Basanite

[Fr.; Lat. basanites, lapis; Gr. basanos, the touchstone.] ( Min. ) A grayish-black species of schistose hornblende, called also Lydian-stone. It is composed principally of silica, occurs in beds, in traprock, ., and owes its color to carbon, according to Humboldt; sp. grav. 2:58 to 2.64. It is used for testing the purity of gold. The gold is rubbed on the stone, and the mark is touched with aquafortis. The amount of copper contained in the gold may be easily gue ed at by the change of color the streak undergoes. Bas-bleu, (bä-bloo',) n. [Fr.] A lady of literary tastes or acquirements; a blue-stocking. Bas-chevalier, ( bä - shev'a - ler , n. [Fr.] A knight of inferior rank to a knight banneret. Basch'kirs. See BASHKIRS.