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LEFT BABIXJM 420 BABKEB is found in the United States and on the continent of Europe. BABIUM, a dyad metallic element; symbol Ba; atomic weight, 137._ Barium is prepared by the decomposition of ba- rium chloride, BaCL, by the electric cur- rent, or by the vapor of potassium. It is a white, malleable metal, which melts at red heat, decomposes water, and oxidizes in the air. Barium occurs in nature as barium carbonite and sulphate. Its salts are prepared by dissolving the carbonate in acids, or by roasting the native sul- phate of barium with one-third its weight of coal, which converts it into barium sulphide, BaS ; this is decomposed by hy- drochloric or nitric acid, according as a chloride or nitrate of barium is required. All soluble salts of barium are very poisonous; the best antidotes are alkaline sulphates. The salts of barium are em- ployed as re-agents in the laboratory, and in the manufacture of fireworks, to produce a green light. BABK, the exterior covering of the stems of exogenous plants. It is com- posed of cellular and vascular tissue, is separable from the wood, and is often regarded as consisting of four layers: (1) The epidermis, or cuticle, which, however, is scarcely regarded as a part of the true bark; (2) the epiphlceum, or outer cellular layer of the true bark or cortex; (3) the mesophlceum, or mid- dle layer, also cellular; (4) an inner vascular layer, the liber, or endophloeum, commonly called bast. Endogenous plants have no true bark. Bark contains many valuable products, as gum, tannin, etc. BARK, PERUVIAN, is the bark of various species of trees of the genus cinchona, found in many parts of South America, but more particularly in Peru. Its medicinal properties depend upon the presence of quinine, which is now ex- tracted from the bark, and prescribed. BARKER, ELSA, an American writer, born in Leicester, Vt. She was educated privately, and for several years acted as teacher and newspaper writer. In 1904 and 1905 she was lecturer for the New York Board of Education. Her books in- clude "The Son of Mary Bethel" (1907) ; •The Frozen Grail and Other Poems" (1910); "War Letters from a Living Dead Man" (1914) ; "Songs of a Vagi-om Angel" (1916). She also wrote several plays. She was a frequent contributor of poetry and prose to magazines. BARKER, FORDYCE, an American physician, born in Wilton, Franklin co.. Me., May 2, 1819. Completing courses at Bowdoin, Harvard, and in Europe, he en- tered upon the practice of his profession in Norwich in 184'5. He made a specialty of obstetrics and diseases of women. After serving as Professor of Midwifery at Bowdoin, he removed to NeT»r York City in 1850. He was an incorporator of the New York Medical College and ob- stetrical surgeon to Bellevue Hospital. He wrote "Puerperal Diseases" and "On Seasickness." Pie died in New York City, May 30, 1891. BARKER (HARLEY) GRANVILLE, an English actor and playwright, born in 1877. He began his career as an actor, but soon became manager of the Court Theater in London. His first successes were made in several of Bernard ^ j Shaw's plays. He was better known w as a playwright than as an actor. The ": revolutionary and realistic movement in the drama early attracted him and he became one of its chief exponents. He produced a number of plays in which prominence was given to social problems. He developed a high technical skill in writing these plays which were produced with great success in England and in the United States. Some of his best known works were "The Marrying of Ann Leet" (1901); "Waste" (1907); "Prunella" 1913). BARKER, WHARTON, an American financier and publicist, born in Philadel- phia in 1846. He graduated from the University of Pennsylvania in 1866 and afterward took post-graduate courses at that institution. He became a member of the banking firm of Barker Bros, and Co., and in 1887 was appointed special financial agent in the United States of the Russian Government. In 1887 he was in Russia as adviser of the Russian Gov- ernment on the development of coal and ^ iron mines, and later spent some time in ■ China in an advisory capacity. He ^ founded the Investment Co. of Philadel- phia and he founded also the "Penn Monthly," which was merged in 1880 into "The American," of which he was publisher from 1880 to 1890. He was chief organizer of the opposition to a third term of General Grant and pro- posed Garfield for president. He was active in Republican politics until 1896, when he became a Populist and was anti- fusion Populist nominee for president in 1900. He was the leading advocate of a commercial union of all American na- tions. He opposed the annexation of the Philippines and urged the independence of the islands. From 1880 he was a trus- Jj tee of the University of Pennsylvania. || He was a member of many economic so- cieties, and was a frequent contributor to magazines on economic subjects.