PAL 
pie, that is, without any ramifications. In 
tlog’s-bit tlie roots are terminated by a 
small cap, of a conic form, which covers 
them like an extinguisher, as in duck’s-meat. 
The stem is generally simple, cylindrical, 
and composed of strong longitudinal fibres ; 
the leaves, which are a composition of a 
leaf and a branch, termed by Linnajus 
frondes, are of dilferent forms, being some- 
times shaped like an umbrella or fan, some- 
times singly or doubly-winged ; the small 
or partial leaves, which are often three feet 
in length, being ranged alternately ; the 
branches, or principal leaves, are six, eight, 
ten, and twelve feet long, the length vary- 
ing according to the age and size of the 
plant; the flowers are male and female 
upon the same, or different roots, except in 
the water-soldier, which beat s hermaphrodite 
flowers only; and the palmetto, in which the 
flowers are liermaphrodite and male upon 
distinct roots. In vallisneria and frog’s-bit 
too, the flow'ers are not so properly male 
and female upon different roots, as barren 
herraaplirodites ; a small seed-bud being 
discovered in those called the male flowers, 
and the remains of stamina in the female. 
Abortive flowers of the same kind are fre- 
quently observed in vallisneria upon the 
same root. Tlie common calyx in this or- 
der is that sort termed a spatha, or sheath, 
and has either one valve or opening, as in 
date-tree, and cocoa-nut; or two, as in 
/aufel-nut, and wild ]VIalabar-palm. The 
spadex, or head of flow'ers protruded from 
the sheath, is generally branched. Each 
flower is commonly furnished with a perian- 
thium, or proper flower-cup, consisting of 
three leaves or divisions, that are small and 
permanent ; the petals are three in number, 
of a substance like leather, and permanent 
like the leaves of the calyx. The flowers of 
zainia have no petals ; the stamina are in 
number from two to twenty, and upwards, 
and cohere slightly at the base. In frog’s- 
bit tliey appear like a pillar in the centre of 
the floyver ; the seed-buds are from one to 
three in number, placed in tlie middle of 
the flower, and support a like number of 
styles, which are very short. In frog’s- hit, 
vallisneria, and water-soldier, the seed-hiid 
is placed under the receptacle of the flower ; 
the seed vessel is generally a pulpy fruit of 
the berry or cherry kind, containing one 
cell, filled with fibrous flesh, and covered 
with a skin, which is of a substanoe like 
leather ; the seeds are in number from 
one to three in each pulpy fruit, of a hard 
PAN 
bony substance, round or oval, and at- 
tached by their base to the bottom of the 
fruit. 
PALMATED, something resembling the 
shape of the hand : thus we say palmated 
leaves, roots, stones, &c. 
PALSY, in medicine, a disease wherein 
the body, or some of its members, lose the 
power of motion, and sometimes their sen- 
sation of feeling. 
PALY, or Pale, in heraldry, is when 
the shield is divided into four or more equal 
parts, by perpendicular lines falling from 
the top to the bottom. Palyhendy is when 
the escutcheon is divided by perpendicular 
lines, which is paly ; and also by diagonals, 
which is called bendy. See Bendy. 
PANACEA, among physicians, denotes 
an imiyersal medicine, or a remedy for all 
diseases. 
PANAX, in botany, a genus of the Po- 
lygamia Dioecia class and order. Natural 
order of Ilederacese. Araliae, Jussieu. 
Essential character: innbellateae ; corolla 
tive petalled ; stamina five: hermaphrodite, 
calyx five-toothed, superior ; styles two ; 
berry two-seeded : male, calyx entire. 
There are nine species. 
PANACRATIUM, in botany, a genus 
of the Hexandria Monogynia class and 
order. Natural order of Spathacea^. Nar- 
cissi, Jussieu. Essential character: petals 
six ; nectary twelve-cleft ; stamina placed 
on the nectary. Tliere are ten species. 
This genus consists of perennial bulbous- 
rooted plants, from whence proceed long 
narrow leaves, and a strong upright scape, 
two feet in height, terminated by a large 
spathe, bursting on one side, disclosing in 
some of the species, many ; in others only 
one or two white flowers of great elegance 
and fragrance. They are chiefly natives of 
America and the West Indies. 
PANCREAS, in anatomy, popularly 
called the sweet-bread, is a large gland, of 
a flattish shape and fleshy colour, extended 
behind tlie stomach, and reaching from the 
duodenum transversely towards the spleeni 
See Anatomy. 
PANCREATIC juice, a liquid secreted 
by the pancreas, whicli is found to be 
analogous to saliva, and probably serves the 
same purpose in promoting the digestion of 
the food. See Physiology. 
PANDANUS, in botany, a genus of the 
Dioecia Monandria class and order. Es- 
sential character : calyx and corolla none : 
male^ anther sessile, inserted into the rami- 
