Single-source entries: P (21)

Peacock

any individual of the genus Pavo, specifically, the common peapeacock (P. cristatus), a native of India, domesticated in Great Britain. The plumage is extremely gorgeous. Crest of about 24 feathers, webbed only at tip; green, with blue and gold reflections. Bill and legs horny brown. The peahen is chestnut-brown about the head and nape; breast and neck greenish, edged with pale whity-brown; upper plumage light brown, with faint wavings, increased on upper tail coverts; tail deep brown with whitish tips; abdomen white; lower parts and under tail coverts brown. Length 38 to 40 inches; crest shorter and duller than in the male. Among the Greeks and Romans the peacock was sacred to Hera or Juno. Quintus Hortensius (born 119 B. c.) was the first to serve up peacocks at table. The proverbial reproach "vain as a peacock," is scarcely well-founded. The display of his train is intended to attract the attention of the hen bird, or to outshine the display of some rival.

THOMAS LOVE, an English writer; born in 1785. His first important work was a novel entitled "Headlong Hall," published in 1815, and this was followed by "Melincourt," "Nightmare Abbey," "Maid Marian," the "Misfortunes of Elphin," "Crotchet Castle," "Gryll Grange," and a poem called "Rhododaphne." He was the friend and executor of Shelly, and was connected with the East India Office for nearly 40 years. He died in 1866.

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Peacock Butterfly

the Vanessa io, a beautiful butterfly, two and one-half, or two and three-quarter inches across the wings, which are a dull, deep red, each with an eye-like spot. Larva spiny, black, with many white dots. It in numbers, is seen in numbers, on the tops of nettles, in June and July. The perfect insect appears in August, lives through the winter, and is seen in March and April.

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Peafowl

a remarkable bird of the grouse family. Alexander the Great is credited with having brought the common peafowl from India. In southeastern Asia the peafowl is yet a game bird, and is hunted like our wild turkey. The male or peacock is famous for a gorgeous train. The upper or covert feathers of the tail are frequently four feet in length. When the peacock struts, gobbler fashion, these feathers are erected and spread in a fan-like circle with a most dazzling effect of brilliant green and gold. The tail itself is chestnut and remains in an ordinary position. The neck and breast are colored with a peculiarly rich "peacock" blue. The head carries a crest of about twenty-four upright plumes. The total length of the bird from the point of its bill to the end of its train is about six feet. The body proper is only about two feet in length. The peahen is smaller and is modestly colored. The peafowl is now domesticated thoroughly both in the Old World and the New. Among the Greeks and Romans it was dedicated to Hera or Juno. In literature it is represented as the type of vain glory. Its flesh, like that of pheasants and grouse generally, is excellent for table use. Its voice, like that of the guineafowl, is exceedingly harsh, as though nature begrudged a sweet voice and brilliant plumage to the same bird.

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Peale

REMBRANDT, an American artist; born in Bucks co., Pa., Feb. 22, PEACOCK 1778. When 17 years old executed a por trait of Washington, from whom he had three sittings. He painted portraits of many distinguished men. He was president of the American Academy, and also one of the original members of the Academy of Design. His portrait of Washington (1823) was purchased by Congress. He died in Philadelphia, Pa., Oct. 3, 1860.

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Pearce

WILLIAM, an American Methodist Episcopal bishop; born at Hayle, Cornwall, England, in 1862. He came to the United States in 1884 and was ordained minister of the Free Methodist Church in 1888, afterward serving in several pastorates in California, Oregon, and New York. He was appointed bishop of the Free Methodist Church in 1908. He was a delegate to the World's Missionary Convention in 1910.

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Pearl Harbor

a United States coaling station at the island of Oahu, Hawaii; acquired prior to the annexation of the islands. The harbor has been strongly fortified, and is a United States naval station. It was an important War. point during the World

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Pearls

Occult properties of. Amongst the early Greeks and Romans, the wearing of gems as an amulet or talisman, was much in vogue. For this purpose pearls were often made into crowns. Rich says: "Pope Adrian, anxious to secure all the virtues in his favour, wore an amulet composed of a sunbaked toad, arsenic, tormentil, pearl, coral, hyacinth, smarag, and tragacanth." It is also said that to dream of pearls means many tears. Their occult virtues are brought forth by being boiled in meat, when they heal the quartan ague: bruised and taken with milk, they are good for ulcers, and clear the Philalethes voice. They also comfort the heart and render their possessor chaste.

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Pearly Nautilus

the Nautilus pompilius; common in the Pacific and Indian Oceans, especially toward the Moluccas. It is believed to inhabit both deep and shallow water. Its fine motherof-pearl is much in request with cabinet makers and jewelers. The smallest and most excavated partitions are used to make pendants for the ear. By removing the external layer of the shell which is not nacreous, drinking vessels of great brilliancy are made in the East, as they formerly were also in Europe.

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Pearson

SIR (CYRIL) ARTHUR, English newspaper er proprietor. He was born at Wookey, England, in 1866, and began his newspaper career on Sir George Newnes' "Tit-Bits," which enjoyed a circulation till that time unknown in England. He later started "Pearson's Weekly" on the same lines, following this with similar journals. In 1900 he started the "Daily Express" in imitation of the "Daily Mail," which had then an enormous circulation. Like Harmsworth, later Lord Northcliffe, he came into ownership of many journals. Later he lost his eyesight, and has since devoted himself to philanthropic work among the blind. He was made baronet in 1916, and in 1919 wrote "Victory Over Blind ness."

KARL, an English physicist. He was born in 1857 and studied at Cambridge, Heidelberg, and Berlin, being admitted to the bar in 1882. He taught mathematics in University College, London, and became Galton professor of eugenics in London University. His works include: "History of the Theory of Elasticity and Strength of Materials"; "Ethic of Freethought"; "Grammar of Science"; "The Chances of Death"; "National Life from the Standpoint of Science"; "The Life, Letters and Labors of Francis Galton."

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