Greek poet, older than Orpheus, came from Xanthe, a city of Lycia. He composed several hymns, which were sung in the island of Delos upon festival days. Olenus is said to have been one of the founders of the oracle at Delphi; to have been the first who filled at that place the office of priest of Apollo; and to have given responses in verse: but the truth of these assertions is very doubtful.
Oléron, an island of France, on the coast of Aunis and Saintonge, about five miles from the continent. It is 12 miles in length, and five in breadth; and is very fertile, containing about 12,000 inhabitants, who are excellent seamen. It is defended by a castle, which is well fortified; and there is a lighthouse placed there for the direction of ships. It is 12 miles south-east of Rochelle. W. Long. 1. 26. N. Lat. 46. 10.
Sea-Laws of Oléron, certain laws relative to maritime affairs, made in the time of Richard I. when he was at the island of Oléron. These laws, being accounted the most excellent sea-laws in the world, are recorded in the black book of the admiralty. See Selden's Mare Clausum.
Oleum palmæ christi, commonly called castor oil, is extracted from the kernel of the fruit produced by the Ricinus Americanus. (See Ricinus). This oil has been much used as a purgative in medicine. It acts gently on the bowels, with little or no irritation. By many physicians it has been deemed a sovereign remedy in bilious, calculous, and nephritic complaints; but its taste is extremely nauseous, and, when frequently used, it is apt to relax the tone of the bowels. It is recommended to be given in clysters; and Dr Canvane of Bath affirms, that when children cannot be made to swallow any medicine, if the navel and hypochondria be rubbed with this oil, it will produce one or two physical stools. He adds, that given in small draughts, or by clyster, or by embrocation, it is an excellent and wonderful vermifuge.
Olfactory nerves. See Anatomy, no 136
Olga, queen of Igor the second monarch of Russia, who flourished about the year 880, having succeeded her father Ruric, who died in 878. Olga was born in Plescow, and was of the best family in that city. She bore him one son, called Sviatoslav. Igor being murdered by the Drewenfes, or Drewliant, Olga revenged his death. She went afterwards, for what reason we know not, to Constantinople, where she was baptized, and received the name of Helena.
The emperor John Zimifces was her godfather, and fell in love with her as we are told; but she, alleging their spiritual alliance, refused to marry him. Her example made some impression upon her subjects, a good number of whom became converts to Christianity; but none upon her son, who reigned for a long time after her death, which happened at Pereslaw, in the 80th year of her age, 14 years after her baptism. The Ruslans to this day rank her among their saints, and commemorate her festival on the 11th of July.