The ISO (International Standards Organisation) assigns a two character code to each country name. These codes are used by Internet 'whois' databases (these two character abbreviations are the whois country codes) and also other applications.
Asphodel (Asphodelus) is a genus of plants of the order Liliaceae, consisting of perennials, with fasciculated fleshy roots, flowers arranged in racemes, six stamens inserted at the base of the perianth, a sessile almost spherical ovary with two cells, each containing two ovules; fruit a capsule with three cells, in each of which there are, as a rule, two seeds. Two species are cultivated in Britain as garden flowers, the yellow asphodel (Asphodelus luteus) and the white asphodel (Asphodelus albus). The Asphodelus ramosus, which attains a height of 1.5 meters, is cultivated in Algeria and elsewhere, its tubercles yielding a very pure alcohol, and the residue, together with the stalks and leaves, being used in making pasteboard and paper. The asphodel was a favourite plant among the ancients, who were in the habit of planting it round their tombs. Research Asphodel
China Grass (Boehmeria nivea) is a plant of the nettle family, a native of Southern and Eastern Asia and the Asiatic islands, and now more or less cultivated in many other countries, such as Southern France, Algeria, Natal, Mauritius, Australia, the United States, Mexico, Jamaica, etc. It yields a fibre which possesses most valuable properties, and has long been made in China into a beautiful cloth. It is very strong, presents unusual resistance to the effects of moisture, and is fine and silky in appearance. During the Victorian era in England such articles as ladies' scarves, handkerchiefs, umbrella-covers, etc, were made of it. Research China Grass
Esparto grass (Stipa tenacissima) is a tall-growing grass formerly grown in Spain and other Mediterranean countries, and used initially by the Romans for making whip-thongs, and later for weaving and plaiting into mats and light baskets. It was later still used for making paper. Esparto grass is a species of grass about one metre high, covering large tracts in its native regions, and also cultivated, especially in Spain. Formerly the supply of esparto was almost wholly obtained from Spain, but it was later obtained in still, larger quantity from Algeria (where it is called a1fa), and from Tripoli and Tunis. The paper made from it is excellent; it was also reduced to a fibrous state and used for stuffing mattresses, etc. Research Esparto Grass
The Berbers are a people spread over nearly the whole of Northern Africa, from whom the name Barbary was derived. The chief branches into which the Berbers are divided are, first, the Amazirgh or Amazigh, of Northern Morocco. They were traditionally for the most part quite independent of the former sultans of Morocco, and lived partly under chieftains and hereditary princes and partly in small republican communities. Second, the Shuluh, Shillooh, or Shellakah, who inhabited the south of Morocco. They were more highly civilized than the Amazirgh. Third, the Kabyles in Algeria and Tunis; and fourth, the Berbers of the Sahara, who inhabit the oases. Among the Sahara Berbers the most remarkable are the Beni-Mzab and the Tuaregs. To these we may also add the Guanches of the Canary Islands, now extinct, but undoubtedly of the same race.
The Berbers generally are about the middle height; their complexion is brown, and sometimes almost black, with brown and glossy hair. They are sparely built, but robust and graceful; the features approach the European type. Their language has affinities to the Semitic group, but Arabic is widely spoken. They are believed to represent the ancient Mauritanians, Numidians, Gaetulians, etc. The Berbers traditionally lived in huts or houses, and practised various industries. Thus they were known to smelt iron, copper, and lead, manufacture gun-barrels, implements of husbandry, etc., knives, swords, gunpowder, and a species of black soap. Some of the tribes bred mules, asses, and stock in considerable numbers, but many of the Berbers traditionally live by plunder. Research Berber
The Donatists were one of a body of African schismatics of the 4th century, so named from their founder Donatus, Bishop of Casa Nigra in Numidia (Algeria), who taught that though Christ was of the same substance with the Father yet that he was less than the Father, that the Catholic Church was not infallible, but had erred in his time and become practically extinct, and that he was to be the restorer of it. All joining the sect required to be rebaptized, baptism by the impure church being invalid. Research Donatists
Ferhat Abbas was an Algerian nationalist leader. He was born in 1899 at Taher and died in 1985. After serving as a volunteer in the French army in 1939 in 1942 he produced a manifesto of the Algerian people and in 1955 joined the FLN, and in 1958 formed a provisional government of Algeria in Tunis. In 1962, after Algerian independence he became President of the National Constituent Assembly before being exiled. Research Ferhat Abbas
Francois Achille Bazaine was a French soldier. He was born in 1811 at Versailles and died in 1888. He entered the army as a private soldier in 1831, and served in Algeria with distinction, gaining the cross of the Legion of Honour, and rising to the rank of lieutenant. He next went to Spain and fought in the foreign legion against the Carlists and in 1839 returned to Algeria, where he latterly held the rank of colonel in 1850.
He was next engaged in the Crimean war, being at first commander of a brigade and then general of division, leading the French troops sent to attack the fortress of Kinburn in 1855. He did good service also in the Italian war of 1859, being actively engaged in the battle of Solferino. His military reputation was increased by the part he took in the Mexican expedition during 1862 to 1864, in which he led the first division under Forey, and when this general was recalled became commander-in-chief of the French forces in Mexico and marshal of France.
On the outbreak of the Franco-Prussian War in 1870 he was appointed to the command of the 3rd Army Corps, after a series of defeats culminating at Gravelotte he withdrew his army to Metz where he subsequently surrendered to the Prussians. After the war he was court-martialled in 1873 for surrendering the city of Metz and for negotiating with the enemy, was convicted and sentenced to death, though the sentence was commuted to 20 years imprisonment. In 1874 he escaped from prison and made his way to Madrid where he lived the remainder of his life. Research Francois Bazaine
The Probert Encyclopaedia was designed, edited and programed by
Matt and Leela Probert
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