It consists of an iron spear, which is somewhat concave, being also longer, and thicker, than the implement used in Britain: instead of the workman setting his foot on the top of the blade, he places it upon a piece of wood which crosses the shaft, three or four inches above such blade; though, we conceive, the distance need not exceed one or two inches.—The manner, in which this implement is used, varies in different places. Thus, at Geneva, it is thrust into the soil, perpendicularly; at Pescia, the earth is divided horizontally, or at least in a slanting direction; so that the mould is thrown to a greater distance before the labourer. The peasants of that country, indeed, have an excellent mode of using the spade, without undergoing too great fatigue: it consists simply in supporting and lifting up the handle of the implement (after it has entered the soil) on the knee; by which means they are enabled to penetrate to a greater depth, and consequently to bring up a larger quantity of earth to the surface.
SPANIEL, or Canis avicularius, a valuable species of the dog-kind, which is supposed to have been originally bred in Spain.
Spaniels are divided into three varieties, namely, 1. Starters, or Pointers, from their use in starting game; 2. Setters, which are employed only for the net; and 3. Water-spaniels, which are of service in recovering lost game, or fetching it out of the water. These animals are of various sizes, and colours; but the black sorts are held in the greatest estimation, on account of their superior scent: next are the pied or spotted spaniels; and those, which are of a plain liver-colour, are reputed to be the best swimmers. The external appearance, however, is an uncertain guide by which to ascertain the relative qualities of these sagacious animals; as their excellence principally depends on the manner in which they have been trained.—Every species of dogs being subject to various disorders, of which we have already treated, the reader is referred to vol. ii. pp. 151-52.—See also Mange.
SPAR, the Ponderous; Barytes; or heavy earth, a name given to a fossil naturally combined with the sulphuric or carbonic acids, and found in different parts of England, particularly in the counties of York and Derby.
This mineral is manufactured into vases, and other ornaments for chimney-pieces; but its principal use in domestic economy, having been already stated, vol. iii. p. 475, we shall only remark, that the ponderous spar may be procured in a very pure state, for medicinal purposes, by the process which Vauquelin and Fourcroy have adopted; and a translation of which has been given in Mr. Nicholson's Journal of Natural Philosophy, &c. vol. i. p. 535.—It would, however, be hazardous to mention the disorders, and doses, in which this powerful remedy is employed: hence parents should not suffer children to use the picture-frames, egg-stands, and other trinkets made of Derbyshire spar, by way of play-things.
Sparagus. See Asparagus.
SPARROW, the Common, or Domestic, Fringilla domestica, L. a well-known bird, which abounds in Britain, particularly in the vicinity of villages and towns.
Sparrows construct their nest beneath the eaves, and in the holes
