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The Black Arches (Lymantria monacha) is a moth of the family Lymantriidae, widespread throughout the temperate zone of Europe and Asia. At the start of the 20th century the
Black Arches moth caused devastation to the spruce trees of central Europe.
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Black Bass is a species of spiny-finned fish of the sea perch and bass family. They are dark freshwater fish weighing up to five lbs.
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The black bean or Moreton Bay chestnut (Castanospermum australe), is an Australian leguminous tree with a thin, smooth bark and yellow or reddish flowers. It is used in furniture manufacture.
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Black Bryony (Tamus communis) is a plant of the family Dioscoreaceae (the yams) and not a Bryony at all. It has cordate undivided leaves, greenish flowers, red berries and a black fleshy root.
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The Black buck (Antilope cervicapra), also known as the sasin or Indian antelope, is an Indian antelope. The adult male stands about 80 centimetres at the shoulder and weighs about 38 kg. Its ringed horns have a moderate spiral twist of three to four turns and are up to 70 centimetres long. The body's upper parts are black; the under parts and a ring around the eyes are white. The light-brown female is usually hornless. Black bucks frequent the open plains in herds. When the rut reaches a peak, one male establishes dominance. After six months the mated females each bear one fawn, which joins the herd with its mother about two weeks later and remains with her for more than a year. The fastest of the Indian antelopes, black bucks have been over hunted and are in danger of becoming extinct. The name black buck has also been applied to the sable antelope of Africa.
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Black cumin (Nigella sativa) or fennel flower, is an annual herb native to southern Europe and western Asia, with an erect, branched stem and alternate, finely divided, feathery, greyish-green leaves. The flowers are bluish-white in colour, star-shaped, terminal and solitary without petals. The fruit is a globose capsule with small black, rough seeds. Black cumin is widely cultivated as a spice, the peppery seeds being added to curries and other hot dishes and the seeds are widely believed to cure most ailments.
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Black currant (Ribes nigrum) is a deciduous shrub of the family Saxifragaceae native to Asia, north and central Europe. It has erect spineless twigs, and alternate stalked leaves that are three- to five-lobed, the lobes pointed and coarsely toothed. The flowers are small, greenish-white in colour and arranged in loose pendulous racemes in the leaf axils. The fruit is an edible - though very bitter - globose black berry.
Black currant has been cultivated for its fruit for hundreds of years, and has been used as a general tonic - presumably due to its high vitamin C content - since at least the 16th century.
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The Black cypress (Taxodium distichum) is an American tree found in swampy areas. It's timber is widely used.
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The Black East Indian is a breed of duck.
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The Black Gum (Nyssa multiflora) is an American tree of the natural order Cornaceae yielding a close-grained, useful wood. The fruit is a drupe of a blue-black colour, whence it seems to get its name of 'black': it has no gum about it. It is called also pepperidge, and has been introduced into Europe as an ornamental tree.
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The Black Hairstreak (Strymonidia pruni) is a butterfly of the family Lycaenidae found in the temperate zone of Europe and east through Asia to Korea in warm, shrubby localities overgrown with blackthorn and sometimes in plum orchards. The caterpillar feeds on blackthorn and plum.
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Black horehound (Ballota nigra) is a perennial European herb of the family Labiate with a short, stout, rhizome and erect or ascending, branched, square and leafy stems. The leaves are opposite, stalked, wrinkled and coarsely crenate-serrate. All the parts of the plant are hairy and have a strong, disagreeable smell and taste. The flowers are usually pinkish-purple, though sometimes white, and are arranged in numerous whorls in the upper leaf axils. The corolla has two lips; the upper lip is hooded, the lower lip has prominent white markings on it. The calyx is funnel-shaped with five veins and five broad spreading teeth which are curved back in the fruit which consists of four smooth one-seeded nutlets.
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The Black Milk Snake (Lampropeltis triangulum gaigae) is a Central American species of Milk Snake found in the mountains of Costa Rica and Panama. The young
Black Milk Snakes are patterned, but as the animal matures it becomes completely black in colour.
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Black mustard (Brassica nigra) is an erect, branching cruciferous annual with slender stems. The lower leaves are bristly, pinnately cut, the terminal lobe much larger than the others. The flowers are small and yellow and carried at the stem-tips. The fruit is a small, very slender, beaked siliquae pressed against the stems.
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The Black Norfolk is a breed of turkey.
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The black poplar (Populus nigra) is a large deciduous tree native to Britain, with spreading branches that arch downwards, and a brown, later greyish- black coloured, deeply furrowed bark. The leaves are alternate and serrate and are triangular-ovate with a wedge-like base and flattened petioles. The reddish-brown coloured axillary buds are long and sticky and curve upwards at the tip. Black poplar is dioecious, with crimson coloured male and green coloured female flowers arranged in catkins that open in early spring before the leaves appear. The fruit is a capsule which releases seeds with a white pappus.
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The black snake (Coluber constrictor) is a common non-venomous snake found in the USA. It is about five feet long and is so agile it was nicknamed the Racer. It feeds on small animals and birds and was used for catching rats. In Australia the black snake is a popular name for Pseudechis porphyriacus, a highly poisonous species allied to the cobra.
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The Black Swallowtail (Papilio polyxenes) is an American butterfly of the family Papilionidae.
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Black-Beetle is a popular name for the cockroach.
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Black-Boy is a popular name for the grass-trees (Xanthorrhoea) of Australia yielding a gum or resin called black-boy resin or akaroid resin.
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The Black-crowned Night-heron (Nycticorax nycticorax) is a medium sized, stocky American heron of the order Grallae, family Ardeidae. It is grey with a white throat and breast, black cap; immature birds are brown with a streaked front; breeding individuals have two long white plumes extending from the back of the head. They are active mainly from dusk to dawn, roosting during the day.
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The Black-shouldered Kite (Elanus caeruleus) is a medium sized, slender, long-winged American hawk of the order Falconiformes, family Accipitridae with white head and tail, grey wings and black shoulders. It forages by hovering in place over prey, then settling down on it feet first. It feeds on small mammals, other small vertebrates and insects.
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The Black-throated Diver or Arctic Loon (Gavia arctica) is a sea bird of the family Colymbidae, native to northern Europe and northwest Asia, which sometimes breeds in northern Scotland. Its colouration comprises grey-brown upper parts with white under parts. The nest is built on islets near deep water, and comprises a shallow depression in grass, usually without any lining, and often by the water's edge enabling the birds to slip straight into the water from the nest. One or two, occasionally three eggs are laid in April or May, and the partners take turns in incubating them for about a month. After hatching, the chicks take straight to the water with their parents who continue to care for them for a further two months. The Black-throated Diver feeds primarily on fish diving to as much as forty-five metres in pursuit of prey, but also eats crustaceans and molluscs and the occasional frog, worm and aquatic insects.
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The Black-veined Moth (Siona lineata) is a moth of the family Geometridae with a wing span of between 35band 40 mm found in temperate Europe and Asia mostly in grassy biotopes and sub-montane meadows flying from May to July.
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The Black-veined white (Aporia crataegi) is a European butterfly of the family Pieridae, formerly found in Britain but now extinct there. It is noted for its mass occurrence and migrations and the notorious devastation of fruit trees by its caterpillars.
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Black-wood or Indian Rosewood (Dalbergia latifolia) is a leguminous tree of Hindustan, the timber of which is highly valued and much used in the manufacture of fine furniture. The Australian Black-wood is the Acacia melanocylon.
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The blackbird or merle (Turdus merula) is a British bird of the thrush family common in Britain and throughout Europe. It is larger than the common thrush, its length being about 25 cm. The male has black plumage and a yellow bill. The female is dark brown with a dark bill. The nest is usually in a thick bush, and is built of grass, roots, twigs, etc, strengthened with clay. The eggs, generally four or five in number, are of a greenish-blue, spotted with various shades of brown. The song is rich, mellow, and Mute-like, but of no great variety or compass.
Its food is insects, worms, snails, fruits, etc, and blackbirds may often be seen hunting worms across garden lawns which they do by attracting the worms to the surface by stamping their feet in imitation of rain fall, listening with their head cocked to one side, and then yanking the worm from the ground with their beak when it emerges.
The blackbird was formerly known as the 'Ouzel' or 'Ousel', 'missel thrush', 'mistletoe thrush', 'Holm Thrush', 'Holm Screech' and 'storm cock' in various parts of England, Scotland and Wales.
The blackbirds or crow-blackbirds of America are quite different from the European blackbird, and are more nearly allied to the starlings and crows.
The red-winged blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus}, belonging to the starling family, is a familiar American bird that congregates in great flocks.
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The blackcap or black-cap (Sylvia atricapilla) is an English and Eurpean song bird of the warbler family. It is about 15 centimetres long, the upper part of the body is dark- grey with a greenish tinge, the under parts are silvery white and the upper part of the head is black (hence the name). The female has its hood of a dull rust colour. The blackcap is met with in England from April to September. Its nest is built near the ground; the eggs, from five to six, are reddish-brown, mottled with a deeper colour. It ranks next to the nightingale for sweetness of song.
The American black-cap is a species of tit-mouse (Parus atricapillus), so called from the colouring of the head.
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The Blackfish (Tautoga americana), is a fish caught on the American coast, especially in the vicinity of Long Island, whence large supplies are obtained for the New York market. Its back and sides are of a bluish or crow black; the under parts, especially in the males, are white. It is plump in appearance, and much esteemed for the table, varying in size from 2 to 12 lbs. Another fish, the Centrolophus morio found in the Mediterranean and on the coasts of Western Europe, is also called blackfish. It belongs to the mackerel family. In Scotland the term is applied to foul or newly-spawned fish. In America two species of small whale of the genus Globiocephalus also get this name.
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The Blackheaded Persian is a breed of sheep that originated in the arid regions of east Africa in what is now Somali. It is one of the fat-rumped breeds and both sexes are polled. The breed is now found in South Africa where they are sometimes known by the name Swartkoppersie. It also found its way to the tropics of the Caribbean region via South Africa many years ago. The Caribbean population has adapted well to the humid tropics.
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The Blackneck Garter Snake (Thamnophis cyrtopsis) is an American species of Garter snake usually green or greyish-green in colour with a distinct, pale yellow or white coloured mid-dorsal stripe and a whitish coloured belly, and with distinct black half-oval spots extending from behind the head for about three rows of scales.
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The Blackneck Moth is a moth of the family Noctuidae with a wing span of between 37 and 42 mm found in Europe and Asia. Two generations are produced flying from May to June and August to September.
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The blacktip shark (Carcharhinus limbatus) is a generally harmless shark - though they can be dangerous to divers when the sharks are feeding - found in most parts of the world, growing to about 280 cm long. The blacktip shark is characterised by a black tip to the dorsal fin, pectoral fins and lower lobe of the tail fin. The blacktip shark feeds on small schooling fish such as sardines, anchovies and menhaden and also bottom-dwelling fish, crustaceans and squid. The blacktip shark is grey or grey-brown in colour with a white under belly. The snout is long and parabolic with the eyes on the side of the head near the mouth's leading edge.
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Bladder Campion (Silene inflata) is a summer blooming British wild flower. It has glaucous foliage, bladder-like calyx and white petals.
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Bladder Senna (Colutea arborescens) is a much-branched leguminous shrub of Southern Europe with bladder-like pods and purgative properties. The leaves are pinnately divided, the rounded leaflets up to three centimetres long. The plant bears showy yellow flowers carried in loose stalked clusters arising from the leaf axils of young shoots.
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The bladder-nut is a name of shrubs or small trees of the genus Staphylea, family Sapindaceae. They are native to Europe, Asia and North America.
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Bladder-wrack is a sea-weed so called because of the floating vesicles in its fronds. It is common on English beachs.
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The bladderwort (Utricularia vulgaris) is a group of genera of some 275 species of aquatic and terrestrial herbs of the family Lentibulariaceae, species of which are natives of Britain, the United States, etc. They grow in ditches and pools. They are named from having little bladders or vesicles, that fill with air at the time of flowering and raise the plant in the water, so that the blossoms expand above the surface.
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Blanchard's Milk Snake is a rare species of Milk snake found in lowland and deciduous forests of the Yucatan Peninsula, distinguished by a complete black ring at the start of the dorsum.
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Blapsidae are a family of nocturnal black beetles, whose wings are generally obsolete and their elytra soldered together. They are to be found in gloomy damp places and when seized discharge a peculiar smelling liquid in self- defence.
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In biology, blastoderm is the germinal skin or membrane forming the superficial layer of the impregnated ovum, and from which the rudiment of the new being is formed.
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In biology, blastogenesis is the term given to reproduction by gemmation or budding.
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In biology, blastomere is the term applied to each segment into which the ovum divides after impregnation. The segments may remain united as a single cell-aggregate, or some or all of them may become separate organisms.
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The blattidae are a family of insects of the order Orthoptera. They are voracious, some species eating everything which gets in their way. The cockroach (Blatta orientalis) is a member of this family.
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A blaze is the name given to an elongated area of light or white colouration on the forehead between a horse's eyes.
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The bleak (Alburnus lucidus) is a small river fish, six or seven inches long. It is a member of the Carp family and resembles the dace. It is found in England and Europe. It is generally silver but with a green back and is very edible.
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Bledius is a genus of rove beetles, Staphylinidae, with 25 species in Britain. They have spines on their first pair of tibiae for digging, their body is cylindrical and their pronotum and abdomen are clearly separated. They burrow in flat sandy or clayey soil or in vertical banks mostly in waterside locations, where they live in colonies feeding on algae.
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The Blenheim is a variety of spaniel bearing a close resemblance to the King Charles breed, but is somewhat smaller. It is so named from having been originally bred by one of the Dukes of Marlborough. It has a short muzzle, long silky hair without any curl, and long pendulous ears.
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The Blenny is a genus of acanthopterygious fishes (Blennius) distinguished by a short rounded head and a long compressed smooth body. Owing to their small gill openings they can exist for some time without water. They are found in sea water. Some species are found off the coast of Britain. Many of the genus hatch their young within the body of the female and produce them alive.
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The blesbok (Alcelaphus albifrons) is an antelope found in South Africa. It has a white marked face, a general chocolate colouring and a 'saddle' of a bluish colour. It was heavily hunted during the 19th century.
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The Blessed Thistle (Carduus benedictus) is an annual herb of the family Compositae, native to the south of Europe and formerly used in medicine. It is mentioned in Much Ado About Nothing.
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Blethisa is a genus of beetles of the family Carabidae. Blethisa multipunctata is a black beetle with a bronze sheen, between 10 and 13 mm long, with rather short antennae and rows of fine punctures and two rows of large dimples on its elytra. They live on swampy ground next to stagnant water, especially marshes in lowlands.
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The Bleu du Maine (Blaukpfiges Fleischschaf, Bazougers, Bluefaced Maine, Blue-headed Maine, Maine-Anjou, Maine a tete bleue, Maynne Blue) is a breed of sheep that originated in Western France in the region of Mayenne. The breed was developed from crossing of Leicester Longwool and Wensleydale which were imported during a period from 1855 to 1880 with the now extinct Choletais breed. The
Bleu du Maine are a large breed with mature rams weighing 240 pounds and ewes 175. The breed has no wool on its head or legs. The face is a dark grey or blue colour and both sexes are polled.
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The Blind fish are several species of fishes of the family Amblyopsidae inhabiting the American cave-streams.
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The blind mole (Talpa caeca) is a smaller mole, with a longer, slender nose, and whitish hair on the lips, legs, tail and particularly the forelegs found in the Iberian peninsula, northern Italy, the Adriatic coast and Greece. The eyes are permanently closed by a thin membrane which cannot be opened without damage. The upper incisor teeth form a V-shape with the largest, central (first) incisors being more than twice the size of the smallest, peripheral (third) ones. The blind mole is confined to mountainous areas, in contrast to the Roman and Common Moles which are both found in various habitats from the Appenine Mountains and Alps through to coastal areas. In contrast to the Roman Mole (which does not overlap with the Common Mole), the Blind Mole is generally thought to overlap in distribution the Common Mole. Like the common mole, the blind mole eats primarily earthworms, plus beetles and fly larvae, slugs, centipedes and millipedes.
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The blindworm or slow-worm (Anguis fragilis) is a reptile, forming a connecting link between the lizards and the snakes, perfectly snake-like in form, having no appearance of external limbs, though the bones of the shoulders and pelvis exist in a rudimentary form. They are about 30 cm long, and of nearly equal thickness throughout. Its eyes, though brilliant, are small, and hence its common name. It is common in Great Britain, and is spread over almost the whole of Europe, Western Asia, and Northern Africa. It is perfectly harmless, living upon worms, insects, and snails, and hybernating during the winter. It receives its specific name of fragilis from the fact that when frightened it stiffens its muscles to such an extent, and becomes so rigid, that its tail may be snapped off by a slight blow.
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The Blonde d'Aquitaine is a breed of cattle.
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The blood-bird (Myzomela sanguinolenta) is an Australian species of honey-sucker so called from the rich scarlet colour of the head, breast, and back of the male.
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Blood-flower is the popular name for some of the red-flowered species of Hoemanthus, a genus of bulbous plants of the Amaryllis family, natives of the Cape of Good Hope. The most common species is Hoemanthus coccineus, or Cape Tulip, a very showy plant, the bulb of which is used as a diuretic.
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Blood-root or red puccoon (Sanguinaria canadensis) is a North American plant of the Sanguinaria genus, Poppy family Papaveraceae. It is a low, smooth, bluish-green perennial plant found in rich woods of the eastern USA. The flowers are showy, white or pinkish in colour and about five centimetres wide borne singularly on stalks some twenty centimetres long. It was used by North American Indians to provide red paint derived from the root. Today sanguinarine, used in medicine, is derived from its root.
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The Blood-vein (Timandra griseata) is a moth of the family Geometridae with a wing span of between 23 and 28 mm found in Europe and Asia flying from May to October in two generations.
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The bloodhound is an ancient breed of Palestinian dog black and tan in colour, though many varieties of colouring occur, with a short haired coat, standing about 65 cm tall, and with pendulous ears. The Bloodhound was introduced to Britain by the Normans after the Battle of Hastings in 1066. It has great powers of scent and is often used for tracking., being employed to recover game or prey which has escaped wounded from the hunter, by tracing the lost animal by the blood it has spilt: whence the name of the dog. There are several varieties of this animal, as the English, the Cuban, and the African bloodhound. In some places blood-hounds have not only been trained to the pursuit of game, but also to the chase of man. In America they used to be employed in hunting fugitive slaves. As a family dog Bloodhounds are sensitive and friendly but do require long daily walks.
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Bloodroot or Tormentil (Potentilla erecta) is a perennial herb of the family Rosaceae native to Britain, Europe and western Asia. It has a stout rhizome and ascending or almost erect, on-rooting branched stems. The basal leaves are stalked, coarsely-toothed, termate and arranged in a rosette. The stem leaves are sessile, ternate and have a pair of palmately lobed leafy stipules. The flowers are yellow, long-stalked and arranged in loose terminal cymes, having only four petals and sepals. The astringent root is used in medicine as an analgesic, for tanning, and in dyeing.
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The Bloodword Burnet (Zygaena laeta) is a moth of the family Zygaenidae with a wing span of between 25 and 27 mm found in central and south-east Europe and Asia Minor flying from June to August.
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The Bloody-Nosed Beetle (Timarcha goettingensis) is a large, almost spherical wingless leaf beetle (Chrysomelidae).
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The Blotched Emerald (Comibaena bajularia) is a moth of the family Geometridae with a wing span of between23 and 27 mm found in central and southern Europe and Asia Minor flying from June to July. The caterpillar lives solely on oak leaves.
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Blue bell (Polemonium reptans) also known as Abscess Root, American Greek Valerian, False Jacob's Ladder and Sweatroot is a plant of the family Polemoniaceae. It grows in damp woods by creeping roots. The stem is about five centimetres long, much branched and bearing pinnate leaves with six or seven pairs of leaflets. The flowers are nodding, blue in colour and hang in loose terminal bunches. A tincture of the root is used in medicine as an expectorant.
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The blue bottle (Musca vomitoria) is a large blue species of the blow- fly.
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Blue flea-bane (Erigeron acris) is a biennial plant occasionally found growing in dry situations in Britain. It bears small heads of yellow and purplish flowers in late summer.
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The Blue Ground Beetle (Carabus intricatus) is a large and flightless beetle of the family Carabidae found in southern Europe, and formerly in south-west Britain where it may now be extinct. It lives mainly in deciduous forests at moderate altitudes and grows to between 24 and 36 mm long.
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Blue Java is a blue-green skinned variety of banana with white flesh, and a taste like vanilla ice cream.
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The Blue-bird (Erythaca or Sialia Wisloni) is a small dentirostral, insessorial bird, very common in the United States. The upper part of the body is blue, and the throat and breast of a dirty red. It makes its nest in the hole of a tree or in the box that is so commonly provided for its use by the friendly farmer. The blue-bird is the harbinger of spring to the Americans; its song is cheerful, continuing with little interruption from March to October, but is most frequently heard in the serene days of the spring. It is also called blue robin or blue redbreast, and is regarded with the same sort of sentiments as the robin of Europe.
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The blue-fish (Temnodon) is a sea fish common off the Atlantic coast of the USA. It is similar to the mackerel, but grows to one metre long. Also called the skip-jack, horse-mackerel and green-fish.
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The Blue-Spot Hairstreak (Strymonidia spini) is a butterfly of the family Lycaenidae found in the warmer regions of Europe and the Middle East found in dry, shrubby localities where the caterpillar feeds on blackthorn and buckthorn.
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The blue-throat (Sylvia succica) is a bird with a tawny breast marked with a sky-blue crescent. It is found in northern Europe and Asia. It is eaten in France.
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The blue-wing is a genus of American ducks so called because of the colour of the wing coverts. One species (Querquedula discors) is highly esteemed for its flavour when cooked and eaten.
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The Bluefaced Leicester (Hexham Leicester, Bluefaced Maine, Blue-headed Maine) is an English Longwool breed of sheep and originated near Hexham in the county of Northumberland, England during the early 1900's. The breed was originally developed to use in the production of high quality crossbred ewes which were pastures in the neighbouring hills of the region. They originated from Border Leicester individuals selected for the blue face (white hairs on black skin) and finer fleeces. They are found primarily in Northern England, Scotland and Wales. The average weight for mature rams is approximately 115 kg with adult ewes weighing 80 kg. The wool is classed as demi-luster and fine.
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The bo tree, lso called the Pipal or Prepul (Ficus religiosa) is an Indian fig tree held sacred to Buddha and of Vishnu. It is a tree of considerable size, with sap abounding in caoutchouc, while it also yields lac.
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The boa is a genus of serpents of the family Boidae. They are distinguished by having jaws which can dilate to enable them to swallow prey thicker than themselves. They also have a hook on each side of the vent; the tail prehensile; the body compressed and largest in the middle, and with small scales, at least on the posterior part of the head.
The genus includes some of the largest species of serpents, reptiles endowed with immense muscular power. They seize sheep, deer, etc, and crush them in their folds, after which they swallow the animal whole. The boas are peculiar to the hot parts of South America. The Boa constrictor is not one of the largest members of the genus, rarely exceeding six metres in length; but the name boa or boa constrictor is often given popularly to any of the large serpents of similar habits, and so as to include the Pythons of the Old World and the Anaconda and other large serpents of America.
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The Boa Constrictor is a species of snake of the Boa genus found in South America. The Boa Constrictor grows to about 4.5 metres in length (rarely more than six meters) and is brown in colour with black and yellowish markings. The Boa Constrictor is not venomous, but suffocates its prey by constricting its chest so that it cannot take breath.
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Boar is a male, not castrated pig (swine). The term is also applied to distinguish wild hogs from domesticated hogs (pigs).
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The boat-fly (Notonecta glauca) is an aquatic hemipterous insect which swims on its back.
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The boatbill (Cochlearius cochlearius), is a heron-like bird of the family Ardeidae so named because it has a short, broad bill resembling an overturned boat. It is about 51 centimetres high, with shorter legs than most herons, and is grey and black in colour. Boatbills inhabit mangrove swamps from Mexico to southern Brazil and is believed to feed on small fish and aquatic animal life; however, because it is a nocturnal bird, little is known of its habits.
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The bobcat (Felis rufa) is a Wild cat living in a variety of habitats from Southern Canada through to Southern Mexico. It is similar to the Lynx, but only 75 centimetres long, with reddish fur and less well-developed ear tufts.
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A bobtail is a young fawn just weaned.
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Boehmeria is a genus of plants of the family Urticaceae, closely resembling the stinging nettle. A number of the species yield tenacious fibres which are used for making ropes, twine and nets.
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Bog Asphodel (Narthecium ossifragum) is a British plant of the lily family with pretty star-like flowers. It grows in elevated moors and boggy grounds.
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The Bog Fritillary (Proclossiana eunomia) is a Boreo-Alpine butterfly of the brush-footed butterflies family (Nymphalidae).
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The bogue is an acanthopterygian fish found in the Mediterranean. It has large eyes and a brilliant colouring.
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The Boidae are the Pythons and Boas family of reptiles of the suborder Serpentes (snakes). The family is comprised of five subfamilies, twenty three genera and some eighty species found in the tropics. The members range in size from 45 cm to 10 meters, and include the largest living snake. The members have strong, recurved teeth in the mouth and overcome their prey by constriction.
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Boiginae is a subfamily of reptiles of the Typical Snakes family Colubridae of the suborder Serpentes (Snakes). The subfamily is comprised of about 73 genera and 330 species most of which are found in Africa and tropical America, a few genera being found in North America, Europe and Asia and a single genus in Australia. All the members have grooved venom fangs at the rear of the upper jaw.
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Boinae is the 'typical Boas' subfamily of reptiles of the family Pythoninae, suborder Serpentes (snakes). The subfamily contains some 41 species in eleven genera.
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Boletus is a genus of fungi, sub-family Hymenomycetes, family Polyporei. They have a broad hemispherical cap the lower surface formed of open tubes, cylindrical in form, and adhering to one another. The tubes can be separated from the cap and contain little cylindrical capsules which are the organs of reproduction.
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Bolitobius is a genus of brightly coloured rove beetles, Staphylinidae.
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Bolitochara is a genus of rove beetles, Staphylinidae, found living on fungi.
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Bolyeriinae is the 'Round Island Boas' subfamily of reptiles of the family Pythoninae, suborder Serpentes (snakes). The subfamily contains two genera found only on Round Island, Mauritius. One genus (Bolyeria) has not been seen since 1975 and is believed to be extinct.
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Bombadier beetle is a name given to several genera of ground beetles, including Brachinus and Aptinus. The only bombadier beetle found in Britain is Brachinus crepitans.
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The Bombay is a shorthair hybrid breed of domestic cat first produced in the USA in 1958 by the crossing of a black American Shorthair with a brown Burmese Cat in an attempt to improve the body type and coat of the Burmese breed in the USA. Bombay cats are hardy, affectionate, and fairly quiet. They tend to be jealous and possessive regarding other pets and children as competitors for their owner's attention.
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The Bombay Duck, (properly the Bummalo or Bummaloti) (Saurus ophiodon) is a small fish of the family Scopelidae, found in the Indian and China seas. It is a small glutinous transparent fish about the size of a smelt which is dried and then eaten.
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Bombinator is a genus of toads that includes the fire-toad of Central Europe.
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Bonasa is a genus of birds that includes the ruffled grouse of North America.
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Bond is a breed devolved in Australia in 1909 as a dual-purpose breed, using Peppin Merinos and imported Lincoln rams. Bond sheep are mainly found in the south east portion of Australia.
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Noneset or thoroughwort (Eupatorium perfoliatum) is a useful annual plant of the natural order Compositae, indigenous to America, and easily recognized by its tall stem, about 140 cm in height, passing through the middle of a large double hairy leaf, and surmounted by a broad flat head of light purple flowers. It was formerly much used as a domestic medicine in the form of an infusion, having tonic and diaphoretic properties.
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Bongardia is a genus of the barberry family. It is a small stemless plant found in Greece and the Middle East. The Iraqis roast or boil the tuberous underground root and eat it. The leaves are also eaten like sorrel.
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The bongo (Boocercus eurycerus) is a Central African antelope, living in dense humid forests, feeding upon shoots, leaves and fruits. Up to 1.4 m at the shoulder, the Bongo is the largest forest antelope. The body is a rich chestnut colour broken by eleven or twelve vertical white stripes down each side, a large white crescent on the chest and an erect mane running from the shoulders to the rump and along a tufted tail. Both sexes have spiral horns which may be 80 centimetres or more in length and spiral in one complete twist. Many myths surround the Bongo in Africa, the natives describing it as a magical animal. It is said that the Bongo can hang from the branches of a tree by its horns ready to fall on an unsuspecting hunter, another myth is that when a Bongo is pursued the animal can dive into a river, shed its coat and remain submerged in the river feeding on fish until the dry season. Despite the awe and respect the Bongo has from natives, in 2000 it was in danger of extinction from excessive hunting and the destruction of the forests.
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The bonito (Thynnus pelamys) is a fish allied to the Mediterranean Tunny, found in temperate and tropical seas. It is a predaceous and active fish feeding on flying-fish.
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The bontebok (Alcelaphus pygarga) is a pied antelope of South Africa allied to the blesbok.
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The Booby (Sula fusca) is a swimming bird similar to the Gannet and so named
booby from the extraordinary stupidity it displays in allowing itself to be knocked on the head by voyagers without attempting to fly away. Like the Gannet, the Booby also feeds on fish.
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The Booroola Merino is a breed of sheep which was originally developed on the Southern Tablelands of New South Wales, and is the subject of a continuing development program initiated by the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (CSIRO). Booroolas differ from the normal Merino in two important ways. First, their fertility is as high as any breed in the world. The number of lambs born per ewe lambing averages 2.4 with a range from one to six. In crosses with other Merinos this difference is naturally reduced but half-Booroola ewes on average wean about 20 percent more lambs than comparable Merinos under the same conditions. Second, they have the ability to breed at most times of the year, thus extending the breeding season.
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The Booted is a breed of bantam.
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Borage (Borago officinalis) is an erect, bristly annual herb of the family Boraginaceae, native to southern Europe. It has stalked ovate to lanceolate basal leaves, and stalkless, clasping upper leaves. The flowers are blue- coloured and carried in loose, arching sprays. The corolla has five, spreading, lanceolate, pointed lobes.
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Boraginaceae is the Borage family, a natural order of regular-flowered monopetalous dicotyledons, with alternate rough leaves, containing a large number of herbs or shrubs chiefly found in the northern temperate regions, among them being borage, alkanet, comfrey, and forget-me-not.
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The Border Collie is a British breed of working dog, usually black wand white in colour, and standing about 53 cm tall. Border Collies are easy to train, very obedient, friendly and a good family dog but need a rural environment in which to exercise their mind.
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The Border Leicester is a breed of British long-woolled sheep. It has a long head which is wide between the eyes, a large black muzzle, small ears and no horns. Its wool is long and soft.
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The Border Terrier is a breed of small dog that originated in the Cheviot Hills and was originally called the Reedwater Terrier before having its present name adopted in 1880. A tough and hardy breed they were first bred for driving foxes from the earth. Border Terriers have a lot of stamina and require a long walk every day, making them a challenging pet for many families.
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The Bordered Beauty (Epione repandaria) is a moth of the family Geometridae with a wing span of between 25 and 30 mm found in temperate Europe and Asia in damp biotopes flying from June to late Autumn in two generations.
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The Bordered Gothic (Haliophobus reticulata) is a moth of the family Noctuidae with a wing span of about 35 mm found in the warmer regions of Europe and eastwards to central Asia. A single generation is produced which flies from June to July in meadows, low-lying woods and wasteland.
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The Bordered Pug (Eupithecia succenturiata) is a moth of the family Geometridae with a wing span of between 20 and 23 mm found in Europe and western and central Asia flying from May to September.
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The Bordered Sallow (Pyrrhia umbra) is a moth of the family Noctuidae with a wing span of between 27 and 35 mm found in the Palaearctic zone in deciduous forests flying from May to July.
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The Bordered White (Bupalus piniaria) is a moth of the family Geometridae with a wing span of between 28 and 35 mm found in Europe and Asia flying from April to July. the caterpillar lives on conifers, primarily pine.
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Borecole is a variety of Brassica oleracea, a cabbage with the leaves curled or wrinkled, and having no disposition to form into a hard head.
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The Borzoi or Russian Wolfhound is a breed of dog introduced into England in 1870 when a pair were given to the Prince of Wales. The breed was used in Russia to hunt wolves, the dogs being used in pairs rather than packs. The
Borzoi has a narrow-domed, long skull with long powerful jaws. The neck is long and slightly arched and very powerful. The coat is usually white and they reach a height of 73 cm. In nature the Borzoi is less playful than other breeds, and needs space to run.
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The bosc is a species of pear with greenish-yellow fruit.
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The bosh-vark, bush-hog or bush-pig (Choiropotamus africanus), is a SouthAfrican member of the swine family. It is about 1.5 metres long, and with very large and strong tusks. The natives esteem its flesh as a luxury, and its tusks, arranged on a piece of string and tied round the neck, are considered great ornaments.
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The Bosnian Pony is a Bosnian breed of sure-footed, docile, good natured pony standing from 13 to 14 hands high in various colours. They are used as pack animals and also for riding.
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The Boston terrier is an American breed of dog, British in origin, based upon terrier lines but with the short head of a bulldog. The coat is black with a white blaze on the head, white collar and ' socks'. The breed was developed during the latter part of the 19th century, and was recognised by the American Kennel club in 1893. Boston terriers are easy to train and make good companions.
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Bostrychoplites is a genus of False Powder-post Beetles (Bostrychidae) found in Africa and the Middle East.
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Bostrychus is a genus of large False Powder-post Beetles (Bostrychidae). One species was native to Britain, but with the disappearance of the forests it is now thought to be extinct.
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Boswellia is a genus of balsamic plants belonging to the myrrh family, several species of which furnish the frankincense used commercially, known as olibanum.
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Boswellia thurifera is a large Indian timber tree found in mountainous regions. It furnishes Indian olibanum.
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The Bot-Fly (Gastrophilus equi) is a family of flies (Oestridae) of which the larvae are parasitic in the bodies of hoofed animals.
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Bothriocephalus is a genus of worms belonging to the tapeworm family. One species - Bothriocephalus latus is found in the intestines of man in Russia, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, Germany, etc, but rarely elsewhere.
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Botrychium is a genus of ferns, one species of which (Botrychium lunaria, or moonwort) is a native of Britain, growing on elevated heaths and pastures where other ferns are seldom found. Botrychium virginicum, the largest species, is a native of North America, New Zealand, the Himalayas, etc.
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Botrytis is a genus of fungi, section Hyphomycetes, containing a number of plants known as moulds and mildews, some of them having the habit of growing in the tissues of living vegetables, to which they are extremely destructive. The decay of the leaves and stem in the potato disease is due to Botrytis infestans; but whether this plant is the origin of the disease seems doubtful. The plants of the genus consist of a mycelium of interwoven threads.
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The Bottle gourd or calabash is a plant of the genus Lagenaria and family Cucurbitaceae. The common bottle gourd is a native of India and is cultivated in other warm climates. It is a creeping plant with white flowers, and its bottle shaped fruit, with a hard rind, used for holding water is termed a calabash.
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Bottle-Brush is the common name of shrubs or trees of the genus Callistemon, of the family Myrtaceae. They are natives of Australia with long and brightly coloured stamens and flowers massed together looking like a brush used for cleaning bottles, hence the name.
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The Bottle-Tree (Sterculia rupestris) is a tree of North-Eastern Australia, of the family Sterculiaceae, with a stem that bulges out into a huge rounded mass.
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Bougainvillea is a genus of plants of the family Nyctaginaceae, native to South America. The flowers are almost hidden by large red or purple membranous bracts, which form magnificent masses of inflorescence.
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The Boulonnais is an ancient breed of French heavy-horse from the north-west of France, first officially recognised in the 17th century. A large and heavy horse the Boulonnais stands between 15 and 17 hands high and is usually grey in colour but may also be bay or chestnut coloured. They were formerly used for draught work, though there is little demand for that now but they are still bred for meat in France.
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The Bourbon Red is a breed of turkey.
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The bow-wood or Osage orange (Maclura aurantiaca) is a North American spiny tree often used as a hedging plant. It bears yellowish-green flowers, followed by light yellow fruits about the size of oranges.
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Bower-bird is a name given to certain Australian birds of the starling family from a remarkable habit they have of building bowers to serve as places of resort. The bowers are constructed on the ground, and usually under overhanging branches in the most retired
parts of the forest. They are decorated with variegated feathers, shells, small pebbles, bones, etc. At each end there is an entrance left open. These bowers do not serve as nests at all, but seem to be places of amusement and resort, especially during the breeding season. The Satin Bower-bird (Ptilonorhynchus holoaericeus), is so called from its beautiful glossy plumage, which is of a black colour. Another common species is the Spotted Bower-bird (Chlamydera maculata}, which is about 28 cm long, or rather smaller than the first-mentioned, and less striking in colour, but is the most lavish of all in decorating its bowers.
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Bowerbankia is a genus of Ascidioid Polyzoa, of the family Vesiculariadae, named after James Bowerbank the English geologist.
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The bowfin or mud-fish (Amia calva) is a ganoid fish found in still water in the USA. Like its allies it has a well-developed swim-bladder, which functions as a lung, the animal rising to the surface to gulp air.
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Box or box-tree (Buxus sempervirens) is a highly poisonous hardy evergreen shrub or small tree, about four metres tall, of the family Euphorbiaceae with green twigs bearing many opposite, almost sessile, dark-green, entire, ovate leaves with smooth shiny leathery surfaces. The flowers appear in early spring and are borne in small clusters of whitish-green unisexual flowers consisting of a terminal female flower surrounded by several male flowers growing from the upper leaf axils. The fruit is an ovoid capsule. The wood is of a yellowish colour, close-grained, very hard and heavy, and admits of a beautiful polish. On these accounts it is much used by turners, wood-carvers, engravers on wood (no wood surpassing it in this respect), and mathematical-instrument makers.
Flutes and other wind-instruments are formed of it. The box of commerce comes mostly from the regions adjoining the Black Sea and Caspian Sea, and has been declining since the 19th century. In gardens and shrubberies box-trees may often be seen clipped into various formal shapes. There is also a dwarf variety reared as an edging for garden walks and the like.
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Box elder is the ash-leaved maple tree (Negundo aceroides) which is found in the USA. It was once used as a source of sugar.
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Box thorn is a climbing Solanaceae.
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The boxer is a medium-sized German breed of working and guard dog. The Boxer has a short, white and tan coat and stands about 60 cm tall. Boxers are an affectionate, boisterous breed with a short life-span often less than ten years.
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The Brabancon is a cross between a Griffon Bruxellois and a Pug. They are similar to the Griffon Bruxellois but have a smooth, short coat.
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The Brabanconne (Brabant Farmyard Fowl) is a Belgian breed of light chicken developed during the start of the 20th century. Brabanconne are active and excellent flyers, not easily tamed prefering their own space, and laying white eggs.
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The Brabant or Belgium Heavy Draft is an ancient breed of Belgian heavy horse. They stand between 15 and 17 hands high, are roam coloured and typically have a small head on a thick, muscular neck, large, powerful shoulders, short legs and a small amount of feathering. Prior to the end of the Second World War the Brabant was used for pulling, but now is bred primarily for meat.
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Brace is the collective noun for a group of bucks.
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Brachinus is a genus of bombardier beetles of the ground beetle family, Carabidae. They have shorn off elytra and defend themselves by squirting a liquid which explodes audibly on contact with the air from their anus. One species, Brachinus crepitans, lives in Britain, mostly in chalky districts in the south of the country.
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Brachiopoda is a group or class of mollusc-like animals, so named from the development of a long spirally-coiled, fringed appendage or arm on either side of the mouth serving as respiratory organs. They are bivalves, and in this respect they resemble the Lamellibranchiata. They have no proper power of locomotion, and remain fixed to submarine bodies, in some cases by a peduncle passing through an aperture at the 'beak'. They are widely diffused, and in the fossil state are interesting to the geologist by enabling him to identify certain strata.
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Brachiosaurus was a dinosaur of the Jurassic period. Remains of Brachiosaurus were first found in 1903. It was about 25 metres long and weighed 50 tonnes. It was a herbivore with a large, heavy body, thick legs and a long neck and tail and walked on four legs, the fore-legs being longer than the hind legs forming a high base at the shoulder for its long neck.
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Brachyceratops was a dinosaur of the Cretaceous period. Remains of Brachyceratops were first discovered in 1914. It was a herbivore, about 1.8 metres long, with a short neck frill, a well-developed slightly-curved horn on its snout and smaller horns above the eyes and walked on four legs.
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Brachycerous is a zoological term describing insects that have short antennae.
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Brachyderes is a genus of large Snout Beetles (Curculionidae) that live chiefly on moors with pine trees on which they hibernate under loose flakes of bark.
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Brachygluta is a genus of tiny but robust beetles of the family Pselaphidae.
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Brachylophosaurus was a dinosaur of the Cretaceous period. Remains of
Brachylophosaurus were first discovered in 1936 in Alberta, Canada.
Brachylophosaurus was about 7 metres long, with a long tail and relatively large head, and had a simple crest formed from nasal bones which extended between the eyes to form a broad plate.
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Brachypterolus is a genus of sap-beetle (Nitidulidae). The larvae develop in the flowers of toadflax and snapdragons.
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Brachypterse is a name given to a family of web-footed birds, penguins, auks, divers, guillemots, etc, in which the wings are short and the legs placed far back in the body. They are all strong divers and swimmers.
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Brachypterus is a genus of sap-beetle (Nitidulidae). They are common in Britain where they develop in the flowers of stinging nettles.
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Brachysomus is a genus of sluggish, tiny Snout Beetles (Curculionidae) that live under fallen leaves and reproduce parthenogenetically.
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Brachyura is a sub-order or section of the ten-footed crustaceans or crabs (Decapoda), having a very short jointed tail folded closely under the thorax as in the common crab.
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Bracken (Pteris aquilina) or common brake or fern is a common British and almost world-wide fern found growing on heathland. Its stem is a wide- spreading underground structure, covered with fine brown hairs and giving off roots in all directions; this stem sends up each year a single leaf or frond which may vary in height from 15 centimetres to four metres according to the growing conditions. The spore cases occur in lines along the margin of the pinnae, thus distinguishing the bracken from other British ferns. Formerly the stem was eaten and the fronds used for thatching and bedding cattle.
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In botany, a bract is a specialized, modified or reduced leaf with a single flower or inflorescence growing in their axil, and thus distinguished from the ordinary leaf, from the axil of which the leaf-bud proceeds. It differs from other leaves in shape or colour, and is generally situated on the peduncle near the flower. It is, sometimes called also the floral leaf.
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Bradycellus is a genus of small (two to five millimetres long) beetles of the ground beetle family, Carabidae. They are reddish brown in colour and are found in open woods, grassland, under heather on sandy or peaty soil and in waterside situations depending on the species.
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The Bradyodonti is an order of Chondrichthyes. They are the Chimaeras. A palato-quadrate bar is fused to the cranium. Teeth are few and crushing.
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The Braeburn is a species of apple that originated in New Zealand from a chance seedling in 1950. The Braeburn is in full bloom from early to late October and is harvested from late March to early April. The fruit has a similar shape to the Granny Smith. The background colour is green-gold and is covered with a partial reddish-orange blush or stripes. The texture is crisp. The taste is sweet and slightly tangy. It is an excellent eating apple and is delicious in salads. The Braeburn keeps its shape when cooked.
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The Brahma is a breed of chicken.
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The brahman or Zebu (Bos indicus) is a grey, with a large shoulder hump breed of domestic dairy cattle which originated in India.
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Brain Coral (Meandrina) is one of the madreporian or reef-forming corals, which has the surface of the corallum curiously convoluted, so that in surface view it somewhat resembles the human brain.
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The Brakel is an old Belgian breed of chicken. The Brakel is typically golden or silver in colour, an elongated and tough active birds and an excellent flyer. The Brakel is a prolific layer, producing in the region of 150 to 180 large, white eggs per year. Brakels are often used to dispose of kitchen waste as well as producing eggs.
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The bramble (Rubus fruticosus) or blackberry, is a prickly deciduous shrub of the family Rosaceae, allied to the raspberry. Bramble has sprawling, or erect, prickly, woody, arched and biennial stems that often root where they touch the ground. The leaves are stalked and have three to five, oval, serrate leaflets with white or grey, hairy undersides. The flowers are white or pink in colour, arranged in terminal racemes and are borne on separate, erect, second-year stems that die after flowering. Bramble is a prolific wild plant in Britain, and bears compound fleshy drupes known as blackberries in autumn, these starting red in colour and turning a glossy black when ripe.
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The Bramble Shoot Moth (Epiblema uddmanniana) is a moth of the family Tortricidae with a wing span of between 13 and 20 mm found in temperate and southern Europe west to Asia Minor in forest-steppes, woodland margins and wastelands, flying from June to August.
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The Brambling or Bramble-Finch (Fringilla montifringilla) is a bird of the Finch family, larger than a chaffinch but very like it. It breeds in the north of Scandinavia and visits Britain and the south of Europe during winter.
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The branchiogasteropoda are gasteropodous molluscs whose respiration is aquatic, being generally effected by means of external branchiae or gills. They include a great many animals with univalve shells, as whelks, limpets, cone-shells, periwinkles, cowries, etc, also sea-hares, sea-slugs, sea-lemons, and the heteropoda.
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Branchiopoda is a subclass of crustacean in which the trunk appendages are broad, lobed and fringed with hairss and so called because their branchiae, or gills, are situated on the feet. They have one to three masticating jaws, and the head is not distinct from the thorax, which is much reduced in size. They include the water-fleas, trilobites, phyllopods, etc.
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A brandling is the parr or young of the salmon.
The brandling (Lumbricus foetidus) is a small earthworm remarkable for its banded body, and much prized by anglers as a bait.
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Brandt's Cormorant (Phalacrocorax penicillatus) is a medium-sized American seabird of the order Natatores, family Pelecanidae, with a long neck; long, slender hooked bill; dark brown to black in colour; dark throat patch turns blue with a buff coloured area behind it in the breeding season. It dives from the surface, primarily for fish. It is a fairly common permanent resident along the Pacific Coast of California, preferring rocky shores, cliffs, fishing in inshore ocean waters and breeds on Channel Islands.
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The brangus is a large, black, hornless, straight backed breed of domestic beef cattle which was developed in the USA during the 1930s.
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Brasenia is a small genus of tropical South American water-plants belonging to the Nympheaceae, with small dark purple flowers and very mucilaginous peltate leaves.
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Brassica is a large genus of cruciferous plants which includes the cabbage and turnip. They are natives of Europe, north and central Asia.
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The Bread Beetle (Stegobium paniceum) is a beetle of the family Anobiidae, ranging from two to four millimetres in length, so named because it develops in bread and products made from flour, and infests other products including spices and drugs.
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Bread-fruit (Artocarpus incisa) is a tree of the family Artocarpaceae, native to the East Indies and islands of the Pacific, but also grown in the Caribbean. The tree grows to a height of about 30 metres. The leaves are leathery, about one foot long and three or four inches wide. The fruit of the tree is a large globular fruit of a pale-green colour, about the size of a child's head, marked on the surface with irregular six-sided depressions, and containing a white and somewhat fibrous pulp, which when ripe becomes juicy and yellow and when roasted tastes somewhat like bread, hence the name. The sap of the tree is similar in appearance to cows milk, and is considered nutritious, hence the alternative name of cow-tree. The inner bark of the tree is made into a kind of cloth. The wood is used for the building of boats and for furniture.
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The Breadcrumb sponge is a British coastal sponge which forms an encrusting mass.
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The bream (Abramis brama) is a fresh water fish allied to and belonging to the carp family Cyprinidae. It is about 70 cm long, of a yellowish-white colour, and distinguished by its compressed and elevated body, the short dorsal fin, and the absence of barbells on the mouth. There are seven European species, two of which are British, the common bream and the white bream. Some species occur sporadically in salt-water, and they are often found in stagnant and slow-moving water. It is found in many European lakes and rivers, and affords good sport to the angler, but is a very coarse and insipid food. It prefers still water with a bottom of soft soil, and feeds both on animal and vegetable matter. It is little known in Scotland, though common in many parts of England and Ireland. The name is also given to various kinds of sea-fishes, mostly of the family Sparidae, as the black sea-bream, the common sea-bream or gilthead, the abort sea-bream, etc.
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Breckland or Wild Thyme (Thymus serpyllum) is a perennial herb of the family Labiatae, native to Britain where it is very rare, growing only in Breckland, East Anglia, but is more common in Europe where it grows on dry grassland, heaths and sandy soils. Breckland Thyme is woody at the base, with mat- forming rooting branches and ascending or erect, square, hairy flowering stems. The leaves are opposite, linear to elliptic, glandular and almost sessile. The flowers are a violet colour, two-lipped and are arranged in whorls forming dense terminal rounded spikes or heads. The fruit consists of four small nutlets. The flowering stems contain an essential oil which in turn contains the antiseptic substance Thymol.
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The Brecon Buff is a breed of goose.
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The Brent Goose (Anser Brenta or Bernicla Brenta) is a wild goose, smaller than the common barnacle goose and of much darker plumage. They are remarkable for their wing span and the extent of their migration. The Brent goose is a winter bird of passage in France, Germany, Holland, Great Britain, the United States, Canada, etc. It breeds in high northern latitudes; it feeds on drifting sea-weeds and saline plants, and is considered the most delicate for the table of all the goose tribe.
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The Bresse is a breed of chicken.
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The Breton is an old breed of French heavy horse originally developed by the Celts and then adapted during the ages. The modern Breton stands 15 to 16 hands high, is chestnut or chestnut roam in colour often with a flaxen mane and tail. They are lively and energetic, but with a very good temperament and are used for pulling wagons and carts.
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In Cuvier's classification, the brevipennes are the first family of his order Grallas, or wading-birds, and equivalent to the order Cursores or section Ratitae of other naturalists. The ostrich, emu, cassowary, dodo, etc, belong to this tribe.
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Briar (Erica arborea) is a plant of the Ericaceae family. Briar pipes are made from its roots.
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The Briard is a French breed of guard dog, originally developed in the province of Brie during the 12th century to guard herds of sheep against wolves and other predators. With the decline of wolves the Briard was used as a herding dog. The Briard stands about 65 cm tall and has a flowing coat generally black in colour, and unusually the breed has retained the double dew claws on the hindlegs. A loyal breed they are also independent.
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The Brick Moth (Agrochola circellaris) is a moth of the family Noctuidae with a wing span of between 33 and 38 mm widely distributed in the temperate zone of Europe, Asia and North America. A single generation flies from August until October.
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The Bright-Line Brown-Eye (Lacanobia oleracea) is a moth of the family Noctuidae with a wing span of between 32 and 37 mm found through the Palaearctic region producing from one to three generations that fly from May to September.
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The brill (Rhombus laevis) is a type of sea fish like the turbot, but distinguished from the turbot by its smooth skin, smaller size and glistening spots. The brill is of a pale-brown colour above, marked by scattered yellowish or reddish spots. It is abundant in the English Channel, and was formerly valued for eating.
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The Brimstone Butterfly (Gonepteryx rhamni) is a sulphur butterfly of the family Pieridae found from northern and western Africa to Siberia. A single generation is produced in a year which flies for a short time in autumn and the hibernate through winter to fly again in early spring.
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The Brimstone Moth (Opisthographis luteolata) is a moth of the family Geometridae with a wing span of between 32 and 327 mm found in Europe and Asia, mostly in lowlands, flying from April to July.
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The Brindled Beauty (Lycia hirtaria) is a moth of the family Geometridae with a wing span of between 35 and 45 mm found in temperate Europe and Asia flying from March to May.
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The Brindled Ochre (Dasypolia templi) is a moth of the family Noctuidae with a wing span of between 35 and 40 mm found in the mountains of central and northern Europe and parts of Asia. The moth flies from September, hibernates over winter and then continues flying until May.
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The bristletail is a primitive wingless insect of the order Thysanura. Up to two centimetres long, bristletails have a body tapering from front to back, two long antennae, and three 'tails' at the rear end. They include the silverfish Lepisma saccharina and the firebrat Thermobia domestica. Two- tailed bristletails constitute another insect order, the Diplura. They live under stones and fallen branches, feeding on decaying material.
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The British Shorthair is an old and rather ordinary breed of shorthaired cat descended from the mating of Roman domestic cats with feral and wild cats in Britain. The body is broad-shouldered, muscular and powerful. The chest is full and broad, the legs short and strong, the back level and the paws well-rounded and firm. the short tail is thick at the base and tapers to a rounded tip. the head is broad and round on a short, solid neck. The breed is robust and healthy, developing in the changeable British climate, and occurs in many colours, black, white, tabby, cream and others.
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The British White is a breed of cattle.
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The Brittany Spaniel is a French breed of gundog standing about 50 cm tall. The breed was almost extinct at the start of the 20th century, but was revived and individuals have proved to be talented pointers. A sensitive breed, they are easy to train.
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Briza is a genus of grass. It is popularly called quaking grass on account of the spikelets being in a constant state of tremulous motion. Other common names for the genus include maiden's hair and lady's tresses. They are characterised by their short, broad, flat, several-flowered spikelets, hanging, in the British species, at the extremities of slender branches.
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The Broad-Bordered Bee Hawkmoth (Hemaris fuciformis) is a moth of the family Sphingidae with a wing span of between 40 and 47 mm found in temperate Europe and Asia flying from May to June.
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The Broad-Bordered Yellow Underwing (Noctua fimbriata) is a moth of the family Noctuidae, with a wing span measuring from 45 to 55 mm and found in Europe and northern parts of Asia Minor. A single generation is produced each year flying from June to September.
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The Broad-Breasted Bronze is a breed of turkey.
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The Broad-Breasted White is a breed of turkey.
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The broadnose sevengill shark (Notorynchus cepedianus) is a rather rare shark found in the temperate regions of the South Atlantic Ocean and Indian Ocean at depths down to about 135 metres. The broadnose sevengill shark grows to about three metres long, and is characterised by seven pairs of gill slits and a single, small dorsal fin. It has a wide head and a blunt snout and small eyes. It is silvery grey to brownish black on the back and sides speckled with numerous small dark and white spots, with a pale underside. The broadnose sevengill shark feeds on other sharks, rays, fish, seals and carrion.
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Broccoli is an Italian late variety of the cauliflower, hardier and with more colour in the flower and leaves. The flower-stalks are eaten. It was recognised as a distinct garden variety in Britain at the end of the 17th century. At the start of the 20th century broccoli as a food stuff was frowned upon, and one writer in 1906 described it thus: 'Broccoli is inferior in flavour to cauliflower, but serves as a substitute for it when the latter cannot be obtained'.
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The Broken-Barred Carpet (Electrophaes corylata) is a moth of the family Geometridae with a wing span of between22 and 30 mm found in non-polar Europe and Asia in deciduous forests and damp woods at low elevations and also in mixed forests and in mountain regions flying from May to July.
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A broket is a two-year old red deer.
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Brome grass is the name of any annual grasses of the genus Bromus of the temperate zone. They are known by having their spikelets many-flowered, two awnless glumes to each floret, two palese or valves, the lowermost of which has a rough, straight, rigid awn proceeding from below the tip of the valve. Some of the roughly 200 species are used for forage, but many are weeds. Soft brome (Bromus interruptus), discovered in England 1849 and widespread in 1970, was thought to have died out by 1972, until it was rediscovered in 1979 in an Edinburgh botanical collection.
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Bromeliaceae is the pineapple family of endogenous plants. The name comes from the genus Bromelia to which the pineapple was once incorrectly referred. The family contains about five hundred species, nearly all of which are herbaceous plants, with short stems crowned by rosettes of long, leathery leaves, which often exhibit a greyish appearance, owing to the small hairs with which they are covered. The flowers are borne on terminal spikes, and are often large and brightly coloured, though without scent. Many of the species are epiphytic and attach themselves to tall trees by means of aerial roots, without however obtaining any food from them.
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Bromius is a genus of leaf beetles (Chrysomelidae).
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The Bronze-wing is various species of Australian pigeons, chiefly of the genus Phaps, distinguished by the bronze colour of their plumage. The common bronze-winged ground dove is common in all Australia where it is esteemed for its eating.
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Brood is the collective noun for a group of chickens.
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The Brook Lamprey (Lampreta planeri) is a European freshwater fish of the family Petromyzonidae. The Brook Lamprey is serpentine in shape, growing to about 25 cm in length, with a dark bluish grey or greyish green back and sides and a silvery white belly. The Brook Lamprey lives in small sub-montane and mountain rivers and streams, and is non-parasitic feeding on organic debris while young, and not feeding when adult but instead spawning and then dieing some days later.
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Brooklime (Veronica Beccabunga) is a plant belonging to the Scrophulariaceae, occurring throughout Europe, North Africa and North and Central Asia. The plant is devoid of hairs, and is very succulent. The stems, creeping on the surface of the mud and rooting at the node, bear pairs of opposite leaves, from the axils of which flowering shoots arise. The flowers are bright blue, rather small, and arranged in pairs of opposite axillary racemes, not much longer than the subtending leaves. The plant had at one time a reputation as a spring salad and antiscorbutic.
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Brookweed (Samolus Valerandi) is a small, almost cosmopolitan herbaceous plant belonging to the Primulaceae. It abounds in marshes near the sea and bears small white flowers in racemes on a slender stem springing from the centre of a rosette of bright green leaves.
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Broom is the popular name of several allied genera of shrubs of the family Leguminosae. In Britain the name is generally applied to Cytisus scoparius, a shrub with erect, green, angled, tough spineless stems and numerous small alternate leaves which are lanceolate below and trifoliate in the upper parts of the stems. The flowers are large, yellow and grow singularly in the upper leaf axils.
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The Broom Moth (Ceramica pisi) is a moth of the family Noctuidae with a wing span of between 32 and 37 mm peculiar to sub-montane habitats in central and northern Europe across Asia to the Far East. A single generation is produced flying for a short time between May and June.
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The Broom-tip (Chesias rufata) is a moth of the family Geometridae with a wing span of between 28 and 32 mm found in warmer parts of Europe in open pine forests and on hillsides rich in broom. Two generations re produced flying from April to June and July to August.
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Broscus is a genus of beetles of the ground beetle family, Carabidae.
Broscus cephalotes is a species with a large head and short feelers found in Britain and Europe on the coast and on dry, often sandy ground where it digs a burrow and lies in wait for its prey at the entrance. It ranges from 17 to 22 mm long.
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The Brown Argus (Aricia agestis) is a butterfly of the family Lycaenidae found in Britain, Europe and temperate Asia flying in two generations the first from April to June and the second from July to September.
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The Brown China-mark (Nymphula nymphaeata) is a moth of the family Pyralidae with a wing span of between 22 and 30 mm found throughout Europe, except the extreme north, living near aquatic plants, flying from June to July at night.
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The Brown Hairstreak (Thecla betulae) is an endangered European and Asian butterfly of the family Lycaenidae. It is found in deciduous forests and shrubby hillsides up to an elevation of 1000 metres. The caterpillar lives on blackthorn, plum trees, birch and hazel during May and June before pupating and the adult appearing in August, flying until October.
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The brown hare of Britain (Lepus europaeus occidentalis or Lepus capensis) is a native English hare distinguished from the typical continental hares by its darker and browner colour. It is larger than the other hares of the British Isles and can at once be distinguished from them by the colour of the tail, which is black on the upper surface; in the others it never is. The upper parts are a mixture of brown and grey, the sides and legs more buff-ish, and the underside white; the tips of the ears are black. There appear to be two moults a year, in spring and autumn, the latter being the more clear cut, the fonner protracted and gradual. The colour of the winter coat sometimes differs considerably from the summer one, the buff-ish colours of summer being replaced by a light grey, but usually the difference is less marked. The brown hare is now rare following persecution.
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The Brown House-moth (Hofmannophila pseudospretella) is a moth of the family Oecophoridae with a wing span of between 16 and 25 mm found all over the world having been introduced with agricultural products. the moth flies from spring to autumn.
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The Brown Oak Tortrix (Archips crataegana) is a moth of the family Tortricidae with a wing span of between 20 and 26 mm found in Europe and Asia flying from June to August in forest-steppes, shrubby hillsides and orchards.
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The Brown Swiss is a brown domestic breed of dairy cattle with a wedge- shaped body.
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The Brown-Line Bright-Eye (Mythimna conigera) is a moth of the family Noctuidae with a wing span of between 30 and 35 mm found in the mild belt of the Palaearctic from Western Europe to Japan and seen flying from June to August.
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The Brown-Spot Pinion (Agrochola litura) is a moth of the family Noctuidae with a wing span of between 28 and 35 mm found in non-polar Europe, a single generation flying from August to October.
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The Brown-tail (Euproctis chrysorrhoea) is a moth of the family Lymantriidae widespread in the warmer regions of Europe and across Asia Minor where it is peculiar to deciduous forests and flies from June to August.
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Bruceae is a genus of Simarubaceae, named in honour of the Abyssinian traveller. It consists of shrubs with compound leaves, flowers in heads, parts of the flower in fours, and stamens attached to a stalk supporting the four drupes. The stamens are sterile in the female flowers. The species are natives of Ethiopia and China and some of them possess properties similar to quassia, a drug furnished by a tree of the same family.
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Brucella is a genus of bacteria which causes contagious abortion in cattle, sheep and pigs and undulant fever in man.
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Bruchidius is a genus of Seed Beetles (Bruchidae) that lives on milk vetch and broom.
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Bruchus is a genus of Seed Beetles (Bruchidae) that lives on peas, lentils and vetches.
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The Brumby is an Australian breed of feral horse that developed from stray and abandoned domestic horses around the middle of the 19th century. During the 1960s a barbaric cull of the Brumby horses almost resulted in their extinction, but an international outcry over the methods - shooting with rifles from helicopters - stemmed the cull. The Brumby stands between 14 and 15 hands high and occurs in many colours, reflecting the individual horses' varying ancestries. Smaller, faster, and cleverer than domestic horses, they are also tough and enduring but too wild to be of use as a riding horse.
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The Brush Turkey (Catheturus lathami) is a bird of the order Gallinae, native to Australia and about the size of the common turkey but blackish brown in colour and laying eggs in mounds which it creates.
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Brussels Sprouts (Sprouts) are one of the cultivated varieties of cabbage (Brassica oleracea). They have an elongated stem which grows to about 150 centimetres high with small clustered green heads like miniature cabbages. They get their name from being cultivated in great numbers near Brussels since 1213.
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Bryaxis is a genus of beetles of the family Pselaphidae, represented by four British species. In some species there occurs two male forms one with slender legs, the other with stout legs.
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Bryology is the science of mosses.
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Bryony (Bryonia) is a genus of plants of the family Cucurbitaceae (gourds). The only British species, the Common Bryony (Bryonia dioica), is a climbing plant common in hedges, has cordate palmate leaves and axillary bunches of flowers, and red berries which are highly poisonous. The thick long fleshy root has acrid emetic and purgative properties, and has been used medicinally. Other species, one found in North America, are known. The so-called Black Bryony belongs to a different natural order, the Dioscoreaceae or yams.
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Bryophyllum is a genus of plants of the house-leek family.
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Bryophyta (Bryophytes) is the lowest group of the Cormophytes or higher plants, comprising the two classes of Liverworts (Hepaticae) and Mosses (Musci). They have a well-marked alternation of generations.
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Bryozoa is another name for Phylum polyzoa.
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The buansuah (Cyon primoevus) is a wild dog of Northern India.
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The bubaline antelope (Bubalis mauretanica) is an ox-like antelope found in the deserts of north Africa. It is yellow-brown in colour and has horns which start forward and outward, and then turn backwards.
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The bubalus is the genus of animals which includes the buffalo.
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Bubo is a genus of owls of the sub-family Buboninoe, including the eagle-owl and the great-horned owl.
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The Buboninoe are a sub-family of the Strigidae family of birds including the Eagle-Owl. They are characterised by a strong beak curved from the base and the head furnished with two tufts of feathers (egrets). The ears are small and without an operculum and the facial disk is small and incomplete.
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Buchu is the name of several plants belonging to the Cape Province, genus Barosma, family Rutaceae, used in medicine, in the form of a powder or tincture in disorders of the urinogenital organs.
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Buck is the name of the male fallow-deer, reindeer, chamois, goat, hare and rabbit.
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The buck-bean (Menyanthes trifoliate) or bog-bean or marsh-trefoil is a perennial herb of the family Gentianaceae. It has a thick, far-creeping rhizome which bears alternate, long-stalked trifoliate leaves with sheafing bases and an erect leafless stem topped by a raceme of numerous five-lobed white or pinkish coloured flowers. It is common in boggy soils and at the edges of ponds and lakes, and is found in England, Europe and North America. It is a bitter tasting plant and was once used as a tonic.
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The buckhound is a breed of dog, formerly very common in England but rare since 1900. They were exclusively employed for buck-hunting, and closely resemble the staghound (though smaller). Until 1897 a royal pack was maintained. In 1901 on the recommendation of a select committee to consider the provision to be made for the crown, the mastership of the buckhounds and the royal hunt were abolished.
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The buckthorn (Rhamnus catharticus) is a deciduous shrub or small tree of the family Rhamnaceae. It is also known as waythorn, or hartshorn and is abundant in English hedgerows. It is a spreading shrub growing to three metres in height and characterized by a smooth bark, branches terminating in thorns, small unisexual four-petaled green flowers, occurring between the serrated leaves in May, and four-seeded black berries about the size of currants.
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Bucku are several plants of the genus Barosma family Rutacea. They were used as medicine for urino-genital disorders around the turn of the century.
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Buckwheat or Brank (Fagopyrum esculentum or Polygonum Fagopyrum) is a plant of the family Polygonacea, with a branched herbaceous stem, somewhat arrow-shaped leaves, and purplish-white flowers, growing to a height of about one meter, and bearing a small triangular grain resembling a beech-nut - whence the name whichis a corruption of beechwheat- of a brownish-black hue. It is cultivated in the far-east as a bread-corn and in Europe as a feed for farm animals.
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The Bud Moth (Spilonota ocellana) is a moth of the family Tortricidae with a wing span of between 16 and 18 mm found in the Palaearctic region and North America where it was introduced, flying from May to July. The caterpillar develops inside the sprouting buds and young shoots of deciduous trees, often causing widespread damage in orchards.
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The Budyonny is a Russian breed of sporting horse developed during the 1920s and named after Marshal Budyonny, a Soviet cavalry commander of the Russian Revolution. The Budyonny stands 16 hands high and is mostly chestnut, but can also be grey, brown, bay or black in colour and exhibits a free action, very good gallop and an athletic jump, but are not so fast as the Thoroughbred.
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The Buff Arches (Habrosyne pyritoides) is a moth of the family Thyatiridae with a wing pan of between 35 and 40 mm found in Europe and Asia flying from May to August.
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The Buff-tip (Phalera bucephala) is a moth of the family Notodontidae with a wing span of between 42 and 55 mm found in deciduous forests across Europe and Asia, and in urban parks flying from May to July.
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The buffalo is several species of large wild cattle distinguished by their horns being flattened at the base and triangular in section. The typical African Buffalo (Synceros caffer) inhabits open bush country generally near rivers all over Africa south of the Sahara.
The common or Indian buffalo (Bubalus Buffelus or Bos Bubalus) is larger than the ox and with stouter limbs, originally from India, but now found in most of the warmer countries of the Eastern Continent. A full-grown male is a bold and powerful animal, quite a match for the tiger. The buffalo is less docile than the common ox, and is fond of marshy places and rivers. It is, however, used in tillage, draught, and carriage in India, Italy, etc. The female gives much more milk than the cow, and from the milk the ghee or clarified butter of India is made. The hide is exceedingly tough, and a valuable leather is prepared from it, but the flesh is not very highly esteemed.
Another Indian species is the arnee (Bubalus. ami), the largest of the ox family. The name buffalo is also applied to wild oxen in general, and particularly to the bison of North America.
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The Buffalo-Berry (Shepherdia argentea) is a shrub of the oleaster family, a native of the United States and Canada, with lanceolate silvery leaves and close clusters of bright-red acid berries about the size of currants, which are made into preserves and used in various ways.
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Bugle (Ajuga reptans) is a perennial herb of the family Labiatae common throughout Britain. It has numerous running stems, leaves frequently tinged with red or purple, and a whorl of six or ten blue flowers.
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Bugula is an ectoprocta.
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Building is the collective noun for a group of rooks.
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The Bulau or Tikus (Gymnura Rafflesii) is an insectivorous mammal of the hedgehog kind, but belonging to a distinct family native to Sumatra. It has a long muzzle, fur interspersed with bristles, a naked tail and glands which secrete musk.
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A bulb is a modified leaf-bud formed on a plant on or beneath the surface of the ground, emitting roots from its base and a stem from its centre.
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Bulbous corydalis (Corydalis cava) or bird in the bush, is a highly poisonous perennial herb of the family Fumariaceae, with a large, hollow, globose underground tuber with wiry roots. The stem is erect and bears two biternate lobed leaves, bluish-green below and light green above. The flowers are irregularly shaped, violet or white in colour, and arranged in a solitary terminal raceme. The upper petal is drawn out into a long apically curved spur. Bulbous corydalis is found throughout Europe and neighbouring Asia growing in open woods and hedgerows.
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The bulbul is a fruit-eating bird of the family Pycnonotidae, order Passeriformes, that ranges in size from that of a sparrow to a blackbird. They are mostly rather dull coloured and very secretive, living in dense forests. They are widely distributed throughout Africa and Asia and comprise about 120 species.
Bulbul is the Persian name of the nightingale, or a species of nightingale, rendered familiar in English poetry by Moore, Byron, and others.
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A bull is a male animal of the bovidea family.
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The Bull Terrier or Staffordshire Bull Terrier is a British breed of dog originating in the 1850s from crossing the bulldog with the terrier to produce a dog for dog-fighting, and comprising three varieties; the white, the coloured and the miniature. The standard or coloured variety stands about 40 cm tall. They are a loyal, but aggressive breed which make good guard dogs - if you don't mind burglars being savaged by your dog!
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Bull's Horn Thorn is a common name of certain tropical American species of Acacia which furnish one of the longest-known and best-established instances of myrmecophily. The large stipular thorns which are common in the genus are in these plants hollow and thin-walled, and are inhabited by ferocious ants which gain access by boring a hole near the tip of each thorn.
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The bull-frog is a large species of frog found in North America. They are between eight and ten inches long, and get their name from their croak which resembles the lowing of cattle
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The bull-trout (Salmo eriox),is a large species of fish of the salmon family, thicker and clumsier in form than the salmon, but so like it as sometimes to be mistaken for it by fishers. It attains a weight of between 15 and 20 Ibs., and lives chiefly in the sea, ascending rivers to spawn. Its scales are smaller than those of the salmon, and its colour less bright.
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The bullace (Prunus insititia) is a wild plum common in many parts of England, but rare in Scotland. The fruit is used to make jam.
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The bulldog is an ancient breed of British dog, remarkable for its short, broad muzzle, and the projection of its lower jaw, which causes the lower front teeth to protrude beyond the upper. The head is massive and broad; the lips are thick and pendulous; the ears pendent at the extremity; the neck robust and short; the body long and stout; and the legs short and thick, although it has changed its appearance over the years. It was originally bred for bull baiting and as such it can grip a bull's throat without obstructing its nostrils. It has a distinctive short, thick, kinked tail. Today bulldog's are placid and phlegmatic with a tendency to become obese if not exercised regularly.
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The Bullet-Tree or Bully-Tree (Mimusops balata or Sapota Mulleri) is a forest tree of Guiana and neighbouring regions, of the family Sapotaceae, yielding a latex known as balata which is used to make chewing gum. The timber of the tree also is valuable.
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The bullfinch (Pyrrhula pyrrhula) is a an insessorial bird, a species of finch of the family Fringillidae, with a short thick rounded bill, beak and crown of the head black, body bluish-gray above and bright tile-red below. It occurs in Britain, in the middle and south of Europe, and in Asia, and when tamed may be taught to sing musical airs. Pyrrhula synoica is an Asiatic species, and Pyrrhula cineriola an inhabitant of Brazil.
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The bullhead or Miller's Thumb (Cottus gobio) is a small freshwater fish, about 10 cm long with a large broad head, and sharp spines on the gill covers. The armed bull-head is the Aspidophorus europoeus, found in the Baltic and northern seas; the six-horned bull-head (Cottus hexacornis) is a North American species. In America this name is given to a species of Pimelodus, called also Oat-fish and Horned-pout.
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The bulrush (Scirpus lacustris) is a native British perennial sedge of the family Cyperaceae.
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The Bulrush Wainscot (Nonagria typhae) is a moth of the family Noctuidae with a wing span of between 45 and 50 mm found in northern and central Europe, and western Asia in damp and peaty biotopes flying from July to October.
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Bunch is the collective noun for a group of grapes.
Bunch is the collective noun for a group of flowers.
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Bundle is the collective noun for a group of asparagus.
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Bunt, sometimes called Smut Ball, Pepper Brand, and Brand Bladders, is a fungoid disease incidental to cultivated corn, consisting of a black powdery matter, having a disagreeable odour, occupying the interior of the grain of wheat and a few other Gramineae. This powdery matter consists of minute balls filled with sporules, and is caused by the attack of Tilletia caries, a kind of mould.
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The bunting is a genus of birds of the sub-family Emberizinae, allied to the finches.
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Bunya-Bunya is the native Australian name for the tree Araucaria Bidwillii. It bears cones larger than a man's head which contain seeds eagerly eaten by the native Australians.
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Buprestidae is the jewel beetle a family of beetles, distinguished by the uncommon brilliancy and highly metallic splendour of their colours.
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The buprestis are a genus of large jewel beetle (Buprestidae) remarkable for the metallic brilliance of their colouring, especially in the case of tropical forms. The colouring is chiefly present in the hard wing-covers which are often used as ornaments.
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The burbot or eelpout (Lota vulgaris) is a fish of the cod family, which is confined to freshwater, and is widely though locally distributed throughout Europe. It is recognisable by its long tapering body, the small head with a barbell on the chin, the elongation of the second dorsal and anal fins and the small scales. In some parts of Europe it is greatly esteemed as a food.
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Burchell's Zebra (Hippotigris quagga) is a species of zebra found throughout a large region of eastern and southern Africa. There are five sub-species of the Burchell's zebra, but all have a medium-sized head, short broad neck, rounded body and small erect ears. The Burchell's zebra has a white belly and white legs, and brownish stripes.
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Burdock (Arctium Lappa) is a biennial herb of the family Compositae. The flower head is covered with small hooks and readily attaches itself to any passing body, thus securing wide distribution of its seeds. In Britain burdocks are regarded as troublesome weeds, but in some countries the roots, young shoots, and young leaves are used in soups, and the plant is cultivated with this view in Japan. It is common in North America.
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The Buriti (Mauritia vinifera) is a South American palm growing to about 50 metres. It prefers marshy situations, and bears an imposing crown of fan- shaped leaves. A sweet vinous liquor is prepared from the juice of the stem as also from the fruits.
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The Burmese is a breed of domestic cat originating in the 1930s. The breed is medium-sized with a muscular frame, heavier than it looks. The legs are long and slender, the hind legs being slightly longer than the front legs, with oval paws. The head tapers to a medium-blunt wedge from high cheek-bones. The Burmese is renowned for its athletic prowess, and love of company, disliking being left alone, but loving playing with other cats, dogs and children, though they tend to be jealous.
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Burnet is the name of three species of perennial Rosaceous herbs. The Common or Great Burnet (Sanguisorba officinalis) is a perennial herb native to Britain and Europe where it grows in damp meadows and pastures. It has a thick branched rhizome, a basal rosette of odd-pinnate leaves with between seven and fifteen long-stalked, ovate, toothed leaflets, and an erect branched stem bearing few leaves. The flowers are small, crimson in colour and arranged in dense terminal rectangular spikes. The fruit is an achene enclosed in a four-winged receptacle.
The common salad Burnet (Sanguisorba minor) occurs in dry meadows, and bears heads of crimson flowers - the upper ones being female, while the lower are furnished with numerous drooping stamens. The prickly salad Burnet is much like the common salad burnet.
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The Burnet Companion (Euclidia glyphica) is a moth of the family Noctuidae with a wing span of between 25 and 30 mm found in Europe and Asia. Two generations are produced flying from April to August.
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Burnet moth is the name given to the various species of the genus Zygaena, which are moths remarkable for their bold colouring, the wings being usually spotted and marked with green, red and black. The caterpillars are hairy, and the spindle-shaped cocoons are attached to vertical blades of grass or stems of plants. There are four British species of burnet moth, the commonest being the Six-Spotted Burnet (Zygaena filipendulae).
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Burnet saxifrage (Pimpinella saxifraga) is a perennial herb of the family Umbelliferae, native to Britain and Europe, with a spindle-shaped tap root and an erect, finely ribbed and usually downy stem which is branched above. The basal leaves are odd pinnate. The stem leaves have sheath-like stalks and more divided, linear leaflets. The flowers are small, white in colour and arranged in terminal umbels. The fruit is an ovoid, compressed, double achene with five slender ribs.
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The Burnished Brass (Diachrysia chrysitis) is a moth of the family Noctuidae with a wing span of between 28 and 35 mm distributed throughout the Palaearctic except the polar regions. Two generations appear flying from May to June and August to September.
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The Burren Green (Calamia tridens) is a very rare, and endangered moth of the family Noctuidae with a wing span of between 32 and 42 mm found in temperate Europe flying from July to August.
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The Burro is a feral donkey found in the USA, thought to have developed from abandoned mining donkeys at the end of the 19th century.
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The Burrowing-Owl (Athena cunicularia) is an American owl which dwells in holes in the ground either made by itself or by some other animal, such as the marmot. It feeds on insects and seeks its food by day.
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Burying beetle is the name of a genus of insects (Nicrophorus) belonging to the order Coleoptera, or beetles, and the tribe of the Silphidae, or carrion beetles. They have a very keen scent, which guides them to the dead bodies of rats, mice, etc, which form their food. Several beetles will unite to cover such animals, burying them sometimes more than six inches in the earth. They deposit their eggs on the carrion, and in less than a fortnight the larvae issue. The species are common everywhere.
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The bush antelope is a small African antelope.
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The Bush-Shrikes are American birds of the shrike family, forming the group Thamnophilinae.
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Bushbuck is a popular name for African antelopes of the genus Tragelaphus. They have hairy tails and a spiral twist in the horns. The male is dark sepia brown and the female reddish brown above; both are white below. The white-backed bush-buck is the Cephalophus sylvicultrix, a white-backed antelope of Sierra Leone, with black shining, pointed, and nearly straight horns, short slender limbs, sleek, glossy, deep-brown hair.
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The bushmaster (Lachesis mutus) is a Central American poisonous snake of the pit viper family found from Costa Rica and Trinidad to eastern Brazil in humid forest regions. It has dark rhombi on a dull reddish or yellowish background and grows to almost four metres long. The bushmaster is unique among the American pit vipers in laying eggs.
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Business is the collective noun for a group of ferrets.
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The Bussu-palm (Manicaria saccifera) is a South American palm found in the swamps of the Amazon, whose stem is only three to four meters, but whose leaves are often nine metres by one and a half metres in breadth. These are used by the Indians for thatch, the spathes are used as bags, or when cut longitudinally and stretched out they form a coarse but strong kind of cloth.
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The bustard is a bird belonging to the order Alectorides, which also includes the cranes.
The great bustard (Otis tarda) is the largest European bird, the male often weighing 30 lbs, with a wing span of 6 or 7 feet. The bustard has been rare in Britain since the late 19th century, but still occurs in the south and east of Europe and the steppes of Tartary, feeding on green corn and other vegetables, and on earth worms. All the species are fast runners, and awkward fliers, and were widely and excessively hunted for food.
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Butcher's Broom (Ruscus) is a genus of plants belonging to the natural order Liliaceae. The flowers are dioecious and of a green colour, and rise from branchlets dilated in the form of leaves. It is a shrubby evergreen plant, with angular stems. There are several species: Ruscus aculeatus, or the common butcher's broom, a British plant, takes its name from formerly being used by butchers to sweep their blocks.
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The Butcher-bird (Lanius) is a genus of Shrike which often breeds in Britain.
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The Butconinoe is a sub-family of the Falconidae family of birds including the Buzzard, characterised by a rather small and weak beak bending from the base. The cere is large and the nostrils oval. The wings are long but the tail is not forked like the Milvinoe.
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Butea is a genus of plants of the family Leguminosae native to the East Indies. They are trees having pinnately trifoliate leaves, with racemes of deep scarlet flowers. The resinous sap forms a gum known as Bengal kino.
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Butler's Garter Snake (Thamnophis butleri) is an American species of Garter snake growing to about 50 cm long and varying in colour from brown to black and sometimes spotted, and with a small head.
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Butomus is a genus of monocotyledons of the family Butomaceae. The only species, Butomus umbellatus, the Flowering Rush, is the most elegant and beautiful of British marsh plants.
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The Butter-Bur (Petasites vulgaris) is a British composite plant, with large rhubarb-like leaves and purplish flowers growing by the side of streams. It gets its name from the fact that previously its large leaves were used for wrapping up butter.
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The buttercup (Ranunculus acris) is a perennial herb of the family Ranunculaceae. The lower leaves are deeply divided into three to seven, ovate or wedge-shaped and toothed or further divided into segments. The stem leaves are similar but smaller. The flowers have five erect sepals, five glossy yellow petals and numerous stamens.
Buttercups were so named because it was thought they increased the butter yield when cows were fed on pasture containing the flowers. However, it is more likely that such pastures as contained buttercups were sound, dry old pastures which afforded better fodder for the cows, and the presence of the buttercups simply
Indicated the quality of the pasture without themselves contributing.
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Butterfly is the common name of all diurnal lepidopterous insects, corresponding to the original Linnaean genus Papilio. The family of the butterflies or diurnal Lepidoptera (so called to distinguish them from nocturnal or crepuscular Lepidoptera, such as moths) is a very extensive one, and naturalists differ much as to the manner of subdividing it.
One of the most remarkable and interesting circumstances connected with these beautiful insects is their series of transformations before reaching a perfect state. The female butterfly lays a great quantity of eggs, which produce larvae, commonly called caterpillars. After a short life these assume a new form, and become chrysalids or pupa. These chrysalids are attached to other bodies in various ways, and are of various forms; they often have brilliant golden or argentine spots. Within its covering the insect develops, to emerge as the active and brilliant butterfly. These insects in their perfect form suck the nectar of plants, but take little food, and are all believed to be short-lived, their work in the perfect state being almost confined to the propagation of the species. Butterflies vary greatly in size and colouring, but most of them are very beautiful.
The largest butterflies are found in tropical countries, where some measure nearly 30 cm across the wings. They may generally be distinguished from moths by having their wings erect when sitting, the moths having theirs horizontal. Some of them have great powers of flight. Among the most remarkable butterflies are those that present an extraordinary likeness to other objects such as leaves, green or withered, flowers, bark, etc, a feature that serves greatly to protect them from enemies.
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Butterfly-weed (Asclepias tuberosa) is the pleurisy-root of America, where it has a considerable reputation as an article of the materia medica. It is an expectorant, a mild cathartic, and a diaphoretic, and is employed in incipient pulmonary affections, rheumatism, and dysentery.
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The butternut (Juglans cinerea) is an American tree of the Amentaceae, allied to the walnut. The wood, dark yellow in colour, takes a fine polish and is used in cabinet work.
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The butterwort (Pinguicula vulgaris) is a perennial, carnivorous, herb of the family Lentibulariaceae, native to northern and central Europe where it grows in bogs, on damp heaths, moors and damp rocks. It has a basal rosette of sticky, entire, fleshy, bright yellow-green ovate leaves. The stickiness being caused by a fluid secreted by warty glands which catches and digests insects so as to provide the plant with the required nitrogen. When an insect becomes trapped, the leave curls up around it. Rising from the centre of the rosette are scapes which are topped by two-lipped, tubular, bluish-white coloured flowers with a long slender spur. The fruit is an ovoid capsule which splits into two halves.
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Buttons or common tansy (Tansy vulgare) is a plant of the tansy genus formerly used as a tonic.
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Buxbaumia is a genus of humus-loving mosses, interesting because of their extremely simple structure. Apart from the well-developed green protonema, they have no vegetative organs. The male plant consists of a single concave leaf, devoid of chlorophyll, enclosing an antheridium. The female consists of a tuft of leaves, likewise colourless, surrounding an archegonium.
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Buxton's bushbuck or mountain bushbuck (Tragelaphus buxtoni) is an Ethiopian antelope.
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The buzzard is a group of twenty types of birds of prey belonging to the sub-family Buteoninae, distinguished by their rather slow and heavy flight, the short rounded head, and strongly curved beak.
The common buzzard (Buteo vulgaris} is distributed over the whole of Europe as well as the north of Africa and America. Its food is very miscellaneous, and consists of moles, mice, frogs, toads, worms, insects, etc. It is sluggish in its habits. Its length is from 50 to 55 cm.
The rough-legged buzzard (Buteo lagopus), so called from having its leg's feathered to the toes, is also a native of Britain. Its habits resemble those of the common buzzard. The red-tailed hawk of the United States is a buzzard (Buteo boredits). It is also called the hen-hawk, from its raids on the poultry-yard. The genus Pernis, to which the honey-buzzard (Pernis apivorus) belongs, has the beak rather weaker than Buteo, but does not differ much from that genus. The honey-buzzard is so called because feeding specially on bees and wasps.
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Byctiscus is a genus of Snout Beetles (Curculionidae). The female twists the leaves of the host plant into a cradle for her eggs, as does the Birch Leaf Roller.
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Byrrhidae is the Pill Beetles family of insects of the order Coleoptera. They have oval or rounded, convex bodies and in many cases the appendages can be completely withdrawn for protection against predators. The larvae live mostly on the ground feeding on moss roots.
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Byrrhus (the Pill Beetle) is a genus of comparatively (six to ten millimetres long) Pill Beetles (Byrrhidae).
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Byssus are the silky threads by means of which many bivalves attach themselves to a firm surface. The byssus threads are secreted in a gland in the foot which is the homologue of the mucus gland of the snail, and can be speedily renewed if severed. They are seen in very simple form in the common edible mussel (Mytilus), which is always attached to its surroundings by a tuft of golden threads.
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Bythinus is a genus of beetles of the family Pselaphidae.
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Byttneriaceae is a natural order of plants allied to the mallows. Almost all the species contain a fatty oil in their seeds, and have a fibrous bast. The typical genus is Byttneria, from which the order is named, but by far the most important is Theobroma to which the tree yielding cocoa (cacao) belongs.
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Byturidae is a family of beetles of the order Coleoptera whose larvae live in the fruit of raspberries and other fruit of the Rubus genus.
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Byturus is a genus of beetles of the family Byturidae. The genus includes the species Byturus tomentosus - the Raspberry Beetle, whose larvae develop in raspberries and blackberries.
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Abbreviations
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