256 GLOSSARY. 



Pestilential, infectious, spreading pestilence. . 



Phosphorus, a simple combustible body of a yellowish color, 



and the consistence of beeswax. 

 Physical, pertaining* to matter or physics. 

 Parhelia, mock suns, or luminous spots near the sun. 

 Pistil, the central organ of most plants consisting of the 



stigma, style and germ. 

 Perianth, a sort of calyx, the floral envelops, consisting of the 



calyx and corolla, which are placed around the pistils and 



stamens. 

 Pollen, the dust contained within the anthers of flowers, and 



necessary to fructification. 



Placenta, a part of the ovary to which the ovules are attached. 

 Pericarp, the seed covering. 



Parasite, a plant or animal which grows on another. 

 Perennial, lasting more than two years, evergreen. 

 Phenogamia, plants which bear visible flowers. 

 Petal, a, flower leaf which is part of the corolla. 

 Plumule, the ascending part of a germinating plant. 

 Perforate, to make a hole, having holes, to pierce. 

 Parenchyma, the principal and proper substance of any organ 



in a plant or animal. 



Pervious, porous, or capable of being penetrated. 

 Pellicle, a thin skin, film or crust. 

 Pyrogen, the matter or generator of electricity. 

 Porcelain, a fine kind of earthen ware. 

 Peat, decayed and decaying vegetables, usually buried below 



the surface of the ground. 



Peduncle, the stem which bears the flower and fruit. 

 Panicle, a loose, irregular bunch of flowers, as in the oat 

 Propagate, to produce, or multiply by shoots, &c. 

 Physiology, the science which explains the laws o life and 

 "the uses and offices of all the various organs of plants and 



animals. 



