in botany. See Vicia.

The ancients made use of beans in gathering the votes of the people, and for the election of magistrates. A white bean signified absolution, and a black one condemnation. Beans had a mysterious use in the lemuralia and parentalia; where the master of the family, after washing, was to throw a sort of black beans over his head, still repeating the words, 'I redeem myself and family by these beans.' Ovid gives a lively description of the whole ceremony in verse. — v. 435.

Abstinence from beans was enjoined by Pythagoras, one of whose symbols is, ἀποκρύπτων, abstinence. The Egyptian priests held it a crime to look at beans, judging the very sight unclean. The flamen dialis was not permitted even to mention the name. The precept of Pythagoras has been variously interpreted: some understand it of forbearing to meddle in trials and verdicts, which were then by throwing beans into an urn: others, building on the equivocal of the word ἀποκρύπτων, which equally signifies a bean and a human sacrifice, explain it by abstaining from venery. Clemens Alexandrinus grounds the abstinence from beans on this, that they render women barren; which is confirmed by Theophrastus, who extends the effect even to plants. Cicero suggests another reason for this abstinence, viz. that beans are great enemies to tranquillity of mind. For a reason of this kind it is, that Amphiarus is said to have abstained from beans, even before Pythagoras, that he might enjoy a clearer divination by dreams.

Beans, as food for horses. See Farriery, § 6.

Bean-Cod, a small fishing vessel, or pilot-boat, common on the sea-coasts and in the rivers of Portugal. It is extremely sharp forward, having its stem bent inward above into a great curve: the stem is also plated on the fore-side with iron, into which a number of bolts are driven, to fortify it, and resist the stroke of another vessel, which may fall athwart-hause. It is commonly navigated with a large lateen sail, which extends over the whole length of the deck, and is accordingly well fitted to ply to windward.

Bean-Flour, called by the Romans lomentum, was of some repute among the ancient ladies as a cosmetic, wherewith to smooth the skin, and take away wrinkles.

Bean-Fly, in natural history, the name given by authors to a very beautiful fly, of a pale purple colour, frequently found on bean-flowers. It is produced from the worm or maggot called by authors mida.

Bean-Goose, in ornithology. See Anas.

Kidney-Bean. See Phaseolus.