_Balsams_ are a kind of resinous juice, united with some of the extractive matter of the various plants they are obtained from, in combination with an essential oil. All the balsams are occasionally in use in veterinary medicine, and were formerly in very high estimation, for their supposed salutary action in chronic diseases of the lungs. They were also considered as a sovereign vulnerary for abraded urinary passages. It is the modern doctrine to think their efficacy overrated, and which is probably in some respects true, particularly as regards their expectorant qualities: nevertheless they are far from being inert; on the contrary, they appear to act favourably in some instances, as a warm terebinthinated stimulant. The principal balsams dispensed in veterinary practice are these:— _Balsam of Canada._—A strong diuretic, used in chronic cough and diseases of the lungs. _Balsam of Copaiba_, or _Capivi_.—Possesses similar properties to that of Canada. _Balsam of Friars._—Now called _Tincture of Benjamin_, an excellent traumatic. _Balsam of Gilead._—Similar in its properties to Copaiba. _Balsam of Peru._—A stimulant; used externally to irritable ulcers. _Balsam of Tolu._—Same properties and uses as _Peru_. _Balsam of Sulphur._—An expectorant; in inflammatory coughs, however, its use is dangerous.—_Outlines of Vet. Art._—_White._ BALSAMIC, _a._ Unctuous, mitigating. BAMBOO, _s._ An Indian plant of the reed kind. BANDALEERS, _s._ Small wooden cases covered with leather, each of them containing powder that is a sufficient charge for a musket. _Obs._ BANDOG, (_Canis Villaticus_,) _s._ A mastiff. [Illustration] This variety is lighter, smaller, and more active than the mastiff, from which he is descended by a cross with the foxhound. He is not near so powerful a dog as the former, but is more fierce in his natural disposition. From his descent, he possesses a finer sense of smelling than that dog. His hair is rougher, generally of yellowish or sandy grey, streaked with shades of black or brown, and semi-curled almost over his whole body; his legs, however, are smooth. Although he generally attacks his adversary in front, like the mastiff and bull dog, it is not his invariable practice, for he is sometimes seen to seize cattle by the flank. His bite is said to be severe and dangerous.—_Brown._ BANDY, _s._ A club turned round at bottom for striking a ball. BANDY-LEG, _s._ A crooked leg. BANE, _s._ Poison, mischief. BANK SWALLOW, RIVER SWALLOW, BANK MARTIN, or SAND SWALLOW, _s._ This is the smallest species of British Swallow; length four inches and three quarters. The whole upper parts of the plumage are of a mouse-coloured brown; the under parts white, except across the breast, which is brown; legs dusky, a little feathered behind; bill dusky; irides hazel. The Bank Swallow is not near so plentiful, and is more local than the other species.—_Montagu._ BANTAM, _s._