GLOSSARY. 319 



Prehensile.— Capable of grasping. 



I REPOTENT. — Having a superiority of power. 



'Primaries.— The feathers forming the tip of the wing of a bird, 



aud inserted upon that part which represents the hand of 



man. 



i^RocEssES.— Projecting portions of bones, usually for the attach- 

 ment of muscles, ligaments, &c. 



Propolis. — A resinous material collected by the Hive-Bees from 

 the opening buds of various trees. 



Proteak.— Exceedingly variable. 



Protozoa. — The lowest great division of the Animal Kingdom. 

 These animals are composed of a gelatinous material, and 

 show scarcely any trace of distinct organs. The Infusoria, 

 Foraminifera, and Sponges, with some other Jorms, belong to 

 this division. 



Pupa (pi. Pup^). — The second stage in the development of an 

 Insect, from which it emerges in the perfect (winged) repro- 

 ductive form. In most insects the pupal stage is passed in 

 perfect repose. The chrysalis is the pupal state of butterflies. 



Radicle. — The minute root of an embryo plant. 



Ramus. — One half of the lower jaw in the Mammalia. The portion 

 which rises to articulate with the skull is called the ascending 

 ramus. 



Range. — The extent of country over which a plant or animal is 

 naturally spread. Mange in time expresses the distribution of 

 a species or group through the fossiliferous beds of the earth's 

 crust. 



Retina. — The delicate inner coat of the eye, formed by nervous 

 filaments spreading from the optic nerve, and serving for the 

 perception of the impressions produced by light. 



Retro&ression. — Backward development. When an animal, as it 

 approaches maturity, becomes less perfectly organised than 

 might be expected from its early stages and known relation- 

 ships, it is said to undergo a retrograde development or meta- • 

 morphosis. 



Rhizopods. — A class of lowly organised animals (Protozoa), having 

 a gelatinous body, the surface of which can be protruded in 

 the form of root-like processes or filaments, which serve for 

 locomotion and the prehension of food. The most important 

 order is that of the Foraminifera. 



