Page:Willich, A. F. M. - The Domestic Encyclopædia (Vol. 1, 1802).djvu/337

BOI had a distinct conception of the new method suggested by Mr. Rowjjtree, till after the enrol- ment of his specification in May 179S. Nay, says Mr. Hindmarsh, the Count evidently takes it for granted (see vol. II. p. /J, of his Essays), and even reasons on the fact, which he there supposes to be unavoidable, and beyond remedy, that the fire cannot be made to impinge against the sides of a ves- sel with the same force and effect as against the bottom : -which is a plain proof, that at the time of writing that essay, he was totally unacquainted with Mr. Rown- tree's method of applying and managing the fire; in which the verv effect which the Count con- siders as a desideratum in science, and which appears to have been one grand object of his philosophical pursuits, is now in a great measure completed. BOILING, in the culinary art, is a method of dressing animal food, vegetables, Sec. by coition in hot water, for the purpose of re- moving their natural crudities, and rendering them more easy of di- gestion. By too much boiling, however, "flesh is deprived of a considerable part of its nourishing juice, as the gelatinous substance of the- meat is extracted, and incor- ■ porated with the water, while the spirituous and balsamic particles are dissipated by evaporation. The culinary process of stew big is more profitable, especially if conducted in close vessels, as it is better cal- culated to preserve and concen- trate the most substantial and nu- tritious parts of animal food. BOLES, are viscid earths mor? friable than clay : they are soft and unctuous, and gradually melt in the mouth, communicating a slight NO. Ill, VOL. I. BON [305 sensation of astringency. There is a great variety of these earths, which have been recommended as astringent, sudorific, and alexiphar- mic, but without sufficient grounds. They are still prescribed hi fluxes, and complaints of the first pas- sages. BOMBAST, in composition, is an endeavour, by strained and tur- gid description, to give a low or familiar subject that importance of which it is not susceptible ; in- stead, therefore, of being sublime, it always proves ridiculous. The style of a writer, who has no real genius or talent for description, is extremely prone to deviate into bombast, and vitiate the taste of others. Hence, books written in a redundant or affected style, ought never to be intrusted to the hands of youth, who are more apt to listen to, and imitate the language which is addressed to the imagina- tion and the senses, than the seri- ous and dignified admonitions which are supported by reason and expe- rience. BONES, are solid substances composed of animal earth and glu- ten. They support and form the stature of the body, defend its vis- cera, and give adhesion to the mus- cles. Their number in the human frame is generally 240 ; but in some individuals, who have two additional bones in each thumb and great toe, they amount to 248. The regular division of them is as follows : 63 bones of the head, in- cluding the 32 teeth j 53 of the trunk; 64 of the upper, and 60 of the lower extremities. One of the most remarkable dis- eases of animal bones, is their oc- casional softness and reduction in the living body ; of which there are several well- authenticated in- X stances.