Plan
properly a map, representation, or delineation of a building, machine, etc., on a plane surface. More exactly, the plan of a building is a horizontal section supposed to be taken on the level of the floor through the solid walls, columns, etc., so as to show their various thicknesses and situations, the dimensions of the several spaces or rooms, the position of the doors, etc. The term is also commonly extended to a map or representation of a projected or finished work on a plane surface; as, the plan of a town, of a harbor, etc.
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Planarida
a sub-order of Turbellaria, flat, soft-bodied, hermaphrodite animals, of ovoid or elliptic form; their integument with vibratile cilia and and cells; the former used in locomotion. They have a proboscis, and two pigment spots serving for eyes. a piece of board
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Plane
in joinery, a carpenter's cutting and surface smoothing tool, of which there are many varieties, named from some peculiarity of construction or purpose. In geometry, a surface such that, if any two points be taken at pleasure and joined by a straight line, that line will lie wholly in the surface. A plane is supposed to extend indefinitely in all directions, the term is also frequently used, especially in astronomy, to denote an ideal surface supposed to cut or pass through a solid body, or in various directions; as, the plane of the ecliptic, the plane of a planet's orbit.
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Planet Deep
the deepest portion of the Pacific Ocean, situated near the Philippine Islands. It is the deepest water yet sounded anywhere, reaching 32,114 feet, or slightly over six miles. It was discovered in 1912.
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Planetary Spirits
In the theosophical scheme the number of these spirits is seven. They are emanations from the Absolute, and are the agents by which the Absolute effects all his changes in the Universe.
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Planetesimal Hypothesis
a theory advanced by Chamberlin and Moulton to explain the origin of the solar system consistently with what has more recently been discovered of the prevalent forms and forces still apparently at work in the outer universe. According to this theory the solar system was evolved from a great spiral nebula similar to the thousands upon thousands of such nebulæ that the telescope has brought to light in recent years. The elements of the nebula were fine particles of solid or liquid matter called planetesimals, out of which, as they traveled in their orbits around a central mass, were formed larger and larger aggregates of matter, namely, the future earth and other planets, while the central mass became the sun as we know it. According to this hypothesis, meteors are portions of matter still being gathered in from the original disruption of the sun or giant star out of which was formed the original nebula. Other applications of the theory have to do with the internal heat of the earth, the formation of the atmosphere, and the origin of the earth's oceans. The theory is consistent with many of the facts brought to light by geological investigations as well as with astronomical discoveries.
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Plant
MORTON F., an American financier. He was born in New Haven, Conn., in 1852, and when 16 went as clerk with an express company at Memphis, Tenn., later finding a position in railroad work. From 1884 he was connected with the Plant System of railroads, becoming vice-president. He cooperated in its merging with the Atlantic Coast Line of which he became a director, as likewise of the Chicago, Indianapolis, and Louisiana Railway. Apart from his railroad interests, he was prominent in banking affairs, and owned several yachts, in which sport he found relaxation. He died in 1918.
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Plantagenet
plan-taj'e-net. See Broom Plantain. See Banana ; Manila Plaster of Paris, a well known white, powdery cement. It is made by heating gypsum, a sort of chalky limestone, in a kiln or retort. It was made largely in the vicinity of Paris, from which circumstance the name is derived. When mixed with water it soon hardens or sets like mortar or cement, but it is as cleanly as chalk and is free from caustic properties. It expands slightly in setting, and for that reason is an excellent material for making casts and reproductions of coins, cameos, medallions and statues. It is too soft for durability, but it may be hardened by an addition of alum, borax, or alcohol to the mixture. The surface of the outer coat may be hardened by painting or by dipping in melted paraffin. The material called stucco is formed by mixing glue with the plaster. See Gypsum ; Chalk ; Lime
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Plantagenets
the surname of a line of English kings, who were of French origin on the paternal side- HENRY II. of England, the first of the line, having been the son of Geoffrey V. Duke of Anjou, and of Matilda, daughter of Henry I. The Duke of Anjou was so named because he usually wore a sprig of broom-in Latin planta genista, in French plante genêt-in his cap. Henry II. ascended the English throne in 1154, and his descendants reigned during 331 years, the last monarch of the line being RICHARD III., who fell at the battle of Bosworth, in 1485. In the 14th century the line became divided into two great rival factions, that of York Vol. VII-Cyc and of Lancaster, known as the parties of the Red and White Rose. PLANTAGINACEÆ, or PLATAG- INEÆ, ribworts; an order of perigynous exogens, alliance Cortusales. Herbaceous plants with or without a stem. Leaves flat and ribbed or taper and fleshy. Flowers in spikes, solitary. Distribution world-wide: known genera three, species over 200.
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Plantago
plantain or ribgrass; the typical genus of the order Plantaginaceæ; herbs, with bisexual flowers. Mucilaginous and astringent. Known species about 48. In India the leaves of P. major are applied to bruises. P. coronopus is diuretic. Demulcent drinks can be made from P. psyllium, P. arenaria, and P. cynops. The seeds of P. psyllium and P. ispaghula, treated with India in diarrhea, dysentery, catarrh, gonorrhea, and nephritic diseases. P. amplexicaulis is used in India in phthisis, snake poison, intermittent fever, and as an external application in ophthalmia. Soda is obtained in Egypt from P. squarrosa.
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