GOLDEN ORIOLE. 13 GOLDFINCH. GOLDEN ORIOLE. Yellow being the char- acteristic color ot orioles (as implied in the name), the adjective 'golden' has been locally applied to many forms — as. for example, to the American hangnests. .Strictly, it belongs only to the European true oriole [Oriolus oriulus). See Oriole. GOLDEN PLOVER. See Plover. GOLDENROD {Solidago). A genus of plants ot the order Composit;e. It is closely allied to Aster, but distinguished l)y the single- rowed pappus, and tapering, not compressed, fruit. The species are natives chielly of tcmi)crate cli- mates, and are most numerous in North Ameri- ca. A few are European ; only one is British, the common goldenrod (Holidago Virgaiirca) , a pereiniiul plant of very variable size. At least 75 species are found in the United States, and because of its abundance, wide distribtition, and showiness, many botanists and flower-lovers claim for the goldenrod the distinction of being called the national flower. Solidar/o bicolor has cream- colored or nearly white flowers, iiolidago odora (sweet goldenrod) yields an anisatc odor when its leaves, which have even been used as a substitute for tea, are crushed. It contains a volatile oil which has been used in medicine as an aromatic, diaphoretic, and tonic. Blue-stenmied goldenrod {Solidago ccesia). and the varieties of Solidago Virgaiiita, inintita, nrmoralis, and humilis, are among the most interesting. Sheep readily eat various species of goldenrod, and as a forage it is considered valuable in parts of New York and elsewhere. Other aninmls will not eat it to any extent. When prepared in the same manner as hemp, the stalks of Solidago Canadensis, which attain a height of four to six feet, are said to yield a strong fibre that might be utilized. GOLDEN ROSE (Lat. rosa aiirea). A rose formed of wrought gold, and blessed with much Bolemnity by the Pope in person on Jlid-Lent Sunday, which is called, from the first word of the introit for the day, 'Ljetare Sunday.' The prayer of blessing contains a mystic allusion to Christ as 'the rose of Sharon and the lily of the valley.' The rose is anointed with balsam, fumigated with incense, sprinkled with musk, and is then left upon the alt-ar until the conclu- sion of the mass. It is then usually presented to some Catholic prince whom the Pope desires especially to honor, with an appropriate form of words. The origin of the ceremony is uncertain, but the most probable opinion as to its date is that of Martene and Du Cange. who fix it in the pontificate of Innocent IV. (1243-.54). See L.ET.RE MED.^L. ' GOLDEN RULE, and Rule of Three. Terms once applied in arithinetic to designate the opera- tion nf simple proportion. See Proportion. GOLDEN SEAL. See Hydrastis. GOLDEN SECTION. A popular term for the division of a line segment in extreme and mean ratio. Given the line segment AB, if the point P is found such that AB : .P = AP : PB. or AB X PB = AP^ P is said to divide AB in golden section. The ratio of AP to PB is about 8 : 5. The theory of the golden section was known to the Pythagoreans, and was used by them in the construction of the regular pentagon. The first extensive treatment of the subject in mod- ern times is that of Fra Luca Pacioli, whose work, Diiina proporlione, appeared in Venice in 1509; reprinted, with German translation, in the Quellenschriflcn fiir Ktinstgeschichte und Kunst- technik des llitielalters und der Xettzeil (Vien- na, 1889). The mediseval name. Dirinc propor- tion, has given place in modern times to Scclio aurea, or golden section. Tlie ideas of Pacioli have recently been revived by Zeising, A'chf Lelire von den Proportiancn dcs menschlicheti Korpvrs (Leipzig, 1854) ; id., Der goldenc Sclinitt (Leip- zig, 1884), who has claimed the golden section as the aesthetic law in nature (see .-Esthetics), and by Bochenek, Kanon aller menschlichen (le- sUiltcn und der Tiere (Berlin, 1885), who has ap- jilied it in matters of art. Consult, also: Witt- stein, Der goldene Scltnitt und die Anircndungen desselbcn in der Kunst (Hanover. 1S74) : Pfeifer, Der goldene Schnitt (Augsburg, 1885) ; Matthias, Die Regel torn goldenen Schnitt im Kiinstgeuxrhe ( Leipzig. ISSli). GOLDEN SPUR. A Papal Order, founded probably by Paul IV., but also attributed to Constantine and to Pope Sylvester II. The decora- tion was so freely bestowed that the value was impaired, and the Order was reconstituted by Gregory- XVI. in 1841. It is now conferred for special distinction and for services to the Catho- lic Church. GOLDEN STAIRCASE. A famous stainvay in the Doges' Palace, Venice, so called from its rich ornamentation. GOLDEN STATE. California. See States, Popular Names of. GOLDEN TERGE, The, or The Goldtn Targe. An allegorical poem by William Dunbar, published in 1508 by Chepman and Myllar. and reprinted in 1834 in David Laing's complete col- lection of the poet's works. It describes Cupid as steadily repelled by Reason with a golden shield, until blinded by a subtle powder. GOLDEN VERSES (Gk. fTr;; xi>^'"°- <:p« chri/sa). A traditional collection of gnomic say- ings of the Pythagoreans, containing the teach- ings of virtue in practical form. The verses can be found in the second edition of Hesiod, bv Gfiltling (Gotha. 1843). GOLDEN WARBLER. The commonest of American wood-warblers (Dendroeca cestiva), more frequently called summer warbler, yellow warbler, or summer yellowbird. (See Warhler.) The golden-winged warbler is a difl'erent but closely allied species (Helmintlinphagri chrt/Kop- tcra), one of the swamp warblers (q.v. ). (Dther warblers are designated 'golden-cheeked,' 'golden- crested.' etc. GOLDEN WEDDING. See Wedding Anni- vers.ries. GOLDEN-WINGED WOODPECKER. See Fl.UKER. GOLDFINCH. (1) A pretty European finch ^Carduelis carduelis) , belonging to the Fringil- lidie family. It is a favorite cage-bird, on ac- count of its soft and pleasing song, its intelli- gence, its liveliness, and the attachment which it forms for those who feed and caress it. The goldfinch is about five inches in entire length;
