Page:The New International Encyclopædia 1st ed. v. 05.djvu/503

* CORNSTALK DISEASE. 431 CORNWALL. Kansas from eating diicj cornstalks, an investi- gatiiin revealed the presence of large quantities of potassiinn nitrate. This substance had formed in small white crystals which resembled mold, but was readily recognized by tasting, i!}' cut- ting a conistalU in two and tapping it on a table a considerable quantity of powdered nitrate of potash was jarred out. A chemical analysis showed that this substance constituted 18 per cent, of the dry weiglit of the cornstalks. Feed- ing experiments with potassium nitrate showed that 500 grams would kill an adult animal weighing 1200 pounds. The symptoms are those of violent digestive disturbances followed by delirium and complete unconsciousness. A pronounced weakness of the hind parts is usually observed, which finally leads to paralysis. Corn-smut has been extracted with alcohol and injected into guinea-pigs with negative re- sults, and no poisonous alkaloid has been iso- lated by chemical means. Corn affected with the Burrill corn disease has been fed to cattle with- out producing any poisonous effects. Until more is known about the cause of the disease it is impossible to suggest a rational treatment. CORNU, kOr'm.i', .TuLius (1849—). A Swiss philologist, l)orn at Basel. He was made profes- sor of Romance philology in his native town, and in 1877 was called to the chair of that study in the University of Prague. Among his works are: Phonologic du Bagnard (1877); Glanures phoiwlogiqtirs (1878); Etudes sur le poenie du cid (issi-inoo). COR'NtJCO'PIA (Lat., horn of plenty, from cornu, horn -f- cojiia, plenty). The horn of plenty — regarding the origin of which several fables are told by the ancient poets — is generall,v placed in the hands of figures emblematical of Plenty, Liberality, etc., who are represented as pouring from it an abundance of fruits, corn, etc. It is frequently used in both architecture and heraldry. On the arms of banks and other public institutions it is often represented as pouring forth coins. CORNTJ'TXJS, Lucius Ann^us. A Stoic philosopher of the time of Nero. He was a na- tive of Libya, but a resident of Rome. He was the teacher and friend of Persius Flaccus. who left to him all his books and a large sum of money. He took the books, but gave the money to the sisters of the donor. Although he' was a friend of Nero, the tyrant banished him because he did not like his advice as to the number of books in which he (Nero) proposed to write the history of the Romans. Comutus was a voluminous ■writer, but little is known concerning his works. His treatise in Greek, On the Jfature of the Gods, is extant. It is edited by Lang (Leipzig, 1881). CORNWALL (AS. Oorniceallas, from Welsh, Ir., Bret, corn, horn, Lat. cornu, Gk. Kepac,J^eras, Goth, liriiiru. Eng. horn + AS. iceallas, strangers, Wealh, Welsh, Ger. irclsch, foreign, Lat. Volcce, name of a people). A maritime county forming the southwest extremity of England (Map: Eng- land, B 6). Its area is 1357 square miles, most-of which is arable or in meadow and pasture. Corn- wall is a mining as well as an agricultural county, and has important pilchard fisheries. The chief towns are Bodmin (the county town), Launceston, Penzance, and Falmouth. Popula- tion, in 1891, 322,571; in 1901, 323,000. Cornwall is ridi in remains of the ancient Cel- tic culture. These comi)rise cromlechs or dolmens, found chielly in the Land's End district; mono- litlis, circU's. and avenues of stone, caves, cliff and hill castles. The products of the Cornish tin-mines were famois in the ancient world, and furnished the Ph<cnicians with one of their chief articles of trade. The absence of Eastern coins and inscriptions, however, would seem to indi- cate that the Phtt-niciaus never .set foot in Britain, but carried on their trade indirectly through Gaul. After the Saxon Conquest Corn- wall constituted part of the Britisli Kingdom of Danniovia. which held out against the kings of Wessex till 92ti, when Athelstane captured E.xcter. At the time of the Xorman Conquest the Saxons were in full possession of the land. Christianitv was introduced probably as early as the fifth centur.v, and the inhabitants main- tained an independent priesthood till the tenth century, when the country was annexed to the see of Canterbury. William the Conqueror gave nearly the whole of Cornwall to his half-brother, Robert of ilontain, wlio was followed by a line of [)owerful earls, of whom the most celebrated was Richard, the second son of John, elected in 1257 King of the Romans. In 1330 Cornwall was created a duchy for the Prince of Wales, by whom it has continued to be held. During the Civil War the inhabitants of Cornwall were in- tensely loyal, and supplied Charles I. with some of his bravest soldiers. Royalist victories were won at Braddoc Down (Januarv 19, 1643) and Stamford Hill (May 15, 1643).' From Sudeley Castle Charles I., on September 10. 1643, issued a proclamation to the people of Cornwall, thank- ing them for their great devotion. Copies of this letter are still to be seen in a number of churches. See Cornish Langu.4GE and Litera- ture. CORN'WALL. A port of entry and capital of Cornwall and Stormont Countv, Ontario, Canada ; on the Saint Lawrence River, the Corn- wall Canal, and the Ottawa and New York Rail- way, 67 miles southwest of Montreal (Slap: Ontario, J 2). It has excellent water-power, and one of the largest of Canadian woolen mills, besides paper, flour, cotton mills, etc. It hag several churches and schools, and its lacrosse club is one of the foremost in the Dominion. The United States is represented bv a consular agent. Population, in 1891, 6805; in'l901, 6704. CORNWALL. A village in Orange County, N. v., 55 miles from New York City; on the Hudson River, a little north of the Highlands, and on the Erie and West Shore railroads (Map: New York, F 4). It is in a picturesque region, much frequented as a plat* of slimmer resort. Idlewild Park and Storm King Mountain are among the prominent points of interest. The village has a large carpet-mill, which employs some 500 persons. There is a public library. Population, in 1900, 1966. Cornwall was settled about 1684, became a precinct in 1764, a township in 1778, and was incorporated in 1885. From the original town- ship. Highlands. Blooming Grove, and Jlonroe, besides parts of Chester and Hamptonburg. have since been taken. Consult : Eager. Bistory of Orange County (Newburgh. 1846-47), and Beach, Cornwall (Newburgh, 1873).