Imatges de pàgina
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al Descriptions (1st vol., London, 1827; not yet completed).

ZOOPHYTE (from (wov, animal, and qurov, plant), in a wider sense, comprises the five classes of animals included by Cuvier in the fourth great division of the animal kingdom, to which he gives the name of radiated animals, from their often exhibiting a radiated form of the whole body, or of some of its parts. We have described the general characters of this division, and the five classes of which it consists, in the article Animal. They are termed apathica (a, without, nabos, feeling) by Lamarck, from their all being destitute of organs of sense, and even of nerves, and from his considering their motions to be mere automatic phenomena, not accompanied with feeling. They form the division called acephala (a, without, kepaλn, head) by Latreille, from their having no part analogous to the head of the articulated classes. In a narrower sense, the term is applied to the fourth class of this division, which we have described in the article Polype.

ZOOTOMY. (See Anatomy.)

ZOPYRUS; a Persian, son of Megabyzus, who, to show his attachment to Darius, the son of Hystaspes, while he besieged Babylon, cut off his ears and nose, and fled to the enemy, telling them that he had received such treatment from his royal master because he had advised him to raise the siege, as the city was impregnable. This was credited by the Babylonians; and Zopyrus was appointed commander of all their forces. When he had totally gained their confidence, he betrayed the city into the hands of Darius, for which he was liberally rewarded. Darius used to say that he had rather have Zopyrus not mutilated than twenty Babylons.

ZORNDORF, BATTLE OF; the bloodiest, and, in many respects, one of the most remarkable battles in the seven years' war (q. v.), fought on Aug. 25, 1758, between the Prussians commanded by Frederic the Great, and the Russians under general Fermor, the latter 50,000 men strong, the former 30,000. Frederic was victorious. The Russians lost towards 19,000 killed, and 3000 taken prisoners; the Prussians 10,000 killed. Frederic was obliged, immediately after, to hasten to Saxony.

ZOROASTER, or ZERDUSHT; the distinguished reformer of religion in Media, whose doctrines also spread into Persia. There are no certain accounts of him: his history is mostly enveloped in dark

ness. It is highly probable that he was by birth a Median, and lived under the Median king Gustasp, who, according to Hammer, was the same as Darius Hystaspes, but, according to others, Cyaxares I. If the last supposition is correct, he lived not much before the time of Cyrus. The religion introduced by him ought not to be considered as entirely new. From the investigations of Hammer, it would appear that pure fire-worship (in which, however, the fire was only symbolical) was the oldest religion of the Bactro-Median race; and from this the worship of the planets sprung. Zoroaster refined this fire-worship. It is not settled whether his improvements were, at first, adopt ed by the magi only, or whether they were received by the Medians generally, and afterwards communicated by them to the Persians, their conquerors. The latter supposition has much in its favor, particularly the circumstance that the Persians showed a great readiness to adopt foreign religions, which may have arisen, in a great measure, from their deification of the powers of nature. Shortly after the time of Socrates, the religion of Zoroaster had spread throughout Persia. The following are its principal doctrines:-From eternity there have existed two beings, Ormuzd and Ahriman, the principles of the universe. Ormuzd is pure, eternal light, the original source of all perfection. The nature of Ahriman, likewise, belonged originally to light; and so far he was good; but because he envied the light of Ormuzd, he obscured his own, became an enemy of Ormuzd, and the father of evil, and of all bad beings, who join with him in a contest with the good. Ormuzd and Ahriman performed the work of creation at different epochs, and brought into existence various species of beings. Ormuzd created, by his living word, that is, the power of his will, the community of good spirits-first, six immortal spirits of light, for the service of his throne (Amshaspand); then twenty-eight subordinate spirits, representatives of the months and days; and, at last, a multitude of human souls. Ahriman produced a number of bad spirits, six arch-devs, spirits of darkness, and innumerable devs of lower rank. The good dwell with Ormuzd in light. Ahriman lives with his creatures in the kingdom of darkness. 3000 years Ormuzd ruled alone; after which he created material beings, in their various degrees; at last, man, and, after the labor, celebrated the first festival of creation with the good

spirits. Again he ruled in this world of innocence and happiness 3000 years. In the next period of equal length, begins the contest between light and darkness, Ormuzd and Ahriman, who, in a continual struggle, divide the dominion of the world. The following 3000 years extend and confirm the power of Ahriman: afterwards his power declines; the devs sink to nothing; their former prince does homage to Ormuzd; the bad disappear. The dead arise; the primitive kingdom of happy souls, under the government of Ormuzd, returns. Thus the world is made to continue 12,000 years. The twelve signs of the zodiac play a part: to each is assigned a thousand years. The number seven, as presented in the seven amshaspands, and seven arch-devs, including Ormuzd and Ahriman, refers to the planets. The subordinate genii of the material world are the personified parts and elements of nature. The spirits of men pass through a state of happiness before they reach the body; and, in that heavenly state, contend with bad spirits, protect the good upon earth, and are reverenced by them. Men themselves are either the servants of Ormuzd, through wisdom and virtue, or the slaves of Ahriman, through folly and vice. The former pass, after death, over the bridge Shinevad, into the dwelling of the happy; the latter fall into hell. When Ahriman is conquered, the resurrection of the body follows, and the earth is adorned for the residence of the virtuous. The essential doctrines of Zoroaster are found in the Zend-Avesta, the most sacred record of his religion. The discovery of this ancient monument by Anquetil du Perron, did not, at first, receive credit. He left Paris in 1755, to investigate the religion of all the nations of Asia not professing the Mohammedan faith, particularly the inhabitants of Indiaan undertaking which he successfully executed, notwithstanding_numerous obstacles. (See Anquetil du Perron.) At Surat, he obtained, from some learned Persians, a copy of the books of the ZendAvesta, in the Zend and Pehlvi languages The latter he studied himself, and translated, in conjunction with learned natives, the Zend-Avesta into modern Persian. Having returned to France, he gave to the library in Paris the manuscripts which he had collected in India, and published a translation of the Zend-Avesta into the French language, with notes. The celebrated Orientalist sir William Jones expressed himself warmly against the extraordinary account of Anquetil; but Kleu

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ker, the German translator of the Zend- amounted to 3000 men. The Turks Avesta, has combated the doubts enter-. bombarded, day and night, the "old city," tained on the subject with much force. which was but slightly fortified. The Late inquiries into the religions of an- besieged made many daring sallies; but, tiquity, particularly those which relate to after they had defended the place, inch India, have illustrated many points in the by inch, and repulsed several assaults, doctrines of Zoroaster. The literary they were obliged to burn it, and to retreat treasures which the celebrated linguist to the "new city." The Turks now Rask has lately brought from India, raised mounds of earth, from which they promise new light, and tend to confirm could fire over the whole city. Zrinyi the genuineness of the Zend-Avesta. (See made every effort to prevent the Turks Zend-Avesta.) But the books which are from filling up the fosse; but they were known under the name of the Oracles of too numerous and indefatigable. Zoroaster, and which have stood in high now gave up the "new city" to the flames, repute, particularly among mystics, and and threw himself into the castle. The students of the secret sciences, by which fire of the Turks was incessant, and they men hoped to discover the philosopher's were also active in excavating mines. stone, are, obviously, forgeries of a later Zrinyi had no miners. The Hungarians period. made a sally, repulsed the Turks, spiked several of their cannons, but suffered a considerable loss. From August 26 to September 1, seven assaults, or more, were made daily; but the Hungarians always drove back the Turks. Many proposals for capitulation were made to Zrinyi; but he rejected them all; and even the sultan's threat to kill his son, whom the Turks pretended to have in their power, could not change his purpose. Soliman, exasperated at his obstinacy, offered 1000 gold guilders for Zrinyi's head, and finally died of rage, September 4. The grand vizier kept his death a secret. September 5, the Turks succeeded in burning the outer castle. Zrinyi retired to the inner works. These, however, contained no provision nor ammunition. On the seventh, the Turks undertook a general assault. The cinders fell even into the apartments of the count. The castle was in flames. Zrinyi now assembled his followers, and said, "Remember your oath. We must go forth, or burn, or perish with hunger. Let us die like men. Follow me, and do as I do." Saying this, he rushed out: his men, now reduced to 600, followed. He received two balls, but continued fighting until a third ball killed him. The whole garrison shared the fate of their commander. The Turks thronged into the burning castle, but Zrinyi had fired trains leading to the powder chambers. These exploded, and a large number of the enemies perished. Above 20,000 Turks had been killed or died of sickness during the siege. The Turks retained the place until 1689. The aga of the janizaries fixed the head of Zrinyi before the tent of the sultan; but it was afterwards sent to the imperial general count Salm. The family of the Zrinyis became extinct in 1703.

ZRINTI, or ZRINI, Nicholas, count of, general of the emperor Ferdinand I, ban of Croatia, Dalmatia and Sclavonia, a modern Leonidas, was born in 1518. When but a boy of twelve years, he distinguished himself so much during the siege of Vienna that Charles V gave him a horse and gold chain. He also distinguished himself in the wars against John of Zapolya, and sultan Suleyman (Soliman), the ally of Zapolya, and did much to improve light cavalry. His noble figure, his vivacity, liberality, and strict justice, gained him the love of his soldiers to an uncommon degree. In 1542, at the battle of Pesth, his sudden arrival struck dismay into the enemy, and decided the victory. For twelve years, he defended Croatia, over which he presided as ban, against the Turks, and repelled them, in 1562, from Szigeth. (q. v.) The greater part of Hungary, however, was already a Turkish pachalic, and the rest was obliged to pay tribute. Suleyman the Invincible was desirous of taking Szigeth. A defeat which the vanguard of the sultan sustained, at Sziklos, from the troops of Zrinyi, excited his wrath. The famous grand vizier, Mehmed Sokolowich, a renegade of Croatia, marched, with 65,000 men, to the attack of Szigeth. A bridge was thrown over the swollen Drave, under difficulties such as could be overcome only by the iron will of the Turkish despot; and the army passed over the river between August 1 and 9. Zrinyi collected his soldiers, 2500 in number. They swore-first he himself, then each soldier to his captain, and then all the captains to him to die for their faith, their emperor and their country. Szigeth lies between two rivers, as on an island. When Zrinyi mustered his troop, they

ZSCHOKKE, John Henry Daniel, was born in Magdeburg, in Prussia, in 1771. He lost his parents early, and, having received his education in the gymnasium of that city, quitted it suddenly, and remained, for some time, with a strolling troop of actors, for whom he prepared pieces. He subsequently entered the university of Frankfort on the Oder, where he studied, without any regular plan, philosophy, theology, history and belles-lettres. In 1792, he appeared as a public teacher, but was unable to obtain a fixed appointment. Some dramatic productions of his were published. In 1795, he was again disappointed, when he applied for a professorship in the university of Frankfort, having previously written against the religious edict of Wöllner. (q. v.) He now travelled, and, while on his way to Italy, was induced to stay in Switzerland, in order to take the direction of a seminary in Reichenau. During the disturbances which agitated the Helvetic republic in consequence of the French revolution, he received a great variety of appointments, some of an important character. He continues to live in Switzerland. Of his numerous works, we mention his History of the Grisons; Miscellany of the latest Information-a periodical which appeared from 1807 to 1813; his History of the Bavarian People and their Rulers, written from 1812 to 1818, and much esteemed; Contributions to the History of our Time-a periodical begun in 1817, and which ceased in 1823; History of Switzerland for the Swiss People, perhaps his best work, of which 5000 copies were sold immediately in Switzerland alone; Pictures of Switzerland (2 vols., Aaraw, 1824); and a great number of novels, tales, sketches, and small historical pieces. A collection of his writings appeared in 1825 et seq., in forty small volumes.

ZUG, the smallest of the Helvetic cantons, lies between the cantons of Zürich, Schweitz, Lucerne and Aargau. It has a superficial area of 116 square miles, and contains 14,710 inhabitants, of German origin, and of the Roman Catholic religion. In regard to its natural characters, it may be divided into two distinct parts, of which the north-western is composed of fertile valleys, and the southeastern of a mountainous land, in which, however, none of the summits rise above an elevation of 5000 feet, and the descent is gentle. A considerable part of the surface is occupied by lakes Zug and

Egeri. The inhabitants are employed almost exclusively in the breeding of cattle, and the cultivation of orchards. The constitution is democratic, the supreme power being exercised by popular representatives in different bodies. The quota of the canton in the army of the confederacy is 250 men, and the pecuniary contingent 1250 Swiss francs. The chief place is the town of the same name, with 2800 inhabitants, on lake Zug, in a delightful situation, at the foot of a mourtain of the same name, surrounded by fertile meadows, orchards, vineyards, and pretty country houses. The lake bathes the foot of Righi on the south: behind rises mount Pilate; and, in the distance, the snowy summits of the Bernese Alps are seen towering up into the sky. The lake is about ten miles long and from two to three wide.

ZUIDERSEE, or Zuyder-Zee (i. e. South sea); an inland sea or gulf of the North sea, or German ocean, surrounded chiefly by the Dutch provinces of Holland, Överyssel, and Friesland. Its length, from north to south, is about 80 miles; its breadth varies from 15 to 30; superficial area, 1200 square miles. It is said to have been, in remote ages, a lake, unti the barrier on the north-west, separating it from the German ocean, was swallowed up by some inundation of the sea. This opinion is confirmed by the position of the islands Texel, Vlieland, &c., which, with intervening shoals and sand-banks, still form a kind of defence against the ocean. The trade of Amsterdam is carried on along the Zuyder-Zee, the entrance to which is at the Texel. The | communication of this sea with the lake of Harlem is by the south, the inlet on the banks of which Amsterdam is built. In so level a country there are few rivers to flow into this sea: of those that do so, the Yssel is the largest. The extent of the Zuyder-Zee exposes it to great agitation in tempestuous weather; yet, on proceeding from South Holland to Friesland, it is usual to sail across the southern part of it, called the Lemmer, instead of making the circuit by land. The Y is a gulf of the Zuyder-Zee, which forms the connexion with the lake of Harlem, and of which a part is called the Pampus.

ZUINGLIUS. (See Zwingli.)

ZÜLLICHAU, a town in the government of Frankfort, in the Prussian province of Brandenburg, 112 miles from Berlin, 17 miles east of Crossen, lon. 15° 44′ E., lat. 52° 8 N., a league from the Oder, bas 4700 inhabitants, an academy, an orphan

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