Lexic.us

Definition of Physalia

1. Noun. Portuguese man-of-war.

Definition of Physalia

1. n. A genus of large oceanic Siphonophora which includes the Portuguese man-of- war.

Definition of Physalia

1. a marine organism [n -S]

Medical Definition of Physalia

1. A genus of large oceanic Siphonophora which includes the Portuguese man-of-war. It has a large air sac, or float, with a sail-like crest on its upper side. Numerous zooids of different kinds are attached to the under side of the float. Some of the zooids have very long tentacles; some have a mouth and digest food; others produce gonophores. The American species (Physalia arethusa) is brilliantly coloured, the float being pink or purple, and bright blue; the zooids blue. It is noted for its virulent stinging powers, as well as for its beautiful colours, graceful motions, and its ability to sail to windward. Origin: NL, fr. Gr. A bladder, fr. A bellows. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998)

Lexicographical Neighbors of Physalia

Literary usage of Physalia

Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:

1. Seaside Studies in Natural History by Elizabeth Cabot Cary Agassiz, Alexander Agassiz (1871)
"(physalia Arethusa TIL.) Fig. 117. Among the most beautiful of the Sipho- ... The physalia properly belongs to tropical waters, but sometimes floats ..."

2. Annals and Magazine of Natural History by William Jardine (1869)
"On physalia and certain Scombroid (?) Fish which are frequently associated with it in Tropical and Subtropical Seas. By GC WALLICH, MD, ..."

3. The Scientific Memoirs of Thomas Henry Huxley by Thomas Henry Huxley, Michael Foster (1898)
"XXXVI MEMOIR ON physalia Linn. Soc. Prac., r.'/. //'., 1855,^. 3-5 THE specimens of physalia on which Mr. Huxley's observations were made, were collected on ..."

4. The Encyclopedia of Pure Materia Medica: A Record of the Positive Effects of by Timothy Field Allen (1878)
"The patient was gradually cured by electricity. physalia pelagica. physalia. Animal kingdom ; sub-kingdom, Coelenterata. C/fl*6, Hydrozoa. ..."

5. On Molecular and Microscopic Science by Mary Somerville (1869)
"The physalia. delicate pale green colour, passing gradually into dark indigo blue on the under-surface ; the ridge of the crest is tipped with dark crimson, ..."

6. The Edinburgh Journal of Science by David Brewster (1825)
"St. physalia Arethusa.—Vr Eichwald has published some very interesting observations on this species. The body is an oblong bag, the upper part of which is ..."

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