peristaltic 
4404 
n-f'/./.f/r, set, place, bring together, bind, com- peristoma (po-ris'to-mii), .; pi. perixtoinitttt 
press. Cf. ywr/.v/rt/xio.] 1. Compressive; con- (per-i-sto'ma-tji). [NL. : see peristome.'] In 
tracting in successive circles; of or pertaining zotil., a peristome, in any sense. 
to peristalsis ; consisting in or exhibiting peri- peristomal (per'i-sto-mal), a. [< Or. vepi, 
stalsis. Peristaltic is sometimes used to designate waves around, + cru/ta, the mouth.] Surrounding 
of contraction running in the ordinary direction down the the mouth ; adoral in a circular manner ; relat- 
nVn MI'I' the oTOoiitedJ? an ^" slnltie denote8 those - ing to the peristome or oral region ; peristomial. 
2. ITmt efeetrostatie induction which takes Peristomata (per-i-sto'ma-tii), .pi. [NL <Gr. 
place between two or more conducting wires P l < wound, + arofia, the mouth.] 1 In La- 
marck's classification, a family of trachehpod 
gastropods, having the aperture surrounded by 
a continuous lip or peristome, and including the 
genera Valvata, Paludina, and Ampullaria, now 
dissociated in different families. Also Peri- 
stomidse. 2. [I. c.] Plural of peristoma. 
when inclosed within the same insulating case, 
as in an ocean cable : a use due to Sir W. Thom- 
son. 
peristaltically (per-i-stal'ti-kal-i), a* 1 . In a 
peristaltic manner. Owen. 
peristem (per'i-stem), n. In bot., an abbrevia- 
tion of perimeristem. 
Peristeria (per-i-ste'ri-a), w. [NL. (W. J. Hook- 
er, 1831), so called in allusion to the form and 
peristomatic (per'i-sto-mat'ik), a. [<peristo- 
ma( t-) + -ic.] 1 . Of the nature of a peristome. 
2. In hot., of or pertaining to the peristome. 
nivent into a fleshy globular flower. There are 
2 or 3 species, natives of the Andes of Colombia. They 
are robust epiphytes, with the stem thickening into a 
fleshy pseudobulb bearing one or a few ample plicate- 
nerved leaves, the scapes springing from its base. The 
most important species, P. data, the dove-plant, has the 
flowers in a long raceme covering the upper third of the 
flower-stalk, which is from 4 to 6 feet tall ; the flowers 
single, 1J inches broad, fragrant, creamy-white, with lilac 
specks at the base of the lip. (See dove-plant.) It is the 
el eepiritu santo, or Holy-Ghost flower, of Panama. 
peristerite (pe-ris'te-rlt), n. [< Gr. mpiarepa, f., 
Tre/Morepdf, m. ? a pigeon, + -ite?.] A variety of 
albite, exhibiting when properly cut a bluish 
opalescence like the changing hues on a pigeon's 
neck. 
peristeroid (pe-ris'te-roid), a. 
like appendages which is observed on the rim 
or mouth of the capsule of a moss when the 
operculum is removed. These appendages are in a 
single row, or frequently in two rows, when the peristome 
is said to be double. The individuals of the outer row are 
called teeth, those of the inner cilia. The number of both 
teeth and cilia is always four or a multiple of four. See 
cuts under moss, cilium, S, and Dicranum. 
2. In zob'l,, mouth-parts in general ; the struc- 
tures or set of parts which surround the cavity 
of the mouth or oral opening and constitute its 
walls, framework, or skeleton : used chiefly of 
lower animals, as echinoderms, which have cir- 
cular or radiate mouth-parts. Specifically (a) 
The circumoral body-wall of an echinoderm ; the peristo- 
mial perisoma : the opposite of periproct. See cut under 
Astrophyton. (b) In Crustacea, specifically, the space in- 
cluded between the pterygostomial plates and the anten- 
nary sternite. Milne-Edwards, (c) In the Infusoria, the 
oral region with its accompanying cilia or other circum- 
oral appendages, (a) In Vermes, the first true somite of 
a polycmetous annelid, coming next to the prestomium, 
and bearing the mouth. See prxstomium. (e)Iaentom., 
the border of an insect's mouth, or properly the border 
j7--,-r,-. -TJTi-'J- l< Qr. n-epwre- 
poei6r/e, of the pigeon kind, < Kcptarepa, a pigeon, 
+ fWoc, form.] Specifically, of or pertaining 
to the Peristeroidese. 
Peristeroideae (pe-ris-te-roi'de-e), n. pi. [NL. : 
see peristeroid.] In Suiidevall's system of clas- 
sification, the Columbee (including Didus and 
Didunculus), or pigeons in the widest sense, 
considered as a cohort of anisodactyl Folucres. 
peristeromorph (pe-ris'te-ro-morf), n. [< NL. 
Peristeromorphee, < Gr. vcpta-epd, a pigeon, + Ulllte(1 an(1 8url u d th t 
$?' f0rm ' ] A member f the Pristeromor - peristomia . fl^ltperistomium. 
vsasMiSMisssfA'S^i^^^S. 
Diseons or co nmbinfl birds Mml WlS J .. . stome. 2. Situated around the mouth; en- 
is the border of the cavity from which the proboscis or 
sucking-organ projects. (/) In conch., the margin of the 
and """* P S are 
pigeons or columbine birds regarded as a su- 
perfamily of schizognathous birds. 
the rostrum swollen at the end, and provided 
mid basal membrane in which the nostrils open ; narrow 
prominent basipterygoid processes ; long spongy maxil- 
lopalatines; the mandibular angle neither produced nor 
recurved ; the sternum doubly notched or notched and 
fenestrated on each side behind, and with the resulting 
external lateral processes shorter than the hit 
the hallux insistent, with a twisted metatarsa! 
cumoral. Science, VI. 5. 
,'per-i-sto'mi-an), a. and n. 
stome + -ion.] I. a. Of or pertaining to the 
Peristomata. 
II. n. One of the Peristomata. 
Peristomidae (per-i-stom'i-de), n. pi. [NL., < 
me resulting T> j 7 , \ f . -. ^ '' * L 
uternal ones; Penstom(ata) + -idee.] Same as Peristomata, 1. 
ial, and ante- peristomium (per-i-sto'ini-um), n. ; pi. peristo- 
the syrinx with one pair of intrinsic muscles. 
peristeromorphic (pe-ris"te-r6-m6r'fi^ . 
NL. Peristeromorphie. + -ie.] Pertaining to the ft'"' - U1 ' n roul l d ,< W, around, + arpt^eiv, turn.] 
Peristeromorphie, or having their characters- Tu . rn '"g round; rotatory; revolving: said of the 
columbine. paintings of a panorama. 
peristeropod (pe-ris'te-ro-pod), a. and n. [< Peristylar (per-i-sti'lar), a. \_< peristyle + -arS.] 
Gr. ircpiartpa, a pigeon,"+Voi'<c (nod-) =E./ooM f "Bounded by columns; having or pertaining 
I. a. Pigeon-toed, as a rasorial fowl; having to a P e tyle. 
the feet constructed as in pigeons, as a mem- 
ber of the Gallinie; of or pertaining to the Pe- 
risteropodes. 
II. n. A peristeropod gallinaceous bird, as 
one of the Cracidse or Megapodidte. 
peristeropodan (pe-ris-te-rop'o-dan), a. and . 
Same as peristeropod. 
peristeropode (pe-ris'te-ro-pod), a. and n. 
Same &% peristeropod. 
A " Toun ^ the court there is a peristylar cloister with 
cel18 ' J ~ Fer y ueion ' Hist - Indian Ar <*-> P- 385. 
peristyle (per'i-stil), n. [= F. peristyle = Sp. 
peristilo = Pg. peristylo, peristilo, pei-ystiKo = 
It. peristilo, pmstilio, < L. peristylum, peristyli- 
um, < Gr. irepiarv^ov, a peristyle, neut. of ireplarv- 
/lof, with pillars round the wall, < wtpl, round, + 
ffri/tof, a column.] In arch., a range or ranges 
of columns surrounding any part, as the cella of 
Peristeropodes (pe-ris-te-rop'o-dez), n. pi. a Greek temple, or any place, as a court or clois- 
[NL.: see peristeropod ] "A subdivision of the ter > or tQe atrium of a classical house. See cuts 
Alectoronwrplix, or Gallinse, formed to include un( J er Greek and opisthodomos. 
those birds which have the hind toe inserted A wider passage than the entrance leads ... to the 
low down, as in pigeons ; the pigeon-toed fowls peristyle, or principal apartment of the house. 
The antithesis is Alectmopodes. The group includes two J - Fer ? ra , Hist. Arch., I. 370. 
families : the American Cracidse, or curassows, hoccos, 
4 .... ..j the Australasia " "' 
peristeropodous (pe-ris-te-rop'o-dus), a. Same 
as peristeropod. 
peristethium (per-i-ste'thi-um), n. ; pi. periste- 
thia (-a). [NL., < Gr. Kepi, around, + <jTij6of, 
the breast.] In entom., a name given by Kirby 
to that part of the lower surface of the thorax 
which lies in front of the sockets of the middle 
legs and is limited laterally by the pleurae. It 
is now generally called the mesosterimm, a name which 
Kirby limited to the part of the peristethium between the 
middle coxae. 
about the synovial membrane, 
peritet (pe-rif), a. [= OF. perite = Sp. Pg. It, 
perito, < li.peritus, pp. of "periri, try : see peril. 
Cf. expert.] Experienced; skilful. 
That gives our most perite and dextrous artists the 
greatest trouble, and is longest finishing. 
Evelyn, Sculpture, iv. 
(per'i-thes), n. [< NL. perithecium, 
q. v.] In hot., same &s perithecium. 
perithecial (per-i-the'si-al), . [< perithecium 
+ -nl.] Pertaining to the perithecium. 
peritoneum 
perithecium (per-i-tlie' si-um). n.; pi. perithecia 
(-[i). [XL., < MGr. irrptOj/Kii, a lid, cover. < Gr. 
irepl, around, + fir/K?/, a cover: see theca.~\ In 
bot., a cup-shaped envelop (or ascocarp) with 
the margin incurved so as to form a narrow- 
mouthed cavity, inclosing the fructification of 
certain fungi, lichens, etc. In the Ascomycetes, for 
example, it is flask-shaped with a single narrow opening, 
the ostiole. The asci arise from ascogenous hyphse, either 
from the base of the perithecial cavity or from all points 
of the inner surface. See cuts under Cnrdyceps, ergot, 
and_ Spermagonium. Also perithece. 
perithoracic (per"i-tho-ras'ik), a. [< Gr. Kepi, 
around, + Bupat-, the chest: see thoracic.] 
Around the thorax. 
peritiont (pe-rish'on), n. [< L. as if *peri- 
tio(n-), < perire, perish: see perish 1 .] Destruc- 
tion; annihilation. 
Were there an absolute peritinn in our dissolution we 
could not fear it too much. Bp. Hall, Works, VI. 411. 
peritomous (pe-rit'o-mus), . [< Gr. mpiro/ios, 
cut off all round, < wept, round, + rl/ivEiv, rafteiv, 
cut.] In mineral., cleaving in more directions 
than one parallel to the axis, the faces being 
all similar. 
peritoneal, peritonseal (per"i-to-ne'al), . [= 
F. peritoneal = Pg. peritoneal; as peritoneum, 
peritoneeum, + -aZ.] Of or pertaining to the 
peritoneum Peritoneal cavity, the cavity inclosed 
by the peritoneum. Peritoneal fever. See feveri. 
Peritoneal fossa?, pocket-like recesses of the peritone- 
um, such as Douglass's pouch, the rectovesical pouch, etc. 
Also called peritoneal recesses. Peritoneal ligaments, 
certain reflections of the peritoneum from the walls of the 
abdomen or pelvis to the viscera, such as the ligaments of 
the liver, spleen, uterus, and bladder. Peritoneal aac, 
in echinoderms, that part of the primitive vasoperitoneal 
vesicle of the embryo which gives rise to the peritoneum. 
peritoneum, peritonaeum (per"i-to-ne'um), /. 
[= F. peritoine = ^.peritonea = Pg. It. peri- 
toneo, < LL. peritonieum, peritoneum, < Gr. irept- 
rdvaiov, prop. neut. of jrcptrovaiof, stretched over 
(jreptT6vatof vpijv or x tr " v > the membrane inclos- 
ing the lower viscera), cf. Tre/wVovof, stretched 
over, < KEpiTcivetv, stretch over or around, < irepl, 
around, + reivuv, stretch: see tone.] 1. The 
membrane lining the abdominal cavity and in- 
vesting its viscera. It is a strong, uncolored, trans- 
parent, serous membrane, with a smooth, moist, shining 
surface, attached to the subjacent structures by the sub- 
peritoneal areolar tissue, and forming a closed sac, except 
in the female, where it is continuous with the mucous 
membrane of the 
Fallopian tubes, 
or oviducts. ' 
From the walls 
of the abdominal 
and pelvic cavi- 
ties it is reflected 
at various places 
over the viscera, 
which it serves 
to invest and at 
the same time 
hold in position 
by its folds ordn- 
plicatures. These 
folds or dupli- 
catures are of 
various kinds. 
Some of them, 
constituting the 
mesenteries (see 
mesentery), con- 
nect certain 
parts of the in- 
testinal canal 
with the pos- 
terior abdomi- 
nal walls ; others 
form the so- 
called ligaments 
of the liver, 
spleen, stomach, 
and kidneys, the 
broad ligaments 
of the uterus, 
and the suspen- 
sory ligament of the bladder ; still others form the omenta, 
folds attached to the greater and lesser curvatures of the 
stomach. That part which lines the abdominal and pel- 
vic walls is called the parietal or external peritoneum ; 
that which more or less completely invests the viscera, 
the visceral or internal. The cavity of the peritoneum 
is divided into two unequal parts by the constriction 
at Winslow's foramen; of these, the upper posterior 
one, lying back of and below the stomach and liver, is 
called the lesser cavity ; the greater cavity lies in front 
and below. In vertebrates below mammals, in which 
there is no diaphragm, the peritoneum and the pleura 
(which is the corresponding thoracic serous membrane) 
are thrown into one, lining the whole pleuroperitoneal 
cavity and investing its contained viscera. The name 
peritoneum is extended to various similar or analogous, 
though not necessarily homologous, membranes or tunics 
which line the body-cavity of many different inverte- 
brates. 
2. In brachiopods, an investment of the ali- 
mentary canal, by which the latter is suspended 
in the perivisceral cavity as by a mesentery. 
Special folds form the gastroparietal and ileoparietal 
bands, respectively connecting the stomach and intestines 
v ith the parietes. 
i of Human Female, in longitudinal 
ji, somewhat diagrammatical. 
