Bartizan

[It. bertesca; O. Eng. brattice, from Ger. brett, a plank or board.] ( Arch.) A fence or parapet of boards; specifically, a small round overhanging turret, ( Fig. 274,) with a bali str aria or very narrow window; generally projecting from the angle of a square tower, on the corner of the gable of a building, and supported on a corbel or bracket. In former times, its chief use, when thrown out near the top of a tower, seems to have been for the purpose of enabling any one on guard to keep a look-out on persons approaching the castle, from a place of shelter or safety; or, when placed over or near a gateway, for defensive purposes. Bartlett, JOHN RUSSELL, an American ethnologist, traveller, and author, B. at Providence, R. 1., on the 23d Oct., 1805. He was educated at Laville Academy, N. Y., and in Canada. He pa ed some time in commercial pursuits, then engaged in the book-trade, and devoted himself to historic a, and ethnological studies. In conjunction with Albert Gall at in he founded the "American Ethnological Society," of which he was also the secretary. In 1850, B. was appointed, by President Taylor, U. S. commi ioner to survey the boundary line between this country and Mexico, in conformity with the treaty of Guadaloupe Hidalgo. He, accordingly, organized a large corps of engineers, and with them sailed from New York in Aug. of the same year. Landing on the shores of Texas, he fitted out his expedition, which, including the officers, a istants and escort, numbered more than 300 men. With this party B. traversed the vast regions of prairie and desert between the Gulf of Mexico and the Pacific. In connection with the survey, he explored a large portion of Texas, New Mexico, . His various journeys extended over a distance of 5,000 m., and occupied nearly 3 years. The results, embracing observations in astronomy, physics, and natural history, were published first in 1854, and afterwards, in a more extended form, in 1857-8, at the expense of the American government. B.'s published works are, A Dictionary of American isms, 8vo, which has been translated into Dutch; The Progre of Ethnology, 8vo; Reminiscences of Albert Gall at in; Personal Narrative of Explorations and Incidents in Texas, New Mexico, California, ., 2 vols., 8vo; Official Despatches and Correspondence, . D. 1886.