BTEERSHEBA
BEET-SUGAR
and the crushed malt or grist is mixed with hot water in the mash-tub. Here an important change occurs, by which the starch in the barley is turned into grape-sugar. After a few hours the liquid, now called wort, is drained off and boiled with hops, which give beer its bitter taste, and help to keep it. It is strained, cooled and put into a large vessel, called a fermenting tun; yeast is added, and the fermentation goes on for several hours, when the beer is drawn off into casks and stored in cellars for use. This process is varied in different manufactories and for different kinds of beer, but the general method is the same. Among nations the Belgians use the most beer, consuming about thirty-six gallons for each person every year, though some single states in Germany use more—as Wurttemberg, where the average is forty or fifty gallons to a person. In the United States the amount used is about fourteen gallons to a person, and nearly 50,000,000 barrels are produced yearly, besides that which is imported. In the British Isles the consumption of beer annually is in the vicinity of 34,000,000 barrels, at a cost of $15 per barrel—an average expenditure per head of about $20, reckoning the present day population at a little over 43 millions. In Germany the consumption of malt liquor, exceeds that of Great Britain and that of the United States by about 30,000,000 gallons annually. In Austria-Hungary the yearly consumption is about 550,000,000 gallons; while Belgium consumes close upon 400,000,000 gallons.
Beersheba (be-Pr'she-bd), now called Bir-es-Se-ba, a place on the southern border of Palestine, about fifty-two miles southwest of Jerusalem. The name means the "well of the oath," and it was so called because here Abraham made a covenant with Abimelech, the Philistine king, and sealed it with an oath and a gift of lambs. In the 4th century A. D. it was a large village, with a Roman garrison. In the i4th century some churches were still standing there. Little is now left but a heap of ruins and two of its wells, which afford an abundant supply of pure water.
Beethoven (bd'to-veri), Ludwig Van, a famous musician, was born at Bonn in 1770. A member of a musical family, he early showed evidences of his genius and at the age of four was taught to play the harpsichord, as the piano was then called. By the age of fourteen, when he became assistant court-organist, he had already composed music and gained a reputation. He studied now under Mozart at Vienna and later under Haydn. He composed piece after piece with a wonderful rapidity and power. He was admired by many, and his career seemed to be one ot great promise. But he became totally deaf, and from that time gave up society and shut himself up with
his music and his books. His work went on, and kept growing in power and beauty. His compositions numbered 138, of which his symphonies and grand sonatas are alone said to be sufficient to make his name immortal. The ninth or Choral Symphony is held by many to be the most wonderful of all his compositions. Though from the standpoint of musical science his music is perfect, yet it is so human and full of feeling that it has ever had a strong hold upon all classes. He died at Vienna, March 26, 1827.
Beetle, the name of the largest order of insects. They have usually four wings, but the front pair forms hard and bony covers for those behind, which alone are used in flying. They have long legs and two strong jaws for gnawing. Their food varies from hard wood to soft fruits and the carcasses of animals. They live in the water and on land, under bark and stones and on plants, digging in the ground or drilling holes in wood. There are three changes which they undergo. They are first larvae or grubs with wormlike bodies, horny heads and three pairs of legs. Then tKey enter the second or pupa state, sometimes lying foi years in their cocoons or cases before De coming full beetles. There are about 100,000 different kinds, varying in form, color, size or habit. Of these more than 8,000 kinds are found in the United States. The tiger beetle is named from its striped body and fierce habits. It preys on caterpillars, flies and other beetles. The bombardier beetle shoots a strong liquid at its enemies; scavenger beetles live on filth, cleaning away a great deal. Of these, some are called carrion beetles, because they live on the dead bodies of animals, and others sexton beetles, as they bury the dead bodies of animals, and lay their eggs there, and the larvae, when hatched, feed on them. The ordinary potato beetle and tumble Dugs belong to this class. The latter roll balls of manure and push them along or carry them on their flat heads, and put them in deep holes after laying their eggs in them. A related species was held sacred among the Egyptians. There are many blind beetles, these living in caves and under stones. Familiar beetles are the fire-fly, glow-worm and lady-bird and oil beetle. While certain species are highly useful, on the whole, beetles are pests, and the larval state lasts a number of years. They work destruction in crops, wood, lumber, fur, wool, hides, books, etc. The larvae are generally called grubs. Of beetles7 usefulness it may be said that many fertilize flowers; some destroy plant-eating insects, and of this species the lady-bird is an excellent illustration. Enemies of the beetle are birds, rodents, frogs, reptiles, flies, wasps, etc. See INSECTS.
Beet=Sugar. See SUGAR.
