series or row of balusters, joined by a rail; serving as well for a rest to the elbows as for a fence or inclosure to balconies, altars, staircases, &c. See Architecture, no. 74.

Balm, in botany. See Melissa.

Balm, or Balsam. See Balsam.

Balm of Gilead. See Amyris.

Balnaves, (Henry), a Scottish Protestant divine, born in the shire of Fife, in the reign of James V. and educated at the university of St Andrew's. He went afterwards to France in order to finish his studies; and returning to Scotland, was admitted into the family of the earl of Arran, who at that time governed the kingdom: but in the year 1542 the earl dismissed him for having embraced the Protestant religion. In 1564, he joined, says Mackenzie, the murderers of cardinal Beaton; for which he was declared a traitor, and excommunicated. Whilst that party were besieged in the castle of St Andrew's, they sent Balnaves to England, who returned with a considerable supply of provisions and money; but being at last obliged to surrender to the French, he was sent with the rest of the garrison to France. He returned to Scotland about the year 1559; and having joined the congregation, he was appointed one of the commissioners to treat with the duke of Norfolk on the part of Queen Elizabeth. In 1563, he was made one of the lords of session, and appointed by the general assembly, with other learned men, to revise the Book of Discipline. Knox, his contemporary, and fellow-labourer, gives him the character of a very learned and pious divine. He died at Edinburgh in the year 1579. He wrote, 1. A Treatise concerning Justification. Edinb. 1559, 8vo. 2. A Catechism, or Confession of Faith. Edinb. 1584, 8vo.