Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, "Crocoite" to "Cuba" Volume 7, Slice 7

About this book

Encyclopaedia Britannica’s Eleventh Edition, Volume VII, Slice 7, is a reference work that begins its “Crocoite to Cuba” section with a series of concise entries on a wide range of topics. The opening pages present a brief note on the Crusades, describing their evolution from charitable societies to chartered companies, followed by a snapshot of Cuba’s geography and early‑20th‑century commerce, and then a detailed mineralogical description of crocoite, including its chemical formula, discovery history, and physical properties. The text proceeds to a botanical overview of the crocus genus, outlining its cultivation, seasonal varieties, and horticultural recommendations. Subsequent entries shift to historical figures such as Croesus, the last Lydian king, and biographical sketches of Sir Herbert Croft and Sir James Croft, offering concise narratives of their lives and scholarly contributions. The layout is alphabetical, each article self‑contained, providing factual summaries rather than extended narratives.

The voice is that of late‑19th‑century scholarship: formal, measured, and densely packed with proper nouns, dates, and footnote‑style citations. The prose reflects the Victorian ambition to catalogue knowledge across arts, sciences, and history, employing a tone that is both authoritative and descriptive. Readers who appreciate meticulous, encyclopedic reference material, students of natural history, classical antiquity, or the history of language and biography, will find this slice a rewarding glimpse into the breadth of Victorian‑era learning.