JOHN BAPTIST DU, a celebrated author and member of the French academy, was born at Beauvais in 1670, and finished his studies at the Sorbonne. In 1695, he was made one of the committee for foreign affairs. affairs under Mr Torez; and was afterwards charged with some important transactions in England, Germany, Holland, and Italy. At his return to Paris, he was handsomely preferred, made an abbé, and chosen perpetual secretary of the French academy. He was the author of several excellent works; the principal of which are, 1. Critical reflection upon poetry and painting, 3 vols 12mo. 2. The History of the four Gordians, confirmed and illustrated by medals. 3. A critical History of the establishment of the French Monarchy among the Gauls, 2 vols 4to, 4 vols 12mo. He died at Paris on the 23d of March 1742.

Bos, Lewis Janßen, an esteemed painter, was born at Bois-le-Duc. Having been carefully instructed in the art of painting by the artists of his native city, he applied himself entirely to study after nature, and rendered himself very eminent for the truth of his colouring and the neatness of his handling. His favourite subjects were flowers, and curious plants, which he usually represented as grouped, in glases, or vases of crystal, half filled with water; and gave them so lively a look of nature, that it seemed scarce possible to express them with greater truth or delicacy. It was frequent with this master to represent the drops of dew on the leaves of his objects, which he executed with an uncommon transparency; and embellished his subjects with butterflies, bees, wasps, and other insects, which Sandrart says, were superior to any thing of that kind performed by his contemporary artists. He likewise painted portraits with very great success; and showed as much merit in that style as he did in his compositions of still life. He died in 1507.

Bos. See Mammalia Index.

antiquity, was peculiarly used for an ancient Greek silver coin, which was didrachmus, or equivalent to two drachms. It was so called as having on it the impression of an ox, and chiefly obtained among the Athenians and Delians; being sometimes also struck of gold. From this arose the phrase Bos in lingua, applied to those who had taken bribes to hold their tongue.