BAIIHINIA, a genus of plants of the natural order, leguminoste, sub-order cirsalpinemr. The upper petal is somewhat remote from the rest. The leaves are generally divided into two lobes. The species are natives of the warmer regions of both hemispheres, and some of them arc remarkable for the size and beauty of their flowers. 3lost of them are twining plants or lianas, stretching from tree to tree in the tropical forests; but some are small trees, as B. porrecta, the mountain ebony of Jamaica, so called from the color of its wood. The inner bark of B. racemosa (the Maloo climber), of 13. scandens, and of B. parvillora, East Indian species, is employed for making ropes. B. retusa and B. emarginata, also East Indian, exude a brownish colored mild gum ; whilst the astringent bark of B. varkgata is used in Malabar for tanning and dyeing leather, and also in medicine. The leaves of various species are used in Brazil as demulcent medicines, having mucilaginous properties—Livingstone mentions a species of B. in s.
Africa, called the mopane tree. It is remarkable for the little shade which its leaves afford. They fold together and stand nearly erect during the heat of the day. On them the larvae of a species of psylla cause a saccharine secretion, in circular patches, beneath which the pupa of the insect is found. The natives scrape it off and eat it as a dainty.
Bat ft, ANToncE, 1728-1804; a French chemist, distinguished for success in the practical application of the science. Ile became a professor in the college of pharmacy, kept a large establishment for the preparation of drugs, and published many papers on chemistry, and arts.tind manufactures. Among his inventions and improvements were a process to bleach raw silk, the manufacturing of sal ammoniac, of improved scarlet dyes, and is cheap process for purifying saltpeter. He published se is works on his favorite theme of chemistry. He made for the areometer a scale which s still used.