P.

=Packfong= or =Pakfong=. A Chinese name for Argentine, or German silver.

=Pæan= (Gr. παιάν). A hymn to Apollo, of gratitude or propitiation. It

was also used as a battle-song before and after an engagement.

=Pænula=, R. A thick cloak with a hole to put the head through; it was

furnished with a hood, and was worn in travelling, or as a protection

against cold and rain.

=Pagai=, Hind. A kind of short double oar, with broad ends resembling

small scoops.

=Paganalia=, =Paganales=, R. A rustic festival which took place yearly

towards the end of January or the beginning of February, seven days

after the _Sementivæ_. It was the festival of villages (_pagi_) and of

villagers (_pagani_), whence its name. Sacrifices were offered in honour

of Proserpine, goddess of vegetation. As the old religion continued to

prevail in the villages long after that of Christ was established in the

towns, the words _pagan_ and unbeliever gradually became synonymous.

=Paganica= (sc. _pila_), R. A ball covered with leather and stuffed with

feathers or down; it took its name from the peasants or country people

(_pagani_), who used it for playing a game the nature of which is not

known.

=Pagina=, R. (lit. a thing fastened). This term, when synonymous with

_scheda_, signifies a page of paper, the page of a volume; or else it

serves to denote one of the columns of writing which cover a sheet of

paper.

=Pagoda=, Hind. (1) A religious building of the Hindoos. The great

ancient pagodas of India are monolithic temples hewn out of rocky

mountains; but the term is also applied to temples built in the open

air. (2) Gold coins formerly current in India were called pagodas.

=Pagoda-stone.= A limestone containing tapering fossil shells shaped

like a Chinese pagoda at the top.

=Pagodite.= A stone much used by the Chinese for carving into pagodas

and other ornaments.

=Pagus=, R. Any lofty site in the country capable of being easily turned

into a fortified post by means of a few siege works. The name was

extended to the country surrounding a fortified village; and each of the

country tribes was divided by Numa into a certain number of pagi.

=Paile.= An old term used to denote a striped cloth of floss silk

manufactured at Alexandria in Egypt, and thence a mantle, canopy, or

pavilion.

=Pala=, It. An altar front. The _Pala d’oro_ of St. Mark’s, Venice, is a

celebrated specimen of Byzantine art. It is of silver-gilt ornamented

with gems and enamels, with Greek and Latin inscriptions in niello, and

representations from sacred and profane history. It was originally made

at Constantinople in 976, but has been repaired in 1105, in 1209, and in

1345, by which it has lost much of its original character.

=Pala=, R. A spade, or scoop in the form of a spade, and thence the

bezil of a ring.

=Palæstra= (παλαίστρα). A place for wrestling, formerly part of the

gymnasium. (See GYMNASIUM.)

=Palanga.= (See PHALANGÆ.) Hence:—

=Palanquin.= A covered conveyance for one person, carried on the

shoulders of men in India and China. They are often very splendidly

carved, and decorated with tapestry, ornamental woods, and inlaid-work.

=Palaria=, R. An exercise practised by young Roman recruits, which

consisted of hurling javelins (_pila_) against a stake (_palus_) fixed

in the ground. (See PEL.)

=Palè=, Gr. (πάλη). A Greek term having the same meaning as LUCTA,

LUCTAMEN, LUCTAMENTUM (q.v.).

=Pale=, Her. One of the ordinaries. =Palewise= or =In Pale=, arranged

vertically one above the other, as the lions of England. (See PER.)

=Paleste=, Gr. (παλαιστὴ, i. e. palm of the hand). A lineal measure used

by the Greeks equal to the quarter of a foot, or a little more than

three inches. (See PALMUS.)

=Palette.= “Setting the palette” is arranging the colours for use. This

is always done in a certain order regulated by the key in which the

picture is to be painted. The order generally recommended is to begin

with white, and then proceed through the yellows, reds, and blues to

black. The Egyptians used palettes of a long rectangular form; one side

higher than the other, had two or three saucers sunk in it to hold cakes

of colour or ink; the other side was notched to receive the _calami_ or

cut reeds used as writing-pens.

=Palettes= or =Roundels=, in Armour, are round plates or shields hung on

the armour to defend the joints of the arm, necessarily left free for

action.

=Palilia=, R. A festival in honour of Pales, the goddess of shepherds

and flocks; it was held on the 21st of April.

=Palimpsest= (παλίμ-ψηστος, lit. scraped again). A parchment the writing

on which had been erased, so that it might be used again. Monumental

brasses are found to have been reversed and used a second time. In both

cases the most ancient writing or inscription is generally the most

valuable and interesting.

=Palindrome= (πάλιν, again, and δρόμος, a course). A sentence which

reads the same when read backwards or forwards. Such is the Greek

inscription on the ancient font in the chapel of Dulwich College:

“νιψονανομημαμημονανοψιν.” “Purify the heart and not the countenance

alone.”

[Illustration: Fig. 516. Palissy jug.]

=Palissy Ware.= The pieces to which Palissy owes his reputation, in the

first place, are the so called “rustic pottery” (_rustiques figulines_),

“dishes or vases where upon a rough ground strewn with fossil shells,

lizards and salamanders are running, frogs jumping, snakes crawling or

sleeping, or more still, in a streamlet of water wriggling eels,

pointed-nosed pikes, trout with spotted scales, and a thousand others of

our fresh-water fishes are swimming.” When afterwards he worked in the

capital, he did not give up his rustic compositions, but mixed them with

the human figure. “There is an identity of style in all his figures and

compositions; such as the Diana, Plenty, &c., framed round with delicate

and ingenious ornaments drawn in the taste of the period.”

(_Jacquemart._)

=Paliurus.= A thorn-bush with long sharp spikes, common on the coasts of

the Mediterranean, where it is called _Christ’s thorn_, because it is

said to have furnished material of which the Crown of thorns was woven.

=Palla=, Gr. and R. A robe of state worn by patrician ladies, and

frequently represented on statues of goddesses. _Palla citharœdica_ was

the name given to a long robe which musicians wore upon the stage;

Apollo is often represented with this garment, especially when he is

surnamed _Citharœdus_ and _Musagetes_. _Palla Gallica_ was a short

garment like a TABARD, open in front and behind; it was worn by the

Gauls and adopted by the Romans, who called it CARACALLA (q.v.).

=Palla Corporalis=, Chr. The veil for the Pyx. (See CORPORAL.)

=Palladium.= (1) An image of Pallas Athenê, kept carefully hidden, and

revered as the safeguard of the place where it lay. The most celebrated

was the _Palladium_ of Troy, said to have been thrown from Olympus by

the hand of Zeus. It was about three cubits high, and represented the

goddess sitting with a spear in her right hand, and in her left a

distaff and spindle. (2) The term has been applied to a metal discovered

by Dr. Wollaston in 1803, obtained from platinum, which it resembles in

colour and lustre.

=Pallium= (Gr. ἱμάτιον). A large square woollen sheet or blanket worn by

the Greeks over the shoulders, and fastened like the ABOLLA round the

neck with a brooch (_fibula_); it formed the principal article of the

_amictus_ or Greek dress. (Hence the expression to _palliate_, or cloak

over, an offence.) (2) Chr. A vestment bestowed by the Pope on all

patriarchs and archbishops on their accession to office as the symbol of

their ecclesiastical power. The material is obtained from the wool of

two lambs slain on the Eve of St. Agnes. The modern pallium of the

Church is a short white cloak ornamented with a red cross, which

encircles the neck and shoulders, and falls down the back. The pall or

pallium is a charge in the arms of the Sees of Canterbury, Armagh, and

Dublin.

=Pall-mall.= The ancient form of the game of croquet, “wherein a round

box bowle is with a mallet strucke through a high arch of yron standing

at either end of an ally.” (_Cotgrave._) “This game is used at the long

alley near St. James’s, and vulgarly called Pell-Mell.” (_Blount’s

Glossary_, 1681.)

=Palm.= The ancient classical emblem of victory and triumph was early

assumed by the Christians as the universal symbol of martyrdom. In

England we understand by palm, not the leaves of a palm-tree, but “the

yelowe that groweth on wyllowes.”

[Illustration: Fig. 516 a. Palm-leaf Ornament.]

[Illustration: Fig. 516 b. Architectural Palm-leaf Ornament.]

=Palm-leaf=, Arch. An architectural ornament bearing more or less

resemblance to a palm-leaf, employed for mouldings, and for the

decoration of the corners of the ceilings in Doric cornices; and in

antefixæ, as crownings for the pediment and as acroteria. Figs. 516a and

516b represent palm-leaves of terra-cotta.

=Palmus=, Gr. and R. A measure of length. Of the Greek _palmus_ the

greater (σπιθαμὴ) contained nine finger-breadths, and the less

(παλαιστὴ) four. The greater Roman _palmus_ contained twelve

finger-breadths or about nine inches, and the less four finger-breadths.

The greater _palmus_ was taken from the length of the hand or span, the

less from the breadth of it.

=Palstave=, Celt. A wedge-shaped axe used by the Celtic nations in war

for battering the armour of the enemy. (See Fig. 255.)

=Paltock= (modern _paletôt_). “A short cloake with sleeves,” i. e. a

great-coat.

=Paludamentum=, R. A military cloak worn over their armour by the

generals and superior officers of the Roman army; an officer thus

dressed was said to be _paludatus_. (See Fig. 44.)

=Palus=, R. (_pango_, to fix). A stake planted in the earth, against

which recruits hurled their javelins (_pila_). The mediæval PEL (q.v.).

=Pam=, O. E. The knave of clubs. (HALLIWELL.)

=Pammachium= (παμμάχιον). A synonym for PANCRATIUM (q.v.).

[Illustration: Fig. 517. Panache.]

=Panache=, Her. A plume of feathers set upright and borne as a crest.

Fig. 517 is from the seal of Edward Courtenay, A. D. 1400.

=Panarium=, R. (_panis_, bread). A bread-basket; a pantry in which bread

was kept.

=Panathenæa=, Gr. (Παναθήναια). Festivals of Minerva Athenê among the

Athenians, so called because they formed the festival of all the peoples

placed under the protection of Minerva (πᾶν, all, and Ἀθήνη). There were

the Greater and Lesser Panathenæa; the former being held every five

years, the latter every three years. The procession at the Greater

festival is the subject of the friezes from the Parthenon now in the

British Museum. (See ELGIN MARBLES.) They represent the solemn

transportation of the _peplus_ of Athenê to her temple, in which nearly

the whole of the population took part, on foot, on horseback, or in

chariots. Old men carried olive-branches, young men attended in armour,

and maidens carried baskets of flowers.

=Panaulon.= An enlarged German flute with sixteen finger-keys; invented

recently by Trexler of Vienna. It is available as a bass to other

flutes.

=Pancratium=, R. (from πάν every: and κράτος force). A wrestling and

boxing match, in which the combatants employed every means to disable

each other; and the contest was continued until one of the combatants

owned himself disabled by holding up a finger, or was killed.

=Paned=, O. E. Striped.

=Paned Hose.= Breeches formed of stripes, with small panes or squares of

silk or velvet. (_Halliwell._)

=Panegyris=, Egyp. (πανήγυρις). A popular festival of Egypt, to which

the whole country was summoned in order to celebrate the thirtieth

anniversary of the reigning monarch.

=Panels=, Arch. The sunken compartments in wood and stone-work; very

abundant in Gothic architecture as ornaments on walls, ceilings, &c.

After the expiration of Gothic architecture, panelling in great measure

ceased to be used in stone-work.

=Panel Picture.= A painting on a board or panel.

=Panisci=, R. (Πανίσκοι, dimin. from Πάν). Literally, _small Pans_,

small rustic gods no bigger than pigmies.

=Pannetier Green.= A handsome and durable emerald green, prepared by a

secret process by its inventor, M. Pannetier. It is sold at a high

price.

=Panoply= (πανοπλία). A complete suit of armour. (See ARMOUR.)

=Pantables= (for PANTOFLES). Slippers.

“Hee standeth upon his _pantables_, and regardeth greatly his

reputacion.” (_Saker’s Narbonus_, 1580.)

=Pantaloon.= From the Italian, _pianta leone_ (plant the lion); the

Venetian standard-bearers (of the _lion_ of St. Mark) being so called,

who wore tight hose, the name came to be given to tight hose in general.

In ancient pantomimes, Pantaloon was always a Venetian. (See HARLEQUIN.)

=Pantaloons=, O. E. “Garments made for merry-andrews, that have the

breeches and stockings of the same stuff, and joined together as one

garment.” (_Halliwell._)

=Panthea=, Gen. (πάν-θεια). Statues or figures which combine the symbols

of several divinities.

=Pantheon= (πᾶν, every, and θεὸς, god). A temple dedicated to all the

divinities collectively. That at Rome is now a Christian church. It is

circular, 150 feet in height and in diameter, with a domed roof.

=Pantherinæ=, R. Panther-tables; of wood striped like the skin of a

panther. (See TIGRINÆ.)

=Pantobles=, =Pantoffles=, O. E. Slippers.

=Pantofles=, O. E. Slippers or wooden pattens.

=Pantograph.= An instrument for enlarging or reducing plans and designs,

largely used in the arts, e. g. in machine embroidery.

=Pantomine= (παντὸς, of everything; μῖμος, mimic). Gesture and action

applied, without speech, to represent emotion; hence applied to the form

of theatrical performance which consists entirely or principally of

gesture and action.

=Paper.= (See CHARTA.)

=Papier-maché=, Fr. Paper-pulp; made by compressing the pulp, or by

pasting together different thicknesses of paper, to the hardness and

consistency of wood. It is an invention of the 18th century, and

originated in snuff-boxes called after their manufacturer “Martins.” The

process has since been developed to great perfection by the invention of

new varnishes and methods of ornament, the principal of which are

gilding and bronzing, pearl and gem inlaying, &c. (See a paper by _R.

Hunt_ in the _Art Journal_, 1851.)

=Papilio=, R. (lit. a butterfly). A military tent, so called because the

curtains opened and shut like the wings of a butterfly.

=Papyrus.= The paper made of the papyrus plant, used by the Egyptians

and other nations of antiquity. The _Papyrus rolls_ on which important

relics of Egyptian literature and art have come down to us, were formed

of a sheet of papyrus rolled on a slender wooden cylinder. They have

mostly been discovered in mummy cases, and contain illustrations of

funeral ceremonies and religious emblems relating to the future of the

soul. Others are historical or literary, and some have been discovered

containing caricatures and comic illustrations. (Cf. LIBER.)

=Parada=, Celt. A tent or awning stretched over the deck of a vessel,

and thence a cabin hung with tapestry.

=Paradise= or =Parvise=, Chr. (1) A vestibule or courtyard in front of a

church. The term must thus, at a certain period, have been synonymous

with _narthex_ or porch. At the present day the term is applied to the

open space to be found in front of cathedrals or public buildings. (2)

The word is sometimes applied to the room that is often found above

church porches. (See CLOISTER GARTH.)

=Paradisus= (παράδεισος). A Persian park or pleasure-garden, enclosed

within a wall, elaborately planted and irrigated, and stocked with

animals for the chase. Hence the Garden of Eden was so called.

=Paragauda=, =Paragaudis=, R. An embroidered band of silk or gold thread

sewn on to a tunic.

=Paraison=, Fr. A term in glass, equivalent to the English METAL (q.v.).

=Paralus= (πάραλος). The name of an Athenian state vessel, kept, like

that of the Doge of Venice in modern times, for state and religious

ceremonies. A sister vessel was named the SALAMINIA; they were both

fast-sailing triremes.

=Paramese=, Gr. (next to middle), or TRITE (third). The third treble

note, immediately above the mese, of the seven-stringed lyre. (See

MESE.)

=Paranete=, Gr. (beside the shortest). The second treble note of the

seven-stringed lyre. (See MESE.)

=Parapet=, It. (_parare petto_, to defend the breast). A wall

breast-high on a fortification, roof, or other gallery. (See CRENELS.)

=Paraphernalia= (from the Greek παράφερνα). That which a wife brings

besides her dower; i. e. her personal attire and ornament.

=Parasang.= A Persian measure of distance, about 30 Greek stadia or 3¾

English miles.

=Paratorium.= (See OBLATIONARIUM.)

=Parazonium=, R. (παραζώνιον). A short sword or kind of dagger worn by

the tribunes and superior officers of the Roman army attached to their

belt on the right side. This sword was shorter than the _gladius_ worn

by the common soldier on the right side.

=Parchment.= The finer kind of parchment known as _vellum_ is from the

skins of calves, kids, and dead-born lambs. The stout parchment of

drum-heads is from the skin of the wolf, although that of the ass or

calf is sometimes used. The parchment of battledores is from the skin of

the ass, and that used for sieves from the skin of the he-goat. The

green parchment used in bookbinding is coloured by means of Verdigris.

(See LIBER.) The name comes from the Latin Pergamentum. Eumenes, King of

Pergamus, has the honour of the invention.

=Parentales=, =Parentalia=, R. Festivals, also called _Februales_, which

were held by the Romans in honour of deceased ancestors.

=Pargetting=, =Parge-work=, O. E. In Architecture, an old term for the

ornamental plasterwork common on the outside walls of timber-built

houses of Queen Elizabeth’s and earlier periods.

=Parhypate=, Gr. (beside the longest). The second bass note of the

seven-stringed lyre (See MESE.)

=Parian Chronicle.= A slab of Parian marble, among the so called ARUNDEL

MARBLES in the University of Oxford, containing a chronological record

of Greek history from B.C. 1582 to B.C. 264.

=Parian Marble= from the island of Paros was of extremely fine grain,

easy to work, and of a creamy white. The marble _now_ called Parian has

a coarse sparkling grain, which, however, takes a high finish.

(_Redford_, _Ancient Sculpture_.)

=Paries=, R. The wall of a house or any building, in contradistinction

to _murus_, _muri_, which denoted the walls of a city.

=Paris Black.= A name for IVORY BLACK (q.v.).

=Paris Blue.= A very handsome dark violet-blue pigment. “Its great

qualities of body and intensity of coloration will always ensure it a

large sale; moreover, its mixture with chrome yellow produces a fine

_green cinnabar_ or _leaf-green_.” (_Habich._)

=Paris Lake.= (See CARMINATED LAKES.)

=Parlour= (Lat. _parlatorium_). (1) The old “speke-house” in a convent

for inmates to speak with their friends. (2) Any private room.

=Parma=, R. (πάρμη). A shield, usually of circular form, carried in the

Roman army by the light-armed troops or light infantry (_velites_) and

the cavalry (_equites_). The _parma thracidica_ used by the class of

gladiators called _Thraces_ was not round, but in the form of a small

SCUTUM (q.v.).

=Parquet.= French flooring of inlaid wood-work.

=Parsley=, Arch. In every period, but especially in Romano-Byzantine and

Gothic art, parsley-leaves have been abundantly made use of in

architectural decoration.

=Parthenon.= The famous temple of Minerva in the Acropolis at Athens.

The finest example of the GRECIAN DORIC style of architecture; built by

Pheidias, 454–438 B.C. Fergusson says, “For beauty of detail, and for

the exquisite perception of the highest and most recondite principles of

art ever applied to architecture, it stands utterly and entirely alone

and unrivalled—the glory of Greece.” (_Hist. of Architecture._) The

celebrated frieze, 525 feet in length, ran all round the outer wall of

the _cella_ close up to the ceiling. The best work on the Parthenon

sculptures is by Michaelis (_Der Parthenon_, Leipzig, 1871). (See ELGIN

MARBLES.)

=Partisan=, O. E. A kind of short pike, introduced _temp._ Edward III.

=Partlet=, O. E. A ruff. “A maydens neckerchefe or lynnen partlette.”

=Party=, =Parted=, Her. Divided. (See PER.)

=Parvise.= (See PARADISE.)

=Paschal Taper=, Chr. A large wax candle which was consecrated during

the service on Easter Eve, and lighted on Sundays from Easter to

Whitsuntide, with five grains of incense attached to it to indicate the

five movable feasts of the year.

=Pasquinade=, It. A lampoon; so called from _Pasquino_, an Italian

barber at Rome, whose door was opposite to the statue of a gladiator on

which such satirical writings were posted.

=Passamen=, O. E. A kind of lace. (_Hall._)

[Illustration: Fig. 518. Passant.]

[Illustration: Fig. 519. Passant guardant.]

=Passant=, Her. Walking and looking forward. _Passant guardant_, walking

and looking out from the shield; _passant reguardant_, walking and

looking back; _passant repassant_, walking in opposite directions. (Fig.

518, 519.)

=Passe-partout=, Fr. A light picture-frame of cardboard, having the

inner edges generally gilt.

=Passementerie=, Fr. Trimming, lace, or tape of gold, silver, lace, or

thread.

=Passion, Instruments of the=—a frequent subject in ecclesiastical

decoration of the Middle Ages—are, the PITCHER from which Jesus poured

water; the TOWEL—represented as hanging on a ring—wherewith He wiped the

Apostles’ feet; the TWO SWORDS which they showed Him, when He said, “It

is enough;” the EAR of Malchus; ST. PETER’S SWORD, represented as a

small _falchion_; the POST to which the Saviour was bound; the SCOURGE;

the CROWN OF THORNS; the REED wherewith He was smitten on the head; the

CROSS; the LADDER; the NAILS; the SPEAR of Longinus, crossed by the REED

with the SPONGE; the FIRE at which St. Peter warmed himself; the COCK;

the PINCERS, and a HEART pierced with five wounds.

=Passus=, R. A pace, from the point where the heel leaves the ground, to

where the same heel is set down; five Roman feet. _Mille passuum_, or a

thousand such paces, formed the Roman mile.

=Pasta Verde=, It. Sap-green; a vegetable green pigment prepared from

the berries of the buckthorn.

=Pastel.= The French name for coloured crayons. Pastel-painting was much

used for portraits in the beginning of the 19th century.

=Pasticcio=, It. An imitation of the style of another painter in an

independent design.

=Pastophori=, Gr. and Egyp. (παστο-φόροι). Priests who, at certain

ceremonies, carried small shrines (ναὸς) containing the image of a

deity, which were hidden from the eyes of the crowd by a veil of

different colours called παστὸς, whence παστὸν φέρειν (to carry the

_pastos_), the term applied to the priests who performed this duty. The

keepers of the temple were also so called.

=Pastophoria=, Chr. Small apses flanking the principal apse in a

basilica, in which the consecrated bread was kept.

[Illustration: Fig. 520. Bishop’s Pastoral Staff.]

=Pastoral Staff=, Chr. The _pedum_ of antiquity and emblem of a bishop’s

pastoral responsibility is distinct from the CROZIER (q.v.) of an

archbishop, and has a crook head.

=Pastouraux=, Cubical stones, usually of two colours, applied in the

ornamentation of Romano-Byzantine architecture.

=Patagium=, R. A band of purple, or with gold ornaments or embroidery,

which was placed round the neck and down the front of a woman’s tunic

(_tunica muliebris_).

=Patee= or =Pattee=, Her. A small cross with the arms widening towards

the ends.

=Patella.= Diminutive of PATERA (q.v.).

=Patena=, R. and Chr. A manger of wood, stone, or marble for holding

food for horses; when it was divided into several compartments, these

were called _loculi_. (See LOCULUS.) In Christian archæology, _patena_

was the term applied to a small plate of gold or silver, used in the

celebration of mass to cover over the chalice, and to hold the pieces of

the host after it has been broken by the priest.

=Patent Yellow.= (See TURNER’S YELLOW.)

[Illustration: Fig. 521. Patera.]

=Patera=, dimin. =Patella= (φιάλη). Flat plates or dishes for holding

fluids for domestic use, and wine for libations in the sacrifices. The

common kinds were of red earthenware, ornamented with designs in black.

Others were of bronze or silver, often richly decorated with chasing,

&c. (Compare PATINA.) In Architecture, a great variety of flat ornaments

used in all styles of architecture are improperly called _pateræ_, the

word applying properly to circular ornaments resembling the classical

dish often found on friezes of classical architecture. (Fig. 521, 522.)

[Illustration: Fig. 522. Side view, showing the depth of the patera.]

[Illustration: Fig. 523. Paternosters.]

=Paternosters= or =Bead-ornament=. (1) A rosary. (2) Architectural

ornaments in the form of berries or beads (Fig. 523), which decorate

bands or other mouldings, and which often occur above ovolos.

=Patibulum=, R. An instrument of punishment in the form of a fork

(_furca_), between the prongs of which the criminal’s neck was placed.

His hands were fastened to the prongs of the fork, and in this condition

(_patibulatus_) he was flogged through the city. The name of

_patibulum_, or _crux patibularia_, was also given to a cross to which

criminals were nailed.

=Patina.= The rust of antiquity found on bronzes and coins; it cannot be

removed by rubbing or wetting it. It varies with the nature of the soil,

and in some cases the surface acquires the smoothness and colour of

malachite.

=Patina=, R. An earthenware vessel, used generally for cookery. It was

deeper than the _patera_, but less deep than the _olla_.

=Patonce=, Her. A variety of the heraldic cross.

=Patriarchal=, Her. A variety of the heraldic cross, with a short

cross-bar on the upper limb.

[Illustration: Fig. 524. Badge of St. Patrick.]

=Patrick, Order of St.=, indicated by the letters K.P., was instituted

by George III. in 1783. The badge or jewel is of gold enamelled and oval

in form, and is worn suspended from a collar formed of alternate roses

and harps, or from a broad sky-blue ribbon.

=Patten=, Fr. (1) A woman’s clog. (2) The base of a column.

=Patulous.= Spreading.

=Paul Veronese Green.= An _arsenite_ or _arseniate of copper_. A fine

and durable colour, used either for oil or water-colour painting. (See

EMERALD GREEN.)

=Pavilion=, Arch. A projecting apartment, usually with a dome or turret.

[Illustration: Fig. 525. Pavimentum (sectile).]

=Pavimentum=, R. A pavement formed by means of pieces of tile, crushed

stones, flints, and other materials set in a bed of ashes or cement, and

consolidated by beating down with the rammer (_pavicula_), whence its

name of _pavimentum_. There were various kinds of pavimenta: the sectile

(Figs. 525, 526), the _tessellatum_ or _tesseris structum_, the

_vermiculatum_, the _sculpturatum_, and the _testaceum_, &c.

[Illustration: Fig. 526. Pavimentum (sectile).]

=Pavo.= (See PEACOCK.)

=Pavonaceum= (sc. _opus_), R. An arrangement of materials placed so as

to overlap one another, and bearing more or less resemblance to the

feathers in a peacock’s tail.

=Pavonine.= Coloured like a peacock’s tail.

=Pax=, =Paxboard=, Chr. A representation of the Crucifixion upon a piece

of wood or metal, with a handle at the back. It was kissed by the priest

in the mass at the words “_Pax Domini sit semper vobiscum_,” and

afterwards passed round to be kissed by the congregation. It was also

spelt _Paxbrede_. Also called OSCULATORIUM.

=Peach-stone Black=, prepared from calcined stones of fruits, is a

handsome colour, but has a reddish tinge. Ground with oil and white

lead, the colour called _old gray_ is obtained.

=Peacock=, R. and Chr. In antiquity the peacock was sacred to Juno, and

is called _Junonia avis_. It is represented on Roman imperial coins

bearing the empresses up to heaven, as the eagle does the emperors; and

hence in Christian archæology is the symbol of the resurrection. (Her.,

see Fig. 398, IN PRIDE.)

=Pea-green.= (See CHRYSOCOLLA.)

=Pean=, Her. One of the furs; represented in gold spots on a black

ground.

=Pean= or =Pæan=. A song or shout of triumph.

=Pearl.= A secretion of the mollusc; in its normal development a

thickening of the shell, which supplies _mother-of-pearl_; abnormally,

forming globules for the purpose of encysting foreign substances

intruded within the shell, which are the precious pearls used in

jewellery.

=Pearl=, in Chinese the emblem of _talent_, is put by the Chinese on

porcelains destined for rewards of poets and other _laureati_ in China.

=Pebble.= A name given by lapidaries to many different stones.

=Pechblende= or =Pech-urane=, Germ. An ore of uranium and iron, used in

porcelain painting and glass, producing a handsome greenish-yellow

pigment.

=Pecten=, Egyp. and R. (_pecto_, to comb). (1) A comb for the hair;

among the Egyptians and Romans they were made of box-wood or ivory. (See

COMB.) (2) A weaver’s comb for pressing the threads of the web firmly

together. (3) A comb for carding flax or wool. (4) A reaper’s “comb,”

used in several countries, especially Gaul, instead of a sickle, for

plucking the ears of wheat from the stalk. (5) A haymaker’s rake, &c.

=Pectinated.= Having teeth like a comb.

=Pectoral=, Gen. (_pectus_, the breast). A plate forming the front of a

cuirass, and thus covering the chest.

=Peculium=, R. Property or earnings which a slave or a _filius familias_

was permitted to acquire and consider as his own, although in strict law

it belonged to the master or father. The slave was sometimes allowed by

agreement to use this peculium for the purpose of purchasing his

liberty.

=Pecunia=, R. Money; so called from _pecus_, a herd of cattle, Man’s

primitive medium of exchange.

=Pedal.= In Music, a passage where the harmony moves upon a sustained

sound, which is either the dominant or the tonic of the key.

=Pede-cloth=, Chr. A carpet laid on the space between the altar and the

rails.

[Illustration: Fig. 527. Pedestal of Trajan’s Column.]

[Illustration: Fig. 528. Pedestal of Column of Antoninus Pius.]

[Illustration: Fig. 529. Pedestal of the Androsium at Athens.]

=Pedestal=, Gen. The base of a structure; the base supporting a statue,

group, or monumental column. A pedestal has three parts: the _base_ or

_foot_ next the ground, the _dado_ or _die_ forming the centre, and the

_cornice_ or _surbase_ mouldings at the top. Fig. 527 represents a

half-section of the base of Trajan’s column at Rome; Fig. 528 a

half-section of the base of the column dedicated to Antoninus Pius, and

preserved in the Pio Clementino Museum at Rome; lastly, Fig. 529 gives a

part of the pedestal or base of the Pandrosium at Athens; when, however,

pedestals support caryatides or columns, they are more commonly called

STYLOBATES (q.v.).

=Pedica=, R. (1) A snare by which an animal is caught by the foot

(_pes_). (2) Fetters or irons worn on the feet by slaves.

=Pediculated=, Arch. Sustained or supported by a PEDICULE (q.v.).

=Pedicule=, Arch. A small pillar which serves as a support to anything;

whence the expressions _monopediculated_ (with a single pedicule) (Fig.

387), and _polypediculated_ (with several pedicules).

=Pediluvium.= (See ABLUTIONS.)

=Pediment=, Arch. The triangular crowning of a portico, usually

supported by a row of columns. (Fig. 26.) The temples of antiquity

generally had two pediments, one on each face. The inner part of the

pediment is called the TYMPANUM (q.v.).

=Pedum=, Gen. (_pes_, a foot). A shepherd’s crook, or curved stick for

catching goats or sheep by the leg. Fauns and satyrs are often

represented carrying the pastoral crook, and it is the attribute of

Thalia, as the muse of pastoral poetry. (See under PEPLUM.) In Egyptian

archæology it is a symbol of authority, and is frequently to be seen in

the hands of Osiris and the Pharaohs; the Egyptian term for it is _hyq_.

(Cf. HYCSOS.) In early Christian art it is an attribute of Our Lord as

the _Good Shepherd_. Representations of the pedum are of frequent

occurrence in the catacomb paintings. (See PASTORAL STAFF.)

[Illustration: Fig. 530. Pegasus. Device of Cardinal Bembo.]

=Pegasus.= A horse with wings; emblem of fame, eloquence, poetic study,

and contemplation. A bronze medal of Cardinal Bembo, the great Italian

author of the 16th century, in the Museum at South Kensington, shows his

device given above. (Fig. 530.)

=Pegma=, R. (πῆγμα, i. e. a thing fastened). (1) This term denotes

generally anything made of a number of boards joined together. (2) In a

more restricted sense it means a theatrical machine of several stages

(_tabulata_), one above the other, which could be raised or lowered by

balance weights. On such stages gladiators called _pegmares_ fought in

the amphitheatres, and battles and other scenes were represented. When

they were used in sacrifices, the victim was slaughtered in an upper

stage and the priest stood in one under the ground, and was afterwards

brought up to be shown to the people with the blood of the victim upon

him. In theatres similar _pegmata_ were employed for the purpose of

changing the scenery. (3) Lastly the term was used to denote any kind of

wooden furniture or joinery in a house, such as shelves, side-boards,

bookcases, &c.

=Pegola=, It. Greek pitch; boiled resin for varnishes.

=Pel=, O. E. (Lat. _palus_). A post, six feet in height, set firmly in

the ground, to be hewn at with sword or mace for exercise. The weapons

were double the ordinary weight, and the swordsman had to cover himself

from imaginary blows in return with a shield, called a _fan_, also of

double weight. (See QUINTAIN.) (Consult _Meyrick_, vol. i. 145.) The pel

was in the same way set up as a mark to throw spears at, and for archery

practice.

=Pelecinon=, Gr. A sun-dial so called because it ended in a “dove-tail”

(πελεκῖνος).

[Illustration: Fig. 531. A Pelican in its piety.]

=Pelican= tearing open her breast to feed her young with her own blood

was an early symbol of the Redemption and of the virtue of Charity. As a

device it was borne by William of Orange, with the appropriate motto

“_Pro lege, grege et rege_” (for the law, the people, and the king); a

slight modification of that of Alphonso the Wise. (Fig. 531.) It is

described in Heraldry as “_a pelican in its piety_.”

=Pelisse= (from _pellis_, a skin). A robe made of fur.

=Pellet=, Her. A black ROUNDLE.

=Pellicatus=, R. (_pellis_, a skin). Literally, covered with _skin_. The

term was specially applied to earthenware vessels which were covered

over with skin in order to keep the provisions they held fresh.

=Pellitus=, R. (_pellis_, skin). Clothed by means of skins; dressed in

furs.

=Pelluvia=, =Pelluvium=, R. (_pes_, a foot, and _luo_, to wash). A basin

in which the feet were washed, in contradistinction to the vessel called

_malluvium_.

=Pelta=, Gr. (πέλτη). A small shield made of some light material, such

as wood or wicker-work, and covered with leather. In shape it was

sometimes elliptical, but more often cut away at the top, so that at

that part it resembled a crescent. (Compare CLIPEUS.)

=Pelvis=, R. A general term used in ancient times to denote any kind of

circular-shaped vessel. The term corresponded to the Greek πελίκα.

=Penates= (_penus_, food). Household gods who were believed by the

ancients to be the bestowers of all the worldly blessings enjoyed by a

family.

=Pencil.= A collection of rays of light converging to a point is so

called.

=Pendant.= In Heraldry, drooping.

=Pendant Key-stone.= A synonym of PENDENTIVE. (See this word and FURCA.)

=Pendants=, Arch. Ornaments hanging down from the ceilings and roofs of

Gothic architecture. Generally, a pair of pictures or statues

appropriate to each other are called _pendant_ each of the other.

=Pendentives=, Arch. In a spherical roof intersected with groined

compartments, the term _pendentives_ was applied to the surfaces

included between such compartments. The same term is applied to the

surfaces included in the angles formed by a groined vaulting at its

spring.

=Penetrale=, R. An inner apartment. (Cf. ADYTUM.)

=Penicillum=, =Penicillus=, R. (_penis_, a tail). (Gr. ὑπογραφίς.) A

painter’s pencil or brush. The brushes of the ancients were made either

with hair or a kind of sea-weed or sponge.

=Peniculus.= Synonym of PENICILLUM.

=Penna=, R. A quill, a large and strong feather, in contradistinction to

_pluma_, which denotes the small feathers spread over a bird’s body; and

thence a writing-pen, which was used instead of the _arundo_ or

_calamus_.

=Penna=, Med. During the Middle Ages this term was used to denote the

battlements of a castle wall, and thence the castle itself.

[Illustration: Fig. 532. Pennon.]

=Pennon=, Her. An armorial lance-flag, pointed or swallow-tailed at the

fly, borne by knights.

=Pentachord.= Any musical instrument having five strings; a system of

five sounds.

=Pentacle= (It. _pentacolo_). A talisman; a figure formed of two

triangles, intersecting so as to form a six-pointed star. A frequent

object in early ornamental art.

=Pentagon.= A figure of five sides and five angles.

=Pentagraph.= A mechanism contrived to facilitate the copying of

drawings on a different scale, invented by Christopher Scheiner, a

Suabian Jesuit, in the 16th century.

=Pentahedron.= A solid figure having five equal sides.

=Pentalpha.= The pentacle was so called.

“A star of five points, composed of five A’s interlaced, was formerly

made by physicians the symbol of health, under the name of Pentalpha.”

(_Menestrier._)

=Pentaptych.= An altar painting of five or more leaves. (See DIPTYCH.)

=Pentaspastos=, Gr. (παντά-σπαστος). A kind of pulley, the _block_ of

which contains a system of five pulleys (_orbiculi_). This engine was

employed to lift great weights.

=Pentastyle=, Arch. A portico of five columns.

=Pentathlon=, Gr. Greek games similar to the QUINQUERTIUM (q.v.) of the

Romans, frequently represented on ancient vases.

=Pentelic Marble= from a mountain of that name near Athens, of which the

Parthenon and other temples are built, has a beautiful _warm_ yellowish

tone, comparable to ivory. All the Athenian statues are of this marble.

=Penteloris.= (See PARAGAUDA.)

=Pent-roof=, Arch. A roof sloping only from one side; hence a

_pent-house_ for a house or shed covered by such a roof.

=Penula.= (See PÆNULA.)

=Penumbra= (Lat. _pene_, almost, and _umbra_, shade). The part of a

picture where the light and shade blend together.

=Peperino=, It. (_pepe_, pepper). A pepper-coloured building stone much

used in the construction of ancient Rome, formerly called _Lapis

Albanus_.

[Illustration: Fig. 533. Thalia, the Muse of Comedy. _Wearing the chiton

and peplos._]

=Peplum= and =Peplus=, Gr. (πέπλον and πέπλος). The robe peculiarly

proper to Minerva. (See PANATHENÆA.) A large full robe or shawl worn by

women, corresponding to the _himation_ or _pallium_ of the men. On

occasions of funerals or weddings this shawl was thrown over the head as

a veil. The choicest productions of the loom in antiquity were _pepli_;

and the most splendid dyes, and curious workmanship, and skilful designs

were lavished upon their manufacture. They were a common form of

offering to the treasures of the temples. A fine statue in the British

Museum represents the Muse Thalia wearing the _peplos_ and _chiton_, and

holding the pastoral _pedum_ in her hand. (Fig. 533.)

=Per=, Her. In blazoning the divisions of a shield the term “_per_,”

signifying “by” or “by means of,” is employed sometimes alone, and

sometimes (having the same signification) with the word “party” or

“parted.” The following are the primary divisions of a shield:—Fig. _a_,

_Per Pale_, or _Parted per Pale_, or _Party per Pale_; Fig. _b_, _Per

Fesse_ or _Parted per Fesse_; Fig. _c_, _Per Cross_ or _Quarterly_ (_Per

Pale_ and _Per Fesse_ together); Fig. _d_, _Per Bend_; Fig. _e_, _Per

Bend Sinister_; Fig. _f_, _Per Saltire_ (_Per Bend_ and _Per Bend

Sinister_); Fig. _g_, _Per Chevron_; Fig. _h_, _Per Tierce_ or _Tiercée_

(divided into three equal divisions by two vertical lines). (_Boutell._)

[Illustration: Fig. 534. Divisions of the heraldic shield.]

=Pera=, R. (πήρα). A wallet or haversack of leather or hide, which was

carried, slung over the shoulder, by travellers, peasants, and beggars.

The Cynic philosophers, anticipating the fraternity of the GUEUX,

adopted the wallet as a distinctive part of their costume.

=Pergula=, R. (_pergere_, to continue on). Generally, any construction

added to another beyond the original plan, generally in the way of a

lean-to; e. g. a balcony built over the colonnades of a forum, or a

gallery placed on a house-top; a room in which paintings were exhibited;

a lecture-room, &c.

=Periactos=, R. (περί-ακτος, i. e. that turns round). A theatrical

machine used by the ancients; it was of very simple construction, being

formed of three frames arranged so as to form a triangular prism, on

each face of which a different scene was painted. At each side of the

stage there was a _periactos_ which turned on pivots as required, so as

to admit of a rapid change of scene.

=Periapts=, O. E. Charms worn about the neck. (_Shakspeare._)

=Peribolê=, Gr. and R. (περιβολὴ, an enclosing). The sacred enclosure of

a temple, which was in some instances of sufficient size to contain not

only altars and statues of the god, but shrines and a sacred wood. In

Christian architecture the word was used for the wall of enclosure of

the choir, &c.

=Peridot=, Fr. A yellow gem supposed to be the _topaz_ of the ancients.

=Peridromê=, Gr. and R. (περι-δρομὴ, a running round). A gallery or

covered promenade which ran round a temple or other building.

=Perigee.= Near the earth; _figuratively_ “at its lowest.”

=Perihelion.= Near the sun; _figuratively_ “at its highest.”

=Perimeter.= The outline of a rectilinear figure.

=Peripatetics.= Disciples of Aristotle, who _walked about_ during his

lectures in the Lyceum at Athens.

=Peripetasma= (περι-πέτασμα). A general term including anything that is

flat and hung up or spread out, such as a covering, tapestry, hangings,

curtains, &c.

=Periphery=, Gr. and R. (περι-φέρεια). (1) The circumference of a

curvilinear figure. (2) Ornaments in relief executed on the sides of

vases, _running round_ them. (See CRUSTÆ.)

[Illustration: Fig. 535. Ground-plan of a _pseudo-peripteral_ temple.]

=Periptery=, Arch, (περί-πτερος, lit. with wings around). A building

surrounded by columns at equal distances one from the other; the

distance between the wall of enclosure and the colonnade being equal to

that between the columns. _Peripteral temples_ are distinguished as

_monopteral_, or those with a single row of columns; _dipteral_, those

with two rows; _pseudo-dipteral_, or buildings with one row of columns

standing apart and one embedded; lastly, _pseudo-peripteral_ (Fig. 535),

or buildings whose columns are embedded in the wall.

=Periscelis=, Gr. (περι-σκελίς). (1) An anklet worn by Oriental and

Greek women, and less frequently by Roman ladies also. (2) The word is

sometimes used for _feminalia_ (q.v.).

=Peristerium=, Chr. A kind of canopy surrounding the sacred vessels

containing the host. The eucharistic doves are called _peristera_.

=Peristroma=, R. (περί-στρωμα). In general, anything used as a covering,

in especial that which is spread over a bed, and thence curtains,

carpets, or hangings.

=Peristyle=, Arch. (περί-στυλον). A building the _interior_ of which is

surrounded with columns, the opposite of PERIPTEROS; a building may,

however, be peripteral and yet possess a peristyle. The term is also a

Greek name for the ATRIUM.

=Perivalium=, Med. A Latin word used in the Middle Ages to denote the

choir of a church, or the stalls of the choir.

=Permanent White.= (See CONSTANT WHITE.)

=Pero=, R. A tall boot reaching to the calf, made of untanned leather

with the fur on, worn by shepherds and agricultural labourers, and still

common in Italian villages.

=Perogue.= (See PIROGUE.)

=Perpend-stone=, Arch. A large stone reaching through the wall, visible

on both sides.

=Perpendicular Style of Architecture.= The third and last of the pointed

or Gothic styles of architecture used in England. It was developed from

the Decorated during the latter part of the 14th century, and continued

in use till the middle of the 16th, when it gave way to the style called

ELIZABETHAN. It is peculiar to England. Its chief characteristics are a

general prevalence of perpendicular lines, panelling of flat surfaces,

and the multiplicity of small shafts with which the piers, &c., are

overlaid.

=Perron=, Arch. A staircase, or flight of steps, outside a building.

=Perse=, Fr. Chintz.

=Persian.= A thin inferior _silk_ used for lining garments.

=Persian Blinds= (Fr. _Persiennes_). Venetian blinds.

[Illustration: Fig. 536. Persian Bowl.]

[Illustration: Fig. 537. Flask. Persian.]

=Persian Pottery.= The illustrations (from Jacquemart’s _History of the

Ceramic Art_) are (Fig. 536) a bowl of soft porcelain, blue externally

and decorated with abundant vegetation and fantastic birds with

peacocks’ tails; (Fig. 537) a flask, also of soft porcelain,

characterized by a blackish-blue scroll encircling the principal

subject; and (Fig. 538) a faience tile which M. Jacquemart considers

pure Mohammedan art, is very interesting for the subject that it

represents—the caaba or sacred mosque of Mecca, the object of the

Mohammedan pilgrimage. (Consult _Souvenir d’un voyage en Perse_, _Comte

de Rochchouart_.)

[Illustration: Fig. 538. Persian Plaque, with polychrome decoration.]

=Persian Red.= (See INDIAN RED.)

=Persiana=, It. (1) A silk with a pattern of large flowers. (2) Venetian

blinds; Persiennes.

=Persians=, Gr. and R. (περσικά). Columns the shafts of which consist of

figures of Persian slaves; they are also known as _Persian columns_.

[Illustration: Fig. 539. Persona comica.]

=Persona=, Gr. and R. A mask worn by actors upon the stage; there were

_personæ tragicæ_, _comicæ_ (Fig. 539), _mutæ_, &c., that is, masks for

tragic, comic, or mute persons, &c. The custom is attributed to that of

smearing the face with certain juices and colours, and appearing in

disguise at the festivals of Dionysus; and is probably as old as the

drama itself.

=Perspective.= The art of representing on a flat surface the appearance

of objects from one given point of view. _Linear perspective_ is the

science by which the principles of geometry are applied in this art.

(See AERIAL and ISOMETRICAL PERSPECTIVE.)

=Pertica=, R. A rod, pole, or stick; a foot, or measure of length

divided into twelve inches (_unciæ_) and sixteen fingers (_digiti_).

=Perticæ=, Chr. In mediæval architecture, beams behind the altar in a

church, from which relics were suspended on days of festival.

=Peruque.= (See WIGS.)

=Peruvian Architecture.= The Peruvian temples and palaces were generally

low and spacious, constructed of great blocks of stone often 38 feet by

18 and 6 feet in thickness. The interiors were richly ornamented, the

sides of the apartments being thickly studded with gold and silver.

Niches in the walls were filled with images of plants and animals, also

of the precious metals. The Western wall of the temple was placed to

receive the first rays of the rising sun upon a statue of the god

engraved on a plate of gold and thickly studded with emeralds and

precious stones.

=Pes=, R. A foot; the standard measure of length, composed of 12 _unciæ_

or _inches_, or 16 _digiti_, _finger-breadths_. It equalled 11·6496

inches English.

=Pesante=, It. A weight = half a drachm.

[Illustration: Fig. 540. Vase of Pesaro Ware.]

=Pesaro Ware.= The particular characteristic of the mother-of-pearl

majolica of Pesaro is a pale, limpid yellow, associated with a pure

blue; under the effect of luminous rays these colours become animated

and shoot out in pencils of red, golden yellow, green, and blue of

remarkable intensity. (_Jacquemart._) (Fig. 540.)

=Peseta=, Sp. A silver coin, about the fourth of a Mexican dollar; about

10½_d._

=Pesillo=, It. Small scales used for weighing gold and silver, and gems.

=Pessi= (Gr. πεσσοί). Draughts. (See LATRUNCULI.)

=Pessulus=, R. A bolt for a door.

=Petasus=, Gr. and R. (πέτασος, i. e. that which spreads out). (1) A

soft felt hat with broad brim. (2) The winged cap of Mercury. Most of

the horsemen in the Panathenaic procession (see ELGIN MARBLES) wear the

petasus. In Greek art it is a conventional sign of a traveller. (Compare

PILEUS.)

=Petaurum=, R. (πέταυρον, lit. a perch for fowls). A machine employed in

the Roman games; probably a fixed “see-saw.”

=Peter-boat=, O. E. A river _fisherman’s_ wherry.

=Petit Canon=, Fr. A kind of printing-type; _two-line_ in English.

=Petit Gris=, Fr. Minever fur. (See VAIR.)

=Petit Texte=, Fr. A kind of printing-type; _brevier_.

=Petoritum=, R. An open four-wheeled carriage, a kind of cart used for

conveying slaves. Its Gallic origin is indicated by the etymology of the

word, viz. _petoer_, four, and _rit_, a wheel.

=Petronel= (Fr. _poictrinal_). A piece of artillery or fire-arm, used in

the 16th century, which was afterwards converted into a clumsy gun

called a _blunderbuss_. It was the medium between the arquebus and the

pistol.

=Petunse=, Chinese. A fine clay used for porcelain; a kind of kaolin.

=Peulvan=, Celt. (See MENHIR.)

=Pewter.= An alloy of 100 parts of tin to 17 of antimony; or 89 tin, 7

antimony, and 2 copper. Tin and zinc, and lead and tin, are sometimes

used to make pewter. The ancient guild of the Pewterers’ Company have

their hall in Lime Street.

=Phæcasia=, Gr. and R. (φαικάσιον). White shoes worn by different

classes among the Greeks and Romans, but more especially by the priests

and gymnasiarchs.

=Phalæ= or =Falæ=, R. Wooden towers which were erected temporarily in a

circus for the display of sham fights and captures of cities. (Compare

PEGMA.)

=Phalangæ=, =Palangæ=, R. (φάλαγξ). A pole employed for carrying

purposes. Two men took the ends of this pole upon the shoulders, the

burden being suspended from it in the middle. The same term was also

applied to the rollers placed beneath objects whose weight rendered them

difficult to move. The persons who made use of _phalangæ_ for carrying

anything were called _phalangarii_.

=Phalanx=, Gr. A close compact mass of infantry soldiers drawn up in

files, usually eight deep. The Theban phalanx was twenty-five in depth.

=Phalarica.= (See FALARICA.)

[Illustration: Fig. 541. Gallic Phalera.]

=Phaleræ=, R. (φάλαρα). Medals of gold, silver, or bronze (Fig. 541),

worn upon the breast as a military decoration, and frequently displayed

on the harness of the horses.

=Phannel=, O. E. (See FANON.)

=Phantasmagoria.= Literally, a procession of images. A name applied

especially to dissolving views shown by the alternate use of each of two

magic lanterns.

=Pharetra=, Gr. and R. (φαρέτρα). A quiver. This was made of hide or

leather, often richly ornamented with gold, painting, or braiding. It

had a lid, and hung, from a belt over the right shoulder, on the left

hip. (See CORYTUS, QUIVERS.)

=Pharos=, =Pharus=, Gr. and R. (φάρος). A lighthouse; the name was

derived from that which Ptolemy Philadelphus erected in the island of

Pharos, at the entrance to the harbour of Alexandria, in Egypt.

=Phaselus=, Egyp. (φάσηλος). A light Egyptian boat, long and narrow in

shape, and made of very slight materials, such as osier, papyrus, and

terra-cotta; it derived its name from the resemblance it bore to the pod

of a bean (φάσηλος).

[Illustration: Fig. 542. Phaskon.]

=Phaskon=, Gr. A vessel of a flattened ovoid form, with a long spout,

and a handle at the top, like the askos.

=Phenakistoscope= (φενακιστικὸς, deceptive, and σκοπέω, to view), or

=Spectroscope=. A toy for illustrating the duration of impressions on

the retina of the eye. (See SPECTRA.)

=Phenicine.= An indigo purple pigment.

[Illustration: Fig. 543. Pheon.]

=Pheon=, Her. A pointed spear-head borne with the point in base.

(_Boutell._) “The _peon_, or _pheon_, was a barbed javelin; the heads of

these are still heraldic bearings, and from their figure, we find the

barbs _escalloped_, or _invecked_ as the heralds term it, aside.”

(_Meyrick._)

=Pheretrum.= (See FERETRUM.)

=Phiala=, =Phialê=, Gr. (φιάλη). The Greek term synonymous with the

Latin PATERA. But _Jacquemart_ says, “Quant à la phiale, sorte de

_petite bouteille_ qui nous a donné le mot _fiole_; elle figure assez

souvent dans les mains des divinités.”

[Illustration: Fig. 544. Part of the Frieze of the temple of Apollo

Epicurius near Phigalia.]

=Phigalian Marbles.= Friezes in the Hellenic room of the British Museum,

from a temple to Apollo Epicurius, near the ancient Phigalia in Arcadia.

There are twenty-three slabs in high relief, eleven representing the

battle between the Centaurs and the Lapithæ, and the rest the contest of

the Greeks and Amazons. They are attributed to the same period as the

Parthenon, but are considered inferior in style and workmanship. (Fig.

544.)

=Philactery.= (See PHYLACTERY.)

=Philomel.= Poetical for the nightingale.

=Philyra= and =Philura=, Gr. (φιλύρα). Strips of papyrus used for making

a sheet of writing-paper; ten or twelve strips of papyrus were first

glued together lengthwise, and at the back of these a sufficient number

of strips were fastened crosswise to double the thickness of the surface

so obtained.

=Phimus=, Gr. (φιμός). A Greek term synonymous with FRITILLUS (q.v.).

=Phiolæ Rubricatæ.= (See SANGUINOLENTA.)

[Illustration: Fig. 545. Phœnix. Device of Cardinal Trent.]

=Phœnix=, Chr. In Christian archæology the phœnix, which is consumed by

concentrating the sun’s rays in its body, and immediately rises again

from its ashes, represents the mystery of the resurrection after death.

In this sense it was adopted frequently as a device by ecclesiastics.

(See BENNOU.) In blazon it is always represented as issuant from flames.

(Fig. 545.)

=Phorminx=, Gr. (φόρμιγξ). Homer’s epithet for the ancient _lyre_. It

was a large lyre, and resembled the _cithara_ of later times, or the

modern guitar. It was used at an early period singly, or for

accompanying recitations.

=Photogalvanography.= An art invented by Mr. Paul Pretsch, of Vienna,

for printing from photographs by the medium of gutta percha. For a

description of the process, see the _Manual of Photography_, 5th

edition, pp. 269, 270.

=Photoglyphic Engraving.= An invention of Mr. Fox Talbot (1858) for

engraving on metal plates by the action of light. (See _Photographic

Journal_, vol. v. p. 58.)

=Photography.= A great many processes of producing pictures by the

action of the sun’s rays upon a sensitive surface are included under

this general term, such as the Daguerreotype, the Talbotype, &c.

[Consult in the first instance _R. Hunt’s Manual of Photography_, from

which reference can be taken to other authorities.]

=Photolithography.= The art of preparing lithographic stones for

printing from, by the medium of photography.

=Photometallography.= A process of etching on metal plates, by the

action of light, invented by Mr. C. J. Burnett (1858). (See

_Photographic Journal_, vol. v. p. 97.)

=Photometer.= An instrument for measuring the _intensity_ of light.

=Phototype.= A plate, like an engraved plate, produced from a

photograph, for printing from.

=Photozincography.= The art of preparing zinc plates for printing from,

by the medium of photography.

=Phrase.= In Music, a passage of melody or harmony containing a musical

idea, more or less complete in respect of cadence.

=Phrygian.= Applied to music of a lively kind. (Cf. LYDIAN.)

=Phrygian Work=, O. E. Embroidery. (See ORFRAYS.)

=Phrygianum= (opus). A name given to all fine embroidery by the Romans,

at a period when the work of the Phrygian women was most perfect.

=Phrygio=, R. A Phrygian, or embroiderer, because the inhabitants of

Phrygia had the reputation of being excellent embroiderers.

=Phylactery=, Gen. (φυλακτήριον, a preservative). (1) A general term

which included any kind of amulet worn about the person as a protection

against dangers of all kinds. (2) Strips of parchment or vellum, upon

which the Jews transcribed passages from the sacred books, and which

they either wore upon the arm or the forehead, in a small leather box.

(3) In the Middle Ages the term was applied to the scrolls held in the

hands of angels or other persons represented in painting or sculpture.

These scrolls bore inscriptions. (See LABELS.)

=Phylaka=, Gr. (φυλακή). A prison; a Greek term corresponding to the

Latin words CARCER and ERGASTULUM (q.v.).

=Phytography.= A process of nature-printing from plants, by passing them

between soft metal plates through a rolling press.

=Piazza=, It. A square or open place surrounded by buildings, generally

supported by pillars, and forming a vaulted promenade; hence the term is

sometimes applied to the archways of a colonnade.

=Pibroch=, Scotch. Bagpipe music.

=Pica= (_pic_). Printing-type of the size formerly used in printing the

_pic_, or service-book.

=Piccadilly=, Old Fr. A high, broad, peaked collar or ruff, _temp._

James I. The tailor who made these ruffs is said to have built the

street called by this name.

=Piccagium=, Med. Lat. (English use). Money paid in fairs for breaking

ground.

=Piccolo=, It. A small flute. Small pianofortes are so called also.

=Pictura=, R. (_pingo_, to paint). The art of painting; _pictura in

tabula_, a painting on wood; _pictura in linteo_ or _in sipario_, a

painting on canvas; _pictura inusta_, a painting in encaustic or wax;

_pictura udo tectorio_, a fresco-painting. Embroidery was called

_pictura textilis_.

=Picturatus=, R. Painted; _tabella picturata_, a painted panel; _linteum

picturatum_, embroidered linen.

=Pièce de Maitrise=, Fr. A test-work produced by an apprentice to prove

his competence to become a _master_ of his art or craft.

=Piedouche=, Fr. A bracket-pedestal.

=Pieds de Hérisson=, Fr. Fabulous animals so called represented on

Persian pottery, mentioned by Jacquemart (p. 152); having the legs of a

stag, the tail of a tiger, and the head of a woman. The legend is that

Mohamet and Ali will mount such beasts on the Day of Judgment.

=Piers=, in Architecture, are the perpendicular supports from which

_arches_ spring.

=Pietà=, It. A picture or statue of the Body of Christ, attended by the

Virgin Mary, or by holy women and angels.

=Pietra Dura.= Mosaic panelling of hard pebbles of variegated colours,

representing fruit, birds, &c. in relief, and used as a decoration for

coffers and cabinets in the 15th century.

=Pietré Commesse=, It. Costly inlaid-work representing flowers, fruit,

&c., in precious stones—such as agates, jaspers, lapis lazuli,

&c.—introduced in Florence in the 17th century, and still maintained in

the royal manufactory of that city. The finest examples are in the

chapel of the Medici attached to the cathedral church of St. Lorenzo.

=Pig.= A black pig was represented at St. Anthony’s feet, representing

his victory over sensuality and gluttony. The monks of the order of St.

Anthony used to keep herds of consecrated pigs.

=Pigments.= The colours used in painting. A large number are described

in their order. Standard works on ancient and modern pigments are

_Eastlake’s Materials for a History of Painting_; _Merrifield’s Ancient

Art of Painting_; _Hundertpfund’s Art of Painting restored to its

Simplest and Surest Principles_. An exhaustive catalogue of other works

on the subject has been issued by the Librarian of the South Kensington

Museum.

=Pike.= A celebrated infantry weapon now replaced by the bayonet,

consisting of a strong spear or lance with a spike at the butt for

fixing in the ground. The shape of the head has varied at different

periods.

=Pila=, R. This word has different meanings, according as the first

syllable is long or short. In the first case it denotes (1) a mortar;

(2) a pillar or conical pier for supporting the superstructure of a

bridge; (3) a breakwater. When the first syllable is short, the word

denotes (1) a playing-ball. The game of ball, from the earliest times to

the fall of the Roman Empire, was one of the favourite exercises of the

Greeks and Romans. In the baths and the gymnasiums a room

(_sphæristerium_) was set apart for the purpose. _Pila_ was a small

ball; _follis_, a large one filled with air: other balls were the

_paganica_ and the _harpastum_. (2) _Pila vitrea_, a glass globe. (3) A

dummy made to roughly imitate the human form.

=Pilaster=, It. A square pillar on a wall, partly embedded in it,

one-fourth or one-fifth of its thickness projecting.

=Pile.= (1) Her. One of the ordinaries, in form like a wedge. (2) An

arrow used in hunting, with a round knob below the head, to prevent it

penetrating too far. (3) The nap or surface on velvet.

=Pileatus=, R. One who wears the _pileus_, or skull-cap of felt; it was

specially worn by the seafaring classes, and also by the Dioscuri

(Castor and Pollux).

=Pilentum=, R. A state carriage in which the Roman ladies rode when

attending any ceremony, whereas for purposes of recreation or for

visiting they made use of the _carpentum_ or the _harmamaxa_.

=Pileolus=, R. Diminutive of PILEUS; it was a small felt skull-cap which

hardly covered the top of the head.

=Pileus=, =Pileum=, R. (πῖλος, felt). A kind of close-fitting felt cap

worn more particularly by the seafaring classes. The _pileus_ varied in

form amongst the different nations by whom it was adopted; it was worn

exclusively by men. The most familiar form of the pileus, in art, is the

Phrygian bonnet, or cap of liberty. (Cf. PETASUS.)

=Pillar Dollars= are Spanish silver coins, stamped on the obverse with

the royal arms of Spain supported by two columns.

=Pillion=, O. E. A soft pad-saddle with a footrest, for a woman or child

to ride on behind a man.

=Pillow= or =Head-stool=, Egyp. A kind of rest for the head, made

sometimes of stone (onyx, alabaster, or sandstone), but more generally

of wood, and used by the Egyptians to support and raise the head during

sleep. In form it was a half-cylinder, and the base was more or less

raised above the ground. This kind of pillow is still in use at the

present day among various peoples, particularly the Nubians, the

Japanese, and the Ashantees of Western Africa.

=Pillow-beres=, O. E. Pillow-cases. They were at all times an object of

rich ornamentation.

=Pillow Lace.= Lace worked by hand, by throwing _bobbins_ upon a cushion

or pillow. (See LACE.)

=Pilum=, R. A javelin; the missile weapon of the Roman infantry, but

used likewise as a pike for charging the enemy. It was a thick strong

weapon, 6 feet 3 inches in length, half of wood and half of iron, with a

barbed head of 9 inches of solid iron. The term also denotes a heavy

pestle for bruising things in a mortar.

=Pilus=, Med. Lat. (Fr. _pieu_). A pointed club or javelin.

=Pina=, Sp. An amalgam of silver.

=Pinacotheca=, Gr. and R. (πινακο-θήκη). A picture-gallery, one of the

ordinary adjuncts to Greek or Roman houses of wealthy private persons.

=Pinaculum=, Gr. and R. (a ridge or crest). A roof terminating in a

ridge, the ordinary covering for a temple, whereas private houses had a

flat roof.

=Pinchbeck.= An alloy of 85 per cent. copper or brass, and 15 per cent.

zinc; named after its inventor. It is sometimes called _tomback_.

=Pindaric.= Of verses, irregular in metre; like the verses of the lyric

poet Pindar.

=Pingle Pan=, Scotch. A small tin ladle used for mixing children’s food.

=Pink Madder.= (See MADDER.)

=Pinking.= Stamping out borders and edges upon textile fabrics with a

cutting instrument.

=Pinks= (Fr. _stil de grain_). These are water-colour pigments of a

yellow or greenish-yellow colour produced from the precipitation of

vegetable juices, such as saffron, aloes, buckthorn-berries,

broom-flowers, &c., upon chalk or whiting. They are _Italian pink_,

sometimes called _yellow lake_; _brown pink_, _rose pink_, and _Dutch

pink_.

=Pinna=, R. (lit. a wing). (1) The top of an embattled wall, the

_battlements_. (2) The blade of a rudder.

=Pinnacle=, Arch. A small spire, generally with four sides and

ornamented; it is usually placed on the tops of buttresses, both

external and internal.

=Pins.= Metal pins were introduced into this country from France in

1543, previous to which ladies were accustomed to fasten their dresses

with skewers of box-wood, ivory, or bone.

=Pipe.= A musical wind instrument, represented in the 14th century, in

_Strutt’s Sports and Pastimes_, as used with the TABOR to accompany

mountebanks, &c. (See also AULOS, PITO, &c.)

=Pipe-clay.= An oily clay found in large quantities in Devonshire; used

for moulding earthenware, but chiefly for tobacco-pipes.

=Piriform=, Arch. Pear-shaped. The term is applied to roofs domed in the

form of a pear; the Baptistery of Parma may be cited as an example.

=Pirogue.= An Indian canoe, hollowed out of a solid tree.

=Piscina=, R. (_piscis_, a fish). (1) A fishpond, an indispensable

appendage to the villa of a wealthy Roman. (2) A large uncovered tank in

the open air used as a swimming-bath, and distinct from the

_baptisterium_, which was under cover. (3) _Piscina limaria_ was the

reservoir of an aqueduct. In mediæval archæology the name was given (1)

to credence-tables; (2) to baptisteries. (See BAPTISTERIUM, NATATORIUM.)

=Pisé-work.= A method of constructing very durable walls of blocks of

_kneaded earth_. It was probably suggested by the building processes of

the ants, and Pliny calls such walls _formaciæ_.

=Pistillum=, =Pistillus=, R. A pestle for a mortar.

=Pistol.= Invented at Pistoia in Tuscany. (See _Pallas Armata_, _Sir

James Turner_, 1670; _Meyrick_, iii. 76.)

=Pistole.= A Spanish gold coin, worth about 16_s_.; the fourth of a

_doubloon_.

=Pistolese=, It. A long dagger or stabbing-knife of Pistoia.

=Pistrina=, =Pistrinum=, R. (_pistor_, a miller). Originally this term

denoted a mill for grinding grain; later on it was used exclusively to

denote a house of correction for slaves who had to turn the mill. The

work was of a most laborious kind.

=Pistris=, =Pistrix=, R. (πίστρις). (1) A marine monster,

representations of which are to be seen on the walls of several houses

at Pompeii (in the legend of Theseus and Andromeda). It is always

represented with the head of a dragon, and the fins and tail of a fish;

and was adopted in early Christian art for the fish that swallowed

Jonah. (2) A military engine.

=Pitch-blende.= An ore used in porcelain painting. It produces a fine

orange colour; also a black.

=Pitch-pipe.= A sort of whistle for ascertaining the _pitch_ of a

musical instrument, or for setting the key-note.

=Pithos=, R. (πίθος). A large earthenware jar with a narrow neck, used

in ancient and modern times for storing wine and oil. It appears upon a

bas-relief in the Villa Albani as the tub of Diogenes.

=Pito=, Sp. A Mexican name for the _pipe_ of the Aztecs, which resembled

a _flageolet_. It was made of red clay, and had four finger-holes. The

young man selected as a victim at the sacrifice to Tezcatlepoca was

carefully instructed before his death in the art of playing this

instrument, and as he ascended the temple or TEOCALLI to the sacrifice,

he broke a flute upon each of the steps of the temple.

=Piu=, It. Rather; used in Music, as _piu forté_, _rather_ loud.

=Pix= or =Pyx=, Chr. (πυξίς). (1) A box to keep the unconsecrated altar

breads in. It was generally circular, with a pointed cover, and richly

enamelled. (2) The vessel in which the holy eucharist was suspended over

the altar. (3) The box kept at the British Mint to contain the coins

selected to be tried in assay, to ascertain whether the coinage is of

the standard purity. (See CIBORIUM [3], MONSTRANCE, &c.)

=Pizzicato= (It.). An expression in music; playing on the violin like a

harp.

=Placage=, Fr. Veneering or inlaying.

=Plack=, Scotch. A small copper coin formerly current in Scotland; equal

to the third of an English penny.

=Placket=, O. E. A petticoat. (_Shakspeare._)

=Plafond=, =Plafonner=, Fr. Arch. (_plat-fond_). The French term for a

ceiling, often the subject of elaborate architectural, carved, or

painted decoration. The peculiar foreshortened perspective

characteristic of figure-pictures on a ceiling is hence described as

“plafonné;” and it is generally said of a painter distinguished for bold

foreshortenings, “Il excelle à _plafonner_.” _Plafonds_ of different

periods are found of wood, lath and plaster, or stone.

=Plaga=, R. A hunting-net, the diminutive of which is _plagula_ (small

net); the latter term also denotes the curtains hung round a couch or

litter, a width of cloth, a strip of paper, &c.

=Plagula.= (See PLAGA.)

=Planchet.= A name for the smooth coin prepared for stamping before it

has passed under the die.

=Planeta.= A robe worn by _priests_, resembling the DALMATIC (see Fig.

236) worn by _deacons_. (See CHASUBLE.)

=Planetary Machine.= (See ORRERY.)

=Planisphere.= A projection of the sphere and its various circles on a

plane surface.

[Illustration: Fig. 546. Planta Genista.]

=Planta Genista=, Her. The broom-plant badge of the Plantagenets.

=Plaque=, Fr. A flat plate of metal or painted china. Limoges enamels of

the 15th century are described as _plaques_.

=Plasm.= A mould or matrix.

=Plasma.= A green transparent chalcedony found in India and China.

=Plaster of Paris.= The cement or plaster obtained from gypsum,

originally prepared near Paris. It is usually sold in the form of white

powder, and is largely used in the arts. Verrocchio (1435–1488) is said

to have been the first sculptor to cast moulds in plaster of Paris. (See

GYPSUM.)

=Plastic Art.= Sculpture; opposed to _Graphic Art_, or painting, &c.

=Plastron=, Fr. A fencing-pad to cover the body. _Plastron-de-fer_ was

an iron breastplate worn under the hauberk, especially when the latter

was of ringed mail.

=Plat-band.= (See TÆNIA.)

=Plata=, Sp. Silver (hence our _plate_).

=Plate=, Her. A silver roundle.

=Plate armour=, consisting entirely of metal _plates_, became general

during the 15th century.

=Plate-glass.= A superior kind of thick glass, used chiefly for mirrors

and for large windows.

=Plate-jack=, O. E. Coat armour.

=Plate-marks.= (See HALL-MARKS.)

=Plate-paper= is a thick soft paper expressly prepared for printing

engravings upon.

=Platea=, Gr. and R. (πλατεῖα, i. e. broad). A wide fine street in a

city, in contradistinction to a small street called _angiportus_, which

means literally a narrow street.

=Platen.= Of a printing-press, the flat part by which the impression is

made.

=Plateresca=, Sp. A name given to goldsmiths’ work of the 14th and 15th

centuries, which reflected the complicated and delicate forms of

ornament applied in the pointed architecture of the period.

=Plates= are properly illustrations taken from copper or steel

engravings; _cuts_ are impressions from wood-blocks.

=Platina.= Twisted silver wire.

=Platina Yellow.= Two pigments, one of a pale yellow colour, the other

resembling _cadmium yellow_, are sold under this name.

=Plating= is the art of covering metals with a thin surface of silver or

gold for ornament.

=Platinum= (Sp. _plata_, silver). A white metal exceedingly ductile,

malleable, and difficult of fusion. It is found in the Ural Mountains

and in South America, and is much used in goldsmiths’ work in Russia.

=Plaustrum=, R. (_plaudo_, to rumble). A two-wheeled cart drawn by two

oxen, and used for conveying agricultural produce; _plaustrum majus_ was

a much larger cart mounted on four wheels. It had a long pole projecting

behind, on which blocks of stone or other cargo could be balanced on

planks attached. The wheels (_tympana_) were of solid wood nearly a foot

in thickness, and their creaking was heard to a great distance (hence

the name).

=Plectrum= or =Plektron=, Gr. and R. (from πλήσσειν, to strike). A short

stem of ivory or metal pointed at both ends, used to strike the chords

of the lyre, the _barbiton_, the _cithara_, and some other stringed

instruments.

=Plemochoê=, Gr. and R. (πλημο-χοὴ, i. e. that pours a flood). A vessel

in the shape of a top; it resembled the _cotylê_.

=Plenitude=, Her. Said of the moon when in full.

=Plenshing-nail.= A large nail for fastening the planks of floors to the

joists.

=Plethron=, Gr. The basis of land measurement, being 100 feet square, or

10,000 square feet. As a lineal measure, 100 feet, or about 101 of

English measurement.

=Plinth=, Arch. (πλίνθος). Lit. a _tile_ or _brick_, and thence the

lower projecting base of a column, pedestal, or wall, which resembles a

strong square tile placed beneath the last torus at the base of a

column. (See ABACUS.)

=Plinthium=, R. (πλινθίον). A sun-dial, so called because its divisions

were marked on a flat surface (πλίνθος).

=Plocage=, Fr. Carding-wool.

=Plombage.= Lead work.

=Plombagine.= Plumbago.

=Plostellum.= Diminutive of PLAUSTRUM.

=Ploughs= are mentioned in Deuteronomy (1451 B.C.), and represented on

Egyptian sculptures of still earlier date. The Roman plough of the date

of our era is described by Virgil.

=Plough Monday= was the name given by our ancestors to the first Monday

after the Epiphany, the return to labour after the Christmas holiday.

=Plumæ=, R. (lit. feathers). The scales of armour, arranged to imitate

feathers. (See PENNA.)

=Plumarium Opus.= (See OPUS P.)

=Plumbago.= A carburet of iron commonly known as black-lead, also called

GRAPHITE, used for making crucibles and black-lead pencils.

=Plumbeous Wares.= Lead-glazed, by the addition of an oxide of lead in

the preparation of the glaze. (See POTTERY.)

=Plumbum=, R. (lit. lead). A general term denoting anything that is made

of lead, such as a lead pipe, a slinger’s bullet, &c.

[Illustration: Fig. 547. Pluteus.]

=Pluteus=, R. A general term including anything made of boards adapted

to afford a support, cover, passage, &c.; and thus sometimes used as a

synonym for _musculus_ or protective shed. Fig. 547, a _pluteus_ upon

three wheels, was used for protecting soldiers conducting an approach at

the foot of a rampart. These _plutei_ were covered with the skins of

animals, which were wetted to protect the machines from fire; and helped

to deaden the shock of missiles.

=Plynteria=, Gr. (πλυντήρια, washing). Festivals held at Athens in

honour of Athena Aglauros, in which the statue of the goddess was

stripped of its garments and ornaments and washed. It was carefully

concealed in the mean time, and the city being thus in a manner deprived

of its protecting divinity, the day was considered an ill-omened one.

=Pnigeus=, R. (πνιγεὺς, lit. a choker). A kind of funnel employed to

stop or repress the air in a hydraulic organ.

=Pnyx=, Gr. The site in Athens where the ECCLESIÆ were held. It was a

semicircular rising ground, with an area of 12,000 square yards,

levelled with a pavement of large stones, and surrounded by a wall,

behind which was the BEMA or platform from which speakers addressed the

people.

=Pocillum= or =Poculum=, R. Any cup or glass for drinking, distinct from

the CRATER for mixing, and the CYATHUS for ladling the wine. (Cf.

POKAL.)

=Poddisoy=, =Padusoy=, O. E. (Fr. _pou de soie_). A rich plain silk.

=Podera=, Gr. (ποδήρης, i. e. reaching to the feet). A rich linen dress

worn by Greek women, the edges of which were indented.

[Illustration: Fig. 548. Podium running round a sepulchral chamber.]

=Podium=, Arch. (πόδιον, lit. a small foot). A low wall or basement,

generally with a _plinth_ and _cornice_, running round a room or in

front of a building, forming a sort of shelf or seat. Fig. 548 shows the

_podium_ of a sepulchral chamber. In an amphitheatre, _podium_ was the

name for a raised basement which ran like a high enclosure round the

whole circumference of the arena. Lastly, the term is sometimes used as

a synonym for a socle, and a console or bracket.

=Poële=, Fr. (lit. a frying-pan). A square shield with a raised edge and

a grating on it, which resembled the German baking-dish. In a

tournament, the joust “_à la poële_” was the most dangerous of all, as

the champions fought bare-headed and without armour. Their horses were

blindfolded, and a coffin was brought into the course before the combat

commenced. (_Meyrick._)

[Illustration: Fig. 549. Point Lace à bride picotée.]

=Point Lace= _à bride picotée_ ground. This lace is made with the needle

(see NEEDLE POINT), some parts of the pattern only slightly raised in

relief being united by stitches called _bride picotée_. (Fig. 549.)

=Point of Sight.= The principal vanishing point, in perspective, to

which the horizontal lines converge.

=Pointed= or =Christian Architecture= is generally called GOTHIC; and is

a general term, descriptive of all the styles that have prevailed

subsequent to the introduction of the _pointed arch_, commencing with

the 11th century.

=Pointel.= The mediæval _stylus_ or _graphium_ (q.v.).

=Points.= In the 15th and 16th centuries, before the introduction of

buttons, the different parts of dress were fastened with ribands, having

ornamental _points_ or metal tags at the end. (See Fig. 559.)

=Poitrine=, Fr. A breastplate for man or horse.

[Illustration: Fig. 550. Pokal, or German Tankard.]

=Pokal=, Germ. (Lat. _poculum_). A drinking-cup. (Fig. 550.)

=Poke=, O. E. A bag; modern pocket.

=Poker Pictures.= Drawings burned upon wood with hot irons; much

patronized in the 18th century.

=Pol=, =Edepol=, R. A familiar oath or adjuration especially employed by

the Roman women; it was an abbreviation of _By Pollux!_

=Polariscope.= An instrument for exhibiting the polarization of light.

=Pole-axe.= A weapon of the 15th century, combining a hatchet, a pike,

and a serrated hammer. Used principally by cavalry.

=Poleyns=, Fr. (See GENOUILLIÈRES.)

=Pollubrum= and =Polubrum=, R. An old term for which there was

substituted later on _malluvium_, _aquimanale_, _aquiminarium_,

_trulleum_; it was a kind of basin for washing the hands, the χέρνιψ,

χερόνιπτρον of the Greeks.

=Polos=, Gr. A kind of sun-dial. (See HOROLOGIUM.)

=Polyandrion=, Chr. (Gr. πολυ-άνδριον). A common sepulchre in which more

than four bodies were buried. (See LOCULUS.)

=Polychord.= An instrument for application to the pianoforte for

coupling together the strings of two octave notes.

=Polychromy.= Colouring statuary, bas-reliefs, and architecture; to be

distinguished from forming them of variously-coloured materials. This

was not done by painting with an opaque colour, but a sort of staining

of the surface by thin, transparent colouring matter. M. de Quincy

states that the fine preservation of the surface of some antique

statues, such as the Apollo Belvedere, Hercules of Glycon, and Venus de

Medici, is attributable to the use of wax colouring. Stones of various

colours were used to represent different parts of the figure, and in

busts of the Roman emperors the dress is frequently of coloured marble,

while the flesh is of white. [Consult _Redford’s Ancient Sculpture_.]

=Polyhedron.= A solid with many faces or planes.

=Polyptyca=, Gr. (πολύ-πτυχα). (1) Tablets, a sufficient number of which

are put together to form what we now call a note-book. (2) A polyptych;

a picture with several compartments. (Cf. DIPTYCH.)

=Polystyle=, Arch. Surrounded by several rows of columns, as in Moorish

architecture. The porticoes of a Greek temple had never more than ten

columns in front (decastyle).

[Illustration: Fig. 551. A Silver Engraved Pomander, or Scent-box, shown

open and closed.]

=Pomander=, O. E. (from _pomme d’ambre_, perfume apple). A scent-box

worn at the end of the hanging girdles of the 16th century. (See

POUNCET-BOX.) (Fig. 551.) Consult an interesting monograph by _R. H.

Soden Smith_, “_Notes on Pomanders_.”

=Pomme=, Her. A green roundle.

=Pomœrium=, R. (_post_ and _mœrium_ (_murus_) behind the walls). A line

enclosing a town, marked out at intervals by stone pillars. When the

limits of the town were extended, the _pomœrium_ could not be changed

without augury by the _jus pomœrii_, and, in any case, only by a town

whose inhabitants had contributed to the extension of the limits of the

empire.

=Pompa=, R. and Gr. (πομπή). A solemn procession, especially that with

which the games of the circus were preceded.

=Pondus=, =Weight=, R. (_pendo_, to suspend). An object used for

weighing, either with the balance (_libra_), or the steelyard

(_statera_). The same term was also applied to a weaver’s weights; these

were of stone, terra-cotta, or lead.

[Illustration: Fig. 552. Pons.]

=Pons=, R. (Gr. γέφυρα). (1) A bridge; the causeway (_agger_) which

traversed the Roman bridge was paved with large polygonal stones; on

either side of it was a pathway (_crepido_). Fig. 552 shows the Roman

bridge at St. Chamas, at the ends of which were erected triumphal arches

(_fornices_). (See FORNIX.) _Pons sublicius_ was a wooden bridge built

upon piles; _pons suffragiorum_, the voting-bridge over which the

electors passed as they came out of the _septum_ to cast their vote

(_tabella_) into the urn (_cista_). It is probable that the Greek

bridges were of wood. (2) A wharf or landing-stage by the water-side.

=Poongi=, Hindoo. A curious musical instrument made of a gourd, or sort

of cocoa-nut, into which two pipes are inserted. It is the instrument

played by the Sampuris, or snake-charmers, to the performing cobras.

[Illustration: Fig. 553. Pope in full pontificals.]

=Pope.= The illustration represents the Pope of Rome in full

pontificals, viz. the _tiara_, consisting of three crowns of gold

decorated with precious stones and surmounted by a cross, and over a

_rochet_ (surplice) of silk a mantle of gold-work plentifully ornamented

with pearls. The under vestment, which is long, is of hyacinth colour.

The slippers are of velvet with a cross of gold, which all who wish to

speak to the Pope reverently kiss. Late mediæval artists attributed this

costume to the First Person of the Trinity. It is given also to St.

Clement, St. Cornelius, St. Fabian, St. Gregory, St. Peter, and St.

Sylvanus.

=Popina=, R. A tavern or refreshment-place where food was sold, in

contradistinction to _caupona_, which was a shop for selling wine.

=Popinjay=, O. E. A parrot.

=Poplin.= A textile of modern introduction, woven of threads of silk and

worsted.

=Poppy=, Chr. This plant, the seed of which affords a soporific oil,

symbolizes, in Christian iconography, death.

=Poppy Oil.= A bland drying oil, obtained from poppy-seed, and used in

painting. (See OILS.)

=Poppy-head.= A term in decorative art for the carved ornaments with

which the tops of the uprights of wood-work, such as the ends of

benches, backs of chairs, bedposts, &c., were crowned.

=Popularia=, R. The second _mænianum_ or tier of seats in an

amphitheatre.

=Porcelain= (Ancient Chinese) (from the Portuguese _porcellana_, little

pigs; a name given to cowrie-shells by the early traders, and applied to

porcelain, which they thought was made of them, or because it resembled

the interior of a shell). A fine species of transparent earthenware, the

chief component part of which is silex. (_Fairholt._) The most ancient

examples of porcelain in China are circular dishes with upright sides,

very thick, strong, and heavy, and which invariably have the marks of

one, two, or three on the bottom thus: I. II. III. The colours of these

rare specimens vary. The kinds most highly prized have a brownish-yellow

ground, over which is thrown a light shot sky-blue, with here and there

a dash of blood-red. The Chinese say there are but a few of these

specimens in the country, and that they are more than a thousand years

old. (_Fortune._) The first imitations of Chinese porcelain in Europe

date from the 16th century, under the Medici family, and include

specimens supposed to have been designed by the immediate pupils of

Raffaelle. (See RAFFAELLE-WARE.) Among the next earliest produced is

that of Fulham, by Dr. Dwight, in 1671, and of St. Cloud in France about

1695.

[Illustration: Fig. 554. Pent-house Porch.]

=Porch=, Arch. A structure placed in front of the door of a church or

other building, and very variable in form. In the ancient basilicas the

vestibule is more commonly called NARTHEX (q.v.). Fig. 554 shows a

wooden porch also called a _pent-house porch_, and Fig. 555 a plan of

what is called a _cupola_ porch, from the fact that, its ground being

circular, it is surmounted by a dome.

[Illustration: Fig. 555. Ground-plan of a Cupola Porch.]

[Illustration: Fig. 556. Porcupine. Device of Louis XII.]

=Porcupine= (Fr. _porc epic_). Hereditary device of the Valois family.

The “Order of the Porcupine” was instituted in 1397 by Louis, Duke of

Orleans, and abolished by Louis XII., who retained the badge (Fig. 556),

and had his cannon marked with a porcupine. In numismatics his golden

“écus au porc epic” are rare and highly valued.

=Porcupine-wood.= The ornamental wood of a palm, the markings of which

in the horizontal section resemble porcupine quills.

=Porphyry.= A hard stone much used in Egyptian sculpture, and for

sarcophagi. It was of a fine red colour, passing into purple and green,

and susceptible of a fine polish. (See also _Rosso Antico_.)

=Porporino=, It. A yellow powder substituted for gold by mediæval

artists. It was compounded of quicksilver, sulphur, and tin.

[Illustration: Fig. 557. Porta (Gate of Perusium).]

=Porta=, R. This term denotes the gate of a city, a large gate in any

enclosure, in contradistinction to JANUA and OSTIUM (q.v.), which denote

the doors of a building. Fig. 557 shows the ancient gate of Perugia.

=Portcullis.= A kind of iron grating, forming an outer door, which

slided up and down perpendicularly in the grooves of a bay. It was

suspended by a chain, which could instantly be lowered, as occasion

required, in order to prevent ingress and cut off all communication. By

the Greeks and Romans they were called _portæ cataractæ_, and in the

Middle Ages they were known as Saracenic gates.

[Illustration: Fig. 558. Portcullis.]

=Portcullis=, Her. A defence for a gateway, borne as a badge by the

Houses of Beaufort and Tudor. Motto, “_Altera securitas_.” (Fig. 558.)

=Porticus=, =Portico=, R. (_porta_). A long colonnade serving as a

covered promenade. In an amphitheatre, the covered gallery at the top

which was appropriated to women or slaves. A wooden gallery covered over

with a roof, but in some cases entirely open on the side of the country.

(See TEMPLUM.)

=Portisculus=, R. A director’s staff wielded on board ship by the

officer who gave the time to the rowers to make them row in unison.

=Portrait Painting.= The earliest portrait on record is that of

Polygnotus, painted by himself, B.C. 400. Giotto is said to have been

the earliest successful portrait painter of modern times. The different

sizes of portraits are the following:—

ft. in. ft. in.

Bishop’s whole length 8 10 by 5 10.

Whole length 7 10 „ 4 10.

Bishop’s half-length 4 8 „ 3 8.

Half-length 4 2 „ 3 4.

Small half-length 3 8 „ 2 10.

Kit-cat 3 0 „ 2 4.

Three-quarter size 2 6 „ 2 1.

Head size 2 0 „ 1 8.

=Portula.= A wicket made in a large gate in order to give admittance

into a city without opening the _porta_ or large gate.

=Posnett=, O. E. A little pot.

=Postergale=, Chr. A DORSAL (q.v.).

=Postern= (_posterna_, a back door). A private gate in a rampart, either

upon the platform or at the angle of a curtain, and opening into the

ditches, whence it was possible to pass by the _pas-de-souris_, without

being seen by the besiegers, into the covered way and the glacis.

=Posticum=, R. (Gr. παραθύρα). (1) A back door to a Roman house. (2) In

Architecture, the part of a building opposite to the façade; the

posterior façade.

=Postis=, R. The jamb of a door, supporting the lintel or _limen

superius_.

=Postscenium=, R. The part of a Roman theatre behind the stage, in which

the actors dressed, and the appointments and machines were kept.

=Potichomanie.= A process of ornamenting glass with coloured designs on

paper, in imitation of painted porcelain.

=Potter’s Clay=, found in Dorsetshire and Devonshire, is used for

modelling and for pottery; mixed with linseed oil, it is used as a

_ground_ in painting.

=Pottery= (=Fayence=, =Terraglia=), as distinct from porcelain, is

formed of potter’s clay mixed with marl of argillaceous and calcareous

nature, and sand, variously proportioned, and may be classed under two

divisions: _Soft_ (Fayence à pâte tendre), and _Hard_ (Fayence à pâte

dure), according to the nature of the composition or the degree of heat

under which it has been fired in the kiln. What is known generally in

England as _earthenware_ is soft, while _stone-ware_, _Queen’s ware_,

&c., are hard. The characteristics of the soft wares are a paste or body

which may be scratched with a knife or file, and fusibility generally at

the heat of a porcelain furnace. These soft wares may be again divided

into four subdivisions: _unglazed_, _lustrous_, _glazed_, or

_enamelled_. Among the three first of these subdivisions may be arranged

almost all the ancient pottery of Egypt, Greece, Etruria, and Rome; as

also the larger portion of that in general use among all nations during

mediæval and modern times. The _glazed wares_ may be again divided into

_silicious_ or _glass-glazed wares_, and _plumbeous_ or _lead-glazed_.

In these subdivisions the foundation is in all cases the same. The mixed

clay or “paste” or “body” is formed by the hand or on the wheel, or

impressed into moulds; then slowly dried and baked in a furnace or

stove, after which, on cooling, it is in a state to receive the glaze.

This is prepared by fusing sand or other silicious material with potash

or soda to form a translucent glass, the composition of the glaze upon

vitreous or _glass-glazed_ wares. The addition of oxide of lead

constitutes the glaze of _plumbeous_ wares; and the further addition of

the oxide of tin produces an enamel of an opaque white of great purity,

which is the characteristic glazing of _stanniferous_ or _tin-glazed

wares_. Most of the principal seats of the manufacture of pottery, and a

description of the objects manufactured, and methods used in the

manufacture, will be found mentioned under their respective headings.

=Poulaines=, Fr. Long-toed boots and shoes, introduced in 1384. (See

CRACOWES.)

=Pounce-paper.= A kind of transparent tracing-paper, free from grease,

&c.; made in Carlsruhe.

=Pounced.= In Engraving, _dotted_ all over.

=Pouncet-box=, O. E. A perfume box, carved with open work. (See

POMANDER.)

=Pouranamas=, Hind. Very ancient books of India, which give a part of

Hindoo history from the beginning of the Hindoo monarchy, or the time of

the king Ellou or Ella.

[Illustration: Fig. 559. Pourpoint. Worn by a Venetian youth of the 16th

century.]

=Pourpoint=, Fr. A quilted doublet, worn in the 14th and 15th centuries.

The illustration represents a Venetian gallant of the 16th century. (See

GAMBESON.)

=Powder-blue= is pulverized pipe-clay, a good “pounce” for transferring

designs upon linen for embroidery.

=Powdered=, Her. (See SÉMÉ.)

=Powers=, Chr. Guardian angels, usually represented bearing a staff.

(See ANGELS.)

=Præcinctio=, E. (_præcingo_, to gird). A lobby running quite round the

circle formed by the _caveæ_ in the interior of a theatre or

amphitheatre; the same term is also used to denote the passages between

the tiers of seats comprised within each _mænianum_. According to their

importance, theatres and amphitheatres were divided into two, three, and

sometimes four præcinctiones.

=Præfericulum=, R. A metal basin without handles, used for holding

sacred utensils.

=Præficæ=, R. Women hired as mourners at the funerals of wealthy

persons.

[Illustration: Fig. 560. Præfurnium hypocaust.]

=Præfurnium=, R. The mouth of a furnace placed beneath a _hypocausis_ or

heating-stove in a set of baths. Fig. 560 shows the _præfurnium_ of a

hypocausis which was drawn upon the walls of a _laconicum_ situated near

the church of St. Cecilia at Rome. (See HYPOCAUSIS.)

[Illustration: Fig. 561. Roman maiden wearing the _toga prætexta_.]

=Prætexta=, R. A TOGA with a broad purple border. It was introduced by

the Etruscans, and was the costume assigned to priests and magistrates,

to boys before they came of age, and to women before their marriage.

(See TOGA.) (Fig. 561.)

=Prætorium=, R. The tent of the commander-in-chief of the army; it was

so called because in the earliest times of Rome the consul who commanded

the army bore the title of _prætor_. The residence of a governor of a

province was also called _prætorium_, and finally the name was given to

any large house or palace.

=Prandium=, R. (_prandeo_, to breakfast). The midday meal, which came

between breakfast (_jentaculum_) and dinner (_cœna_).

=Prastura.= (See UPAPITHA.)

=Préa-koul=, Hind. An upright stone or sacred boundary among the Khmers.

=Préasat=, Hind. The tower of the Khmers; _préasat-stupaï_ means little

tower; _préasat-phradamrey_, the elephant tower of the king.

=Precarium=, Chr. A temporary benefice granted to a layman by the

Church; the holder of the benefice was, however, bound to pay the Church

certain dues.

=Predella=, It. A ledge behind the altar of a church on which the

altar-piece was placed, containing small pictures, of similar subjects

to the altar-piece.

=Prefericulum=, R. A shallow metal bowl used in sacrifices for carrying

the sacred vessels. Its shape resembled the _patera_.

=Premier Coup.= (See PRIMA PAINTING.)

=Pre-Raphaelites.= A modern school of painters, who, throwing aside all

conventional laws and traditions in art, direct their study to the forms

and colours of Nature.

=Presentoir=, Fr. An épergne or table-stand for flowers; made very

shallow, on a tall and richly-decorated stem. A favourite subject of the

goldsmith’s art in the 16th century.

=Pressed Glass.= Glass pressed into a mould by a machine; differing from

_blown glass_.

=Presto=, It. In Music, quickly.

=Priapeia=, R. (πριάπεια). Festivals in honour of Priapus; they were

held chiefly at Lampsacus.

=Pricket.= A young stag of two years, when his horns begin to sprout.

=Prie-Dieu.= A kneeling-desk for prayers.

=Prima Painting= (in French, _peinture au premier coup_) is a modern

style directed to the avoidance of extreme finish, described in a work

by _Hundertpfund_, “_The Art of Painting restored to its Simplest and

Surest Principles_.”

=Primary Colours.= Blue, yellow, and red, from which all colours are

derived.

=Primero=, O. E. A game at cards mentioned by Shakspeare.

=Primicerii=, Chr. This term had several meanings, but it was usually

employed to denote the first person inscribed on a list, because the

tablet on which the names were written was covered with wax; whence

_primicerius_ (from _cera_, wax), the first upon the wax. In cathedral

churches the primicerius presided over the choir, and regulated the

order and method of the ceremonies.

=Priming.= (See GROUNDS.)

=Prince’s Metal= or =Prince Rupert’s Metal=. An alloy of 72 parts of

copper and 28 parts of zinc, which has a resemblance to gold.

=Princedoms= or =Principalities=, Chr. An order of THRONES of angels;

usually represented in complete armour, carrying pennons. (See Fig. 24.)

=Principes=, R. A body of heavy-armed foot-soldiers; thus named,

because, in the order of battle, they were placed first.

=Principia=, R. (_princeps_, chief, foremost). The headquarters in a

Roman camp, comprising not only the tents of the general and the

superior officers, but also an open space in which justice was

administered and sacrifices offered to the gods; it was in the same open

space that all the standards of the legion were set up.

=Priory=, Chr. A monastery attached, as a rule, to an abbey; there were

also, however, priories which formed the _head of an order_. In the

order of Malta each _tongue_ comprehended several great priories.

[Illustration: Fig. 562. Prismatic mouldings.]

=Prismatic= (mouldings). A kind of moulding resembling the facets of a

prism (Fig. 562), which is sometimes met with in archivolts of the

Romano-Byzantine period. The same term is likewise applied to mouldings

characteristic of the flamboyant style, which assume, especially in

their base, the form of prisms.

=Proaron=, Gr. and R. (πρόαρον; ἀρύω, to draw water). A vessel of a

flattened spheroid form, with two handles.

=Proaulium=, R. (_pro_, in front of). The vestibule of any building.

=Prochous=, Gr. (πρόχοος, i. e. thing for pouring out). A small jug for

pouring liquid into a cask; it had a narrow neck, a very large handle,

and a pointed mouth.

=Procœton=, Gr. and R. (προ-κοιτών). An antechamber or room preceding

other rooms or chambers.

=Prodd=, O. E. A light cross-bow, used by ladies, _temp._ Elizabeth.

=Prodomos=, Arch. (πρό-δομος). The façade of a temple or building, and

sometimes the porch of a church.

=Profile.= The side view of the human face. It is observed by Fairholt

that “a face which, seen directly in front, is attractive by its rounded

outline, blooming colour, and lovely smile, is often divested of its

charms when seen in profile, and strikes only as far as it has an

_intellectual_ expression. Only where great symmetry exists, connected

with a preponderance of the intellectual over the sensual, will a

profile appear finer than the front face.”

=Projectura=, R. The beaver of a helmet.

=Proletarii=, R. The proletariate, or Roman citizens of the lowest class

of the people, so called because they contributed nothing to the

resources of the republic except by their offspring (_proles_); being,

as they were, too poor to pay taxes.

=Prom=, Hind. An ornamented carpet in Khmer art.

=Prometheia.= An Athenian festival in honour of Prometheus, with a

torch-race (_lampadephoria_).

=Promulsis.= The first course at a Roman dinner, arranged to stimulate

the appetite; eggs were a principal ingredient, whence the proverb _ab

ovo usque ad mala_ (from first to last).

=Pronaos=, R. (πρό-ναος). A portico situated in front of a temple; it

was open on all sides, and surrounded only by columns, which, in front,

supported not only the entablature, but the pediment (_fastigium_).

=Proper=, Her. Said of a thing exhibited in its natural, or proper,

colour.

=Proplasma=, Gr. and R. (πρό-πλασμα). A rough model or embodiment of the

sculptor’s first idea, executed by him in clay.

=Propnigeum=, Gr. and R. The mouth of the furnace of the HYPOCAUSIS

(q.v.).

=Propylæa=, Gr. The open court at the entrance to a sacred enclosure; e.

g. an Egyptian temple, or especially the Acropolis at Athens.

=Prora=, R. (πρῷρα). The prow or fore-part of a ship, whence _proreta_,

a man who stood at the ship’s head; _proreus_ was a term also used. (See

ACROSTOLIUM.)

=Proscenium=, R. (προ-σκήνιον). The stage in a Greek or Roman theatre;

it included the whole platform comprised between the _orchestra_ and the

wall of the stage; the term was also used sometimes to denote the wall

of the stage itself.

=Proscenium=, Mod. The ornamental frame on which the curtain hangs.

=Prostylos=, Gr. (πρό-στυλος). A building or temple which has a porch

supported by a row of columns.

=Proteleia=, Gr. (προ-τέλεια). Sacrifices which were offered to Diana,

Juno, the Graces, and Venus prior to the celebration of a marriage.

[Illustration: Fig. 563. Entrance (Prothyrum) of a Roman house.]

=Prothyrum=, Gr. (πρό-θυρον). With the Greeks, the vestibule in front of

the door of a house, where there was generally an altar of Apollo, or a

statue or laurel-tree; with the Romans, the prothyrum was the corridor

or passage leading from the street to the atrium (Fig. 563).

=Prototype= (πρῶτον, first; τύπον, mould). The model of a plastic

design; hence figuratively, a _type_ or forerunner.

=Protractor.= An instrument for laying down and measuring angles upon

paper.

=Protypum=, Gr. and R. (πρό-τυπον). A model, first model or mould for

making any object in clay, such as antefixæ.

=Prussian Blue.= A valuable pigment of a greenish-blue colour, of great

body, transparency, and permanency; a mixture of prussiate of potash and

rust, or oxide of iron. (See CYANOGEN.)

=Prussian Brown.= A deep-brown pigment, more permanent than madder.

=Psaltery.= A stringed instrument or kind of lyre of an oblong square

shape, played with a rather large plectrum.

=Pschent=, Egyp. The head-dress of the ancient kings of Egypt, which

should properly be called _skhent_, since the _p_ only represents the

article _the_. This head-dress is the emblem of supreme power, the

symbol of dominion over the south and north. It is a diadem composed of

the united crowns of the Upper and Lower Egypts.

=Psephus=, Gr. (ψῆφος). A round stone used by the Athenian voters to

record their votes.

=Pseud-iso-domum= (_opus_). (See OPUS PSEUD-ISO-DOMUM.)

[Illustration: Fig. 564. Ground-plan of a Pseudodipteral Temple.]

=Pseudodipteros=, Gr. and R. (ψευδο-δίπτερος). A building or temple

which presents the appearance of being surrounded by a double colonnade,

though it possesses only a single one, which is separated from the walls

of the cella, as in the dipteral arrangement. (Fig. 564.)

=Pseudoperipteros=, Gr. and R. (ψευδο-περίπτερος). A building or temple

which presents the appearance of being surrounded by a colonnade,

although in reality it does not possess one, the columns being embedded

in the walls of the cella. (See PERIPTEROS, under which an example of

this kind of temple is given.)

=Pseudothyrum=, Gr. and R. (ψευδό-θυρον). Literally, a false door, and

thence a secret door, or door hidden by some means or other.

=Pseudourbana= (sc. _ædificia_), R. The dwelling-house of the owner of a

farm, which was distinct from the buildings set apart for the farm

people and the slaves, the _familia rustica_.

=Psili=, Gr. (ψιλοί). Light-armed troops, who wore skins or leather

instead of metal armour, and fought generally with bows and arrows or

slings.

=Psychè=, Fr. A cheval-glass or mirror.

=Psycter=, Gr. (ψυκτήρ). A metal wine-cooler, often of silver,

consisting of an outer vessel to contain ice, and an inner vessel for

the wine.

=Pterotus=, R. (πτερωτός). That which has wings or ears; an epithet

applied to the drinking-cup called _calix_.

=Puggaree=, Hind. A piece of muslin worn as a turban.

=Pugillares=, R. Writing-tablets small enough to be held in the hand

(_pugillus_), whence their name.

=Pugio=, R. (Gr. μάχαιρα). A short dagger, without a sheath, worn by

officers of high rank.

=Pulpitum=, R. The tribune of an orator, or the chair of a professor. In

a theatre the term was used to denote the part of the stage next to the

_orchestra_. (See PROSCENIUM.)

=Pulvinar=, R. (_pulvinus_, a cushion). A cushion or bolster, and thence

a state couch or a marriage-bed.

=Pulvinarium=, R. (1) A room in a temple, in which was set out the

_pulvinar_ or couch for the gods at the feast of the LECTISTERNIUM. (2)

See OPUS PULVINARIUM.

[Illustration: Fig. 565. Pulvinatus.]

=Pulvinatus=, R. Having a contour similar to that of a cushion or

bolster, and thence the cylinder formed by the swelling of the volute at

the side of the Ionic capital. (Fig. 565.)

=Pumice-stone.= A kind of lava of less specific gravity than water. The

dome of the mosque of St. Sophia at Constantinople is built of

pumice-stone.

=Punchau.= (See INTI.)

=Punctum=, R. A vote or suffrage, because in early times each citizen,

instead of laying down a _tessera_ or tablet with his vote, passed in

front of the _rogator_, or voting officer who had the list of candidates

before him, and pricked a hole (_punctum_) in the tablet against the

name of the candidate for whom the vote was given.

=Punkahs.= Swinging fans suspended from the ceilings of houses in India,

often richly embroidered and decorated with feathers, brilliant insects,

gold and silver, &c.

=Puntilla=, Sp. A narrow point-lace edging.

=Pupa=, R. A doll; a child’s plaything. Dolls of terra-cotta have been

found in various countries. In Egypt dolls have been found, made out of

wood, painted, and in perfect proportion, with glass beads on the head

in imitation of hair. As a rule, the ancient dolls are made with movable

joints.

=Puppis=, R. The poop or after-part of a vessel as opposed to the

_prora_ or prow. (See PRORA.)

=Purbeck-stone.= A rough grey sandstone from Dorsetshire, largely used

for building purposes in London.

=Purim= (Festivals of), Heb. Jewish festivals called _Festivals of the

Lots_, instituted in memory of Esther, who had averted the peril with

which Haman threatened the Jews; they were so called because the

favourite of Ahasuerus was to have decimated the Jews by casting lots to

see who should be put to death.

=Purple=, Gen. An insignia of authority pertaining to certain

magistrates who wore purple robes or bands of purple on their attire.

There were two kinds of purple, the amethyst and the Tyrian; the former

was a deep violet, and obtained from a shell-fish (_murex trunculus_);

the Tyrian was more brilliant and had a redder tinge; it was obtained

from the _murex brandaris_.

=Purple= is red graduated with blue, the red predominating; red with

black makes purple-black. Purple pigments are _madder purple_, _violet

mars_, _burnt carmine_ (for water-colours).

=Purple Lakes= and _Green Lakes_ are made by mixing _yellow_ lakes with

blue pigments. (See YELLOW LAKE.)

=Purple Madder.= (See MADDER.)

=Purple-wood.= A beautiful deep-coloured Brazilian wood, used for

marquetry and inlaid-work, but principally for the ramrods of guns.

=Purpure=, Her. Purple.

=Purree=, Hind. A bright golden yellow pigment prepared from camel’s

dung. (See INDIAN YELLOW.)

=Pursuivants.= The lowest order of officers in Herald’s College; of whom

there are four, called respectively Rouge Croix, Rouge Dragon, Blue

Mantle, and Portcullis. In the Middle Ages these officers were attached

to the households of the nobility, and bore titles generally taken from

the armorial insignia of their lords.

=Puteal=, R. A place struck by lightning, and thus rendered sacred; in

order to keep it from the tread of profane feet, it was surrounded by a

low wall similar to that which protected a well (_puteus_); whence the

name of _puteal_.

[Illustration: Fig. 566. Puteus. Manhole of an Aqueduct.]

=Puteus=, R. (1) A well fed by a spring or an underground stream of

water; (2) an opening or manhole of an aqueduct (Fig. 566); (3) a pit

for preserving grain.

=Puticuli=, =Puticulæ=, R. Common pits in which the bodies of those

slaves and paupers were buried, who had not the means to pay for a

funeral pyre or a private tomb.

=Puttock=, O. E. A base kind of hawk. (_Shakspeare._)

=Pyanepsia=, Gr. (πυανέψια). Ancient “Beanfeasts.” Athenian festivals in

honour of Apollo, instituted by Theseus after his victory over the

Minotaur; they were so called because beans were cooked for the banquet

in honour of the god (πύανος, a bean, and ἕψειν, to cook).

=Pyat=, O. E. A magpie.

=Pykers=, O. E. A kind of fishing-boats.

=Pylon=, Egyp. (πυλών). A monumental gate composed of two lofty and

massive pyramidal towers, forming the entrance to the enclosure of the

great Egyptian temples. The interior of a pylon contained staircases and

chambers. A splendid example in full preservation is that of the temple

at Esneh on the Nile.

=Pyra=, Gr. and R. (πυρὰ, lit. the burning-place). A funeral pile before

it was set on fire, in contradistinction to _rogus_, a funeral pile

which has been lighted. It was built in the form of an altar with four

equal sides, which were frequently covered with foliage of dark leaves;

and cypress-trees were placed in front of the pile. The corpse was

placed on the top, in the bier (_lectica_) on which it had been borne to

the place. (See FUNERAL CEREMONIES.)

=Pyræum=, Pers. (πυρεῖον). A place in which the Persians kept the sacred

fire (_puros_, fire). At Bactria there were seven pyræa, in honour of

the seven planets.

=Pyramid= (Egyptian, _Pi-rama_, a mountain). In the hieroglyphics called

_Abumer_, “a great tomb,” which it essentially is, or rather a great

cairn over the cave tomb excavated in the live rock immediately under

its apex. This sepulchral chamber having been connected with the upper

world by a passage sloping downwards from the north, the graduated

structure was regularly built over it, the proportions of the base to

the sides being constantly preserved, and the whole forming always a

perfect pyramid; so that the building could be continued during the

whole lifetime of its destined tenant, and covered and closed in

immediately upon his death. It is on record that from Seneferoo, the

first king whose name has been found upon monuments, to the last of the

Sixth Dynasty, i. e. during the whole period of the Ancient Empire,

every king of Egypt built a pyramid. (Consult _Vyse_, _Pyramids of

Gezeh_.)

=Pyrotechny= (πῦρ, fire, and τέχνη, art). The art of making fireworks.

The Chinese had great skill in this art long before its introduction

into Europe, and are at this day unrivalled in it. The best English work

on the subject is perhaps that by _G. W. Mortimer_ (London, 1853).

=Pyrrhica=, Gr. (πυρρίχη). A war-dance in great favour with the early

Greeks, and frequently represented in sculptures, in which warriors

brandished their weapons and went through a mock combat.

=Pythia=, Gr. (πύθια). (1) A priestess of Apollo at Delphi, represented

seated on the sacred _tripod_. (See CORTINA.) (2) Games instituted at

Delphi in honour of Apollo, and of his killing the Pytho, the monstrous

serpent born from the waters in Deucalion’s flood.

=Pythoness.= Synonym of PYTHIA (q.v.). The term was also used to denote

certain sorceresses, such as the pythoness of Endor.

=Pyx=, or =Pix Cloths=. (See =Corporals=.)

[Illustration: Fig. 567. Small Ivory Pyx. Ninth Century (?).]

=Pyx.= The word in its earliest meaning included any small box or case,

and often in the Middle Ages it contained relics. Thus in the Durham

treasury there was “a tooth of St. Gengulphus, good for the falling

sickness, in a small ivory pyx.” The pyx used for the sacrament was

usually ornamented with religious subjects, other than the incidents of

the lives of saints. (Fig. 567.)

=Pyxis=, Gr. and R. (πυξὶς, lit. a box-wood box). A casket, trinket-box,

or jewel-case.