ued with life.

BANIAN-TREE. _Ficus indica_ of India and Polynesia. The tendrils from
high branches extend 60 to 80 feet, take root on reaching the ground,
and form a cover over some acres. Religious rites from which women are
excluded are there performed.

BANJO. The brass frame in which the screw-propeller of a steamer works,
and is hung for hoisting the screw on deck. This frame fits between
slides fixed on the inner and outer stern-posts; resting in large
carriages firmly secured thereto. The banjo is essential to lifting the
screw.--Also, the rude instrument used in negro concerts.

BANK. The right or left boundary of a river, in looking from its source
towards the sea, and the immediate margin or border of a lake. Also, a
thwart, _banco_, or bench, for the rowers in a galley. Also, a rising
ground in the sea, differing from a shoal, because not rocky but
composed of sand, mud, or gravel. Also, mural elevations constructed of
clay, stones, or any materials at hand, to prevent inundations.

BANK, TO. Also, an old word meaning to sail along the margins or banks
of river-ports: thus Shakspeare in "King John" makes Lewis the Dauphin
demand--

"Have I not heard these islanders shout out
_Vive le Roy!_ as I have _bank'd_ their towns?"

BANKA. A canoe of the Philippines, consisting of a single piece.

BANKER. A vessel employed in the deep-sea cod-fishery on the great banks
of Newfoundland. Also, a man who works on the sides of a canal, or on an
embankment; a navvy.

BANK-FIRES. In steamers, taking advantage of a breeze by allowing the
fires to burn down low, and then pulling them down to a side of the
bridge of the fire-place, and there covering them up with ashes taken
from the ash-pit, at the same time nearly closing the dampers in the
funnel and ash-pit doors. This, with attention on the part of the
engineers, will maintain the water hot, and a slight pressure of steam
in the boilers. When fuel is added and draught induced the fires are
said to be "drawn forward," and steam is speedily generated.

BANK-HARBOUR. That which is protected from the violence of the sea by
banks of mud, gravel, sand, shingle, or silt.

BANK-HOOK. A large fish-hook laid baited in running water, attached by a
line to the bank.

BANKING. A general term applied to fishing on the great bank of
Newfoundland.

BANK OF OARS [_banco_, Sp.] A seat or bench for rowers in the happily
all but extinct galley: these are properly calle