Page:Willich, A. F. M. - The Domestic Encyclopædia (Vol. 1, 1802).djvu/296

266] , and as soon as they are withdrawn, the cavity is likewise to be filled with the mixture. After having been suspended by the legs, for a few days, the bird may be fixed in a frame, in its natural attitude.  Bird-grass.—See Roughish.  BIRD-CHERRY, or the Prunus Padus, L. is a species of cherry-tree, growing wild in several parts of Britain, especially in the North of England, and some parts of Norfolk.

The Bird-cherry tree attains a height of fifteen or twenty feet, is of a shrub-like growth, with a branchy top; its leaves are large, oblong, rough, and scrated; the fruit large and red.—See 455.

From the fruit cf the Bird-cherry an agreeable wine may be produced: and it is affirmed in the Transactions of the Swedish Academy, for 1774, that its kernels, when deprived of their external rind, afford so good a substitute for almond milk, that the most experienced persons cannot ascertain the difference. Its wood is much used on the Continent, by cabinet-makers and upholsterers;—its inner bark affords a green lixivium for dyers.  Bird's Eye. See.  BIRD's FOOT (Common), or Ornithopus perpusillus, L. is an indigenous plant; the yellow flowers of which blow in July or August; and the legumen, or pulse, is curved in the form of a bow. See ''Lond. fasc.'' 6.

This plant affords a good fodder for sheep, when grass is scarce, in the latter end of autumn.  BIRTHWORT (Slender), or Aristolochia clematitis, L. is the only indigenous species of that plant: it has heart-shaped leaves, an upright stem, and its root is long and slender.—See ''Engl. Bot.'' 398.

On being chewed, the Birthwort instantly imparts an aromatic bitterness, not ungrateful to the palate. It possesses medicinal virtues, and is prescribed as an attenuant of viscid phlegm, and promoter of the fluid secretions. The dose in substance is from a scruple to two drams. There are four other species of this plant imported for medicinal purposes, particularly the Aristolochia longa, a native of France, Spain, and Italy. It is applied externally in cutaneous diseases, as likewise for cleansing and healing wounds and ulcers.  BISCUIT, a kind of bread manufactured by confectioners, of fine flour, eggs, sugar, and rose or orange water; or of flour, eggs, and sugar, with aniseeds and citron-peel.

Sea-Biscuit, a sort of hard, dry bread, formed into flat cakes: when intended for long voyages, it is four times baked, six months before it is shipped; after which it will continue good during a whole year. In order to preserve such bread from insects, Mr. recommends the fumigation of the casks with sulphur, after they have been filled. Biscuits may likewise be preserved, by packing them in casks well calked, and lined with tin.

As the manufacture of sea-biscuits is of considerable importance to a maritime country, we shall communicate the method of baking practised in France.

In the preparation of biscuit, a proportion of ten pounds of leaven (rather more stale than that commonly used tor bread), is diluted in warm water, with one hundred pounds