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which form foliage one season, put tip a flower-stalk the next, and then disappear. The radish, turnip and the like are good illustrations; but under cultivation they have been made to go through their whole life-history in one season. Perennial plants are those which endure season after season, and of course differ widely from one another in the number of years involved in their duration. In general, annual and biennial plants belong to the same category, for they are comparatively transient lorms. The perennial plant is the one which really endures, whether in the form of underground parts or in aerial parts which endure, as in shrubs and trees. The ephemeral habit, which consists of the disappearance of plants in one or two years, to be carried over to a subsequent growing-season by seeds, is a habit which has resulted in protection against an unfavorable season. In any region, therefore, where a season of cold or of drouth comes regularly, many plants have developed as annuals and biennials, or, in other words, have developed the ephemeral habit. The perennial habit involves an unusual development of protective structures, which the ephemeral habit avoids.
Dur'ban, the seaport and, with Pieter-maritzburg, the chief town, of Natal, South Africa. It is situated on a landlocked tidal bay, accessible for all vessels; a railroad runs inland from it throughout the colony. The town was laid out by a colony of Dutch burghers in 1842, and derives its name from Sir Benjamin D'Urban, once governor of the Cape. Pietermaritzburg, the capital (population 31 199), lies about 60 miles northwestward. Durban is one of the trade-gates of South Africa, and figured prominently as the landing-place of the British forces in Natal operating against the Boers. A large population of the town are Kafirs. The number of its inhabitants is 59,000.
Dürer (dū'rẽr), Albrecht, the most celebrated artist of Germany, was born at Nuremberg in 1471. He was apprenticed to a painter in his native town, and, some years later, after a period of travel, married and settled as a painter at Nuremberg. He soon after began designing on wood and engraving on copper, and many of these pieces still exist. In 1505 he proceeded to Venice, and after his return painted his Adam and Eve, which is now at Florence, and his Assumption of the Virgin, one of his finest works, but part of which has since been burned. He was much employed by Emperor Maximilian I. In 1520 he went to the Netherlands and painted the portrait of Erasmus, and while there he was appointed court-painter by Charles V. He died at Nuremberg in 1528. Besides being the greatest of German artists, Dürer ranks even higher as an engraver on metal and as a designer of woodcuts. The most celebrated of his copperplates are the Little Passion and St. Jerome in His Study; and of his woodcuts, The Greater Passion, The Little Passion and the Apocalypse are the best known. See Albert Dürer, by Thausing, English translation by F. A. Eaton.
Durham, John George Lambton, First Earl of, was born at London, April 12, 1792, was in the house of commons from 1813 to 182 8, and lord of the privy seal in 1830. He aided in preparing the first reform-bill, was successively ambassador to Russia, Austria and Prussia, and was appointed high commissioner for the settlement of the troubles of Canada and governor-general of the British provinces in North America on March 31, 1838. He immediately set himself to ascertaining the causes of the widespread troubles. To each province he sent a commission of inquiry, and called into conference the governors of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Prince Edward Island. It was then that the future confederation of the Canadian Dominion had its first great impetus. A scheme of union between Upper and Lower Canada was also worked out, and a masterly report on the condition of affairs prepared and presented to Parliament. The adverse criticism caused b)r his proclamations of amnesty led to nis sudden resignation. He died at Cowes, on the Isle of Wight, July 28, 1840.
Durham (dur'am), an ancient English city, near the center of Durham County, is built around a steep rocky hill, which is nearly encircled by the River Wear. On the top of the hill, which is partly inclosed by old walls, are the castle and cathedral. Durham arose about 995, when a church was built to enshrine the bones of St. Cuthbert, In 1093, on the site of this old church, was commenced the present cathedral, one of the finest specimens of Norman architecture in Great Britain. The castle, once the residence of the bishops of Durham but now occupied by Durham University, was founded in 1072 by William the Conqueror, but has been much changed since. The dormitory of the monastery of Durham, now the university-library, is one of the finest in England. The bishopric of Durham extends over the entire county, and has had many celebrated men as bishops. The present university, which has a small attendance, was opened in 1833.
Duse, Eleonora (1859-), an Italian actress of note, was born at Vigevans, on the border of Piedmont and Lombardy, and first appeared on the stage when but 13. She early became a favorite with Italian playgoers, playing in Florence, Naples and Milan. Later on she appeared at Vienna, Berlin, Paris and London, achieving triumphs in various rdles, such as Julietf
