This fowl is migratory in Great Britain and most of northern Europe, appearing in the fall and wintering, but passing northward to the Arctic regions to breed. It is much sought after by hunters, and is highly esteemed for the table. Several other species of goose are closely allied to the barnacle, and are often confounded with it, notably the brants (q.v.). In northern Asia the barnacle-goose is replaced by the red-breasted goose (Branta ruficollis), a beautiful bird, the neck and upper part of the breast of which are of a rich chestnut red. it is somewhat smaller than the barnacle-goose and is rarely seen in Europe.
The Story of Barnacles and Geese referred to above is one of the most curious in the chronicle of superstition. It appeared, at least earlier than the Eleventh Century, in two forms — one that certain trees, always growing in the water, produced fruit, in form like apples, each con- taining the embryo of a goose, which, wiien the fruit was ripe, fell into the water; the other that geese were bred from a fungus growing on float- ing timber, in which they developed as a worm. The 'fruit' and 'worms' were quickly identified with barnacles that fastened themselves upon floating timber and trees, and many writers de- clared that they saw the birds inside the shells. Holinshed gravely affirms that such was the case; and the most learned men of their time were weak enough to give credence to the absurdity. Gerard, in his Herbal (1597), declares, that after "a thing in form like a lace of silke finely woven, as it were, together" — which he correctly enough states to be "the first thing that appear- eth" when "the shell gapeth open" — there next follow "the legs of the bird hanging out;" and at last the bird, increasing in size, ""hangeth only by the bill," and "in short space after it cometh to full maturity, and falleth into the sea, where it gathereth feathers, and groweth to a fowl bigger than a mallard, and lesser than a goose," etc. An illustration of the process, reproduced from one of the old Herbals, will be found on the Plate of Barnacles.
All this was represented as constantly taking place on the coast of Lancashire and the Heb- rides, while other writers reported the same fabulous birth of geese on the Continent.
One extraordinary and laughable result of this belief was the very learned discussion which took place among theologians as to whether the geese so born were flesh or fish. To the Jews it was important, because the ceremonial manner of kill- ing would be different, if they were fowls, from that if they were fish. The Church wished to set- tle it in order to know if they might be eaten, as could fish, on Fridays and fast-days. Very high dignitaries took part in the decision of the ques- tion, which in the case of the Church was favora- ble to their being eaten when meat was forbid- den; and it has been suggested that the astonish- ing persistence of this myth was largely due to the selfish influence of the priests, based on re- gard for this privilege. What was the origin of so bizarre a story has been widely discussed. Many theories have been propounded, none of them satisfactory. The latest student of the matter, Mr. Henry Lee, of the Zoölogical Society of Lon- don, suggests that 'barnacle' (or bernicle) as applied to the cirriped, and the same term as ap- plied to the bird, have nothing to do with each other, and originated separately. The former is probably a modified diminutive of the Latin
perna, while the latter originated in the vernacular of Scotland. "To arrive at the origin of the word ... we must remember," says Lee (Sea Fables Explained, London, 1883), '"that this bird, Anser leucopis, was formerly called 'brent,' 'brant,' or 'bran' goose (see Brant), and was supposed to be identical with the species (Anser torquatus) which is now known by that name. The Scottish word for 'goose' is 'clake,' or 'clakes,' and I think that the suggestion made long ago (Gesner, 1558), by his correspondent Joannes Caius, is correct, that the word 'barnacle' comes from 'branclakis,' or 'barn-clake' — the dark-colored goose ... I agree with Dr. John Hill (History of Animals, London, 1752), that the whole matter that gave origin to the story is that the 'shell-fish' (cirripedes) supposed to have this wonderful production ... have a kind of fibres hanging out of them, which, in some degree, resemble feathers."
BAR'NARD, Lady Anne (1750-1825). The author of "Auld Robin Gray" (q.v.). She was born at Fifeshire, Scotland, the eldest daughter of James Lindsey, Earl of Balcarres. In 1793 she married Andrew Barnard, son of the Bishop of Limerick, and secretary to Lord Macartney at the Cape of Good Hope. There Lady Anne lived till 1807. when, on the death of her husband, she returned to London. Her Letters, which were published in 1901, are extremely vivacious and entertaining.
BARNARD, Mrs. Charlotte Alington (1830-69). An English ballad composer. She was a pupil of Madame Parepa and Signor Mario, and between 1858 and 1869 wrote, under the pen-name 'Claribel,' nearly 100 ballads, such as "Come Back to Erin," and "Won't you tell me why, Robin?" Many of these songs still retain their popularity. For the most part she wrote the words for her songs, publishing also a volume of Thoughts, Verses, and Songs.
BARNARD, Daniel Dewey (1797-1861). An American lawyer, born in Sheffield, Mass. He graduated at Williams College in 1818, and in 1821 was admitted to the bar. He was a member of Congress in 1828-30 and 1839-45, and also served in the State Legislature. From 1849 to 1853 he was Minister to Prussia. He published numerous speeches and reviews.
BARNARD, Edward Emerson (1857—). An American astronomer. He was born at Nashville, Tenn., graduated in 1887 at Vanderbilt University (Nashville), and in 1887-95 was astronomer at Lick Observatory, Mount Hamilton, Santa Clara County, Cal. Subsequently he became professor of astronomy at the University of Chicago, and astronomer of the Yerkes Observatory, Williams Bay, Wis. He received, in 1892, the Lalande gold medal of the French Academy of Sciences, and in 1898 was elected a foreign associate of the Royal Astronomical Society of Great Britain. He has obtained excellent results in celestial photography, and discovered sixteen comets and the fifth satellite of Jupiter.
BARNARD, Frederick Augustus Porter (1809-89). An American mathematician and educator. He was born at Sheffield, Mass., graduated at Yale 1828, and in 1831 became teacher in the Hartford Deaf and Dumb Asylum. He was professor of natural philosophy and mathematics in the University of Alabama. from 1837 to 1848, and of chemistry until 1854, when
