P.
Pelargonium, n. From a Greek word meaning “a stork”; a member of the Geranium Family, so called because of the beaked seed-pods.
Petal, n. From a Greek word meaning “a leaf”; one of the leaves of a corolla.
Phosphorus, n. From a Greek word meaning “Lucifer, the morning star”; a solid substance which is luminous in the dark. It is found in composition in the bodies of animals and plants.
Pioneer, n. L. pes, a foot; in military terms, one of a company of foot soldiers who march before an army with implements to clear the way. Hence, whoever or whatever leads or prepares the way for others coming after.
Pistil, n. L. pistillum, a pestle; the seed-bearing organ of a flower, composed generally of three parts, ovary, style, and stigma, and called pistil because of its shape, which often resembles a pestle.
Plant cells, n. The cells of which plants are built up.
Pollen, n. L. pollen, fine flour; the dust or grains of fertilizing material found in the anthers of flowers.
Pollen cells, n. The grains of pollen; each grain is a separate cell.
Polypetalous, a. From two Greek words meaning “many” and “leaf.” Said of a flower having two or more separate petals.
Potash, n. A combination of potassium, carbon, and oxygen. Potash in various forms is found in all plants.
Potassium, n. A substance found in combination with other things in the earth’s crust, and in the form of potash, an important factor in the substance of plants and animals.
Potato, n. One of the edible tubers of the potato plant. The potato is a swollen underground stem, the eyes being the nodes. The potato contains a large amount of starch and is a valuable food. The potato plant is a native of the Andes. It was taken to England from Virginia in 1856.
Prickles, n. A.-S. prica, a sharp point; small, sharp-pointed growths from the bark of plants.
Primitive, a. L. primus, first; pertaining to the beginning or origin of a thing. In botany, beginning to take form, applied to an organ or structure that is just beginning to assume form.
Primus, n. L. primus, first; a name given in this book to a suppositional plant.
Probing, n. L. probare, to test, examine; examining by means of a long, pointed instrument or probe. The bee or butterfly probes for nectar with its long tongue.
Protean, a. Pertaining to Proteus; readily assuming different shapes.
Proteus, n. In classical mythology, a sea god who had the power of assuming different shapes. He could become a serpent or a cloud or a bull or anything he chose to become.
Protoplasm, n. From two words meaning “first” and “form.” A substance resembling the white of an egg in appearance, composed of carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, sulphur, and phosphorus. It is the foundation of all living forms.
Protoplasmic, a. Consisting of protoplasm.