the A corresponds to the C
of the piano or violin; the key of A major is therefore the first to be
mastered. The chanterelle does not lie over the finger-board and is always
played open by the thumb.

The banjo is held so that the neck is even with the left shoulder and the
body rests on the right thigh; the front of the instrument is held inclined
at an angle, allowing the performer to see all the strings. When played as
a solo instrument, a plectrum may be used with good effect to produce rapid
scale and arpeggio passages, or to produce the tremolo or sustained notes
as on the mandoline (_q.v._). The best results are obtained by means of a
tortoise-shell plectrum about the size of a shilling,[1] having the
contact-edges highly polished, bevelled and terminating in a point. The
tone of the banjo is louder and harder than that of the guitar. Chords of
two, three and four notes can be played on it.

The banjo or bania of the African negro having grass strings is still in
use on the coast of Guinea. The banjo was made known in England through
companies of coloured minstrels from the United States, one of which came
over to London as early as 1846.

(K. S.)

[1] See A. H. Nassau-Kennedy, I.S.M., _Banjo-Plectring_.

BANK,[1] known also as "Polish Bank" and "Russian Bank" a card-game. An
ordinary pack is used. Five or six players is a convenient number. Each
contributes an arranged stake to the pool. The dealer gives three cards to
each player and turns up another; if this is not lower than an eight (ace
is lowest) he goes on till such a card is exposed. The player on the
dealer's left, without touching or looking at his cards, can bet the amount
of the pool, or any part of it, that among his cards is one that is higher
(of the same suit) than the turn-up. If he wins, he takes the amount from
the pool; if he loses, he pays it to the pool. Each player does the same in
turn, the dealer last. Whenever the pool is exhausted, a fresh stake is put
into the pool. After a round is over the deal passes. No player may touch
his cards until he has made his bet; the penalty is a fine to the pool of
twice the stake, and the loss of his right to bet during that round.

[1] For the commercial "bank" see BANKS AND BANKING.

BANKA (Banca, Bangka), an island of the Dutch East Indies, off the east
coast of Sumatra, from which it is separated by Banka Strait, which is
about 9 m. wide at its narrowest point. On the east, the broader,
isl