Page:Collier's New Encyclopedia v. 04.djvu/300

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GANGLION 256 GAP to bathe in the Ganges, or at least to wash themselves with its waters, and to distribute alms, on certain days. The Hindus believe that whoever dies on its banks, and drinks of its waters before death, is exempted from the necessity of returning into this world and com- mencing a new life. The sick are there- fore carried to the bank of the Ganges, and its water is a considerable article of commerce in the remoter parts of India. GAJSTGLION, in human anatomy, (1) a small mass of vascular neurine, situ- ated in the course of a nerve, and dis- tinct both from the brain and from the spinal cord. The sympathetic system of nerves consists of a series of ganglia, extending on each side of the vertebral column, from the head to the coccyx, connecting with all the other nerves of the body. Each ganglion is a distinct center, giving off branches in four direc- tions, superior, inferior, external, and in- ternal. They are divided into cranial ganglia, cervical, thoracic, etc., (2) a lymphatic gland. In comparative an- atomy, a center of the nervous system, containing nerve cells, and receiving and giving out impressions. In surgery, a globular indolent tumor, situated on the course of a tendon. It is produced by the elevation of a sheath of the tendon and the infusion into it of a viscid fluid. In botany, the mycelium of certain fungal s. GANGRENE, a tendency to death or mortification, but stopping short of the complete process. It may affect an organ, such as the lung, but this is rare, or the soft tissues, which is common, par- ticularly of the foot, especially in the aged, as senile gangrene. When part remains alive it is gangrene, when it is completely dead sphacelus. So in bone, caries and necrosis occur, the first as gangrene or incomplete, the second as sphacelus of complete death. Degenera- tion differs from gangrene in not be- coming isolated or putrid, but, if not absorbed, remaining in continuity with surrounding parts. Gangrene of soft parts is usually termed sloughing. Necramia, or death of the blood, and sequestrum, or a dead piece of bone, are examples of gangrenous lesions. GANGWAY, a passage or means of temporary access to a place or building, consisting of an inclined plane of planks ; specifically, the opening in the bulwarks of a vessel by which persons come on board or disembark; also the temporary bridge affording means of passing from the ship to the shore, or vice versa. To bring to the gangway, to punish a sailor by seizing and flogging him. In the British House of Commons, a narrow passage running across the House and dividing the seats on each side into two parts. Above the gangway, that is, near the Speaker's end of the House, sit the Ministry and Opposition with their re- spective adherents, the former on the Speaker's right, the latter on his left. Below the gangway sit the neutral or independent members. In mining a main level, applied chiefly to coal mines. GANHWEI (gan-hwa'e), or AN- HWEI (an-hwa'e), an E. inland province of China, intersected by the Yang-tse- Kiang. GANNETT, HENBY, an American geographer; born in Bath, Me., Aug. 24, 1846; was graduated at the Lawrence Scientific School, in 1869; became geog- rapher of the United States Geological Survey in 1882; was geographer of the 10th, 11th, and 12th censuses, and of those taken by the War Department in Cuba and Porto Rico in 1899. His publications include "Manual of Topo- graphic Surveying"; "Statistical Atlases 10th and 11th Censuses"; "Dictionary of Altitudes"; "Commercial Geography"; etc. He died in 1914. GANYMEDE (gan'i-med), in Greek mythology, the cup-bearer of Zeus. According to Homer, he was the son of King Tros and the nymph Callirrhoe; or, according to others, of Laomedon, Ilus, or Erichthonius. The most beautiful of mortals, he attracted the notice of the king of the gods, who determined to make him his cup-bearer in succession to Hebe, and accordingly dispatched his eagle to carry him off to heaven. At a later period he was identified with the divinity who presided over the sources of the Nile. The Greek astronomers like- wise placed him among the stars, under the name of Aquarius ("the water- bearer") in allusion to his celestial function. GANZ, BUDOLPH, a pianist and composer, born in Zurich, Switzerland, in 1877. He studied music in Switzer- land and Germany and made his first appearance in Zurich at the age of 12. He later made extensive concert tours in Europe and in 1900 came to the United States. He taught music in Chi- cago from 1902 to 1905. In the latter year he abandoned teaching to under- take concert tours. He appeared with the leading orchestras and musical organizations throughout the United States and Canada. His musical works include a symphony, many piano pieces, and over 200 songs. GAP (gap), the mountain capital of the French department of Hautes Alpes-J