Baranya

Baranya, a county of S. W. Hungary, bounded by the Danube, which there forms Margitta island, and the Drave, which separates it from Slavonia; area, about 1,965sq.m.; pop. in 1870, 283,506, of whom more than half are Magyars, and the rest chiefly Germans, Croats, and Serbs. The surface is partly hilly and partly level, and the soil almost everywhere very fertile, producing wheat, tobacco, fruits, and excellent wines. The county is also rich in cattle, sheep, and swine. There are several mineral springs. The most important towns are Funfkirehen or Pees, the capital, and Mohacs, near which in 1526 Hungary lost her army, her king, and her independence.

Barb

Barb, a fine breed of horses cultivated by the Moors of Barbary, and first introduced by them into Spain. They are believed to have been of a kindred origin with the Arabian horse, but are less remarkable for beauty and symmetry than for speed, endurance, and docility. They are generally larger than the Arabian, and the black barbs of Dongola are said to be rarely less than 16 hands high. The wild horses of America are believed to have descended from Spanish barbs, brought over by the early explorers.

Barbara Hofland

Barbara Hofland, an English authoress, born in Sheffield in 1770, died Nov. 9, 1844. She was the daughter of Robert Wreaks, a manufacturer in Sheffield, and in 1796 married Mr. Hoole, who died about two years later, leaving her poor. She published a volume of poems in 1805, and with the proceeds established a small school at Harrogate. In 1808 she married Thomas C. Holland the artist. In 1812 she published five different works, and from that time was almost constantly busy with her pen, producing in all about 70 works, of which the sale was very large both in Europe and America. Most of them were novels and moral tales for the young. Among the most popular were "The Daughter-in-Law," "Emily," "The Czarina," " The Clergyman's Widow," "Says She to her Neighbor, What?" and especially "The Son of a Genius."

Barbary States

Barbary States, a general term designating that portion of northern Africa stretching from the W. frontier of Egypt to the Atlantic, and from the Mediterranean to the desert of Sahara, between lat. 25° and 37° N., lon. 10° W. and 25° E., and including Tripoli, Tunis, Algeria, and Morocco. The name is derived from the Berbers, the ancient inhabitants of the region, who still constitute a considerable portion of the population.

Barbastro

Barbastro, a town of Catalonia, Spain, on the Cinca, in the province and 26 m. S. E. of Iluesca; pop. about 0,500. It is an old town, and has a fine cathedral with good media3val paintings, and an important school.

Barbe Marbois

See Barbe-Marbois.

Barbel

Barbel (barbus, Cuv.), a large, coarse freshwater fish, of the family cyprinidae, found in many of the large European rivers. It has several barbs or beard-like feelers pendent from its leathery mouth, which are said to be the origin of its name. It frequents deep, still pools with eddies, in swift-flowing streams; roots in the gravel bottoms like a hog; and feeds on worms and other bottom bait. It grows to the length of 3 feet and to the weight of 18 or 20 pounds, is a determined biter, and, when hooked, a desperate puller. It is of little value as food.