ERIODENDRON-ERLKONIG. Hebrides; a little grass-like plant, growing in lakes which have a muddy bottom, and exhibiting small globular heads of flowers. From its botanical affinities, and with reference to geographical distribution, no British plant is more interesting. The E. form a remarkable feature of the vegetation of some parts of South America; but many of the species bear little resemblance a Jointed Pipewort (Eriocaulon septangulare): ern to their humble northcongener, being almost shrubby, 4-6 feet high, with leafy, much-branched stems, 'each branchlet ter.minated by a large white ball, composed of a vast number of smaller heads, placed on peduncles of unequal length.' Many of them also grow on arid mountainous regions; others in flat sandy grounds, which are flooded in the wet season.-Gardner's Travels in Brazil. ERIODENDRON, a genus of trees of the natural order Sterculiaceae, natives of tropical countries, the thick woody capsules of which a, tuft of leaves, flower-stalk with contain a kind of wool flowers, and part of creeping surrounding the seeds. root; b, seed; c, bract or scale; These trees are thered, female flower; e, pistil; f male flower. fore sometimes called WOOL-TREES. The wool of E. Samanna is used in Brazil for stuffing pillows. E. anfractuosum, of which one variety, found in the East Indies, is sometimes called E. Indicum, and another found in Africa, E. Guineense, is a tree of great height, 150 feet or more. The African variety or species is called RIMI and BENTANG. Park mentions it by the latter name. Barth says it is generally to be seen growing near the principal gate of large towns in Hansa. Its wood is soft and spongy, chiefly used for making canoes. The seeds of E. Indicum are eaten in Celebes. They are roundish, and of the size of peas. The trees of this genus have palmate leaves. The flowers are large and beautiful. ERIWA'N (Persian, Rewán), the fortified capital of Russian Armenia, situated to the north of Ararat, in the elevated plain of Aras or Araxes, lat. 40° 10' N., long. 44° 32′ E., 3312 feet above the level of the sea. It consists of the town, properly so called, and the fortress, which is surrounded on three sides by high walls, and provided with aqueducts; a stone bridge over the Zenga, which here falls into the Araxes; a barracks, three mosques, one of which has been converted into a Russian church, the palace of the Sardar, and a bazaar. Pop. (1854) 13,567, who are engaged in agriculture and commerce. E. was formerly the capital of the Persian province of Aran, celebrated for its silk. In the beginning of the 16th c., the khan Rewan, at the command of Ismael, the shah of Persia, erected a strong fortress, which he called after his own name. An Armenian school was established at E. in 1629, but transferred to Ejmiadzin in 1631. During the last war between Russia and Persia, E. was stormed by the Russian general, Paskewitsch, who received the surname of Eriwanski; and by the treaty of peace concluded at Turkmanjai, 22d February 1828, it was given up by Persia to Russia, along with the province of the same name. It is now an important Russian post, as in former times it formed the bulwark of Persia against the Turks, and afterwards against Russia. In the year 1840, it was much devastated by an earthquake. E'RLANGEN, a town of Bavaria, is situated in the midst of a well cultivated district, on the right It is a handsome town, and is surrounded by walls bank of the Regnitz, 10 miles north of Nürnburg. pierced by seven gates; its streets-a great number of which were erected after the year 1706, when a fire consumed a large portion of the town-are straight and regular. It is divided into the Old and New Towns, the latter founded in 1686 by Christian, markgraf of Bayreuth. E. is the seat of a university, of a gymnasium, of agricultural and industrial schools, and other institutions. The university, however, is the chief building. It was founded in 1742, and is celebrated as a school of Protestant theology, is attended by between 400 and 500 students, has a library containing 100,000 vols. and 1000 manuscripts, and also zoological and mineralogical collections, &c. E. owes its prosperity to the migration thither of a number of refugees from France, who were compelled to flee on the revocation of the Edict of Nantes, and who introduced many new branches of manufacture at Erlangen. Besides its extensive stocking and glove manufactories, which provide the greater part of Germany with their goods, E. has great mirror and tobacco factories, and manufactures of combs and horn-ware. E. became a Bavarian possession by the treaty of 1809. Pop. 10,709. Hungary, in the county of Heves, of which it is E'RLAU (Hung. Eger), an episcopal city of capital, is situated on both banks of the river Erlau, in a delightful valley skirted with vine-clad hills. It is surrounded by old walls, pierced by six gates; has four suburbs, in which the greater portion of the inhabitants dwell; and although in general its streets are narrow and have a neglected appearance, it is rich in fine public buildings. The principal of these are the Lyceum, with a valuable library, and an observatory 172 feet high; the recently built cathedral, the episcopal palace, the Franciscan and the Minorite monasteries, a richly embellished Greek church, a county hall, and the new barracks. E. has also a gymnasium, an episcopal seminary, a normal and drawing school, a hospital founded in 1730, which possesses a capital of nearly 400,000 guilders, and other important institutions. The two baths, the Turkenbad and the Bischofsbad, both of which are much resorted to during the bathing-season, are supplied from two warm springs which rise from the bank of the Erlau. The cultivation of the vine is the principal occupation of the inhabitants. The E. wine, the best red wine of Hungary, is produced in considerable quantities, and is in request even in foreign countries. There are also manufactures of linens, woollens, hats, &c., and an important weekly market, which has a beneficial effect upon the industry of the town. Pop. 16,900, most of whom are Roman Catholic in religion, and Magyar in race. owes its importance to the very old bishopric founded here by St Stephen in the beginning of the 11th c., and which, in 1804, was raised to an archbishopric. ERLKÖNIG, in German, is the name applied to a poetical, personified, natural power which, according ERMENONVILLE-ERNE. to German poetical authorities, prepares mischief of Britain. It is in its winter dress that it is called and ruin for men, and especially for children, E., and yields a highly valued fur; more valuable, through delusive seductions. The name, not con- however, when obtained from the coldest northern nected with the root erle, is synonymous with regions than from more southern and temperate Elfen Konig. The E. was introduced into German countries. In its summer dress it is called Stoat. poetry from the Sagas of the North, through Herder's It displays indomitable perseverance in the pursuit translation of the Erlkönig's Daughter from the of its prey, which consists very much of rats, waterDanish, and has become universally known through voles, and other such small quadrupeds; with young Goethe's ballad of the Erlkönig. hares and rabbits, grouse, partridges, &c. The eggs of birds are as welcome to it as the birds themselves. The E. is a native of all the northern parts of the world. Its range extends even to the south tolerably abundant in the north of Scotland. It is from Norway, Lapland, Siberia, and the Hudson's Bay territories that the E. skins of commerce are obtained, which are used not only for ladies' winter garments, but for the robes of kings and nobles, and for their crowns and coronets. E. has thus obtained a distinct recognition in heraldry. In making up E. fur, the tails are inserted in a regular manner, so that their rich black shall contrast with the pure white of the rest of the fur. ERMENONVILLE, a village in the south-east of the department of Oise, in France, in the possession of the Girardin family. It is celebrated for its beautiful and extensive parks, and as being the resting-of Europe. It delights in moorish districts, and is place of Rousseau, for which reason it is much visited in summer by strangers from Paris. It was also the residence of Gabrielle d'Estrées, the mistress of Henry IV., who inhabited a hunting-tower, part of which is still standing, and bears her name. It became still more celebrated after the death of Rousseau in 1778. During the revolution, his ashes were removed to the Pantheon, but conveyed back to E. after the restoration. It had nearly been purchased by the Bande Noire, but a larger sum was offered by Stanislaus de Girardin, the well known liberal deputy, and E. was preserved for the lovers of art, of nature, and of Ermine. historical monuments. E'RMINE, white fur, with black spots; the reverse of which, or a black fur with white spots, also used in heraldry, is called Contre Ermine. Ermine is commonly used to difference the arms of any member of a family who is connected with the law. A cross composed of four ermine spots is said to be a Cross Ermine. ERMINE, or STOAT (Mustela erminea), a species of Weasel (q. v.), considerably larger than the common weasel, but much resembling it in general form and other characters, as well as in habits. The E. is almost ten inches in length, exclusive of the tail, which is fully four inches and a half long. It is of a pale reddish-brown colour in summer, the under parts yellowish-white, the tip of the tail black: in winter-in cold countries or severe seasons--the ERNE (Haliaeetus), a genus of birds of the family Falconida, and of the eagle group; differing from the true eagles in the greater length of the bill, in the toes and lower part of the tarsi being destitute of feathers, and generally, also, in frequenting the sea-coast and the banks of lakes and rivers to feed on fish, in feeding like vultures on carrion almost as readily as on newly killed prey, and in inferior courage. The only British species is the COMMON E. (H. albicilla), also known as the Sea Eagle or upper parts change to a yellowish-white or almost pure white, the tip of the tail, however, always remaining black. This change takes place more frequently in the northern than in the southern parts of Britain, but sometimes even in the south of England; and when it is only partially accomplished, the animal presents a piebald appearance, and very often remains so during the milder winters Common Erne (Haliaeetus albicilla). White-tailed Sea Eagle. It is much more common in Britain than the Golden Eagle, is sometimes seen even in the south of England and in inland districts, occasionally visiting deer-parks to prey on very young fawns or to devour dead deer; but is of more frequent occurrence in the north of Scotland, doing considerable injury to flocks in Sutherlandshire, particularly during the season of young lambs. Its favourite haunts, where it roosts and makes its nest, are the shelves and ledges of stupendous precipices on the coast, where its scream often mingles with the noise of the perpetual surge. It sometimes also breeds on crags beside inland lakes, as at the Lakes of Killarney, and more rarely even on trees. Fishes are certainly its favourite food, although its mode of procuring them is not well known; but water-fowl are also its very frequent prey. It is ERNE ERNST I. found in most parts of Europe, and even in the islands of the Mediterranean, but is more abundant in the north of Europe and in Siberia. It is not known as a native of America. In size, the E. is inferior to the Golden Eagle, being seldom more than 33 inches in its whole length. The general colour of the plumage is brown, the head having a paler yellowish tinge, the tail in the adult bird is pure white. The young, sometimes called the Cinereous Eagle, has a grayer plumage and mottled tail.-Another notable species of this genus is the WHITE-HEADED E. (H. leucocephalus) of America, also called the White-headed Eagle, Bald Eagle, and Sea Eagle, the chosen symbol of the United States. It is a bird of about the same size with the Common E., with dark-brown plumage, and-in an adult state -the head, neck, tail, and belly white. It is found in almost all parts of North America, visiting the arctic regions in summer, but abounding chiefly in the southern states between the Atlantic and the Mississippi. It frequents both the sea-coast and the lakes and rivers, and may be often seen sailing through the column of spray at the Falls of Niagara. It is very fond of fish, which it procures by wading in shallow streams, and also by compelling the osprey to relinquish prey just taken. The soaring and evolutions of the birds in the air on such occasions are described as sublime. The White-headed E. feeds also on lambs, fawns, poultry, &c.; kills swans, geese, and other water-fowl; and does not disdain to compel vultures to disgorge for its use the carrion which they have swallowed. On account of its habits and dispositions, Franklin expressed his regret that it had been chosen as the symbol of his country. More nearly resembling the Common E. is another North American species, the BIRD OF WASHINGTON (H. Washingtonii).—Australia produces a beautiful species (H. leucogaster), and numerous species are found in other parts of the world, amongst which are some of comparatively small size, as the PONDICHERRY KITE or BRAHMANY KITE (H. ponticerianus) of India, which is constantly to be seen fishing like a gull in the rivers of that country, and is by the Hindus considered sacred to Vishnu. ERNE, a river and lake in the south-west of Ulster province, Ireland. The river rises in the south of Cavan county, in the small but beautiful Lough Cowna. It runs north and north-west, merging in Lough Oughter, in Cavan county, and in Lough Erne in Fermanagh county, and passes Enniskillen and Ballyshannon. It then flows through the south corner of Donegal county into Donegal Bay. It has a total course of 72 miles. On the river, at Ballyshannon, is a salmon-leap fall, over a rocky ledge 20 feet high and 150 yards broad, and the river leaps over another rocky ledge near Belleek, 24 miles below the lower end of the loch. Lough Erne, one of the finest lochs in the kingdom, is the most attractive feature of Fermanagh county, which it bisects lengthways, and almost entirely drains. It extends 40 miles from south-east to north-west, and consists of two lakes, the upper and lower, joined by a narrower part 10 miles long, and assuming in parts the character of a river, with Enniskillen midway between the two lakes. The Upper Lough is 12 by 4 miles in extent, 10 to 75 feet deep, 151 feet above the sea, and has 90 green hilly islets. The Lower Lough is 20 by 7 miles in extent, 100 to 266 feet deep, 148 feet above the sea, and has 109 similar islets. On one of the islets is a round tower. They contain salmon, trout, pike, bream, and eels. The scenery around is singularly varied and beautiful. ERNESTI, JOH. AUG., the founder of a new school of theology and philosophy, was born at Tennstädt, in Thüringia, 4th August 1707. He studied at Pforta, Wittenberg, and Leipsic; but after having been appointed rector of the Thomasschool in Leipsic, in 1734, turned his attention chiefly to the old classic literature, and the studies connected with it. In 1742, he became professor extraordinary of ancient literature in the university of Leipsic, in 1756 professor of rhetoric, in 1759 professor of theology, and died 11th September 1781. E. paved the way to theological eminence by a thorough study of philology, and was thus led to a more correct exegesis of the biblical authors, and to more liberal views of theology in general. In fact, it is mainly to him that we owe the proper method of theological exposition, in so far as it rests upon correct grammatical elucidation. He shewed his ability as an accurate critic and grammarian, in his editions of Xenophon's Memorabilia of Socrates; the Clouds of Aristophanes, Homer, Callimachus, Polybius, Suetonius, and Tacitus; but above all, by his admirable edition of Cicero (5 vols., Leip. 1737-1739), to which he added a Clavis Ciceronia, by way of supplement. He was also the first reviver of true and manly eloquence in Germany. His theological writings are numerous. The most remarkable are the Initia Doctrine Solidioris, the Institutio Interpretis Novi Testamenti (which has been translated into English), the Anti-Muratorius (1755), and the Opuscula Theologica (1792). Compare Bauer Formulæ ac disciplinæ Ernestianæ indoles (Leip. 1782). Stallbaum Die Thomas-schule zu Leipsic (Leip. 1839). Ernestinian line, or the elder branch of the princely ERNST, Elector of Saxony, the founder of the House of Saxony, was the elder son of the Elector Friedrich the Mild, and of Margaret, Archduchess of Austria. When only 14 years of age, he was seized and carried off from the castle of Altenburg, along with his brother Albrecht, but was speedily recaptured. This incident, known in German history as the Stealing of the Princes (Prinzenraub), Carlyle in the Westminster Review, January 1855. has been described with extraordinary vividness by He succeeded to the electoral dignity on the death of his father in 1464, but governed in common with his brother for 21 years. In 1485, however, E. and Albrecht divided the paternal possessions, when the former obtained as his share Thuringia, the half of the district then called Osterland, with Voigtland, the Franconian estates of the House, the electoral dignity, and the dukedom of Saxony. E. was a man who took a great interest in the welfare of his people. Against injustice, tyranny, and lawlessness, he was implacable. He died at Kolditz in 1486. It is next to impossible to trace the course of the Ernestinian line through the labyrinthine mazes of the endless German genealogies; it is sufficient to say that after 1638 the Ernestinian line was represented by the Dukes of Weimar, who gradually obtained the whole possessions of the House. Johann, Duke of Weimar, who died in 1605, left several sons, the eldest of whom, Wilhelm, became the founder of four different branches, all of which, however, were reunited under Ernst August, Duke of Weimar, who died in 1748. After 1815, the duchy of Weimar became the grandduchy of Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach, and its present ruler is of course the direct representative of the Ernestinian line. The other three families by which it is now also represented are those of Meiningen, Saxe-Coburg-Gotha, and Altenburg. Gotha and Altenburg, founder of the House of Gotha, ERNST I., surnamed the Pious, Duke of Saxewas born at the castle of Altenburg, 24th December 1601. He was the son of that Johann, Duke of Weimar, mentioned in the previous article, who died ERNST IV.—ERRATA. in 1605, and was thus connected with the main been carefully described. The trough was found Ernestinian line. E. was the ninth of ten brothers, to branch, when traced in the progress of mining, the youngest of whom was the famous Bernhard over a considerable area, and to assume all the (q. v.) von Weimar. He received an excellent appearances of a little stream, with small tributaries education from his mother, Dorothea Maria von falling into it. When the hollows thus abraded Anhalt. After the arrival of Gustavus Adolphus in are of considerable extent, valleys of erosion' are Germany, E. entered the Swedish service, and in produced. Many of the earlier geologists held various engagements exhibited great courage and that rivers had hollowed out their own valleys. skill, completing the victory of the Protestants at The immense amount of materials brought down Lützen, after the fall of Gustavus. After the battle by rivers, and deposited at their mouths as deltas, of Nördlingen, 26th August 1634, E. withdrew from shews without doubt that they have contributed the theatre of strife, and for the rest of his life materially to produce inequalities on the earth's devoted himself to restoring the prosperity of his surface; but the examination of the geological territories, which had been frightfully devastated structure of valleys, plainly testifies that almost during the Thirty Years' War. He died in 1675. every great hydrographical basin has derived its Of his seven sons, the eldest, Friedrich, continued the form originally from some other agency, although line of Gotha, while the third became the founder of its outline may have been subsequently altered by the House of Meiningen, and the seventh, the founder the continued action of currents within it. of the House of Saalfeld. E. is a fine type of the old German Protestant prince. Zealously attached to the doctrines and government of the Lutheran Church, he exercised a constant watch over its religious and educational interests. With the formalism, however, that often characterises 'strictly religious' people, he compelled his children to learn the whole Bible by heart. He was much interested in the cause of Christianity abroad, and invited to his court the Abbot Gregorius from Abyssinia, besides sending thither on a religious embassy Joh. Mich. Wansleb of Erfurt. He also carried on a correspondence with the king of Ethiopia and the Patriarch of Alexandria. His line became extinct by the death of Friedrich IV. in 1825. ERNST IV. (AUGUST KARL JOHANNES LEOPOLD ALEXANDER EDUARD), Duke of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha, and elder brother of Prince Albert (q. v.), was born at Coburg 21st June 1818. Both brothers received an admirable literary and scientific education. The family to which he belongs is a branch of the Ernestinian line, having been founded in 1680 by Albrecht, second son of Ernst the Pious (q. v.). When E. had completed a university curriculum at Bonn, he entered the military service of the king of Saxony, but left it on the occasion of his marriage with the daughter of the Grand-duke of Baden. In 1844, E. succeeded his father as Duke of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha. In his opinions and aspirations, imbued with the spirit of his age, he has introduced into his little dominions many beneficial reforms, and allayed not a few long standing jealousies. Yet one regrets to say, that his enlightened views of his duty as a ruler have not been generally appreciated by his subjects. During the stormy period of 1848-1849, by spontaneous concessions on the one hand, and on the other by an energetic repression of the political anarchists, he contrived to save his territories from the perils of revolution. In the Slesvig-Holstein war, E. took a prominent part, and on the 5th April 1849 won the battle of Eckenförde. advocate for the unity of the German nation, and E. is a great has taken a prominent part in most of the efforts made in that direction. His leisure hours are devoted to music and the fine arts. His operas, Zayre and Casilda, are well known in Germany, and recently (1861) he has published a pamphlet (which is virtually an autobiography) vindicating the principles on which he governs his duchy. EROS. See CUPID. ERO'SION, the influence of a stream or river in hollowing out its channel. Even the smallest streams, when running over soft strata, as clay or sand, cut out channels, and remove the eroded materials. Hollows thus produced have been observed among the stratified rocks. One that occurs in the coalfield of the forest of Dean has EROTIC (from the Greek eros, love), signifying in general whatever is marked by love or passion; but the term is chiefly applied to poetical pieces of which love is the predominating subject. EROTOMA'NIA, a species of mental alienation caused by love. See MANIA. Soon ERPE'NIUS (Latinised from Thomas van Erpen), one of the earliest and most eminent of European Orientalists, was born at Gorkum, in Holland, 7th September 1584. At an early age, he was sent to Leyden, where he directed his attention first to theology, but afterwards more particularly to the study of Oriental languages. Having completed his educational course, he travelled through became professor of Oriental languages at Leyden. England, France, Italy, and Germany; and in 1613, Here he erected an Arabic press in his own house, caused new types to be cut, and not only wrote but printed a great number of important works bearing on his favourite studies. The professorship of Hebrew not being vacant at the time of E.'s translation to the university of Leyden, a second Hebrew chair was founded expressly for him in 1619. after this he was appointed Oriental interpreter to the government, in which capacity he read and wrote replies to all official documents coming from the East. Such was the elegance and purity of his Arabic, as written at this time, that it is said to have excited the admiration of the Emperor of Morocco. Towards the close of his life, tempting offers of honours and distinction came pouring in upon him from all parts of Europe; but he was never prevailed upon to leave his native country, where, in the midst of an eminent career, he died 13th November 1624. Although the present standard of Oriental knowledge in Europe is much in advance of that of E.'s day, there is no doubt that it was through him principally that Eastern, especially Arabic studies have become what they are. hardly any better material than a few awkwardly his famous grammar (Grammatica Arabica, quinque printed Arabic alphabets, he contrived to write libris methodice explicata, Leyden, 1613; recent edition by Michaelis, Gött. 1771), which for 200 years, till the time of Silvestre de Sacy, enjoyed an undisputed supremacy; and there are many who think his Rudimenta unsurpassed, even at the present day, as a work for beginners. Among his other important works the best known is his Proverbiorum Arabicorum Centuria Dua (Leyden, 1614). With ERRATA, the list of errors with their corrections placed at the end of a book. From greater carefulness in correcting the sheets of a work in passing through the press, errors in sense or typography are now much more rare than formerly; in many instances, indeed, books are now produced without a single error which needs to be pointed ERRATICS-ERSCH. out and corrected. On the subject of errata, some court, and to confirm or reverse the judgment. interesting particulars will be found in Disraeli's Writ of error formerly lay for every substantial Curiosities of Literature, of which the following may be taken as a specimen: Besides the ordinary errata which happen in printing a work, others have been purposely committed, that the errata may contain what is not permitted to appear in the body of the work. Wherever the Inquisition had any power, particularly at Rome, it was not allowed to employ the word fatum, or fata, in any book. An author, desirous of using the latter word, adroitly invented this scheme: he had printed in his book facta, and in the errata he put, "For facta, read fata." ERRATICS, the name given to the water-worn blocks of stone that have been washed out of the boulder clay, or are still enclosed in it, because they have generally been derived from rocks at a distance. See BOULDERS and BOULDER-CLAY. E'RRHINES (Gr. en, in, and rhin, the nose), medicines administered locally to produce sneezing and discharge from the nostrils, in catarrh, and in various disorders of the head and eyes. Common snuff, and various other vegetable irritants in powder, have been used for this purpose. ERROR, PROCEEDINGS IN, the form by which in England the unsuccessful party in an action at law brings his case for consideration before a court of review. The successful party is entitled to issue execution immediately on the (signing of) final Judgment (q. v.), unless execution be stayed by due notice of the intention of the opposite party to bring the judgment under review. Error may be in fact or in law. If the error is in fact, the case is heard before the court before which the action was originally tried; if the error is in law, proceedings must be taken before the Court of Exchequer Chamber (q. v.). Where a party objects to the ruling of the judge, the form is by Bill of Exceptions (q. v.) under statute of Westminster the second (13 Ed. I. c. 31). According to the former practice, it was necessary, in order to obtain a review on the ground of error, that an original writ, called a Writ of Error, should be issued. The writ, if the error was in fact, was styled coram nobis, where the case was in the Queen's Bench, the sovereign being presumed to preside in that court; if in the other courts, the writ was coram vobis. Writ of error is abolished by the Common Law Procedure Act; and proceedings in error now consist of a simple memorandum of error, lodged with the officer of the court, accompanied, if the error be in fact, with an affidavit of the matter constituting the error. The effect of proceedings in error is to stay immediate execution; but the plaintiff in error must proceed within a certain number of days. From judgment in error in the Exchequer Chamber, an appeal lies to the House of Lords. Proceedings in error from the Court of Common Pleas of Lancaster, and from the Court of Pleas of Durham, and generally from all inferior courts of record, are brought before the Court of Queen's Bench, from which appeal lies to the Exchequer Chamber, and thence to the House of Lords. The courts of the city of London, of the Cinque Ports, and of the Stannaries of Cornwall, are exceptions to this rule. In criminal cases, proceedings are still by Writ of Error (q. v.). ERROR, WRIT OF, in civil causes. See ERROR, PROCEEDINGS IN. In criminal causes, is an original writ from the common law side of the Court of Chancery, addressed to the judges of a superior court, by which they are authorised to examine the record on which judgment was given in the inferior defect appearing on the face of the record, for which the indictment might have been quashed; but by 7 Geo. IV. c. 64, it was provided that several technical defects should be cured by verdict. By 14 and 15 Vict. c. 100, every formal defect apparent on the face of the indictment must be objected to before the jury is sworn, and not after, and may then be amended. Writ of error now, therefore, lies only for defect in substance appearing on the record, as where a man having been indicted for perjury, it appears that the false statements were not made upon oath. Writ of error cannot be obtained without the fiat of the attorney-general, which is not allowed as of course, but is usually granted on due cause shewn. ERRORS. In all observations, errors must be made. The best instruments have imperfections; and no man, however equable his temperament, can always rely on his making a proper use of his senses. As in astronomy numerical correctness in the results of instrumental measurements is of the first consequence, it is the constant care of the observer to detect and make allowance for errors. The three principal sources from which they may arise are1st, External or incidental causes, such as fluctuations of weather, which disturb the amount of refraction; changes of temperature, affecting the form and position of instruments, &c.; 2d, Errors of observation, being such as arise from inexpertness, defective vision, slowness in seizing the exact instant of an occurrence, atmospheric indistinctness, &c.; and such errors as arise from slips in clamping and momentary derangements of the instrument; 3d, Instrumental defects, owing to errors in workmanship, and such as arise from the instrument not being properly placed-called errors of adjustment. The first two classes of errors, so far as they cannot be reduced to known laws, vitiate the results of observations to their full extent; but being accidental, they necessarily sometimes diminish and sometimes increase them. Hence, by taking numerous observations under varied circumstances, and by taking the mean or average of the results obtained, these errors may be made to destroy one another to a great extent, and so far may be subdued. With regard to the third class, it is the peculiarity of astronomical observations to be the ultimate means of detection of all defects of workmanship and adjustment in instruments, which by their minuteness elude every other mode of detection. See Sir John Herschel's Outlines of Astronomy, § 138 et seq. It may be mentioned, however, that the method of subduing errors of the first two classes by the law of average is not applicable in all cases. In certain cases, recourse must be had to what is known as the method of least squares. See SQUARES, THE Least ; see also PROBABILITIES. ERSCH, JOHANN SAMUEL, the founder of German bibliography, was born at Grossglogau, in Lower Silesia, 23d June 1766; and exhibited from an early period a decided bias towards that branch of literature in which he afterwards obtained so high a reputation. At Halle, where he was sent historical investigations. After several vicissitudes, to study theology in 1785, he devoted himself to he obtained, in 1800, the office of librarian to the university of Jena. Three years later, he was called to Halle as professor of geography and statistics; and in 1808, was appointed, in addition, principal librarian. He died at Halle, 16th January 1828. E. was long engaged in miscellaneous bibliographical work for other scholars; but in 1818, along with Gruber, commenced the publication at Leipsic of |