Binomial
literally, having two names. Binomial System. - A system (that which now prevails) which gives to an animal, a plant, or other natural object, two names, the first to indicate the genus, and the second the species to which it belongs, as canis familiaris (the dog), bellis perennis (the daisy). Binomial Theorem. In algebra, a theorem, or it may be called a law, discovered by Sir Isaac Newton, by which a binomial quantity can be raised to any power without the trouble of a series of actual multiplications. Actual multiplication shows that the 7th power of x+a is x² + 7x + 21x²a² + 35xa² + 35xa² + 21²a + 7xa + a². It is evident that the several powers of the two letters x and a and the co-efficients stand so related to each other that study of them might enable one to educe a law from them. In its most abstract form it is this: (x+a) be raised to the nth power, that is, (x+a)", it x² + пxпm_1a + (n-1) = 1.2 (n - 1) (n-2) xn xn-a³+..etc. (xm_2a² + n 1.2.3
Only in Collier's New Encyclopedia
Bintang
an island of the Dutch East Indies, 40 miles S. E. of Singapore. 18.000 Area 454 square miles; pop. 18,000. . Gambir, rice and pepper are exported BINTURONG (arctictis = bearmarten), a genus of carnivores in the civet section. It is a slow, arboreal and nocturnal animal, partly vegetarian, indeed omnivorous, in its diet, with lank body, coarse, dark hair, long, tufted ears, and prehensile tail. There is but one species (A. binturong), found in India, Malay, Sumatra, and Java. Its nature is fierce, but it is frequently kept in captivity.
Only in Collier's New Encyclopedia
Binyon
LAWRENCE, British poet, born at Lancaster, Aug. 10, 1869, and educated at Oxford. He took the Newdigate prize in 1890, and entered the British Museum in 1893 as cataloguer of English drawings. He wrote "Lyric Poems," (1894); "Attila" (1907); "England" (1909); "Botticelli" (1913); "Auguries" (1913); "The Winnowing Fan" (1915).
Only in Collier's New Encyclopedia
Biobio
the largest river of Chile, has a W. N. W. course of about 200 miles, from near the volcano of Antuco in the Andes to Concepcion on the Pacific Ocean. It is 2 miles wide at its mouth, and navigable for 100 miles. The river, since 1875, has given name to a province with an area of 5,245 square miles, and a pop. over 100,000.
Only in Collier's New Encyclopedia
Bioclimatic Law
a law worked out by Dr. A. D. Hopkins by which the occurrence of various periodical events in plant and animal life may be accutely predicted for various localities of a rately country by noting the appearance of such events in any one part. The rate of advance of spring events over the United States, for instance, has been found to be one degree of latitude northward, five degrees of longitude eastward, and 400 feet in altitude every four days. By means of this law the Department of Agriculture has been enabled to publish rules for the guidance of farmers as to the best time to plant winter wheat, etc., in order to escape common ravages. (See also NECROLOGY.) ANGELL, JAMES ROWLAND, became president of Yale University, 1921. BECK, JAMES MONTGOMERY, appointed Solicitor-General of the United States, May, 1921. BENTON, GUY POTTER, inaugurated as president of University of the Philippines, Dec. 17, 1921.
Only in Collier's New Encyclopedia
Biogenesis
in biology, a word invented by Professor Huxley, and first used by him in his address, as President of the British Association, at Liverpool, 1870, to indicate the view that living matter can be produced only from that which is itself living. It is opposed to abiogenesis. The first who established the doctrine of biogenesis was Francesco Redi. He considered that there were two kinds of it; the first, and by far the most common, that in which the offspring passes through the same series of changes as the parent, and the second, that in which the offspring is altogether and permanently unlike the parent. The former is now called homogenesis and the latter xenogenesis.
Only in Collier's New Encyclopedia
Biology
that branch of science which deals with life. The science of animal life is called zoology; that of plant life, botany. Biology includes, therefore, these two sciences, as well as a certain borderland between them. Science is unable, for instance, to state definitely whether certain minute organisms are plants or animals. A topic like this, uncertain of a reception under either branch of the subject, may still find a place under biology. See Animals; Plants 2026 Editor's Note: Biology was remade twice after this: by the discovery of the structure of DNA in 1953, which showed that all life shares one code, and by the genomics and gene-editing that followed. The very puzzle the entry ends on — whether some minute organisms are plants or animals — dissolved when biologists found they belonged to entirely separate domains of life. (Ed: BR 2026-06-03)
Only in Aiton's Encyclopedia
Bion
a Greek pastoral poet, born near Smyrna in the 3d century B. C. He appears to have passed the latter part of his life in Sicily. Still extant is his "Lament for Adonis," often imitated by subsequent poets. Besides this there remain of his works only short pieces , many of them fragmentary.
Only in Collier's New Encyclopedia
Bioplasm
in biology, a term introduced by Prof. L. S. Beale , an English scientist, to designate forming , living , or germinal matter; the living matter of living beings. It is distinguished from formed matter; indeed, the extension of the one and that of the other occur under different and often opposite conditions. All the organs of the body come from bioplasm.
Only in Collier's New Encyclopedia
Bioplast
in biology, a little nucleus of germinal matter, many of which are scattered through the tissues of the body . It is from these that the growth of new matter proceeds. In the process of healing of a wound near the surface of the body, lymph is poured out, in which may be found bioplasts which have descended from white blood corpuscles. Of these , some produce epithelium, others fibrous connective tissue, unless they be too freely nourished, in which case they grow and multiply rapidly , and no kind of tissue whatever results, but pus is alone formed.
Only in Collier's New Encyclopedia