By such means a parallel canal may be forced which will admit vessels under the cover of the bar.--_Bar_, a boom formed of huge trees, or spars lashed together, moored transversely across a port, to prevent entrance or egress.--_Bar_, the short bits of bar-iron, about half a pound each, used as the medium of traffic on the Negro coast.--_Bar-harbour_, one which, from a bar at its entrance, cannot admit ships of great burden, or can only do so at high-water.--_Capstan-bars_, large thick bars put into the holes of the drumhead of the capstan, by which it is turned round, they working as horizontal radial levers.--_Hatch-bars_, flat iron bars to lock over the hatches for security from theft, &c.--_Port-bar_, a piece of wood or iron variously fitted to secure a gun-port when shut.--_Bar-shallow_, a term sometimes applied to a portion of a bar with less water on it than on other parts of the bar.--_Bar-shot_, two half balls joined together by a bar of iron, for cutting and destroying spars and rigging. When whole balls are thus fitted they are more properly double-headed shot.--_To bar._ To secure the lower-deck ports, as above. BARACOOTA. A tropical fish (_Sphyræna baracuda_), considered in the West Indies to be dangerously poisonous at times, nevertheless eaten, and deemed the sea-salmon. BARBACAN. In fortification, an outer defence. BARBADOES-TAR. A mineral fluid bitumen resembling petroleum, of nauseous taste and offensive smell. BARBALOT. The barbel. Also, a puffin. BARB-BOLTS. Those which have their points jagged or barbed to make them hold securely, where those commonly in use cannot be clinched. The same as _rag-bolt_. Those of copper used for the false keel. BARBECUE. A tropical custom of dressing a pig whole. BARBEL (_Barbus vulgaris_). An English river-fish of the carp family, distinguished by the four appendant beards, whence its name is derived. It is between 2 and 3 feet in length, and coarse. Also, _barbel_ is a small piece of armour which protects part of the bassenet. BARBER. A rating on the ships' books for one who shaves the people, for which he receives the pay of an ordinary seaman. In meteorology, _barber_ is a singular vapour rising in streams from the sea surface,--owing probably to exhalations being condensed into a visible form, on entering a cold atmosphere. It is well known on the shores of Nova Scotia. Also, the condensed breath in frosty weather on beard or moustaches in Arctic travelling. BARBETTE. A mode of mounting guns to fire over the parapet, so as to have free range, instead of through embrasures. BARCA-LONGA. A large Spanish undecked coasting-vessel, navigated with pole-masts, _i.e._ single-masts, without any top-mast or upper part; and high square sails, called lug-sails. Propelled with sweeps as well. The name is also applied to Spanish gunboats by our seamen. BARCES. Short guns with a large bore formerly used in ships. BARCHETTA. A small bark for transporting water, provisions, &c.