Forms: 7 bariglia, barrila, 8 berilla, barillia, barrilla, -ilha, 8– barilla. [a. Sp. barrilla.]
1. A maritime plant (Salsola Soda) which grows extensively in Spain, Sicily, and the Canary Islands.
[Cf. 1748 in 2].
1764. Heberden, in Phil. Trans., LV. 58. The fossil alkali … which is procured from the Spanish barilla.
1884. J. Harris & Olivia M. Stone, in Pall Mall Gaz., 10 Oct., 11/2. Precipitous sides 2,000 or 2,500 feet high, clothed with barilla and scattered pines.
2. a. An impure alkali produced by burning the dried plants of the preceding and allied species; formerly imported in large quantities, and used in the manufacture of soda, soap and glass. b. Also, applied to impure alkali made from kelp.
1622. Malynes, Anc. Law-Merch., 81. The Commodities of Spaine and Portugall, are … Anchoues, Bay-berries, Bariglia.
1705. Lond. Gaz., No. 4096/2. Laden with Wine, Malaga-Soap, and Berilla.
1742. Phil. Trans., XLII. 71. The Salt of Glass-wort (called in England Barillia). Ibid. (1748), XLV. 561. This kind of Pot-ash is commonly called Barrilha, from an Herb of the same Name in Spain that produces it.
1863. Watts, Dict. Chem., I. 500. Kelp, a still more impure alkali … is sometimes called British barilla.
