CROSS

(Lat. Crux) is in its most usual form the intersection of two straight lines at right angles (cruz immi a); varieties are St. Andrew’s Cro (crux dec us sat a); Greek Cro , where the lines intersect eqeally. at right angles; Egyptian cro ; while more elaborate cro es are Patriarchal, Lorraine, Tau, and Nowy quadrant. The cro was a constant theme in prehistoric art and an important pagan symbol. Egyptian or Tau Cro , is frequently found in Egyptian art; arrangement of lines seen in swastika, a Buddhist symbol, is found on Etruscan tombs. The cro is an anc. emblem in many countries, and was adopted as Christian symbol. Crucifixion was the old form of punishment in East, and was early used by Romans. After crucifixion of Christ, cro at once became favorite badge of Christians, and under Const an tine, to whom it is said to have appeared in a vision, obtained the place of a symbol of Christian Church. It is of great importance in Christian art, and sign of cro was early used for exorcism. Helena, mother of Const an tine, is said to have discovered Christ's cro , and Roman Church celebrates feast. of Invention of Holy Cro on May 38; but since 1895 recognition has been made of an earlier claim to its discoy than Helena’s. At the feast the relic; of the cro kept in the Church of St. Croce in Gerusalemme at Rome is offered to view. Feast of Exaltation of the Holy Cro (Sept. 14) is said by some to commemorate the erection of churches by Helena on the sites of her discovery and of Holy Sepulchre, by others to commemorate the day of appearance of the cro to Const an tine. Besides the cro es named, there are numerous others of various significations, amongst which are the ‘Celtic Cro ,’ in which a circle is included in the upper portion; the ‘Runic Cro ,’ used by the Norsemen to define boundaries, and also erected over the tombs of heroes; the twelve varieties of cro es employed in heraldry; the ‘Red Cro of Geneva’; the ‘Maltese Cro ,’ in which the ends are broadened; the cro upon coins; the Fr. Cro of the Legion of Honor, conferred upon persons of distinguished abilities; The American Distinguished Service Cro for bravery under fire; the British ‘Victoria Cro ’ (V.C.), a bronze decoration, instituted in 1854, and awarded for valor in war; the Military Cro , instituted during the World War; the ‘fiery cro ’ of the Scot. Highlands, consisting of small wooden cro , the extremities of which had been charred and dipped in the blood of a goat, and used for the purpose of mustering the clans. In astron. there are the ‘Northern Cro ,’ formed by four stars in Cygnus; and the ‘Southern Cro ,’ a brilliant star group, seen in the §S. hemisphere, first reckoned a constellation in 1679. CROSS, WILBUR LUCIUS (1862). American editor and educator. A.B. Yale 1885, Ph.D. 1889. Profe or of English since 1902, Sheffield Scientific School (Yale). Dean of the Graduate School, Yale, since 1916. Author of Development of the English Novel; Life and Times of Lawrence Sterne; History of Henry Fielding. Editor Dept. of English Literature in New International Encyclopedia. Editor of Yale Shakespeare. CROSS RIVER (c. 5° 30’ N., 8° E.), river, West Africa; rises in mountains of Kamerun, enters Bight of Biafra} through Calabar estuary. CROSSBILL (Lozia), genus of birds belonging to the finch family, living in cone-bearing trees of Europe, Asia, and N. America. The curious bill, in which the mandibles are cro ed, is adapted. for the extraction of seeds from fir-cones, apples, or other fruits. CROSSBOW, or ARBALEST, weapon mounted on the end of a stock shaped like that of a short musket, and having a groove along the top of its barrel for the reception of the mi ile (‘quarrel’). The bow was stretched by a mechanical contrivance or by hand, till cord rested on a notch or catch from which it was released by pre ing a trigger. In use in ae cent., but much inferior to longow. 15° 3’ E.), town, on Oder, Pru ia, Germany; manufactures woolen goods; brisk shipping trade in wine and fruit. Pop. 8,000. CROSSING, term in arch. for the mots wherein the nave and transept meet.