Part 169

PODOTHE´CA, n. Whole envelope of tarsus and toes. (101.)

POGO´NIUM, n.; pl. pogonia. Web or vanes of a feather. (147.) Pogonium externum, outer web (farthest from middle line of the body). Pogonium internum, inner web. See PLUMA.

POL´LEX, n. Thumb. The joint which bears the alula is so called, though it is homologous with the index or second finger. Spina pollicaris, or Tuberculum pollicare, the horny spur on the wing of some birds.

POLYG´AMOUS, a. Mating with more than one female, like the domestic cock.

POLYMOR´PHIC, n. Of many forms; consisting of, or containing, several different types of structure: as, a polymorphic group.

POLYMY´OID, a. Having numerous syringeal muscles; noting a group equivalent to Oscines.

POLYNO´MIAL, n. or a. Name of more than two words. Consisting of several words. The polynomial nomenclature is obsolete.

POLYTO´KOUS, a. Multiparous; producing many young.

PONS, n. Bridge. Certain parts of the brain.

POPLITE´AL, a. Pertaining to the back of the knee.

POR´TAL CIRCULA´TION. Passage of blood from the capillaries of one organ to those of another, as is conspicuous in certain of the digestive viscera.

POSTAX´IAL, a. Situate on the external or posterior (ulnar or fibular) side of a limb.

POSTE´RIOR PORTION. (8.) See URÆUM.

POSTERIOR TOE. (125.) The hind-toe, or that one directed backward, is generally the hallux; often also the fourth or outer; rarely the second or inner. The hallux is generally meant by posterior toe.

POSTOR´BITAL, a. Situate behind the eye.

POW´DER-DOWN FEATH´ERS, n. pl. Peculiar imperfect feathers, in a matted patch, which grow continually, and as constantly break down, with a scurfy exfoliation, and pervaded with a greasy substance; they are especially conspicuous in the heron tribe, but are also found elsewhere.

PRÆAX´IAL, a. Situate on the internal or anterior (radial or tibial) side of a limb.

PRÆCO´CES, n. pl. An obsolete group of birds, able to run about and feed themselves at birth.

PRÆCO´CIAL, n. Belonging to the Præcoces; having the nature of Præcoces.

PRÆPEC´TUS, n. Fore-breast; region of the craw. Not well distinguished from jugulum.

PREMAX´ILLARY (bone), a. The foremost and principal bone of the upper jaw. Intermaxillary is synonymous.

PREP´UCE, n. Foreskin. The homologous structure occurs in some birds. Preputial, pertaining to the foreskin.

PRESSIROS´TRAL, a. Having a bill like that of a plover. (Obsolete.)

PRESTER´NUM, n. Anterior segment of the breast-bone.

PRI´MARY, n.; pl. primaries. Any one of the (usually ten, often nine, rarely eleven) large stiff quills growing upon the pinion or hand-bone, as distinguished from the secondaries which grow upon the forearm. They form the tip of the wing, and much of its surface.

PRI´MARY WING-COVERTS, n. pl. Those overlying the bases of the primaries.

PROCE´RES or PRO´CERI, n. pl. Same as RATITÆ (which see).

PROLIG´EROUS, a. See YOLK.