Page:Willich, A. F. M. - The Domestic Encyclopædia (Vol. 1, 1802).djvu/278

2 4 3J BEL 2. The rapunculus, or Hampton Bell-flower, with straight stalks two feet high, undulated leaves, those next the root short, lance- shapedj and nearly oval : its small blue or white flowers, which ap- pear on the upper part of the stem, blow in July and August. See Withering, 242 ; and Engl. Bot. t. 2S3. — Formerly the rampion was cultivated in gardens, for its roots, which were used in salads ; and though much neglected, it is often met with in a wild state, on fal- lows, and beside causeways ; espe- cially near Croydon and Esher, in Surrey. 3. The latifolia, or Giant Bell- flower, widi oval lance-shaped leaves, a very simple cylindrical stem, solitary flowers (in August), and pendent seed : it grows in thickets and under hedges. See With. 243, and Engl. Bot. t. 302. The roots of this species are like- wise an useful addition to salads. 4. The rapunculoides, or Creep- ing Bell-flower, with heart and lance-shaped leaves, a branchy stalk, pendent flowers, and re- flected flower-cups. It grows in thickets, blows in August, but is extremely scarce, though it has for- merly been found in some woods among yew-trees, in Oxfordshire ; and recently at Biair, in Scotland. The roots of this species are like- wise esculent, and cattle are fond of its leaves. 5. The glomerata, or Clustered- Eell-fjower, v. ith angular stems, and sessile flowers terminating in a head. It grows on high calcareous lands, and blossoms in July and August. See With. 244, and Engl. Bot. t. 90. Although bees ly frequent the flowers of this species, y{ it should be carefully extirpated from meadows and BEL fields, as being a pernicious food for cattle. Bellis. See Daisy. BELLOWS, an apparatus so contrived, as alternately to inspire and expel the air. This machine is too well known to require a parti- cular description. It is used in chambers, kitchens, forges, and founderies, as likewise for organs, and other pneumatic instruments, to introduce into them a proper vo- lume of air. Anacharsis, the Scythian, is recorded as the inventor of bellows. Their action bears an affinity to that of the lungs j for what is called blowing in the former, is an illus- tration of respiring in the latter. Animal life may, on some occasions, be supported by blowing into the lungs with a pair of bellows; espe- cially in accidents of drowning or suffocation. Hessian Bellows, a contrivance for supplying a mine with fresh air, for the respiration of the miners. This machine has been improved by M. Pap ik, who has changed its cylindrical into a spiral form. BELLY- ACH, or Colic, is a dis- ease which may arise from various causes, and is generally accompa- nied widi cosciveness, though some- times also with diarrhcea, especially in children. Adults frequendy be- come liable to attacks of tins ma- lady, in consequence of excess in eating, or after partaking of incon- gruous mixtures, or dishes, which may occasion a distension of the bowels. The symptoms of this complaint, in infants, are, sudden cries, con- traction of the thighs towards the belly, striking widi the feet, distor- tions of the face, not unlike those in laughing, hastily seizing and re- linquishing the maternal breasts. acid