B.
Barb, n. L. barba, a beard; a tuft of hairs; a sharp point projecting backward from the point of a fish hook or arrow or any other sharp-pointed instrument. The barb prevents the instrument from being readily withdrawn.
Bark, n. The outer covering of the stems and roots of woody plants.
Beak, n. The bill of a bird; the long, projecting point in the fruit of the geraniums.
Bloodroot, n. An early spring flower. A pretty, delicate, white flower opens on a stem that comes up from the ground, and the roots, when wounded, yield a blood-red sap.
Boer, n. D. boer, a farmer; a peasant; the name of the Dutch colonists of South Africa. They are principally farmers and cattle raisers. They have had many difficulties with the English settlers, in some of which blood has been shed.
Bract, n. L. bractea, a thin plate of metal; gold-leaf. Used of small, usually thin, leaf-like parts, and often found near a flower or flower cluster.
Bulb, n. L. bulbus, a bulbous root; an onion; the name of the underground, scale-covered part of hyacinths, etc.