Page:The New International Encyclopædia 1st ed. v. 03.djvu/69

BIB POXTT. 53 Tt is seldom over a foot in length, with an unusu- ally deep body for a cod. and is in the best condi- tion in Novoniber and December. In Scotland it is called a 'brassy.' BIBEA, be'hra. Ebnst. Baron von (1806-78). A ficriuan naturalist and author. After complet- ing the study of law at the University of Wiirz- burg, he devoted himself to natural science and chemistry, traveled in South America, and on his return to Germany settled in Xuremberj;. He published a number of works on chemistry, in- cluding: Chentische Uiitcrsiicliidijien iihcr die Kiiochen und Ziihne der Menschcn und der Wir- belliere (Schweinfurt, 1844); Chemische Fiat/- mente iiher die Leber und die Grille (Brunswick, 184!)) ; and Die Brnnzeii und KupferJeijieningen der alien und (iltcsten VolKer (Erlangen. 1869). He also wrote numerous works of travel and fic- tion, among which deserve mention his Reisen nach SUdamerika (2 vols., Mannheim, 1854) ; Erinnerunyen aus SUdamerika (3 vols., Leip- zig. 18(!1); Reisexkizzen ynd Xovellen (4 vols., Jena, 1864) ; and In SUdamerika und in Europa (2 vols.. .Jena. 1874). BICE, bis, 01- BISE (OF. his, fem. hise. brown, dark; origin doubtful). A name given to two colors used in painting, tones of blue and green. Blue bice is known as jH»un(atH blue, ongaro, etc., and green bice as Hungarian green, verde de Spagna. etc. Both colors are native carbonates of copper, but as inferior kinds are artificially prepared, and as other pigments often pass under the same name, the word 'bice' is of very doubtful value, and has become, indeed, almost an obso- lete term. BI'CEPS (Lat., double-headed, from bis, twice + caput, head). The muscle which gives a rounded appearance to the front of the arm. Above, it consists of two portions or heads, the short head being attached to the coraeoid process of the scapula, the long head to the margin of the BICHIB. BICEPS OF AK.M. depression on that bone which lodges the head of the humerus. They unite to form a fleshy belly, which terminates in a rounded tendon, and this tendon is inserted into the tubercle of the radius. (See Arm.) Before passing to this insertion, it gives off an expansion, which separates the median basilic vein from the lirachial artery in the situation generally selected for venesection. The action of the biceps is rapidly to flex the forearm on the arm, and also to 'supinate the hand. The term is also given to a thigli-muscle whose tendon forms the outer 'hamstring.' See Thigh. BIC|;TRE, be'sa'tr' (corrupted from Winches- ter; John, the Bishop of Winchester, was at the head of the hospital here) . Originally, the name given an ancient castle, situated on an eminence in the southeastern neighborhood of Paris, and commanding one of the finest views of the citv, the Seine, and tlie environs (JSIai): Paris and vicinity). After having served in succession as a hiding-place for thieves, as a place of detention for criminals sentenced to death or to the galleys, and as a hospital for old people, it has been converted into an insane asylum. A notable feature of the building is a well sunk in the rock to the depth of 18;5 feet. On the eminence is also situated the modern Fort de Bicetre. The village of Bicetre sur- rounds it. BICHAT, be'sha', ]arie Francois Xavieb (1771-1802). A French anatomist and physiolo- gist. He studied in Paris under Desault, who quickly recognized his genius and befriended him. In 1797. Bichat became lecturer on anatomy, e.K- perimental physiology, and surgery, and in 1800 he was appointed physician in the Hotel-Dieu, but he soon broke down under the strain of in- tense and unremitting labor. Bichat is justly considered as the founder of general anatoni}-; he was the first to show that the different organs liave tissues and membranes in eonnnon, a fact which permitted him greatly to simplify and to .systematize both anatomy and physiology. His principal work is Anatomic gcncrale, appliquie a la physiologic et a la mHecine (1801). In his Recherches physiologiqnes sur la vie et la mart (1800) he differentiates between what he terms organic life and animal life. The passions, as well as the various transformations constantly taking place in the living organism, constitute organic life, while animal life comprises the manifestations of pure intelligence. Schopen- hauer forbade his disciples to talk about physi- ology or psychology before they had familiari'zed themselves with this book. BICHIR, be-sher' (native name). A small fish {Poli/pterus hichir) of the Upper Nile, and other African rivers, which is regarded as the best food-fish of those waters. Three related species are known in other Central African riv- ers, dwelling in deep pools and apparently bury- ing themselves in the ooze, where they feed on fishes and other a(iuatic animals. (See Reed- fish.) These fishes are of particular interest as the few remaining representatives oi the onco very e.xtensive Ganoid order Crossopterygii. (See Ga.noioei.) All the form.s, fossil aiid recent, according to Kingsley, agice in having a diphy- cercal tail, the dorsal fin ilividcd into two or more divisions, pectorals an, I vontrals with a scaly axis and fiilcra absent from all. The throat is protected by two large plates. The scales are thin and cycloid or else thick and rhomboid— the latter in the living s|)ccies. In the young bichir external gills are present.