Page:The New International Encyclopædia 1st ed. v. 02.djvu/745

BECHE-DE-MER. BECHE-DE-MER, Imslrdc-nifir' (Fr., a holo- tlnirinn ). See Trepaxg.

BECHER, beiv'er, Johann Joachisi (1635- 82). A German chemist, born at 8peyer. He acquired an extensive knowledge of medicine, pliysics, chemistry, and economics; then tauglit and practiced medicine at Jlainz. Later he founded a chemical laboratory at Munich, and in 161)0 he was called to Vienna to inaugurate extensive commercial and industrial establish- ments. Becher had many enemies, and was ac- cused — not altogether unjustlj- — of charlatanry. In his Pliysica Siihtcn-dnca (1669), we find the first clear mention of the imaginary fiery princi- ple ('terra pinguis'). which afterw^ards, under the name of phlogiston, played so important a role in chemical theory. Consult Erdberg-Krczen- ciewski. Johunn Joachim Becker (Jena, 1896).

BECHER, SiEGFKiED (1806-73). An Austrian political economist, born at Plan (Bohemia). He studied at Prague and Menna, was appointed professor at the Polytechnic Institute, Vienna, in 1835, and from 1848 to 1852 was employed in the ministry of commerce. His works include Das nsterrcicltisclte Miinztcescn von lo2Ji-18JS (1838) ; Statistische Uebersicht des Handels der iistcrreichischcn Monarchie mit dem Auslande wdhrend der Jahre iS29-3S (1841) ; and Eryeb- nisse dcs HandcJs- tmd Zolleinkommens der osterreichischen Monarchic von den Jahren 1S19- J,S (1846).

BECHSTEIN, beK'stin, JojiANN Matthaus (17o7-1822j . A German naturalist, born at AValtershauscn (Gotlia), and educated at Jena. In 17115 he founded the school of forestry at Waltershausen, and in 1800 was appointed direc- tor of the Academy of Forestry at Ureissigacker. He published Die Forst- iind Jagdn:issenschaft nach alien ihren Teilen (1818-27) ; Die Waldbe- schiitznngslchre (1818); Abbildungen naturhis- torischer Gcyenstiinde (1796-1810); tiaturgc- schichie der Hof- und Stubenviigel (1870).

BECHSTEIN, Ltdwio (1801-60). A German author, born at 'eimar. He first studied phar- macy, but subsequently devoted himself to the study of philosophy, literature, and history at the iraiversities of Leipzig and JIunich. and in 1831 was appointed librarian of the Ducal Li- brary at Jleiningen. He was a learned student of Oermanic folk-lore, wrote novels and verses, but is chiefly known for his collection of fairy-stories. His publications include the poems Der Toten- fanz (Leipzig, 1831) and Luther (1834); the tale, Fahrten cines Musikantcn (1836-37); and the Dcutsches Miirehenbuc'i (1879) and 'Neiics 4eutsrlus Miirclieiibiich (1882).

'''BECHUANALAND, bc-chw-i'na-land. A name applied to the territory in southwestern Africa inliabited by the Bechuanas (q.v.) (llap: Cape Colony. H 4). It includes the Crown colony of Bechuaiialand. annexed to Cape Colony since 1895, and the Bechuanaland Protectorate. The latter comprises all the territory bounded by the JIolopo and the Zambezi rivers, the Transvaal Colon}', southern Rhodesia, and German South- west Africa. Its area is estimated at 213,000 square miles. Bechuanaland is for the most part a high plateau, with an elevation of from 4000 to 5000 feet, and is more adapted for cattle- raising than for grain. In spite of its almost tropical situation, the climate is only a little inferior to that of Cape Colony and is very liealthful for Europeans. The country is poorly watered, and there are several dry river-beds, which till up during the rainy season. The chief industry is cattle-raising. The protectorate is administered b}- the native chiefs under the guidance of a British Resident. The revenue is derived from customs and a hut-tax, the latter collected by native chiefs. There is a railway line open beyond Buluwayo. in Rhodesia. The population is estimated at 200,000, and consists chielly of the tribes of Bamangwato, Bakhatla, Bakwena, Bangwakctse. and Bauuiliti. They have their fixed boundary lines, and have re- tained some of their political institutions. Con- sult: Annual British Colonial Ilrports (Lon- don) : ^lacnab. On Veldt and Farm (London. 1900).

BECHUANAS, bc-chwii'naz. Tribes of Bantu stock in the Transvaal Colony and centre of South Africa, wlio since the colonizing of South Africa have become well known. In response to civilizing influences, and from natural adaptabil- ity, the Bechuanas are among the most advanced nations of Africa. Their strong military and political organizations are shown in the forma- tion of powerful native 'kingdoms' and the ex- tensive migratory movements of the tribes, though they are peaceable in disposition and skillful agriculturists. Totemism prevails, and 'rain-doctors' exercise much influence. In color they are brown rather than black; their height averages 1.684 metres.

BECK, Madame. A leading character in Vi7- lette, a novel by Charlotte Bronte.

BECK, (1856—). A German-American physician, born at Xeckargemiind, Baden. He studied at the universities of Heidelberg, Berlin, and Jena, came to the United States in 1882, and was appointed surgeon to Saint Mark's Hos- pital, New York City, in 1886. Subsequently he became professor of surgical pathology in the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Chicago. He has published a Manual of Surgical Asepsis (1895) and a Text-book on Fractures (1900).

BECK, Christian Daxiel (1757-1832). A German scholar of distinction. He was born at Leipzig, and studied at the University there. In 1782 he was appointed professor of Greek and Latin literature at the university, and in 1819 professor of history. In 1825 he resumed the former chair. His method of literary instruc- tion was historical rather than critical. From 1819 until his death he was editor of the Allge- meines Reperlorium der neuestcn in- und aus- liindischcn Litteratur. His works include the following: Anlcifung zur Kenntnis der allge- meinen Welt- und Tolkergeschichte (1787-1807) ; Commentarii JJistorici Decretorum Religionis ChristianCE ct Formula' Lutheranw (1801) ; Com- mentarii Soeietatis Pliilologicce Lipsiensis (1801- 04) ; and editions of Aristophanes (with Inver- nizzi and Dindorf), Apollonius Rhodius, Plato, and Cicero.

BECK, James Burnie (1822-90). An American politician, born in Dumfriesshire, Scotland. He graduated at the law school of Transylvania Univrsity, Lexington, Ky., and from 1866 to 1875 was a member of Congress. From 1876 until his death he was United States Senator from Kentucky. He was a member of the commission appointed to define the Maryland-Vir-