BELLS 335 



Centners of 110 Ibs. Eng. 



For tho year 1849-50 .... 11,525,678 



1850-51 .... 16,000,000 



1851-52 .... 20,000,000 



1870-71 .... 25,750,000 



1871-72 .... 26,550,000 



Tho centner varies, in different localities, from 100 to 112 avoirdupois pounds. 



Tho cultivation of 'tho sugar-beet has boon introduced into tho northern United 

 States and California. 



BEIiXiADON'Xr.a. (Belledame, Fr.) The Atropa Belladonna, or deadly night- 

 shade, a poisonous plant belonging to tho Solanacc or potato-order. It is employed 

 in medicine as an anodyne, and also for dilating the pupil of the eyo in operation for 

 cataract. It has been used in the preparation of an Italian cosmetic, whence the 

 specific name Belladonna ('fine lady'). The active principle of this plant is an 

 alkaloid called atropine or atropia. 



BELL-METAL. An alloy of copper and tin. Tho proportions of these con- 

 stituents vary within certain limits. The older bell-founders appear to have aimed 

 at producing an alloy of 3 parts of copper to 1 of tin ; these proportions yield a metal 

 of high density a good casting having a specific gravity of 8'9, or equal to that of 

 the unalloyed copper but rather too brittle to bo used for largo bells. An alloy of 

 3A of copper to 1 of tin has been largely employed, and being easy to tune is a 

 favourite metal with bell-founders. When 4 of copper to 1 of tin is used, a soft alloy 

 is obtained, such as is ordinarily used for small house-bells. Tho largo bells in the 

 New Houses of Parliament at Westminster were cast in an alloy of 22 of copper to 

 7 of tin ; but Mr. Denison, who superintended the construction of these bells, has since 

 suggested that the ratio of 13 to 4, or 3 parts of copper to 1 of tin, would probably form 

 a better alloy, since these proportions exactly represent 6 equivalents of copper to 1 of 

 tin. Such an alloy, being a definite compound, with its constituents in atomic propor- 

 tions, would be more likely to remain homogeneous throughout^ the component metals 

 having less tendency to separate from each other during tho cooling of the molten 

 mass. 'I should now,' says Mr. Denison, speaking after his experience of tho West- 

 minster bells, 'require largo bells to be of this 76 '5 copper to 23'5 tin, or Cu 6 Sn ; 

 and they should then be rejected as unhomogoncous if any part of the bell is proved to 

 bo beyond the limits of either 77 per cent, of copper or 23 of tin.' 



In addition to the two chief constituents of bell-metal, small quantities of other 

 metals have occasionally been introduced into the alloy, but apparently without any 

 decided advantage. Thus some celebrated old bells contain a small proportion of 

 antimony Old Tom of Lincoln containing about '03 per cent. Tho use of silver has 

 also been recommended, but seems unwarranted. 



An alloy of cast-iron and tin, called ' Stirling's Union Metal,' has been employed 

 for bells ; but, though emitting a fair sound, is far inferior to ordinary bell-metal. 

 The same remark applies to cast-steel bells. See BRONZE and COPPER. 



BSXiXi-MBTAXi OJfS, or Stannine ; a sulphide of tin, copper, and iron, 

 (Etain sulphurc, Haiiy ; Zinnkics, Hausmann.) 



Tho composition of tho ordinary variety of this ore is 



Copper 30-0 



Iron 12-0 



Tin 26'5 



Sulphur 30-5 



99-0 



It was found in many of the Cornish mines, and especially at Cam Brea, but is now 

 rare. 



BELLOWS. See METALLURGY. 



BBliliS. Church bells are said to have been originated in Italy ; but bells were cer- 

 tainly cast at a very early period in tho East. They were evidently used by the ancient 

 Egyptians, and at a very early date amongst the Chinese. All tho more celebrated 

 bells are manufactured of bronze, or bell-metal (these alloys afo described under their 

 respective heads). 



Tho following are the weights of a few of the largest bells : 



Ibs. 



Tho great bell of Moscow 443,772 



The bell of St. Ivan 127,836 



Another boll in the same city 39,827 



Ditto ditto, cast in 1819- .... 112,000 



