Psilopaedes 
but of more exact sign 
Also celled 
Tli.- .in 
','//. ./i.. 
psilopaedic (si-l^-pe'dik), a. [< Pilopad-eg + 
if.] Of or pertaining to the Psilnpiedes : op- 
posed \iitilitinrdic&udhegthogenoug. Alsogym- 
nopylic. 
Psilophyton (si-lof'i-ton), . [NL., < Or. Y*>.or, 
bare, smooth, + jvrov, a plant: see phi/ton.] 
A genus of fossil plants considered by Dawson 
as being a connecting-link between the rbizo- 
carps and lycopods, and so named by him in con- 
sequence of its partial resemblance to certain 
parasitic lycopods placed in the modern genus 
I'xilotuiii. Tills plant Is abundant in the Devonian of 
Usspe Bay, Canada. Kemalns of plants referred to thin 
Renos by Lesqnereux are also Bald to hare been found In 
both Ohio and Michigan : In the former case. In rocks of 
Lower Silurian age ; In the latter, of t'pper Silurian. The 
plant has alao been found ID the Devonian of England and 
(iermany. 
Psiloptera (si-lop' te-rS). n. [NL. (Solier, 1833), 
< Or. V^C. bare, naked, + irrcp6v, wing, = E. 
" 
feather."] An important genus of buprestid 
beetles, comprising more tlian a hundred spe- 
cies, extremely variable in form, and found 
mainly in Africa and South America. 
Psilorhinus (si-lo-ri'nus), n. [NL. (Bttppell, 
1831), < Gr. V<?.or,' bare, + pit (A'"-)i nose.] An 
American genus of Corrida?, containing large 
magpie-like jays, of dark coloration, with very 
long graduated tail, crestless head, a stout bill, 
and naked nostrils : the smoky pies. There are 
several species, as the brown Jay, P. morio. This bird 
Inhabits Texas and Mexico, is smoky-brown, paler below, 
with bluish gloss on the wings and tall, the bill black or 
yellow, the length 16 Inches, of which the tail U about 
one half. 
Psilosomata (si-lo-so'ma-tft), . pi. [NL., < 
Or. V'^Ci bare, +' ao/ia, 'body : see Psila.} In 
De HI n i ii vi lie's classification (1825), a family of 
his Aporobranchiata, consisting of the genus 
Phyllirhoe alone. It was one of three families of 
pteropods, contrasting with Thtcosomata and (juiniuan- 
mata. It Is now generally called PhyUirhoidte and re- 
ferred to the nudlbranchlates, See cut under I'hylli- 
Thoe. 
psilosopher (si-los'o-fer), n. [< Gr. $Mf, bare, 
mere, T ffopof, wise.] A would-be or pretended 
philosopher; a sham sage; an incompetent Or 
mean pretender to philosophy. [Rare.] Imp. 
Diet, 
Psittaci (sit'a-si), n. pi. [NL., pi. of Psitta- 
<.] An order of birds, having the bill hooked 
and cered, and the feet yoke-toed; the parrots, 
or the parrot tribe. This is one of the most natu- 
ral and well-marked groups In ornithology, formerly re- 
ferred to an "order Scantortg. The feet are perma- 
nently Eygodactyl by reversion of the fourth toe. and cov* 
ered with rugose or granular scales or plates. The wings 
have ten primaries, and the tall has ten rectrices. The 
bill is strongly eplgnathous, and furnished with a naked 
or featheredcere. The tongue is thick and fleshy, some- 
times peculiarly brushy, and may be used as an organ of 
tactlon or prehension ; the upper mandible Is peculiar- 
ly movable, and the beak Is habitually employed in pro- 
greulon. The symphysis of the lower jaw Is short and 
obtuse. The bony orbits of the eyes are often completed 
by union of the lacrymal with the postorbltal process. 
The sternum 1s entire or simply fenestrated behind, and 
the clavicles are weak, sometimes defective or wanting. 
The lower larynx or syrinx Is peculiarly constructed, with 
three pairs of Intrinsic muscles. The plumage is after- 
shafted: the oil gland Is absent, or present and tnft.-.l . 
there are no cteca and no gall-bladder ; the carotid arteries 
are variable ; the ambiens muscle is present, variable, or 
absent ; the femorocaudal, semlt endlnosns, and Its acces- 
sory are present ; the accessory femorocaudal Is absent. 
The PnUafi are considered to represent only one family, 
PaUaddte; or two families, fUrinyoiiuta and I'lillanil/r 
(Sclatcr) ; or two families, I'olirnrnithidjr and Prittaculse 
(Uarrod, Cones) ; or three families, Pntiandjr, CacatiUm, 
arc upward of 400 species, Inhabiting all tropical regions, 
but poorly represented In the temperate cones. They are 
chiefly fruglvorous, and are sometimes called fnguamu 
liaptura See the family names, and cockatoo, lorn, lori- 
keet, loot bird, inataic, owl -parrot, parrakrrt, and parrot. 
Also called Piiltaeituf, PtittaeM, and PriUacmnorplur. 
psittacid (sit'a-sid), w. and a. I. n. A parrot, 
as a member of the Pttittuciilte in any sense. 
II. ". Same as psittacine. 
Psittacid* (si-tas'i-de), n. pi. [NL., < Pgitta- 
cux + -/>.] A family of Psittaci; the parrots, 
(a) The only family, conterminous with the order. In this 
sense the Pnttadd* are divided by Klnsch Into 5 subfami- 
lies: Strinyrmiur, owl. parrots ; I'liftuiiipMiur, cockatoos: 
Sittaritur, with numerous genera, Ixith American and Old 
World: Pnttaciiue; and Tnehoylaaiiut, the lories. See 
cuts under owl-parrot, parrot, parrateet, Prioniiunu. (6t) 
Restricted by exclusion of the owl-parrots and cockatoos, 
and divided Into Petoparlnm, ArinM, Lori*m. TriehogUmi. 
IUT, Satorirut, and Pitttaefna. O.k.Oray. (c) Restrict 
ed by exclusion of the PaUornOJriruf to Pttttad with two 
carotids, of which the left li normal, and divided Into An- 
nm. Pyrrkurinjr, PlatHcmiur. and CArystrfiiuc. Uarrod ; 
Cove*. <rf) Restricted to the gray African parrots of the 
genera Priltaau and Coracopta. Kttchcnoic. 
4820 
psittacine < -it 'a-sin), a. [< LL. pittncinu, of 
or pertaining to a parrot, < psitlacus, a parrot : 
see Psittacus.} Parrot-like ; resembling or re- 
lated to parrots ; of or pertaining to the r.-iti< i 
or Pgittacidte in any sense; psittacomorphic. 
Also psittaccoii, psittaceoHg, psittacid. 
Psittacini (sit-a-si'ni), n. pi. [NL., < Psittacus 
+ -/HI'.] Same as Psittaci. 
psittacinite (sit'a-si-nit), n. [< psittacine + 
-ite-.j A vanadate of lead and copper from 
Montana, occurring in thin crusts of a siskin or 
narrot -green color. 
Psittacirostra (sit'a-si-roii'tra)* n. [NL., < L. 
psittacus (< Gr. VarfoAOf), a parrot, + roxtruui. 
beak.] A remarkable genus of Hawaiian birds 
of the family Dicaidte, having a stout fes- 
tooned bill. The only species Is the parrot-billed gros- 
beak, P. pntlacea. Originally I'rittirattra. Temminet, 
1820. Also called Ptittacopu, Ptillaana. 
Psittacomorphae (sit'a-ko-m6r'fe), n.pl. [NL. 
(Huxley, 18G/ ), < Gr. ifirTanof, a parrot, + l^op^I, 
form.] A superfamily of desmognathous cari- 
nate birds, established by Huxley in 1867, cor- 
responding to the order Psittaci. The technical 
characters used In denning the group are the arched and 
hooked rostrum, regularly articulated with the skull ; no 
basipterygoid processes: movable, vertically elongated 
palatines : spongy inaxillopalatlnea ; lacrymal and postor- 
bltal processes approximated or united; quadrate bone 
with a small orbital and single mandibular facet ; mandlb- 
ular raml deep, with rounded truncate sympbysls ; ster- 
num unnotched or single fenestrate ; clavicles weak and 
separate, or wanting ; tarsometatarsus short, broad, with 
two articular facets on its outer distal end, for jointing 
with the reversed fourth digit; syringeal muscles three 
pairs ; contour-feathers aftershafted, and oil-gland with a 
circlet of feathers when present. 
psittacomorphic (sit'a-ko-mdr'fik), a. [< Psit- 
tacomorph-ti + -i'c.] Having the structure of 
a parrot; belonging to the Psittacomorphse ; 
psittacine. 
Psittacula (si-tak'u-lS), w. [NL. (Brisson, 
1760), dim. of Psittacus, q. v.] A genus of Psit- 
ta<~i<lx, sometimes made the type of a subfam- 
ily Psitfaculiiiee, containing the pygmy parrots 
of various countries, some of which are com- 
monly known as lore-birds, and including in its 
different applications a large number of small 
species with short tail and mostly green colora- 
tion, (a) American parrots, such as P. pagterina and sun- 
dry other small species. Jlliijrr, 1811. (&) African species 
of small size, as /'. pullaria or P. rogeicnttix, now placed 
In Agapnrnu. These are the love-birds proper. (<) Vari- 
ous sin:, 11 Indian, I'hllipplne. Papuan, and Austral Ian par- 
rots, among them species of Lvrirutux and Kariterna. 
Psittaculinae (si-tak-u-li'ne), n. pi. [NL., < 
I'nittaeiiln + -iiite.] A subfamily of Ptittacidr, 
mimed from the genus Pyittacula. 
Psittaculus (si-tak'u-lus), . [NL., dim. of 
PgitUiciis, q. v.] 1. Same as Pgiltacula (n). 
, 1824. 2. Same as Psittacula (c), or Lori- 
StraiiiKOH, 1837. 
Psittacus (sit'a-kus), w. [NL., < L. psittacus, < 
(Jr. ytrranuf, also <lnrraii>i (also ^I'rnutof, airrdur/), 
u parrot; prob. of foreign origin.] A Linnean 
genus of Psittaci, formerly conterminous with 
the order, subsequently variously restricted, 
now usually confined to the gray African par- 
rots, or jackos (as P. erithacug, in which the 
plumage is grayish, with a short square red 
tail), which are among the commonest cage- 
birds. See cut under parrot. 
psittaket, " [ME. psitake; < L. psittacug,< Gr. 
yiirraiiof, a parrot: see Psittactw.] A parrot. 
And there ben manye Popegayes, that the) clepen 
I'tUaket In hire Laugage. Maiulrrillr, Travels, p. 274. 
Psittirqstra (sit-i-ros'trS), n. [NL.] Same as 
Puittaciroftra. 
psoadic (so-ad'ik), i. [< psoag (assumed stem 
pKoad-) + -i'c. ] Of or pertaining to the psoas 
muscles; psoatic: as, the psoadic plexus. Oirrn. 
psoas (so'as), n. [NL., prop. ;ixi (the form 
psoas being perhaps due to a genitive pttoag), 
< Gr. V<oa, also V" o, usually in pi. V^<> V" 1 "') a 
muscle of the loins.] A muscle of the loins and 
pelvis; the tenderloin Psoas abscess, a burrow. 
Ing shscess formed by caries of the spine, and confined by 
the sheath of the psoas magnus muscle. Psoai magnOB. 
a large fusiform muscle situated within the abdomen at 
the side of the tiodies of the lumbar vertebra, from which 
It takes Its origin, and Inserted with the Illscns Into the 
trochanter minor of the femur. It helps to form the 111- 
opsoa*. Also called ptoat major lumbarit, and uMpufeMM, 
See cut 3, r, under mu*-fc.and tenderloin. Ptoas major. 
Same as pmu maffntu. PSXMLS parvus, a small muscle, 
fri-ijucntly absent In man. lying on the front and Inner side 
of the pwias magnus, and Inserted Into the brim of the pel- 
vis by a long tendon. Also called parnptaat. 
psoatic iso-at'ik). '/. [< psoas (assumed stem 
pao(it-) +'-!>.] Of or pertaining to the psoas 
muscles; psou<li<-. 
PsoddSB (sos'i-<le), . ;)/. [NL. (Stephens, 1836), 
< I'wcus + -ida.] An important family of pseu- 
psoriasis 
doneuropterous insects, typified by the genus 
Psocvs, having an oval body, a free bead, and a 
small prothorax. The wings when present are of un- 
equal size, the hind pair being smaller. The tarsi are t wo. 
or three-jointed. It comprises two subfamilies, the Atro- 
piiue and Ptonntr. The former contains wingless species, 
such as Atropot dicinataria, the common book-loose, and 
CtotitiUa putiatoria (formerly Alrofiot pvUatoriv*\ the 
death-watch, while the latter contains a host of small 
winged forms which feed upon lichens, fungi, and decay- 
Ing vegetal Ion. Also Pioeina. See cut under dtathvatck. 
psocine (so'sin), a. [< Pgocun + -int-i.] Of or 
pertaining to the Psocidf or Psocina, especial- 
ly to the subfamily Pnocinx. 
PSOCUB (so'kus), n. [NL. (Latreille, 1797), ap- 
par. for 'Psochtu, < Or. ^^civ, rub in pieces 
(cf. deriv. V"W. dust, sand); cf. "if&eiv, collat. 
form of i/iai', nib away, grind.] A large and 
wide-spread genus of pseudoneuropterous in- 
sects, typical of the family Pxoculte. The species 
have ocelli, and the wings sre well developed. P. etiumu 
Is often found in decaying cotton-bolls In the southern 
United States. 
psoitis (so-i'tis), . [NL., <pgoan+ -iti.] In- 
flammation of the psoas muscle. 
Psolidae (sol'i-de), n. pi. [NL. (Forbes, 1841), 
< Psolus + -idte.] A family of dendrochirotous 
dipneumonous holothurians, typified by the ge- 
nus Psolus, having branching tentacles, a pair 
of water-lungs, polar mouth and anus, uuiserial 
pedicels, separate sexes, and Cuvierian organs. 
Psolus (so'lus), n. [NL. (Oken), < Gr. V*^f. 
circumcised.] The typical genus of Psolidsp, 
having the dorsal ambulacra atrophied. 
Psophia (so'fi-a), n. [NL., < Gr. ^o0of, any in- 
articulate noise.] The only genus of Psophi- 
iiin'. containing several species, the best-known 
of which is P. crepitans, the trumpeter, agami, 
or yakaraik. See cut under agami. 
Psophiidse (so-fi'i-de), n.pl. [NL., < Psophia 
+ -idee.'] A' family of gruiform or gerano- 
morphic grallatorial birds, represented by the 
genus Psophia; the trumpeters oragamis. They 
are confined to South America. The family Is Isolated, to 
some extent combining the characters of cranes and rails, 
and having some relationship with the seriemaand kagu. 
The Pfitphiidsf share with tlnamous the remarkable char- 
acter of a chain of suborbital bones. The sternum Is en- 
tire; the pterylosls Is crane-like; the legs are long, and 
the bill is stout, shaped somewhat as in gallinaceous birds ; 
the plumage of the head and neck Is short and velvety, 
that of the rump long and flowing. Also Pfophidx. 
psora (so'ra), w. [NL., < L. psora, < Gr. V*>pa, the 
itch, mange, < *V<Jf(i', Vv,nib.] Same as scabies. 
Psoralea (so-ra'le-ii), n. [NL. (Linnaaus, 1753). 
so called in alliision to the glands or dots 
sprinkled over their surface; < Gr. y>upa).tot, 
scurfy, scabby, mangy, < ^vpa, the itch, mange : 
see psora.} A genus of leguminous herbs and 
shrubs of the tribe Galfgex, the type of the sub- 
tribe Pxoralief, characterized by an ovary with 
one ovule, an indehiscent pod with its seed ad- 
herent, and entire calyx-lobes which are un- 
changed in fruit. There are about 105 species over 
40 in South Africa, 30 In North America, and others In both 
tropical and temperate regions. They are peculiar In their 
glandular-dotted herbage, and bear compound leaves usu- 
ally of three leaflets, and purple, blue, ted, or white flow- 
ers. In heads or spikes, or variously clustered. Many spe- 
cies have been cultivated on account of their flowers, lioth 
for the lawn and for the greenhouse. P. etcvlrnta, of the 
plains from the Saskatchewan to Texas, yields an edible 
tuberous root, known as pommt-de-prairif, 
, 
prairif -turnip, prairie-appte, Crct potato, or tUttmiri brtad- 
root. Its Introduction Into Europe ss an esculent wss un- 
successfully attempted at the time of the potato-rot. It 
Is a rough-hairy plant with palmate leaves and dense ob- 
long spikes of purplish flowers, and once yielded a great 
part of the food of the Indians. /' Lvpinaliu Is the small 
In pine of southern pine- barrens, a slender plant with violet 
flowers. /'. bittnniiiow Is the bitumen-trefoil, an ever- 
green shrub of the south of Europe. P. atandvloia Is the 
Jesuit's tea or Mexican tea, known In Chill as culm, and 
there used to form a medicinal drink, also ss a purgative 
and for poultices. For P. coryl\ftilia, see ba\cthan-9ted. 
psoriasis (so-ri'a-sis), n. [NL., < Gr. VM"" r/ ' . 
the itoh,< v'u/'"' 1 ') have the itch,< V-v 1 "' the ii.-li, 
mange: see psora.} A chronic non-contagious 
skin-disease, characterized by reddish, slightly 
elevated, dry patches of varying size, shape, 
and number, covered with whitish or grayish 
imbricated scales. The npperstratnm and papilla; of 
the corium become Infiltrated with leucocytes, the lower 
part of the epidermis becomes overgrown, comlflcatton 
of the surface Is Interfered with, and the cells become 
loosened. Psoriasis Is found chiefly on extensor surfaces- 
elbows, knees, back, and scalp not on mucous surfaces. 
Psoriasis annularls .<r circinata, patches of psoriasis 
which have healed In the center, hut are progressing at the 
edges.- Psoriasis dlfTusa, pal. h, s of psoriasis of venr 
Irregular simp. Psoriasis guttata, psoriasis with 
drop like nodules, of the slie of peas, Psoriasis gyrata, 
patches similar to psoriasis circinata, eic.pt that the edge* 
take on a wavy, festooned, or figured shape.- Psoriasis 
llnguw. Same as (ntmsfaufe.- Psoriasis nummularis, 
patches of psoriasis of the sure and shape of imsll coins 
Psoriasis palnuxls, psoriasis affecting the palms .>( UK- 
hands. Psoriasis punctata, an early stage of psoruuls, 
with a small plnheau eruption. 
