Page:The New International Encyclopædia 1st ed. v. 07.djvu/614

* FERTILIZATION. 558 FESCUE. cell-generations. It is evident, therefore, that the fusion does not necessarily involve a fusion of the chromosomes of the nuclei, which are re- garded as probably the essential structures. The ■whole subject remains somewhat vague as to de- tails, but the general fact that fertilization in- volves the fusion of two cells, and that in this fusion the two cytoplasms and the two nuclei take part, is well made out. The significance of the male cytoplasm, whether it simply acts as a carrier of "the nucleus or is an essential feature in the fusion, and the details of nuclear fusion, whether it is a complete pairing of all of the structures which belong to the nuclei or not, are questions which investigation has not yet set- tled. See Cell; Gametes; and articles on the various groups of plants mentioned above. FERTILIZATION OF FLOWERS BY IN- SECTS. See Cross-Fertilization ; Flowers and Insects; Pollination. FERTILIZERS. A generic term for sub- stances added to soil to increase the supply of plant-food. In its more restricted sense it em- braces only such materials as have passed through some process of manufacture, and are known as commercial fertilizers. These include many inor- ganic materials, such as sulphate and chloride of potash, ammonite, nitrate of soda, phosphatic rock in various prepared forms, and also many organic substances, such as guano, ground bone, tankage, etc. In general, fresh manures are ex- cluded from the list of commercial fertilizers; but dried ones, such as desiccated and ground sheep manure, are included. Like manures, fer- tilizers are often added to the mixtures of decaying organic remains and soil known as com- posts, in order to increase the available plant- food. For more detailed treatment, see Manures and Manuring. FER'UMBRAS, Sir. The hero of an English translation of Fierabras. See Fierabras. FESCA, feVkfi, Friedbich Ebnst (1789-1826). A German violinist, born at Magdeburg. He studied in his native city and at Leipzig under Miiller and Matthae. He played in the orchestra at the theatre there, became violin soloist at Cassel (1814), and then concertmaster in Karls- ruhe. He composed two operas, Cantemira (1819) and Omar and Leila (1823), and various quintets, overtures, and songs. FES'CENNINE VERSES (Lat. Fescennini, Fescennina). A branch of the indigenous poetry of ancient Italy. They were a sort of dialogues in rude extempore verses, generally in Saturnine measure, in which the parties rallied and ridi- culed one another. They formed a favorite amusement of the country people on festive occa- sions, especially at the conclusion of harvest and at weddings. As was to be expected, they often degenerated into licentiousness, that at last re- quired the curb of the law. The Fescennine verses are usually considered tn have been of Etruscan origin, and to have derived their name from the Etrurian town Fescennium; but there is little probability in this etymology. Verses of this sort are to this clay popular all over Italy. The name is more likely connected willi fascinum, fascination, enchantment, or the evil eye. against which the chanting of verses may have originally been intended as a protection. See Satire, FESCH, fesh, Joseph (1763-1839). Cardinal Archbishop of Lyons and maternal uncle of Na- poleon I., born at Ajaccio, Corsica. He was destined from the first for the Church, and re- ceived a careful education in the seminary at Aix, becoming a priest shortly before 1789. During the Revolution, however, Fesch served as com- missary of war under his illustrious nephew, in Italy, up to 1799. On the inauguration of. the Consulate Fesch resumed his clerical habit, and was instrumental in bringing about the concordat of 1801 with Pius VII. As a result of his ac- tivity he was made Archbishop of Lyons the year following, and in 1803 received the cardi- nal's hat. In 1804 he successfully negotiated the matter of the consecration of the Emperor by the Pope at Paris and assisted at the coronation in Notre Dame. He was next made Grand Al- moner of France, Grand Cordon of the Legion of Honor, and member of the Senate. In 1806 Fesch was appointed, by Dalberg, Prince Primate of the Confederation of the Rhine, as his coad- jutor and successor. In 1809 he declined the Archbishopric of Paris, and soon showed himself an opponent of Napoleon's policy with regard to the Papacy. Finally, in 1810, at the French eccle- siastical council at Paris he stood out in open opposition to the Emperor. Sent in disfavor to his diocese, Fesch attempted to communicate with Pius VII., but his letter was discovered and he fell into open disgrace. In 1814 Fesch retired to Lyons, but reappeared during the Hundred Days, returned to his diocese, and was made a member of the House of Peers by Napoleon. Ban- ished by the Bourbons, he retired to Rome in 1815, and passed the rest of his life in luxurious retire- ment, leaving his diocese to be administered by a vicar. He died in Rome, May 13, 1839. Consult his "Correspondance," in Du Casse, Histoire des negociat ions diplomatiques (Paris, 1855); Lyon- net. Le cardinal Fesch (Lyons, 1841). FESCUE (corrupt, of f est it, OFr. festu, Lat. festuca, straw, stalk), Festttca. A genus of grasses, very nearly allied to brome-grass (q.v.). The species are numerous, and are very widely diffused over the world, both in the Northern and Southern Hemispheres. Among them are many of the most valuable pasture and fodder grasses. Tall or meadow fescue {Festuca elatior), a species with spreading panicle and linear spike- lets, from two to four feet tall, common in most meadows and pastures of rich soil in Great Brit- ain and throughout Europe, in northern Asia, and in some parts of North America, is perhaps excelled by no meadow or pasture grass whatever. It is suitable both for meadows and for perma- nent pasture. Festuca pratensis, by many bot- anists regarded as a variety of meadow fescue, is an excellent grass for rich moist meadows. Hard fescue [Festuca duriiisciila). known by various other synonymous names, a grass from one and a half to two feet tall, with a somewhat con- tracted panicle, mostly on one side, is one of the best grasses for lawns and sheep pastures, par- ticularly on dry or sandy soils. Several va- rieties are known to Beedsmen and farmers. Creeping fescue, or red fescue {Festuca rubra), is distinguished chiefly by its extensively creeping root, which particularly adapts it to sandy pat tures and to places liable to occasional inunda- tions. Sheep's fescue (Festuca ovina) is a smaller grass than any of these, not generally exceeding a