Crescent is a geometrical form resembling the moon in its first quarter, and used as a charge in heraldry. It is perhaps better known as the symbol of the Ottoman Turks and a symbol of Islam. The crescent as an emblem is of very high antiquity, being that of the Greek goddess Artemis or Diana. It is found on medals of many ancient cities, particularly of Byzantium, from whence it is supposed to have been borrowed by the Ottomans. The crescent has given name to a Turkish order of knighthood from the form of the badge, instituted by Selim, sultan of Turkey, in 1801. Research Crescent
The Medjidieh was an Ottoman order and decoration instituted in 1852 by Sultan Abdul Medjid as both a civil and military award. There were five classes in the order, and the decoration consisted of a silversun, with seven threefold rays, which alternate with the crescent and the star. Research Medjidieh
The bongo (Boocercus eurycerus) is a Central African antelope, living in dense humid forests, feeding upon shoots, leaves and fruits. Up to 1.4 m at the shoulder, the Bongo is the largest forestantelope. The body is a rich chestnut colour broken by eleven or twelve vertical white stripes down each side, a large white crescent on the chest and an erect mane running from the shoulders to the rump and along a tufted tail. Both sexes have spiral horns which may be 80 centimetres or more in length and spiral in one complete twist. Many myths surround the Bongo in Africa, the natives describing it as a magical animal. It is said that the Bongo can hang from the branches of a tree by its horns ready to fall on an unsuspecting hunter, another myth is that when a Bongo is pursued the animal can dive into a river, shed its coat and remain submerged in the river feeding on fish until the dry season. Despite the awe and respect the Bongo has from natives, in 2000 it was in danger of extinction from excessive hunting and the destruction of the forests. Research Bongo
Caraway (Carum carvi) is a biennial or perennialherb of the family Umbelliferae. It has a spindle-like tap root, finely divided feathery leaves which are two or three times pinnate, and erect branched furrowed stems terminated by compound umbels of white or rose-tinted, deeply notched flowers. The fruit is a rectangular, ribbed achene with two crescent-shaped seeds. Caraway grows throughout Europe and Asia in grassy, sunny locations, especially mountains up to an altitude of 2000 metres. Research Caraway
Corythosaurus was a herbivoredinosaur from the Cretaceous period. It had a duck-like bill filled with hundreds of tiny teeth which were probably used for mincing leaves. Corythosaurus was about 10 metres long, walked on its hind legs and had a hollow crescent on top of its head which varied between species and individuals, the crest developing as the animal grew older. Research Corythosaurus
Crocodilia (the crocodiles and alligators) is an order of Diapsida. They are large reptiles adapted to life in rivers and lakes. The head is held horizontally in front of the body, four legs project from the sides, they have heavy scales which function as armour, and a heavy muscular tail. The front feet have five separate toes and the rear feet have four partially- webbed toes. The eyes are on the top of their head, close together to allow for binocular vision. The nostrils are crescent-shaped and valvular, and set at the end of the snout, which allows breathing even when the animal is almost entirely submerged. The tail is flattened from side to side and is a powerful swimming tool. Research Crocodilia
The Diana Monkey (Cercopithecusdiana) is an endangered species of monkey of the family Cercopithecidae found in the middle layer of tropical rain forests of Liberia, Ivory Coast and Ghana. The Diana Monkey is predominantly black with a white crescent on the forehead resembling the symbol of the goddess Diana and whence the name Diana monkey, white beard, chest, and throat; a white stripe along each thigh; and a deep reddish patch on the back. It is whitish, yellowish, or reddish on the inside of the thighs. The Diana Monkey is fast reducing in numbers due to the logging of the forests and the replanting of them with non-native species of trees. Research Diana Monkey
Dilophosaurus was a dinosaur of the Jurassic period. Dilophosaurus was about six metres long and walked upright on its hind legs. The top of the skull was furnished with two very thin, crescent-shaped ridges side-by-side. The mouth was furnished with sharp fangs but had weak jaws, suggesting that it may have been a scavenger, feeding on already dead animals rather than live prey. Research Dilophosaurus
The dugong or fork-tailed sea cow (Halicore dugong) is a herbivorous marine mammal of the order Sirenia closely related to the manatee, found in the Indian Ocean from east Africa to west Australia, discovered by Muller in 1776. It never come on land, and subsists on seaweed and sea grasses. The dugong possesses a tapering body ending in a crescent-shaped fin, and is said sometimes to attain a length of 20 feet, though generally it is about 7 or 8 feet in length. The skin is thick and smooth, with a few scattered bristles; the colour bluish above and white beneath and may be recognised from the manatee by the front of the snout strongly curved downwards, the upper lip less deeply cleft and a two-lobed tail fin. The dugong was traditionally hunted by the Malays for its flesh, which resembles young beef, and is tender and palatable. A variety was discovered in the Red Sea by Ruppell, and called Halicore tabernaculi. Research Dugong
The Probert Encyclopaedia was designed, edited and programed by
Matt and Leela Probert
Abbreviations
Research Crescent
