BECHE-DE-MER, Imslrdc-nifir' (Fr., a holo- tlnirinn ) . See Trepaxg.
BECHER, beiv'er, Johann Joachisi (1635-
82). A German chemist, born at 8peyer. He
acquired an extensive knowledge of medicine,
pliysics, chemistry, and economics; then taught
and practiced medicine at Jlainz. Later he
founded a chemical laboratory at Munich, and
in 161)0 he was called to Vienna to inaugurate
extensive commercial and industrial establish-
ments. Becher had many enemies, and was ac-
cused — not altogether unjustlj- — of charlatanry.
In his Pliysica Siihtcn-dnca (1669), we find the
first clear mention of the imaginary fiery princi-
ple ('terra pinguis'). which afterw^ards, under
the name of phlogiston, played so important a
role in chemical theory. Consult Erdberg-Krczen-
ciewski. Johunn Joachim Becker (Jena, 1896).
BECHER, SiEGFKiED (1806-73). An Austrian
political economist, born at Plan (Bohemia).
He studied at Prague and Menna, was appointed
professor at the Polytechnic Institute, Vienna, in
1835, and from 1848 to 1852 was employed in
the ministry of commerce. His works include
Das nsterrcicltisclte Miinztcescn von lo2Ji-18JS
(1838) ; Statistische Uebersicht des Handels der
iistcrreichischcn Monarchie mit dem Auslande
wdhrend der Jahre iS29-3S (1841) ; and Eryeb-
nisse dcs HandcJs- tmd Zolleinkommens der
osterreichischen Monarchic von den Jahren 1S19-
J,S (1846).
BECHSTEIN, beK'stin, JojiANN Matthaus
(17o7-1822j . A German naturalist, born at
AValtershauscn (Gotlia), and educated at Jena.
In 17115 he founded the school of forestry at
Waltershausen, and in 1800 was appointed direc-
tor of the Academy of Forestry at Ureissigacker.
He published Die Forst- iind Jagdn:issenschaft
nach alien ihren Teilen (1818-27) ; Die Waldbe-
schiitznngslchre (1818); Abbildungen naturhis-
torischer Gcyenstiinde (1796-1810); tiaturgc-
schichie der Hof- und Stubenviigel (1870).
BECHSTEIN, Ltdwio (1801-60). A German
author, born at 'eimar. He first studied phar-
macy, but subsequently devoted himself to the
study of philosophy, literature, and history at
the iraiversities of Leipzig and JIunich. and in
1831 was appointed librarian of the Ducal Li-
brary at Jleiningen. He was a learned student of
Oermanic folk-lore, wrote novels and verses, but
is chiefly known for his collection of fairy-stories.
His publications include the poems Der Toten-
fanz (Leipzig, 1831) and Luther (1834); the
tale, Fahrten cines Musikantcn (1836-37); and
the Dcutsches Miirehenbuc'i (1879) and 'Neiics
4eutsrlus Miirclieiibiich (1882).
BECHUANALAND, bc-chw-i'na-land. A name
applied to the territory in southwestern Africa
inliabited by the Bechuanas (q.v.) (llap: Cape
Colony. H 4). It includes the Crown colony of
Bechuaiialand. annexed to Cape Colony since
1895, and the Bechuanaland Protectorate. The
latter comprises all the territory bounded by the
JIolopo and the Zambezi rivers, the Transvaal
Colon}', southern Rhodesia, and German South-
west Africa. Its area is estimated at 213,000
square miles. Bechuanaland is for the most
part a high plateau, with an elevation of from
4000 to 5000 feet, and is more adapted for cattle-
raising than for grain. In spite of its almost
tropical situation, the climate is only a little
inferior to that of Cape Colony and is very
liealthful for Europeans. The country is poorly
watered, and there are several dry river-beds,
which till up during the rainy season. The chief
industry is cattle-raising. The protectorate
is administered b}- the native chiefs under the
guidance of a British Resident. The revenue is
derived from customs and a hut-tax, the latter
collected by native chiefs. There is a railway
line open beyond Buluwayo. in Rhodesia. The
population is estimated at 200,000, and consists
chielly of the tribes of Bamangwato, Bakhatla,
Bakwena, Bangwakctse. and Bauuiliti. They
have their fixed boundary lines, and have re-
tained some of their political institutions. Con-
sult: Annual British Colonial Ilrports (Lon-
don) : ^lacnab. On Veldt and Farm (London.
1900).
BECHUANAS, bc-chwii'naz. Tribes of Bantu
stock in the Transvaal Colony and centre of
South Africa, who since the colonizing of South
Africa have become well known. In response to
civilizing influences, and from natural adaptabil-
ity, the Bechuanas are among the most advanced
nations of Africa. Their strong military and
political organizations are shown in the forma-
tion of powerful native 'kingdoms' and the ex-
tensive migratory movements of the tribes,
though they are peaceable in disposition and
skillful agriculturists. Totemism prevails, and
'rain-doctors' exercise much influence. In color
they are brown rather than black; their height
averages 1.684 metres.
BECK, Madame. A leading character in Vi7-
lette, a novel by Charlotte Bronte.
BECK, Carl (1856—). A German-American
physician, born at Xeckargemiind, Baden. He
studied at the universities of Heidelberg, Berlin,
and Jena, came to the United States in 1882,
and was appointed surgeon to Saint Mark's Hos-
pital, New York City, in 1886. Subsequently
he became professor of surgical pathology in the
College of Physicians and Surgeons of Chicago.
He has published a Manual of Surgical Asepsis
(1895) and a Text-book on Fractures (1900).
BECK, Christian Daxiel (1757-1832). A
German scholar of distinction. He was born at
Leipzig, and studied at the University there.
In 1782 he was appointed professor of Greek and
Latin literature at the university, and in 1819
professor of history. In 1825 he resumed the
former chair. His method of literary instruc-
tion was historical rather than critical. From
1819 until his death he was editor of the Allge-
meines Reperlorium der neuestcn in- und aus-
liindischcn Litteratur. His works include the
following: Anlcifung zur Kenntnis der allge-
meinen Welt- und Tolkergeschichte (1787-1807) ;
Commentarii JJistorici Decretorum Religionis
ChristianCE ct Formula' Lutheranw (1801) ; Com-
mentarii Soeietatis Pliilologicce Lipsiensis (1801-
04) ; and editions of Aristophanes (with Inver-
nizzi and Dindorf), Apollonius Rhodius, Plato,
and Cicero.
BECK, James Burnie (1822-90). An American politician, born in Dumfriesshire, Scotland. He graduated at the law school of Transylvania Univrsity, Lexington, Ky., and from 1866 to 1875 was a member of Congress. From 1876 until his death he was United States Senator from Kentucky. He was a member of the commission appointed to define the Maryland-Vir-
