Fig. 37. Pelecanus Bassanus:Gannet.

Fig. 38. Rhinoceros unicornis one-horned Rhinocerous.

Fig. 39. Scarabaeus Hercules Beetle.

Published by J.Harris, St Pauls ChYon.

Cooper fenlp.

Scism, a division: the word is usually applied to religious separations.

SCHOLIAST, one who writes scholia, or notes, glosses, &c. upon ancient authors.

SCHOOL, in belles-lettres, a public place of instruction. "Of such a school” is a phrase that means "of a manner peculiar to a certain time, place, master, or model.”

SCIAGRAPHY, a profile or section, showing the inside of a building.

SCIENCE, demonstrated knowledge. The difference between science and art is, that the first is speculative, and the second mechanical. Science plans, and art performs. The difference between science and philosophy is, that the first consists of facts, and the second of opinions. Science gives data; philosophy draws conclusions.

SCIURUS, in natural history, the squirrel, a genus of the Mammalia class and of the order Glires. These animals live principally on seeds and fruits. They are extremely active in climbing trees, and bounding from one to another with a spring truly astonishing. Some are supplied with 'membranes, which enable them to extend this leap into something like a short flight. Some are subterraneous, and others build in trees. They are sprightly, elegant and interesting.

SCOMBER, the mackarel, in natural history, is one of the most beautiful fishes, and inhabits both European and American seas. It is said to reside near the north pole in winter, and as the spring advances to move in immense shoals in a southerly direction, traversing a vast space in a very short period, and proceeding nearly in a

similar line of movement to that attributed to the herring.

SCORPIO, a genus of insects of the order aptera. There are ten species, all of which are armed with a slightly pungent sting; and in hot climates some of them are highly dangerous: they prey upon worms, spiders, flies, &c. and even upon one another. Scorpio afer, or great African scorpion, is the largest and by far the most formidable of the whole genus: it is held in great dread by the inhabitants. Scorpions are viviparous, producing a very considerable number of young at once.

SCORPIO, in astronomy, the eighth sign of the zodiac, in which according to Mr. Flamsteed there are 49 stars.

SCRATCH, in the language of the salt-workers of our country, the name of a calcareous, earthy, or stony substance, which separates from seawater in boiling it for salt. This forms a thick crust, in a few days, on the sides and bottoms of the pans, which they are forced to be at the pains of taking off once in a week, or ten days, other. wise the pans burn away and are destroyed.

SCRIBE, of the law, in Jewish polity, one who issued authentic copies of the scriptures, and decided questions on the same.

SCULPTURE, in general, the art of fashioning figures of things. In this sense, it includes cutting or carving on stone or wood; modelling in clay; engraving; &c. Sculpture, in a confined sense, the art of forming figures of things in stone. In sculpture, the first operation is that of making a model of earth or wax. Earthen models are made with few instruments besides the hands. The wax

for models is mixed with half its quantity of colophony. A block of stone or marble is next to be sawed to the extreme dimensions required, and then fashioned, by taking off what is superfluous with a stubbed point and heavy mallet. When the proportions are nearly obtained, the work is proceeded in with a finer point. A flat cutting instrument, with three teeth, is next employed; and afterward a chissel, to take off the scratches of the former. The softness and delicacy of the work is produced by means of the chissel; and, by degrees, it is brought into readiness for polishing. This concluding operation is first performed with pumice and smalt, and afterwards with tripoli. When uncommon lustre is required, use is made of burnt straw.

SEA, in geography, is sometimes used for the ocean, or that vast tract of water encompassing the whole globe; but, more properly, for a particular part or division of the ocean; as the Red-sea, the White-sea, the Irish-sea. According to the opinion at present entertained, the surface of the ocean is to the surface of the land as three to one. With respect to the depth of the ocean, no certain knowledge has ever been obtained. The greatest depth to which it has been actually sounded is one mile and 66 feet. The surface of the earth below the sea is evidently similar to that above it; here rising into mountains, the tops of which we call islands and continents, and there sinking into vallies. The quantity of water that composes it has been computed at 3,205,893,975 cubic miles; and that which it receives daily, from all the rivers, 36 cubic miles. The grand process of evaporation

VOL. IV.