BISSEXT or BISSEXTUS, the day intercalated by the Julian calendar in the February of every fourth year to make up the six hours by which the solar year was computed to exceed the year of 365 days. The day was inserted after Feb. 24, i.e., the sixth day before the calends (1st) of March; there was conse quently, besides the sextets, or sixth before the calends, the bis sextus or "second sixth," our Feb. 25. Hence the name "bissex tile" for leap year.
DA
1920), Italian politician, was born at Cremona, Feb. 20 1857. The son of Demetrio Bergamaschi, he was adopted by and took the name of his stepfather, Prof. Bissolati, the philosopher. He was an active member of the Italian Socialist party from its founda tion in 1892, and he exercised considerable influence as a jour nalist, editing the official organ of the party, L'Avanti. In 1897 he entered parliament as member for Pescarolo and was after wards elected for the second division of Rome (1908), which he represented until his death. Although a confirmed Socialist, Bis solati became dissatisfied with certain aspects of the policy of the party, notably with its anti-patriotic attitude at the time of the Libyan War. In 1912 he seceded from the party and founded the Reformist Socialist group. At the outbreak of the World War Bissolati declared himself an interventionist, whereas the "official" Socialist party was frankly neutral. In June 1916 he was min ister without portfolio in the Boselli National cabinet. He resigned in Dec. 1918 owing to disagreements with Signor Orlando's Government over the Treaty of London. He opposed the annexation of the Alto Adige because of its German popula tion and of north Dalmatia with its Slav majority; but he advo cated the annexation of Fiume as a purely Italian town. His attitude on the Alto Adige and Dalmatian questions lost him much of his former popularity, hut his undoubted honesty and patri otism caused wide regret for his death, which occurred at Rome on May 6 1920.
