XXXvi BOTANICAL TERMS AND DEFINITIONS. 
Pellicle, (Pellicula) a membranous or mucilaginous covering, 
closely adhering to the outside of some seeds, so as to con- 
ceal their proper surface and colour ; pellicles are ofttn 
downy, and when of a mucilaginous substance, not percep- 
tible till the seed is moistened. 
Peltate, (Peltatum) applied to leaves when the footstalk is inserted 
in the middle of the leaf : example, the common nasturtium. 
Perfect Flower, {Flos perfectus) applied to flowers having both 
stamens and pistils. 
Perfoliate, {Perfoliatum) leaves are so called when the stems 
run through them. 
Perianth, {Perianthium) the calyx is so called when it is conti-' 
guGus to and makes a part of the flower. 
Pericarp, {Pericarpium) the seed vessel; this is of a pulpy, 
woody, or leathery texture, and encloses the seeds, but is 
wanting in many plants ; there are ten different kinds of 
pericarps, viz. Drupe, Pome, Berry, FolUcle, Silique, Sili- 
cic, Legume, Capsule, Nut, and Strobile. 
Personate, (Personatus) applied to a monopetalous flower of aa 
irregular form, the border of the corolla resembling the 
mouth with the lips closed. 
Petal, (Petalum) the leaf of the corolla. In some flowers a single 
petal forms the whole corolla, as in the Atropa Bella- 
donna, in which case it is termed a monopetalous corolla ; 
when composed of many petals, as in the rose, &c. poly- 
petalous. 
Petiole, {Petiolus) the stalk connecting the leaf with the stem or 
branch. 
PiLOSUS, vide Hairy. * 
PiLUs, vide Hair. 
Pinnatifid, (JPinnatifidum) applied to a species of simple leaf, cut 
transversely into several deep, oblong, parallel segments, 
not extending to the midrib ; applied also to involucres, 
divided transversely by oblong segments. 
Pinnate, {Pinnatum) applied to a species of compound leaf, com- 
posed of many leaflets, placed on each side of the petiole, 
and alternate, opposite, decurrent, «&c. 
Pistil, {Pistillum) an organ situated in the centre of the flower, 
and forming the rudiments of the fruit. A perfect pistil is 
composed of three parts, the germen, or seed vessel in the 
infant state ; the style, and the stigma. 
