Page 346 : CASPIAN SEA — CASSOWARY
pered in his policy even by his own ministers, over whose acts the constitution of the French Republic gave him but a slight control. He died March 12, 1907.
Cas′pian Sea, an inclosed inland sea or great salt-lake, the largest in the world, lies on the boundary between Europe and Asia. It is bounded on the south by Persia and on the north by Russia; with the Caucasus Mountains on its westward and the transcaspian territory on the east. Its length from north to south is 700 miles, and its breadth varies from 130 to 270 miles. Its total area is estimated at 170,000 square miles. On the east side, especially, there are several bays and peninsulas. On the south a low, flat plain, from 15 to 20 miles in width, leads to the lofty range of the Elburz Mountains; while the north is bordered by great steppes. The surface of the Caspian is 97 feet below the level of the Black Sea and 248 feet below that of Lake Aral. It is probable that all three bodies were once connected. The Caspian has no tides, but violent storms make navigation dangerous. Its level varies much at different seasons. In the middle it is divided by a submarine ridge, a continuation of the main Caucasus chain, into two deep basins. The greatest depth found in the northern basin is 2,526 feet and in the southern 3,006 feet. A number of large rivers empty their waters into the Caspian, of which the greatest is the Volga. The sea abounds in fish, and valuable fisheries are carried on, especially for sturgeon and salmon. By a canal uniting the upper tributaries of the Volga with those of Lake Ladoga and the Dwina, the Caspian is united with the Baltic Sea. The sea is now surrounded on three sides by Russian territory, the southern shore still remaining Persian. The Russians maintain a flotilla on the Caspian Sea, and lines of steam-packets ply upon it.
Cass, Lewis, an American politician, was born at Exeter, N. H., Oct 9, 1782. His family went west, and Cass studied law at Marietta, Ohio. He now entered politics is a Democrat, and played an important part in the War of 1812; was governor of Michigan and superintendent of Indian affairs for 18 years, during which time he negotiated 22 treaties with Indians and did much to open the northwest territory; he also explored the upper lakes and the headwaters of the Mississippi. Cass was secretary of war, for a long time United States senator from Michigan, minister to France and candidate for president against Taylor. In 1860 Cass differed from President Buchanan in his southern policy, and resigned his position as secretary of state, closing a public career of 54 years. He was a man of much ability, a fine scholar and an effective speaker. He was the author of several works. He died at Detroit, Mich., June 17, 1866.
Cassandra (ka-san′ drä), in Homeric legend, was the fairest daughter of Priam, king of Troy, and twin sister of Helenus. The two children were left one night in the sanctuary of Apollo, and while asleep their ears were touched and purified by two snakes so that they could understand the language of birds and thus know the future. Apollo afterward taught Cassandra the secret of prediction; but she rejected his love, and as a penalty he laid upon her the curse that no prediction should ever be believed. So she in vain predicted the treachery of the Grecian horse and the destruction of Troy, and was looked upon by the citizens as mad. On the sack of the city she was torn from the temple by Ajax Oileus, and in the distribution of the spoil she became the share of Agamemnon. She was afterward murdered by Clytemnestra.
Cassava (kăs′ sȧ-vȧ). This is the West Indian name of a plant that grows not only in those islands, but in Brazil, Peru and tropical Africa. In Brazil it is called manioc (mandioc), and in Peru, yucca. From its stems, branches and leaves is obtained a juice, which, though a deadly poison when fresh, quickly becomes a wholesome food when heated, and is used as a soup by the natives. From the plant also is obtained arrowroot, which is almost pure starch. Tapioca also is made from it by heating the arrowroot until the grains of starch burst, are partly converted into dextrine and come together into small lumps. The pearl tapioca which is better known to us is not obtained from this plant, but from potato starch. Another important and well known product of cassava is farina, which also is almost pure starch. This is obtained from the roots, which are grated and then dried on hot metal plates. The cassava is remarkable for its fertility.
Cassiopeia (kas-sĭ-o-pē′ yȧ), a constellation in the northern hemisphere, not far from the north pole. It is marked by five stars of the third magnitude, forming a figure like a W. In 1572 there appeared in this constellation a new star, which, when first noticed by Tycho Brahe, exceeded in brightness all the fixed stars and nearly equaled Venus. The star gradually diminished in magnitude, and disappeared in March, 1584.
Cas′sowary, a large running bird, native to New Guinea and northeastern Australia. Although related to the ostrich, it belongs to a different family and lives in dense forests, while the ostrich lives on open plains and deserts. It has black plumage, with a naked neck, and bright-colored (red, blue, yellow) wattles. It is about five feet high, with rudimentary wings, a swift
Articles:
