Bilychnis, Gr. and R. A double lamp with two beaks and two wicks, so as to give out two separate flames.
Binio, R. A gold coin current at Rome. It was worth two aurei or fifty silver denarii. (See Aureus.)
Bipalium, R. A spade, furnished with a cross-bar, by pressing the foot on which the instrument could be pushed into the ground. Representations of this tool occur pretty frequently on tombs.
Fig. 87. Bipennis.
Bipennis or Bipenne, Gen. (penna, a wing). An axe with a double blade or edge, used as an agricultural implement, an adze, or a military weapon. The Greeks, who called it βουπλὴξ, never made use of it. It was used especially by barbarous nations, such as the Amazons, Scythians, Gauls, &c. Fig. [87] represents a Gaulish bipennis taken from one of the bas-reliefs on the triumphal arch at Orange.
Bird, in Egyptian hieroglyphics, signified the soul of man, and in Christian art had originally a similar meaning afterwards forgotten.
Bird-bolt. A short thick arrow, with a blunt head, about the breadth of a shilling.
Biremis, R. (remus, an oar). A pair-oared boat, or a vessel having two banks of oars.
