Pelton Wheel
a type of water turbine invented by L. A. Pelton of California, and much used in the West and in European countries where there is a high head of water without great quantity. The stream of water is directed through a nozzle against cups or buckets on the wheel's circumference so shaped that there is no waste of energy due to shock or splashing or eddying in the cups. The water strikes against the slanting inner sides and follows the rounded contour of the cups, while side thrust is prevented by having the cups arranged in pairs with a wedge between them which divides the stream of water equally. The efficiency of the Pelton wheel is very high, namely, from 80 to 87 per cent. In the Big Creek Power Plant, California, a number of wheels about eight feet in diameter, driven by 6inch jets of water, moving moving at a velocity of 300 feet per second, develop over 20,000 horsepower apiece. At Lake Fully, Switzerland, Pelton wheels are operated by jets from a 5,000-foot head of water.
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Peltry
. See Fur
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Pelvis
the lower portion of the great abdominal cavity, bounded by the abdomen above, the perineum below, the peritoneum, muscles, and fascia in front, below, and at the side; and the sacral plexus of nerves and the sacrum behind. It contains the bladder, prostate gland, vesiculæ seminales, and rectum. It is composed of the two ossa innominata, the sacrum and the coccyx. There are marked differences in the male and female pelvis; that of the male is the stronger, with a deeper and much narrower cavity; that of the female is much shallower and more widely expanded.
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Pemba
a coral island off the E. coast of Africa, in British East Africa, Zanzibar Protectorate, 50 miles N. E. of Zanzibar Island; area, 372 square miles. There are numerous bays on the E. coast; on one of them stands the chief port, Chaka. Pop. (1917) 9,000. The trade is in cattle, rice, cloves, and ebony. It was transferred by the Sultan of Zanzibar to the British East African Company in 1891. Capital, Weti. Pop. (1917) 83,130.
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Pemberton
a town in the county of Lancashire, England, two miles S. W. of Wigan. an. It has important manufactures, including cotton, chemicals and iron products. There are extensive coal mines and stone quarries in the vicinity. Pop. about 25,000.
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Pemberton
MAX, an English novelist. He was born in 1863 in Birmingham, was educated at Cambridge, and in 1885 began writing for "Vanity Fair" and other journ journals. His first romance, "The Iron Pirate," appeared in 1893. Since then he has written: "Queen of the Jesters"; "The Garden of Swords"; "Féo"; "House Under the Sea"; "Beatrice of Venice"; "My Sword for Lafayette"; "The Show Girl"; "Captain Black"; "The Lady Evelyn"; and "Garrick" (a play).
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Pembroke
the county-town of Pembrokeshire, Wales; on a navigable creek of Milford Haven, 114 miles W. by N. of Cardiff. On the extremity of the ridge on which the town is built stands Pembroke Castle, founded in 1904 by Arnulf de Montgomery, a very imposing ruin. The birthplace of Henry VII., this castle in 1648 was taken by Cromwell after a six weeks' siege. Monktown Priory, with its roofless decorated choir, is another interesting structure. Pembroke for more than four centuries has given the title of earl to the House of Herbert. At Pembroke Dock, or Pater, 2½ mile N. W., is the naval dockyard and arsenal, established in 1814. Pop about 90,000.
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Pembroke College (At Oxford England Founded)
a college at Oxford, England. Founded in 1624, when Thomas Tesdale bequeathed a sum of money for the support of scholars in Oxford. Richard Wightwick added to Tesdale's bequest, and because the latter had indicated Balliol as his preference, that college claimed the endowment. James I., however, determined to found a new college, and, with these two bequests, founded Pembroke, named after the then chancellor of the university. The buildings are very picturesquely situated and are, for the most part, of modern construction. The college consisted of a master, 7 fellowships, and about 150 undergraduates. During the war the number of undergraduates lates was reduced to a third of that figure. Among its famous alumni are John Pym, George Whitefield, Beaumont, the dramatist, and Samuel Johnson. Some memorials to Johnson have been erected, and a number of relics from his student life are there.
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Pembroke College (One of the colleges included)
one of the colleges included in Cambridge University, England. It was founded in 1347 by the widow of the earl of Pembroke. Henry VI. endowed the college with numerous gifts during the years 1440-1450. gifts The college buildings are mostly of the 18th century, although they were almost entirely rebuilt in 1874. The foundation consists of a master, and thirteen fellows, and a number of scholarships, most of which have been established after the foundation. Many noted names in English history are associated with Pembroke College, among others Spenser and Thomas Gray, the poets. The famous English martyr bishop, Ridley, and the great English statesman, William Pitt, were among the alumni. The library of the college, consisting of about 20,000 volumes, contains many interesting and valuable works. In 1913-1914 there were 293 undergraduates.
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Pembrokeshire
county of Wales, on W. coast, and Bristol Channel. Is mountainous, and traversed by River Leife; and Milford Haven is important harbor for commerce and war. Coal mines are numerous, and iron ore and lead are leading minerals. In the valleys the products are barley, wheat, and green crops. Pembroke, capital; St. Davids, seat of ancient episcopal see. Pop. 89,600.
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Pemphigus
or POMPHOLYX, a skin disease which is characterized by an eruption of large vesicles, filled with serous fluid, and known as bullæ. The disease occurs both in acute and in the chronic form. In a mild case of acute pemphigus, bullæ, or blisters, from the size of a pea to that of a chestnut, appear in succession (chiefly on the extremities), and having continued three or four days break, form a thin scab, and soon heal, unaccompanied with febrile or inflammatory symptoms. In severe cases there is considerable constitutional disturbance, the bullæ are larger, and the scabs heal with difficulty. The chronic form differs mainly from the acute by its prolonged continuance. The acute variety chiefly affects children, and has been ascribed to dentition, errors of diet, etc.; while the chronic form chiefly attacks aged persons, and is probably due to debility and impaired nutrition.
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