8vo., 1880. Montreal. QUERIES. E. C. Moulton, editor. Commenced January, 1885. Monthly, 8vo.; Vols. I-III. Buffalo, N. Y. THE SCHOOL VISITOR. menced January, 1880. Gettysburg, Ohio. John S. Royer, editor and publisher. Com- TEACHERS' COMPANION. A. P. Southwick, editor, C. W. Hager, publisher. Commenced January, 1880; discontinued July, 1883. Vols. I-IV, quarto. New York. |
