3. Sulphuric ether, 1⁄2 lb.; strongest rectified spirit, 1 quart; mix. May be used at once, as before; but if otherwise, should be kept, like the last, closely corked, and in a cool place.
4. Soapwort-root (saponaria officinalis), bruised or rasped small, 1 lb.; rectified spirit and water, of each 1⁄2 gall.; macerate in a corked jar, with occasional agitation, for 8 or 10 days, strain with pressure, and, after a few days’ repose, decant the clear portion. Used as before.
Obs. The above are not injurious when employed for ‘beading,’ since the quantity employed is much too small to injure the wholesomeness of the liquor. The fraud consists in their being used to disguise the presence of 10 to 12% of water, which is thus sold at the price of spirit. Beyond a certain degree of dilution they fail, however, to produce the intended effect, the bubbles becoming ‘soapy,’ and without the requisite permanence. The addition of a little powdered white sugar (1⁄2 oz. to 11⁄2 oz. per gall.) increases the efficacy of all of them. This may be dissolved in the water, if any is added at the time; but its effect on the hydrometer must be recollected. See Alcoholometry, Gin, Spirit (Management of), &c.
BEAK′ER (bēke′-). Syn. Beak′er-glass. In chemistry, a beaked cup or glass, more or less of the tumbler-pattern, used to collect precipitates and to heat liquids in.
BEAL* (bēle). Syn. Bouton, Pustule, Fr. A pimple or pustule; a small inflamed tumour.
BEAM (bēme). See Balance, Scales, &c.
BEAM′-TREE. Syn. White beam-tree. The ‘pyrus aria’ or wild pear. Wood, hard, compact, and tough; used for axle-trees, naves and cogs of wheels, &c.
BEAN (bēne). [Sax., Eng.] Syn. Fa′ba, L.; Fève, Fr.; Bohne, Ger. The general name of leguminous seeds, as also of the plants which produce them; appr., fa′ba vulgār′is (Mönch.[122] vĭcia faba, Linn.) or common GAR′DEN-BEAN, phase′olus multiflōr′us (Willd.) or SCARLET-RUNN′ER,[123] and ph. vulgaris (Sav.), French bean, KID′NEY-B., or HAR′ICOT (-ko),[124] with their varieties, all of which are annuals cultivated in our gardens—the first chiefly for its seeds—the others both for their green pods and ripe seed. The name is also often popularly applied, as an appellative, to the fruit or seeds of other plants which, in size and appearance, resemble common beans, as noticed below.
[122] Var. β, HORSE′-BEAN (fa′ba equi′na, f. mi′nor, &c., L.)