phalangiform 
the shape or appearance of a digital phalanx. 
Eneue. Brit., III. 715. 
Phalangigrada (fal-an-jig'ra-da), n.pl. [NL., 
neut. pi. of phiilangigraaus : seephalangigrade.] 
A division of ruminant artiodactyl mammals, 
represented by the family CameU&t : so called 
from the peculiar construction of the feet, 
which causes the animals to walk on phalanges 
instead of on homy hoofs. More fully called 
Pecora Phalimgigracla. Also Tylopoda. 
phalangigrade (fa-lan'ji-grad), a. [< NL. 
phalangiyradus, < L. pJialanx (phalang-), pha- 
lange, + gradi, walk, go. ] Walking on the pha- 
langes, which are padded for that purpose in- 
stead of being incased in hoofs, as a camel or 
llama; of or pertaining to the Phalangigrada. 
Phalangiidae (fal-an-ji'i-de), n. pi. [NL., < 
Plialanglum + -idee.] The leading family of 
the order Phalangidea, having a smalll'ounded, 
oblong, or oval body, and extremely long slender 
legs with many-jointed tarsi. The legs reach the 
maximum of length and attenuation in this family, being 
sometimes more than twenty times as long as the body. 
The eyes are close together on the top of the head ; a very 
long penis can be protruded from beneath the mouth ; 
the cheliceres are exposed, diversiform, well developed; 
and the pedipalps are moderately long. There are many 
genera besides Phalangium. Also Phalaitgidx. 
phalangious (fa-lan'ji-us), . [< Phalangium 
+ -ousT] Of or pertaining to the genus Plta- 
langimn. 
phalangist (fal'an-jist), n. [< NL. Phalangista.] 
A phalauger ; a member of the genus Phalan- 
qista. 
Phalangista (fal-an-jis'ta), n. [NL. (Cuvier, 
1800), < L. phalanx (phalang-'}, phalanx : see 
phalanx. ] The typical genus of Phalangistidee : 
synonymous with Phalanger, 2. Seephalanger. 
Phalangistidae (fal-an-jis'ti-de), n.pl. [NL., < 
Phalangista + -idee.'] 1. A family of diproto- 
dont marsupial mammals, containing the pha- 
langers or Australian opossums, the petaurists, 
the koala, etc. The family includes numerous genera 
and species of Australia and Papua, of small or moderate 
size and arboreal habits, and diversified diet. It is divis- 
ible into three subfamilies, Phalangistinse, Tarsipcdinee, 
and Phascolarctirue. See cuts under Acrobates, koala, 
Petaurista, Cuscus, and Dromicia. 
2. The above family restricted by exclusion 
of Tarsipcdinee and Phascolarctinse as types of 
separate families. 
Phalangistinae (faFan-jis-ti'ne), n. pi. [NL., 
< Phalangista + -in.\ A subfamily of Pita- 
langistidse, embracing the several genera and 
numerous species of true phalangers which 
lack the peculiarities of the genera Tarsipes 
and Phascolarctos. The typical phalangers or native 
opossums have prehensile tails and no flying-membrane, 
constituting the genera Phalangista, Cuscus, Pseudochirus, 
and Dactylopstta. The flying-opossums, flying-squirrels, 
or petaurists have a parachute and non-prehensile tail, 
and include the genera Petaurus, Belideus, Acrobata, and 
others. The Phalangistin/e range in size from that of a 
mouse to that of a cat, and are of arboreal habits ; they 
are distributed throughout the Australian region. 
phalangistine (fal-an-jis'tin), a. and n. I. a. 
Of or pertaining to the Phalangistinse. 
II. n. A phalanger or phalaugist as a mem- 
ber of the Phalangistinx. 
phalangite (fal'au-jit), n. [< P. phalangite, < 
li.phaiangites, in pi. phalangitas,<. Gr. ^aAaj-ymzf, 
a soldier in a phalanx, < 0dXayf , a phalanx : see 
phalanx."] A soldier belonging to a phalanx. 
Phalangium (fa-lan'ji-um), n. [NL., < Gr. (j>a- 
Zdy-ytov, a spider, dim. of 0dAayf, a spider, so 
called from the long joints of its leg; < tyakay%, 
a phalanx: see phalanx.] A genus of arach- 
nidans, formerly of great extent, now restrict- 
Daddy-long-legs (Pha!angium tlorsalu 
CTwo thirds natural size. ) 
ed and made typical of the modern family PJia- 
langndie. It is characterized by the great length and 
slenderness of the legs, the filiform maxillary palpi sim- 
ply hooked at the end, and the segmented abdomen dis- 
4434 
tinct from and of equal width with the cephalothorax. 
The species are of active habits and live on animal food. 
phalanstere (fal'an-ster), . [< F. phalanstere : 
see phalanstery.'] " A phalanstery. Bulwer, My 
Novel, IV. yiii. 
phalansterian (fal-an-ste'ri-an), n. and a. [< 
F. phalansterien; as phalanstery + -an.'] I. 
. A member of the socialistic association, 
community, or organization called by Fourier 
a phalanx ; hence, a Fourierite. 
ll. a. Pertaining to a community or associa- 
tion called a phalanx, or to the building or build- 
ings occupied by such a community; hence, 
Fourieristic : as, phalansterian associations or 
doctrines. 
phalansterianism (fal-an-ste'ri-an-izm), . [< 
phalansterian + -ism.]' That feature of the 
communistic system of Fourier which consisted 
in the reorganization of society into phalanxes, 
every one to contain about 1,800 persons who 
should hold their property in common. See 
Fourierism. 
phalansterism (fa-lan'ste-rizm), n. [(phalan- 
ster-y + -ism.'] Same as'phalansterianism. 
phalanstery (fal'an-ster-i), n.; -pi. phalansteries 
(-iz). [< F. phalanstere, irreg. < phalange, one 
of Fourier's communities, a phalanx (see pha- 
lanx), + -stere as in monastere: see monastery.'] 
The building or buildings occupied as a dwell- 
ing by a community living together and having 
foods and property in common as proposed by 
ourier. See Fourierism. 
phalanx (fa'langks orfal'angks),n.; pl.phalan- 
ges (fa-Ian' jez) or (except in anatomy )phalanxes 
(fa'la'ngk-sez or fal'angk-sez). [= Y.plialange 
= Pg. phalange = Sp. It. falange, < L. phalanx 
(phalang-), < Gr. ^d/Uzyf ((fm^ayy-), a line or 
order of battle, a rank of soldiers, a phalanx 
(def. 1), also a round piece of wood, the bone 
between joints of the fingers and toes, etc.] 
1. In Gr. antiq., in general, the whole of the 
heavy-armed infantry of an army; particu- 
larly, a single grand division of that class of 
troops when formed in ranks and files close 
and deep, with their shields joined and long 
spears overlapping one another so as to pre- 
sent a firm and serried front to a foe. The cele- 
brated Macedonian phalanx was normally drawn up six- 
teen ranks deep, the men being clad in armor, bearing 
shields, and armed with swords and with spears from 21 to 
24 feet long. In array the shields formed a continuous 
bulwark, and the ranks were placed at such intervals that 
five spears which were borne pointed forward and up- 
ward protected every man in the front rank. The pha- 
lanx on smooth ground, and with its flanks and rear ade- 
quately protected, was practically invincible ; but it was 
cumbrous and slow in movement, and if once broken 
could only with great difficulty be reformed. 
Anon they move 
In perfect phalanx to the Dorian mood 
Of flutes and soft recorders. Milton, P. L., i. 651. 
2. Any body of troops or men formed in close 
array, or any combination of people distin- 
guished for firmness and solidity of union. 3. 
In Fourier's plan for the reorganization of so- 
ciety, a group of pei-sons, numbering about 
1,800, living together and holding their proper- 
ty in common. See Fourierism. 4. In anat. 
and zool. : (a) A row or series of bones in the 
fingers or toes. Hence (6) One of the bones 
of the fingers or toes; a digital internode, 
succeeding the metacarpal or metatarsal 
bones, collectively constituting the skeleton of 
the third and distal segment of the hand or 
foot: so called from their regular disposition 
in several rows. The normal number of the phalanges 
of each digit is three. This is only exceptionally increased, 
as in the flippers of some cetaceans and extinct rep- 
tiles ; but it is frequently reduced, as in most of the digits 
of birds, and in the inner digits of mammals which have 
five fingers and toes. In man the phalanges of the fingers 
and toes are each fourteen, three to every digit excepting 
the thumb and great toe, which have two apiece. The 
original implication of the term seems to have been any 
one of the cross-rows of small bones between the succes- 
sive knuckles of the fingers or toes, or the longitudinal 
series of small bones of any one finger or toe. But usage 
transfers the sense of phalanx to any one of these bones, 
two or more of which are phalanges. See cuts under 
Artiodactyla, carpus, Catarrhina,foot, hand, Ichthyosauria, 
Perissodactyla, pinion, Plesiomurus, solidungulate, tarsus, 
and Ornithoseelida. ( c ) One of the fiddle-shaped 
cells of the lamina reticularis of the Cortian 
organ. Also called Deiters's phalanges. 5. In 
zool., a group or series of animals, of indeter- 
minate classificatory value; one of several 
groups which may be interposed above genera 
and below classes or orders. A phalanx frequently 
corresponds in value to a subfamily, but has no recognized 
fixed place in classification. Sometimes synonymous with 
cohort or aymen. Basilar phalanx, a phalanx of the 
proximal row. Middle phalanx, a phalanx of the mid- 
dle row. Ungual phalanx, the terminal phalanx, on 
which is the nail. 
Phalaropus 
phalarict (fa-lar'ik), . [< Phalaris, the tyrant 
of Agrigentum.] A fire-javelin. 
They called a certain kind of Javeline Armed at the 
point with an Iron three foot long, that it might pierce 
through and through an Armed Man, Phalarica, which 
they sometimes in Field-services darted by hand ; some- 
times from several sorts of Engines for the defence of be- 
leagured places : The shaft whereof, being roul'd round 
with Flax, Wax, Rosin, Oyl, and other combustible mat- 
ter, took fire in its flight, and lighting upon the Body of a 
Man, or his Targuet, took away all the use of Arms and 
Limbs. Montaigne, Essays (tr. by Cotton, 1693), I. 493. 
Phalarideae(fal-a-rid'e-e),j.j)Z. [NL. (Kunth, 
1833), < Phalaris (-rid-) + -es>."\ A tribe of 
grasses embracing six genera, distinguished by 
the five glumes and the spike- 
let with a single terminal 
flower, jointed to a pedicel, 
and generally with two rudi- 
mentary lateral flowers at- 
tached below the joint. See 
Phalaris, Alopecurus, and Bi- 
er ochloe. 
Phalaris (fal'a-ris), n. [NL. 
(Linnffius, 1737), < ii.phalaris, 
canary-grass, < Gr. <t>a^api(, a 
kind of grass, < ^a/lapof, white, 
shining, < <faf.6f, shining, < 
tyativ, shine.] 1. A genus of 
grasses, type of the tribe Pha- 
laridex, characterized by the 
dense spike, head, or thyrsus, 
the lower two glumes larger 
than the others, the third and 
fourth short and blunt or bris- 
tle-like, and the fifth broader 
and thinner. There are about 10 
species, natives chiefly of the Medi- 
terranean region. They are annual 
or perennial grasses with flat leaves. 
P. arundinacea, the sword grass, or 
reed canary-grass, is a widely dis- 
tributed species, for which see also 
dagger^, 6. For the striped variety, see ribbon-nra&f and 
gardener 's-gartcri, also known aspaittted-grass, silver-gram, 
lady's-laces, French grass, etc. For the other best-known 
species, P. Canariensis, see canary-grass, and for its seed, 
see alpist and bird-seed. 
2. In zool., a genus of hemipterous insects. 
Kisso, 1826. 
phalarope (fal'a-rop), n. [= F. phalarope, < 
NL. Phalaropus""] A small wading bird of the 
family Phalaropodidse, having lobate toes. There 
are 3 species, usually placed in as many genera, of elegant 
and varied coloration, and in general resembling sand- 
pipers ; but the body is depressed rather than compressed, 
and the plumage of the under parts is thick and compact 
to resist water, upon which these little birds swim with 
great ease and grace. They are found on inland waters and 
along the coasts of most parts of the world, sometimes ven- 
turing far out to sea. Two of the three species breed only 
in boreal regions, and perform extensive migrations in the 
spring and fall. Wilson's phalarope, Phalaropus (Stega- 
nopus) wilsoni, the largest and handsomest species, is con- 
fined to America, breeding from northerly parts of the 
United States northward, and dispersing in winter over 
South America. It is 8} inches long, and 15} in extent of 
wings; the bill is 1\ inches long and extremely slender; 
the margins of the toes are not scalloped. The female ex- 
ceeds the male in size and beauty, and the male performs 
the task of incubation. The red-necked or northern phal- 
arope is Phalaropus (Lobipes) hyperboreus; this has a 
slender bill like the li ret, but is smaller, and the membrane 
Canary-prass (Pha- 
laris Catiariensis'). i, 
the plant ; 2. the spike- 
like inflorescence ; a. 
empty glumes ; b, flow- 
ering glumes inclosing 
Red Phalarope (Fhaltiropus /ttlicarius). a, bill. 
of the toes is scalloped. The red or gray phalarope is P. 
Julicariue, also called the coot-footed tringa: the bill is 
broad and depressed, with a lancet-shaped tip, and the 
membrane of the toea is scalloped. This species is noted 
for its great seasonal changes of plumage. See also cut 
under Steganopus. 
Phalaropodidae (fal"a-ro-pod'i-de), n.pl. [NL., 
< Phalaropus (-pod-) -f- -idee.~] A family of small 
wading and swimming birds of the order Limi- 
colse, related to the Scolopacidx, or snipe fam- 
ily, having the toes lobate and the body de- 
pressed, with thickened plumage of the under 
side ; the phalaropes. There are 3 genera, Pha- 
laropus, Lobipes, and Steganopus. See phula- 
rope. 
Phalaropus (fa-lar'o-pus), n. [NL. (Brisson, 
1860), < Gr. QaZapif, a coot, + trove (iroi-) = E. 
foot.~] A genus of Phalaropodidx, contermi- 
nous with the family or restricted to one of the 
