Page:The American Cyclopædia (1879) Volume XV.djvu/590

 562 TAMATAVE TAMBURINI with many seeds, each of which has a small tuft of hairs. The common tamarisk (T. Gal- lica) is abundant on the Mediterranean and Atlantic coasts of Europe, and, though spon- taneous in England, is thought to have been introduced there; from its slender graceful Common Tamarisk (Tamarix Gallica). habit, and the abundant though not showy flowers, this is deserving of a place among shrubbery ; in the northern states it is often killed to the ground in severe winters. T. Africana and others are offered in the cata- logues, but there is much confusion as to names. T. mannifera of the East (regarded by some botanists as a variety of T. Gallica) is sup- posed by some to be the plant the manna from which fed the Hebrews. (See MANNA.) Tam- arisk manna is produced in small drops from the T. Gallica in Arabia, the branches having been punctured by an insect. Tamarisk galls are found upon T. orientalis, in N. W. India, and are used in India instead of oak galls. TAMATAVE, a town and the principal port of Madagascar, on the E. coast, in lat. 18 10' S., Ion. 49 28' E. ; pop. about 7,500. It is built on a point about 350 yards wide, with low sand hills behind it. Nearly all the build- ings, excepting a few belonging to foreign resi- dents, are in the native style, with high roofs thatched with rushes. The town has a large trade with the interior, and is fast increasing in commercial importance. The total value of imports in 1873 was $487,255 ; of exports, $360,930. The principal imports are sheet- ings, calico, rum, brandy, shoes, and salt ; ex- ports, beef, hides, and India rubber. The duties are 10 per cent, in kind on imports, and 10 per cent, in money on exports. TAMAULIPAS (formerly Nuevo Santander), an E. state of Mexico, bounded K by Texas, E. by the gulf of Mexico, S. by Vera Cruz, and W. by San Luis Potosi and Nuevo Leon ; area, 28,- 659 sq. m. ; pop. in 1871, 108,778. The coast is low and sandy, and several lagoons extend along the shore, the largest being the laguna Madre, more than 100 m. long, and in some places 20 m. wide. The Rio Grande del Norte forms the northern boundary line ; other rivers are the Fernando or Tigre, Borbon, Santander, and Tampico ; the mouths of all are so much encumbered with bars that they are almost useless for navigation. In the northern part of the state the flat country extends inland for some distance, and the surface then rises into elevated plains ; but in the south it is diversi- fied by numerous mountains and fine valleys. During the hot season the climate on the coast is unhealthf ul, but in the elevated parts of the interior it is temperate and agreeable. There are rich silver and copper mines, but they are little worked. The forests abound in valuable timber. Much of the soil is very fertile, and the grains, vegetables, and fruits of the tem- perate and torrid zones are easily grown ; but little attention is paid to agriculture. Vast numbers of cattle, and to a less extent horses, mules* goats, and sheep, are reared. The chief towns are Ciudad Victoria, the capital, Mata- moros, and Tampico. TAMBERLIK, Enrico, an Italian singer, born in Rome in 1820. He made his debut at the Teatro del Fondo in Naples in 1841, and sub- sequently sang in Spain, South America, Eng- land, and St. Petersburg, in which city he ap- peared for 18 consecutive seasons. He visited the United States in 1875, but without suc- cess, his voice being impaired. TAMBOURINE, an instrument of the drum species, consisting of a wooden or metal hoop, over which parchment is distended, and which is hung with a set of bells. It is held in either hand and beaten with the knuckles of the other. Certain peculiar effects of sound are produced by rubbing the parchment briskly with the thumb. The tambourine is one of the most ancient instruments known, and, from the graceful use which can be made of it, has always been a favorite with dancers. TAMBOV. I. A S. E. government of Euro- pean Russia, bordering on Vladimir, Nizhego- rod, Penza, Saratov, Voronezh, Orel, Tula, and Riazan; area, 25,683 sq. m. ; pop. in 1870, 2,150,971. It is level, and partly traversed by steppes in the south. The chief rivers are the Tzna, Moksha, and Vorona, the banks of which are swampy and covered with forests. Grain, hemp, flax, and poppies are raised, es- pecially in the southern part. The other pro- ducts include timber, peat, iron, saltpetre, and sulphur ; and there are many mineral springs. The government is celebrated for its horse markets and studs. II. A city, capital of the government, 260 m. S. E. of Moscow; pop. in 1867, 28,617. It is the seat of a bishop, and has many churches, schools, and charitable in- stitutions, and manufactories of tallow, wool- lens, sail cloth, &c. The annual markets are celebrated. Gardens and fine streets make it one of the pleasantest of provincial cities. TAMBIRLW, Antonio, an Italian singer, born in Faenza, March 28, 1800. After several