Chica is a red colouring matter which the Indians on the upper parts of the Orinoco and the Rio Negro prepare from the leaves of a plant native to that region called Bignonia Chica, and with which they paint their skin, in order to be better able to resist the rays of the sun. Research Chica
The Tichborne case was a long and famous case in English history. Tichborne is an estate in Hampshire. Roger Charles Tichborne, eldest son of James, afterwards tenthbaronet, was born in 1829 and in 1853 sailed to Valparaiso and the next year to Rio de Janeiro in the Bella which subsequently left Rio de Janeiro for Jamaica and was never seen, nor heard from again. The baronetcy and estates passed to his brother, Alfred. Alone of the family his mother, clinging to hope, advertised world wide for information regarding her son. A butcher in Australia, one Tom Castro, seeing the advert claimed to be the lost Sir Roger, saved from the Bella, and as such was received by the infatuated mother. The claim was opposed on behalf of a son of Sir Alfred and on March the 6th, 1872, 103 days into the case, the claimant was non-suited and arrested at Orton on a charge of perjury. he was brought to trial and on the 188th day of the case sentenced to fourteen years imprisonment with hard labour. The two trials cost about 200,000 pounds and cheated the estate out of over 90,000 pounds spent defending the case. Research Tichborne Case
The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo was negotiated between the USA and Mexico by Nicholas Trist for the United States in 1848, at the conclusion of the Mexican War. By this treaty Mexico ceded to the United States the territory of Texas, New Mexico and Upper California, and agreed upon the Rio Grande River as the boundary between herself and Texas. The United States agreed to pay Mexico $15,000,000 and to assume all claims of its citizens against Mexico arising before the treaty. It reserved to Mexicans in the ceded territory the option to remove or remain and assured protection of their rights of property. Research Treaty Of Guadalupe Hidalgo
Bertholletia is the name given in honour of Berthollet to a genus of Myrtacese, of which only one species, Bertholletia excelsa, is known. This tree forms vast forests on the banks of the Amazon, Rio Negro, and Orinoco, averaging 30 metres in height, with a stem only 60 cm in diameter, and destitute of branches until near the top. It produces the well-known Brazil-nuts of commerce, which are contained in a round and strong seed-vessel, to the number of from fifteen to fifty or more, and contain a great deal of oil. Research Bertholletia
Cow-tree is a name given to various trees having an abundance of milky juice, especially of Brosimum Galactodendron, a South American tree, of the order Artocarpacese (bread-fruit), which, when wounded, yields a rich milky nutritious juice in such abundance as to render it an important article of food. This fluid resembles in appearance and quality the milk of the cow. The tree is common in Venezuela, growing to the height of 30 metres. The leaves are leathery, about 30 cm long and 7 or 8 cm broad. In Guyana the name is given to the Hya-hya (Tabernce-montdna utilis), a large much-branched tree belonging to the Apocynacese; in the country of the Rio Negro to Collophora, a tree of the same family; and in Para to a species of Mimusops. Research Cow-Tree
Alvar Nunez Cabeza de Vaca was a Spanish explorer. He was born in 1507 and died in 1559. He went with Narvaez to Florida in 1527, and accompanied him on his westward march and voyage. He was wrecked near Matagorda Bay in Texas, captured by Indians among whom he became a medicine-man, and after finally escaping reached Mexico and discovered the Rio Grande. Afterwards he was the first European to explore Paraguay. Research Alvar Nunez Cabeza De Vaca
Alvise Da Cadamosto was a Venetian explorer. He was born in 1432 and died in 1477. He explored the west coast of Africa as far south as the Rio Grande, and discovered the Cape Verde Islands in 1457. Research Alvise Da Cadamosto
Edward Kent was an American politician. He was born in 1802 and died in 1877. He was a member of the Maine Legislature from 1829 to 1833. He was Governor of Maine in 1838 and 1840, being chosen by the Whigs. From 1849 to 1853 he was US Consul at Rio Janeiro. From 1859 to 1873 he was a Justice of the Maine Supreme Court. Research Edward Kent
Francisco Vasquez de Coronado was a Spanish explorer. He was born in 1510 and died in 1542. He was sent out expeditions in 1539 and 1540, which explored the regions of the Gila, the Little Colorado and the Rio Grande. Research Francisco Vasquez de Coronado
The Probert Encyclopaedia was designed, edited and programed by
Matt and Leela Probert
Abbreviations
Research Chica
