lowest in the four parts of music: of uncertain etymology; whether from the Greek word βάσις, a foundation; or from the Italian adjective basso, signifying "low." Of all the parts it is the most important, and it is upon this that the chords proper to constitute a particular harmony are determined. Hence the maxim among musicians, that when the bass is properly formed, the harmony can scarcely be bad.

Basins are of different kinds. Of which in their order.

Thorough-Bass is the harmony made by the bass-viols, or theorbos, continuing to play both while the voices sing and the other instruments perform their parts, and also filling up the intervals when any of the other parts stop. It is played by figures marked over the notes, on the organ, spinet, harpsichord, &c. and frequently simply and without figures on the bass-viol and bassoon.

Counter Bass is a second or double bass, where there are several in the same concert.

Bass-Viol, a musical instrument of the like form with that of a violin, but much larger. It is struck with a bow, as that is; has the same number of strings; and has eight flops, which are subdivided into semi-flops: Its sound is grave, and has a much nobler effect in a concert than that of the violin.

Bass (isle of), a rock, about a mile in circumference, in the mouth of the Frith of Forth, at a small distance from the town of North Berwick in East Lothian. It is steep and inaccessible on all sides, except to the south-west; and even there it is with great difficulty that a single man can climb up with the help of a rope or ladder. It was formerly kept as a garrison. A party of King James's adherents surprised it at the Revolution, and it was the last place in the three kingdoms that submitted to the new government; upon which, its fortifications were ordered to be neglected. In summer, this remarkable rock, which rises to a great height above the water, in form of a cone, is quite covered with sea-fowl which come hither to breed. The chief of these are the colon geese†, which arrive in June, † See Po. ren for rabbits, and affords pasture for a few sheep. The force of the tides have now almost worn a hole quite through this rock. W. Long. 2. 15. N. Lat. 56. 3.