alassa was also the inventor of the strophe which goes by his
name. It consists of nine lines--a a b c c b d d b, or three rhyming pairs
alternating with the rhyming third, sixth and ninth lines.

See Aron Szilady, _Balint Balassa's Poems_ (Hung.) Budapest, 1879.

(R. N. B.)

BALATON (PLATTENSEE), the largest lake of middle Europe, in the south-west
of Hungary, situated between the counties of Veszprem, Zala and Somogy. Its
length is 48 m., average breadth 3-1/2 to 4-1/2 m., greatest breadth 7-1/2
m., least breadth a little less than 1 m. It covers 266 sq. m. and has an
extreme depth of 149 ft. Its northern shores are bordered by the beautiful
basaltic cones of the Bakony mountains, the volcanic soil of which produces
grapes yielding excellent wine; the southern consist partly of a marshy
plain, partly of downs. The most beautiful point of the lake is that where
the peninsula of Tihany projects in the waters. An ancient church of the
Benedictines is here situated on the top of a hill. In a tomb therein is
buried Andrew I. (d. 1061), a king of the Hungarian Arpadian dynasty. The
temperature of the lake varies greatly, in a manner resembling that of the
sea, and many connect its origin with a sea of the Miocene period, the
waters of which are said to have covered the Hungarian plain. About fifty
streams flow into the lake, which drains into the Danube and is well
stocked with fish. It often freezes in winter. Lake Balaton is of growing
importance as a bathing resort.

BALAYAN, a town and port of entry of the province of Batangas, Luzon,
Philippine Islands, at the head of the Gulf of Balayan, about 55 m. S. by
W. of Manila. Pop. (1903) 8493. Subsequently in October 1903, Calatagan
(pop. 2654) and Tuy (pop. 2430) were annexed. Balayan has a healthful
climate, and is in the midst of a fertile district (with a volcanic soil),
which produces rice, cane-sugar, cacao, coffee, pepper, cotton, Indian
corn, fruit (oranges, bananas, mangoes, &c.) and native dyes. Horses and
cattle are raised for market in considerable numbers. The fisheries are
important. The native language is Tagalog.

BALBI, ADRIAN (1782-1848), Italian geographer, was born at Venice on the
25th of April 1782. The publication of his _Prospetto politico-geografico
dello stato attuale del globo_ (Venice, [v.03 p.0241] 1808) obtained his
election to the chair of professor of geography at the college of San
Michele at Murano; in 1811-1813 he was professor of physic