Page:Willich, A. F. M. - The Domestic Encyclopædia (Vol. 4, 1802).djvu/193

SUN cv'idently contributes to promote vecretation, while it conduces to the health and comfort ot raan- Idud, Its distance from the earth is not accurately ascertained ; as it varies according to the motion of the globe; but, agreeably to the method lately discovered by M. Klimm (professor of mathematics at Meissen, in Saxony), such dis- tance, as well as the size of the sun, may be determined v/ith tole- rable accuracy, by calculating the proportion subsisting between the supposed diameter of the sun, and that of the earth. Hence we shall only add, that the axis of the for- mer is, by astronomers, computed to be nearly 833,210 English miles; and its circumference is about 2,774,092 miles. The sun is placed in the centre of the universe : it revolves round its own axis in 26 days ; but its course x)n the ecliptic is accomplished by the revolution of the earth in 3(35 days and about six hours. — SeeKA- LENDAR. Some naturalists have strangely conjeftured the sun to be a globe of gold; because that metal endures the a6lion of heat without diminu- tion, for a longer period than any other metallic substance ; while others have conceived it to be a 7tiass of ice : but, as a discussion of these opinions, as well as of the spots, which have been observed on its surface, would lead us into abstruse disquisitions, the curious reader will consult the writers mentioned in the conclusion of the article Astronomy. SUNDEW,fheRouNDLEAVED, Red-rot, orYouTHwuRT, Dro- sera rotundifulia, L. an indigenous jjercnnial, growing in mossy bogs, and flowering in the months of July and August, The whole of SUN [167 this singular plant is acrid, and its juice is sufficiently caustic to erode corns, or warts ; apd, if it be properly diluted with milk, it forms a safe remedy for removing freckles, and similar blemishes of the skin. Any part of this vegetable coagu- lates milk, in a manner similar to that of the Common Butter- wort ; and it is likewise sup- posed to occasion the rot in sheep, Oi the other hand, the growth of the Youthwort, in particular situa-- tlons. affords an useful guide in digging for turf. SUN-FLOWER, or Hdianthus, L. a genus of exotic plants, consistr ing of 14 species, most of which are cultivated in Britain : the principal, however, are : 1. The an/iuiis (corona solisj, or Common Sun-flower : it is easily propagated in any common soil, either by sowing tiie seeds, or by parting the roots in the month of March. Within a few weeks, the plants will appear ; and, when about 6 inches high, they should be removed into the borders of gardens, or other places seleded for their growth, at the distance of 15 or 18 inches, in cjuincunx order. They must be occasionally water- ed ; and, if weeds ha properly era- dicated, they will vegetate with such luxuriance, as to attain the height of six or eight feet : in July they bear flowers, which continue to blow till 06tober, when they produce ripe seeds ; which, on expression, yield a large proportion of a sweet, palatable oil. The young fiowcr-cups of this plant may be dressed and eaten like arti- chokes ; — the stalks are of a consi- derable size, often exceeding an inch in diameter : hence, they mav with advantage be raised in situa- tions where _///f/ is scarce; indeed, M 4 vr9