Page:Collier's New Encyclopedia v. 02.djvu/34

LEFT BICE 20 BICYCLE in water containing carbonic acid gas, as carbonate of calcium thus dissolved, reprecipitated on boiling. Bicarbonate of potassium, KHCO?, is obtained by passing CO2 gas through a saturated aqueous solution of KjCOa (potassium carbonate). It crystallizes in colorless rhombic non-deliquescent crystals, which are soluble in four times their weight of water. It does not give a precipitate with BaCU in the cold. Bicarbonate of potassium is a direct antacid, and is em- ployed in the treatment of acute rheu- matism and for removing uric acid from the system. BICE, the name of two colors used in painting, one blue, the other green, and both native carbonates of copper, though inferior kinds are also prepared artificially. BICEPS, in anatomy, muscles having two heads or origins. Three muscles of the human body have this name applied to them. One is the biceps humeri^ or biceps intemus humeri, and a second the biceps extensor, both of which are in the arm, and the biceps femoris, which is the straight muscle of the thigh. In botany applied to papilionaceous corol- las, which have the claws of the two petals composing the keel distinct in- stead of united. BICETRE (be-sat're), a village of France, 1 mile from Paris, where, in the reign of Charles V., a large build- ing was erected for disabled soldiers, destroyed in the wars under Charles VI. It was rebuilt by Louis XIII., and was used as a military asylum until the Hotel des Invalides was established at Paris. It was afterward used as a hospital. BICHLOEIDE OF GOLD, in chemistry and pharmacy, Au"Cl2, a substance which has risen into notoriety on ac- count of the use made of it by the late Dr. Keeley of Dwight, 111., in the cure of dipsomania and chronic alcoholism. Its general characteristics chemically, posologically, and in physiological ac- tion are to a great extent similar to those of mercury bichloride. BICKEBSTAFF, ISAAC, an Irish dramatic writer, born about 1735; wrote many successful pieces for the stage, some of which are still popular, and was a friend of Garrick, Boswell, etc. He died about 1812. In English literature the name Isaac Bickerstaff occurs as the name assumed by Swift in his contro- versy with Partridge, the almanac maker, and also as the pseudonym of Steele, as editor of the "Tatler." BICKERSTETH, EDWARD, a clergy- man of the Church of England, born in 1786; was in business as a solicitor in Norwich for a time, but took orders and went to Africa in 1816 to reorganize the stations of the Church Missionary Society. Returning to England he was chosen secretary to that society. In 1830 he became rector of Watton in Hertford, and was one of the founders of the Evangelical Alliance. His pub- lications, which had an immense circula- tion, included the "Christian Student," "A Treatise on the Lord's Supper," "A Treatise on Prayer," and "The Signs of the Times." He died in 1850. BICKERSTETH, EDWARD HENRY, an American bishop and poet, born in Islington, England, Jan. 25, 1825. He is author of "Rock of Ages" (1859); "Yesterday, To-day and Forever" (1866) ; "The Hymnal Companion to the Book of Prayer;" and some poems. He was consecrated Bishop of Exeter in 1885. He died in London, 1906. BICKMORE, ALBERT SMITH, an American naturalist, born in St. George, Me., March 1, 1839; graduated at Dart- mouth College in 1860, and studied un- der Agassiz at the Lawrence Scientific School of Harvard. In 1865-1868 he traveled in the Malay Archipelago and in eastern Asia; in 1869 became Pro- fessor of Natural History in Madison (now Colgate) University; and, in 1885, Professor in charge of the Department of Public Instruction at the American Museum of Natural History, New York City (1882-1904). His publications in- clude "Travels in the East Indian Archi- pelago" (1869) ; "The Ainos or Hairy Men of Jesso." He died on Aug. 12, 1914. BICKNELL, a city of Indiana, in Knox CO. It is on the Indianapolis and Vincennes railroad and on the White river. It is the center of an extensive coal region and there are several im- portant mines in the vicinity. Pop. (1910) 2,794; (1920) 7,635. BICYCLE, a two-wheeled instrument driven by pedal cranks on either side and propelled by the rider, who sits astride upon a seat, or saddle, which is mounted on a frame in which the wheels are set. A handle bar in front is used to guide the forward wheel, which acts as a steering wheel, to preserve or change the direction. In the early, and now obsolete form, the bicycle was propelled by striking the rider's feet on the ground. The rider sat upon a figure or frame, roughly resembling the body of a horse. The bicycle is a gradual evo- lution from a four-wheeled, self-propel-