Platycrinus 
Platycrinus (|>la-tik'ri-nus), n. [NL., < Or. 
irXarif , broad, flat, + a/>itw, lily (see crium'd).] 
The typical genus of 1'lntymnMjr, from the 
limestone of the coal-measures : so named from 
the flatness and breadth of the radial plates on 
the receptacle. Originally Platycrinitea. 
platydactyl, platydactyle (plat-i-dak'til), a. 
ami n. [< N 1-. ptotydaetyluf, < Or. 7r/ari'f, broad, 
+ (5<i*ri'/of, finger. ] I. a. Having broad or thick 
dibits; specifically, in lur/ii I., having toes di- 
lated at the ends ; disccdactyl; belonging to the 
Ditctxlartyln : distinguished from ojrydattyl. 
II. H. A platydactyl batrachian. 
Platydactyla (plat-i-dak'ti-W), n. pi. [NL., 
neut. pi. of ptatyiliiftyliiH: see /ild/ytlactyl.] In 
Gttnther's classification, a group of opistho- 
glossate batrachians, having the toes dilated: 
distinguished from Ozydaetyla. Also called Din- 
codai'ti/ln. 
Platydactylus 
(plat -i -dak 'ti- 
lus), . [NL. 
(Cuvier, 1817): 
see platydacty- 
lous.] 1. A ge- 
nus of gecko 
lizards. p.f<uei- 
ntlaru or muralii 
Is the wall-gecko. 
P. mavritanicui, at 
the countries bor- 
dering the Mediter- 
ranean, iskiiuwuas 
the tarfnte. 
2. In en torn., a 
genus of or- 
thopterous in- 
sects. Brulli', 
1835. 
platydolichoce- 
phalic (plat-i- 
aol'i-ko-Se-fal'- 
ikor-sef'a-lik), 
a. [<. pldty(cephalic) + dolichocephalic.] Flat 
and narrow; both platycephalic and dolicho- 
cephalic : said of a skull. 
Platyelmia (plat-i-el'mi-a), n. pi. [NL., < Or. 
ir/arif, flat, + i).fiiv; (t'/,fuv6-), worm.] Samp 
as Platyhelmintha. 
Platygaster(i*lat-i-gas'ter), . [NL. (Latreillc, 
1809) (cf. Gr. irlwfaoTup, flat-bellied), < Gr. 
Tr/.anV, broad, flat, + yaaT>/(>, stomach : see gan- 
ter 2 .] 1. A genus of parasitic hymenopterous 
( Cross ihom natural ii.) 
insects of the family ProctotrypitUr, typical of 
the subfamily Platygaxttrinie. It Is separated from 
other genera by negative characters, and contains a large 
number of species, more than 100 being known In Europe 
alone. P. herricH Is a common parasite of the Hessian 
fly In North America. 
2. A genus of true bugs of the family Lyijmdte, 
erected by Schilling in 1829. 3. A genus of 
fishes erected by Swainson in 1839. 4. A ge- 
nus of flies of the family Acroceridx, erected by 
Zetterstedt in 1840: same as Sphterogaster. 
Platygasterinse (plat-i-gas-te-ri'ne), n. pi. [< 
Platyyntitrr + -hue.] An important subfamily of 
the parasitic hymenopterous family Proctiitnj- 
pida. consisting of minute black insects having 
the fore tibite one-spurred, the mandibles tooth- 
ed, and the anterior wings without marginal 
and 8%inal veins, over 20 genera hare been founded, 
though the group has been little studied. The species 
Mem to be mainly parasitic on dipterous lam*. 
platygastric (plat-i-gas'trik), a. [< Gr. irAarff, 
broad, + yur^i^, stomach: see gastric.] Hav- 
ing broad or wide gastric cavities : belonging 
to the Ptatfoath * n,:i . 
platyglossal (pUt-i-glos'al), a. [< Gr. ir^an'v 
ybuooos, broad-tongui'ii. < T/on'f, broad, + y/ltw- 
nn. tongue.] Having a broad or wide tongue. 
s(i>lBt-i-glos'us), n. [NL. (Sleeker, 
Klrin), < Gr. xAarlyAuaoot t broad- 
4542 
tongued: eeeplatyyloxmil.] A genus of labroid 
fishes of the wrasse family. They have the teeth 
of the jaws distinct, the pharyngeal teeth not confluent, 
the posterior canines well developed, 3 anal spinet, 9 dorsal 
spines, and the cheeks and operates naked or nearly so. 
They are known as doncMa*. P. railialui, IK Inches long, 
inhabits West Indian and Florldan waters. P. anxtanctu* 
Is a kelp- fish of the Pacific coast of North America, 
platygonidium(plat'i-go-nid'i-um), n.; pi. pla- 
tytionidia (-ft). [NL., <Gr. irlaTif, broad, flat, 
f NL. gonfdium.] See gonidium, 3. 
Platygonus (pla-tig'p-nus), . [NL., < Gr. n-/a- 
rrr, broad, flat, '+ y&vv, knee.] A genus of fossil 
peccaries of the family Dtcotylidje, founded by 
Le Conte in 1848 upon remains of the late Ter- 
tiary of America. Also called Hyops, Proto- 
chcerug, and Euch&rvs. 
platyhelminth (plat-i-hel'minth), n. [< NL. 
Platyhelmintha.] A member of the Platyhel- 
mintha, in any sense; a flatworm, as a cestoid, 
trematoid, turbellarian, or nemertean. 
Platyhelmintha, Platyhelminthes (plat'i- 
hel-min'tha, -thez), n.pl. [NL., < Gr. xfarrif, 
broad, flat, + ffyivf (r %/uvO-), a worm : see hel- 
minth.] A superordinal or other high group 
of worms, variously named and rated, includ- 
ing forms more or less flattened, usually ovate, 
and indistinctly segmented ; the flatworms, or 
cestoids, trematoids, and turbellarians, toge- 
ther contrasted with the roundworms or ne- 
mathelminths. In some of the older arrangement*, 
under the name Plati/elmia, they were divided Into the 
non-parasitic order TurMlaria and the two parasitic 
orders Tteniada and Tretnatoda. In another classifica- 
tion the platyhelminths are a prime division of Vermeg, 
divided into Turbellaria (rhabdocoelous and dendrocoelous 
tnrbellarians), Xemertina (rhynchoccElous turbellarians). 
Trematoda, and Centoda. In Lankester's latest arrange- 
ment they are called 1'lattjhdmia, and are divided into 
two branches, <'iliain and Cotylophora. The former Is 
the order Turbellaria in a broad sense, here divided into 
three classes, Rhabdocala, Dendrocoela, and Nemertina (or 
Rhyncluxxela). The Cotylophora are divided into three 
classes, Treinatuitira, Crdaidra, and Hirudinea, the two 
former of these, each with numerous orders, correspond- 
ing In a general way with the families of other authors. 
The Mesozoa of Van Beneden (see Dicvrmida) are regard- 
ed as probably classable with the Ciiiala. This arrange- 
ment is peculiar in bringing the leeches and Dieyrnuda 
under this head. Otherwise it resembles its predecessors. 
The many arrangements of the flatworms dilfer more In 
nomenclature and taxonomic rating than In actual signifi- 
cance. Also I'lailuliiiiiii/ni. Plathelminthet. 
Platylobium (plat-i-16'bi-um), . [NL. (Smith, 
1794), < Gr. ffWr, broad, + Ufiiov, dim. of 
/*o/3of, pod.] A genus of leguminous shrubs of 
the tribe Genisteee and subtribe Bossixx, char- 
acterized by the two-lipped calyx, orbicular 
banner-petal, monadelphous stamens, uniform 
versatile anthers, and broad flat two-valved 
pod, opening elastically along the lower suture, 
broadly winged upon the other. The 3 species 
are Australian shrnbs, with slender branches, opposite 
undivided leaves, and handsome orange-yellow flowers 
solitary in the axils, occasionally red. resembling the sweet- 
pea. They are pendent-branching evergreens, cultivated 
under the name flat pea. 
Platylophus (pla-til'o-fus), . [NL., < Gr. 
TrAari'f, flat, broad, + /o^of, a crest.] 1. A 
genus of birds of the family Corvidx and sub- 
family Garrulinx, containing several species 
of crested jays from Java, Sumatra, Borneo, 
etc., such as P. galrrimtatvs t P. coronatus, and 
others. Swainson, 1831. 2. A genus of arach- 
ii iila us. Koch, 1839. 3. A genus of polypeta- 
lons plants of the order Saxifrages and the 
tribe l'ii HUH ir;r, characterized by the two-celled, 
two-seeded, and two-valved capsules, the two 
awl-shaped recurved styles, four or five calyx- 
lobes, as many smaller petals, and eight or ten 
stamens, of the length of the petals, and in- 
serted with them on the base of an urn-shaped 
disk. D. Don, 1830. The only species, P. tr\folia- 
t'if. the white alder or white ash of Cape Colony, Is a 
very smooth anil handsome tree, casting abundant shade, 
and bearing multitudes of small white flowers In long- 
ntalkvd axillary panicles, followed by small white capsules. 
The coriaceous opposite and stalked leaves are each com- 
posed of three toothed and Tclny lanceolate leaflet*. See 
aUerl, 2. 
platymesaticephalic (plat-i-mes'a-ti-se-fal'ik 
or -sef'a-lik), a. [< platy(ccphalic} "+ mes<iiii-i- 
jilitilicA Both platycephalic and mesaticephal- 
ic: said of a skull. Also platymesocepKalic. 
platymeter (pla-tim'e-ter), n. [< Gr. n*ar/f, 
flat, + ptrpov, measure.] An apparatus for 
measuring the inductive capacity of dielectrics. 
It consists essentially of two cyllndrlcally shaped con- 
densers of equal size, having their Inner coatings con- 
nected. 
Platymiscimn (plat-i-mis'i-um), n. [NL. ( Vo- 
gel. 1837), so called with ref. to the compressed 
stalk of the pod; < Gr. irlarvf, flat, + */iioia>c 
for pioxof, a stalk, also, in form fiiaitof, husk 
or shell.] A genus of leguminous trees anil 
shrubs, of the tribe Ltalbergiete and the sub- 
platyphylline 
tribe Lonchocarpese, characterized by the free 
wing-petals, the opposite leaves and leaflets, 
and the indehiscent one-seeded long-stalked 
pod, which is thin, flat, and oblong, in its op- 
posite or whorled leaves It Is almost alone in this large 
order. The IS species are natives of tropical America. 
They bear yellow flowers In racemes on the branches. /'. 
liatyHtachyum Is called ruble in the West Indies. 
Platynota (plat-i-no'ta), n. pi. [NL. : neeplat- 
1/niiii-.] A group of existing Lacertilia, with a 
columella and an orbital septum, proco3lous 
vertebra?, not more than nine cervical vertebrae, 
and the nasal bone single, it embraces the moni- 
tors or varanolds of the old World, with the American 
genus Ifeloderma. See monitor, Uefoderma. 
platynotal (plat-i-no'tal), a. [< ptatynote + 
-at.] Broad-backed, as a lizard; specifically, 
of or pertaining to the Platynota. 
platynote (plat'i-not), a. and n. [< Gr. TT?.O- 
riwrof, broad-backed, < ir/.arvf, broad, flat, + 
VUTOC, back.] I. a. Broad-backed, as a lizard : 
applied to the varans or monitors. 
II. n. A monitor or varanoid lizard. 
Platynotus (plat-i-no'tus), . [NL. : see pltily- 
note. ] In zodl., a generic name variously used. 
(a) By Fabricius, 1801, for a ge- 
nus of coleopterous Insects. (6) 
By Schilling, 1829, for a genus 
of hemipterous Insects, (c) By 
Wagler, 1830, for a genus of rep- 
tiles, whence the name Platy- 
nota. (d) By Haan, 1835, for a 
genus of crustaceans. 
Platynus (plat'i-uus), 11. 
[NL., irreg. < Gr. ittjni- 
veiv, widen, make wide, < 
TrXarif. wide, broad: see 
plat 3 .) A genus of cara- 
boid beetles. P.maealieollit 
is at times so abundant In Cali- 
fornia as to be a nuisance. It 
Is popularly called the overflow- 
ing. 
platyodont (jilat'i-o-dont), n. and n. [< Gr. TT/O- 
ri'f, broad, -r Moif (odovr-) = E. faith.] 
Having broad teeth. 
II. . A broad-toothed animal. 
Platyonychus (plat-i-on'i-kus), . [NL., 
Tr^arwjiT^of, with broad nails or hoofs, < jrXarif, 
broad, flat, + oi<i'f (bmx-), claw.] A genus of 
I. n. 
, < Gr. 
Lady-crab { rtntyonyihtts Ofttiatut. . 
crabs of the family Portunidte. P. ocellatiw is 
a beautiful species known as the lady-crab. 
Incorrectly written Platyoniehus. 
platyope (plat'i-6p), . [< Gr. jrXarif, broad, 
+ uip (OTT-), face.] A broad-faced animal, per- 
son, or skull. 
platyopic (plat-i-op'ik), a. [< platyope + -ic.] 
Broad-faced; wide across the eyes: applied to 
skulls or persons whose nasomalar index is be- 
low 107.5, as in the Mongolian races generally. 
Also platopic. 
platypetalous (plat-i-pet'a-lus), a. [< Gr. n-Xa- 
ri'f, oroad, + mratov, a leaf (in mod. Dot. a pet- 
al).] In hot., having very broad petals. [Rare.] 
Platypeza (plat-i-pe'zft), n. [NL. (Meigen, 
1804), < Gr. jrPUm'?, broad, flat, + irtfa, foot.] 
The typical genus of Platypezidte, having the 
four basal joints of the posterior tarsi broad 
and flattened, whence the name. They are small 
velvety-black or gray flies, whose larva? live in funici. Fif- 
teen European and five North American species are known. 
P. cingviatvx of the District of Columbia is an example. 
Platypezidffl (plat-i-pez'i-de), n. pi. [NL. (Fal- 
len, 1817), < Platyj>e:a + -idte.] A family of 
dieheetous brachycerous dipterous insects, typi- 
fied by the genus /Ynty/ir-rt. They are of minute 
sice, and resemble the DoHchopa<lidjT, but the body Is de- 
pressed and the head hemispherical, almost mtin lyoccu- 
iiled by the eyes ; the legs are short and spineless, and the 
lilnd tarsi are often dilated. The antenna; are porrectand 
three- jointed ; the bare eyes are contiguous In the male; 
the abdomen Is short, and pulvilll are present. The genera 
:Hr four ill IlllllllKT. 
platyphylline (plat-i-fil'in), n. [< jittity]>hyl- 
/-oii.v -f- -in<i.] In hot., broad-leaved; flat. 
