Packfong or Pakfong. A Chinese name for Argentine, or German silver.

Pæan (Gr. παιάν). A hymn to Apollo, of gratitude or propitiation. It was also used as a battle-song before and after an engagement.

Pænula, R. A thick cloak with a hole to put the head through; it was furnished with a hood, and was worn in travelling, or as a protection against cold and rain.

Pagai, Hind. A kind of short double oar, with broad ends resembling small scoops.

Paganalia, Paganales, R. A rustic festival which took place yearly towards the end of January or the beginning of February, seven days after the Sementivæ. It was the festival of villages (pagi) and of villagers (pagani), whence its name. Sacrifices were offered in honour of Proserpine, goddess of vegetation. As the old religion continued to prevail in the villages long after that of Christ was established in the towns, the words pagan and unbeliever gradually became synonymous.

Paganica (sc. pila), R. A ball covered with leather and stuffed with feathers or down; it took its name from the peasants or country people (pagani), who used it for playing a game the nature of which is not known.

Pagina, R. (lit. a thing fastened). This term, when synonymous with scheda, signifies a page of paper, the page of a volume; or else it serves to denote one of the columns of writing which cover a sheet of paper.

Pagoda, Hind. (1) A religious building of the Hindoos. The great ancient pagodas of India are monolithic temples hewn out of rocky mountains; but the term is also applied to temples built in the open air. (2) Gold coins formerly current in India were called pagodas.

Pagoda-stone. A limestone containing tapering fossil shells shaped like a Chinese pagoda at the top.

Pagodite. A stone much used by the Chinese for carving into pagodas and other ornaments.

Pagus, R. Any lofty site in the country capable of being easily turned into a fortified post by means of a few siege works. The name was extended to the country surrounding a fortified village; and each of the country tribes was divided by Numa into a certain number of pagi.

Paile. An old term used to denote a striped cloth of floss silk manufactured at Alexandria in Egypt, and thence a mantle, canopy, or pavilion.

Pala, It. An altar front. The Pala d’oro of St. Mark’s, Venice, is a celebrated specimen of Byzantine art. It is of silver-gilt ornamented with gems and enamels, with Greek and Latin inscriptions in niello, and representations from sacred and profane history. It was originally made at Constantinople in 976, but has been repaired in 1105, in 1209, and in 1345, by which it has lost much of its original character.

Pala, R. A spade, or scoop in the form of a spade, and thence the bezil of a ring.

Palæstra (παλαίστρα). A place for wrestling, formerly part of the gymnasium. (See Gymnasium.)

Palanga. (See Phalangæ.) Hence:—

Palanquin. A covered conveyance for one person, carried on the shoulders of men in India and China. They are often very splendidly carved, and decorated with tapestry, ornamental woods, and inlaid-work.

Palaria, R. An exercise practised by young Roman recruits, which consisted of hurling javelins (pila) against a stake (palus) fixed in the ground. (See Pel.)

Palè, Gr. (πάλη). A Greek term having the same meaning as Lucta, Luctamen, Luctamentum (q.v.).

Pale, Her. One of the ordinaries. Palewise or In Pale, arranged vertically one above the other, as the lions of England. (See Per.)

Paleste, Gr. (παλαιστὴ, i. e. palm of the hand). A lineal measure used by the Greeks equal to the quarter of a foot, or a little more than three inches. (See Palmus.)

Palette. “Setting the palette” is arranging the colours for use. This is always done in a certain order regulated by the key in which the picture is to be painted. The order generally recommended is to begin with white, and then proceed through the yellows, reds, and blues to black. The Egyptians used palettes of a long rectangular form; one side higher than the other, had two or three saucers sunk in it to hold cakes of colour or ink; the other side was notched to receive the calami or cut reeds used as writing-pens.

Palettes or Roundels, in Armour, are round plates or shields hung on the armour to defend the joints of the arm, necessarily left free for action.

Palilia, R. A festival in honour of Pales, the goddess of shepherds and flocks; it was held on the 21st of April.

Palimpsest (παλίμ-ψηστος, lit. scraped again). A parchment the writing on which had been erased, so that it might be used again. Monumental brasses are found to have been reversed and used a second time. In both cases the most ancient writing or inscription is generally the most valuable and interesting.

Palindrome (πάλιν, again, and δρόμος, a course). A sentence which reads the same when read backwards or forwards. Such is the Greek inscription on the ancient font in the chapel of Dulwich College: “νιψονανομημαμημονανοψιν.” “Purify the heart and not the countenance alone.”

Palissy Ware. The pieces to which Palissy owes his reputation, in the first place, are the so called “rustic pottery” (rustiques figulines), “dishes or vases where upon a rough ground strewn with fossil shells, lizards and salamanders are running, frogs jumping, snakes crawling or sleeping, or more still, in a streamlet of water wriggling eels, pointed-nosed pikes, trout with spotted scales, and a thousand others of our fresh-water fishes are swimming.” When afterwards he worked in the capital, he did not give up his rustic compositions, but mixed them with the human figure. “There is an identity of style in all his figures and compositions; such as the Diana, Plenty, &c., framed round with delicate and ingenious ornaments drawn in the taste of the period.” (Jacquemart.)

Paliurus. A thorn-bush with long sharp spikes, common on the coasts of the Mediterranean, where it is called Christ’s thorn, because it is said to have furnished material of which the Crown of thorns was woven.

Palla, Gr. and R. A robe of state worn by patrician ladies, and frequently represented on statues of goddesses. Palla citharœdica was the name given to a long robe which musicians wore upon the stage; Apollo is often represented with this garment, especially when he is surnamed Citharœdus and Musagetes. Palla Gallica was a short garment like a Tabard, open in front and behind; it was worn by the Gauls and adopted by the Romans, who called it Caracalla (q.v.).

Palla Corporalis, Chr. The veil for the Pyx. (See Corporal.)

Palladium. (1) An image of Pallas Athenê, kept carefully hidden, and revered as the safeguard of the place where it lay. The most celebrated was the Palladium of Troy, said to have been thrown from Olympus by the hand of Zeus. It was about three cubits high, and represented the goddess sitting with a spear in her right hand, and in her left a distaff and spindle. (2) The term has been applied to a metal discovered by Dr. Wollaston in 1803, obtained from platinum, which it resembles in colour and lustre.

Pallium (Gr. ἱμάτιον). A large square woollen sheet or blanket worn by the Greeks over the shoulders, and fastened like the Abolla round the neck with a brooch (fibula); it formed the principal article of the amictus or Greek dress. (Hence the expression to palliate, or cloak over, an offence.) (2) Chr. A vestment bestowed by the Pope on all patriarchs and archbishops on their accession to office as the symbol of their ecclesiastical power. The material is obtained from the wool of two lambs slain on the Eve of St. Agnes. The modern pallium of the Church is a short white cloak ornamented with a red cross, which encircles the neck and shoulders, and falls down the back. The pall or pallium is a charge in the arms of the Sees of Canterbury, Armagh, and Dublin.

Pall-mall. The ancient form of the game of croquet, “wherein a round box bowle is with a mallet strucke through a high arch of yron standing at either end of an ally.” (Cotgrave.) “This game is used at the long alley near St. James’s, and vulgarly called Pell-Mell.” (Blount’s Glossary, 1681.)

Palm. The ancient classical emblem of victory and triumph was early assumed by the Christians as the universal symbol of martyrdom. In England we understand by palm, not the leaves of a palm-tree, but “the yelowe that groweth on wyllowes.”

Palm-leaf, Arch. An architectural ornament bearing more or less resemblance to a palm-leaf, employed for mouldings, and for the decoration of the corners of the ceilings in Doric cornices; and in antefixæ, as crownings for the pediment and as acroteria. Figs. 516a and 516b represent palm-leaves of terra-cotta.

Palmus, Gr. and R. A measure of length. Of the Greek palmus the greater (σπιθαμὴ) contained nine finger-breadths, and the less (παλαιστὴ) four. The greater Roman palmus contained twelve finger-breadths or about nine inches, and the less four finger-breadths. The greater palmus was taken from the length of the hand or span, the less from the breadth of it.

Palstave, Celt. A wedge-shaped axe used by the Celtic nations in war for battering the armour of the enemy. (See Fig. 255.)

Paltock (modern paletôt). “A short cloake with sleeves,” i. e. a great-coat.

Paludamentum, R. A military cloak worn over their armour by the generals and superior officers of the Roman army; an officer thus dressed was said to be paludatus. (See Fig. 44.)

Palus, R. (pango, to fix). A stake planted in the earth, against which recruits hurled their javelins (pila). The mediæval Pel (q.v.).

Pam, O. E. The knave of clubs. (Halliwell.)

Pammachium (παμμάχιον). A synonym for Pancratium (q.v.).

Panache, Her. A plume of feathers set upright and borne as a crest. Fig. 517 is from the seal of Edward Courtenay, A. D. 1400.

Panarium, R. (panis, bread). A bread-basket; a pantry in which bread was kept.

Panathenæa, Gr. (Παναθήναια). Festivals of Minerva Athenê among the Athenians, so called because they formed the festival of all the peoples placed under the protection of Minerva (πᾶν, all, and Ἀθήνη). There were the Greater and Lesser Panathenæa; the former being held every five years, the latter every three years. The procession at the Greater festival is the subject of the friezes from the Parthenon now in the British Museum. (See Elgin Marbles.) They represent the solemn transportation of the peplus of Athenê to her temple, in which nearly the whole of the population took part, on foot, on horseback, or in chariots. Old men carried olive-branches, young men attended in armour, and maidens carried baskets of flowers.

Panaulon. An enlarged German flute with sixteen finger-keys; invented recently by Trexler of Vienna. It is available as a bass to other flutes.

Pancratium, R. (from πάν every: and κράτος force). A wrestling and boxing match, in which the combatants employed every means to disable each other; and the contest was continued until one of the combatants owned himself disabled by holding up a finger, or was killed.

Paned, O. E. Striped.

Paned Hose. Breeches formed of stripes, with small panes or squares of silk or velvet. (Halliwell.)

Panegyris, Egyp. (πανήγυρις). A popular festival of Egypt, to which the whole country was summoned in order to celebrate the thirtieth anniversary of the reigning monarch.

Panels, Arch. The sunken compartments in wood and stone-work; very abundant in Gothic architecture as ornaments on walls, ceilings, &c. After the expiration of Gothic architecture, panelling in great measure ceased to be used in stone-work.

Panel Picture. A painting on a board or panel.

Panisci, R. (Πανίσκοι, dimin. from Πάν). Literally, small Pans, small rustic gods no bigger than pigmies.

Pannetier Green. A handsome and durable emerald green, prepared by a secret process by its inventor, M. Pannetier. It is sold at a high price.

Panoply (πανοπλία). A complete suit of armour. (See Armour.)

Pantables (for Pantofles). Slippers.

“Hee standeth upon his pantables, and regardeth greatly his reputacion.” (Saker’s Narbonus, 1580.)

Pantaloon. From the Italian, pianta leone (plant the lion); the Venetian standard-bearers (of the lion of St. Mark) being so called, who wore tight hose, the name came to be given to tight hose in general. In ancient pantomimes, Pantaloon was always a Venetian. (See Harlequin.)

Pantaloons, O. E. “Garments made for merry-andrews, that have the breeches and stockings of the same stuff, and joined together as one garment.” (Halliwell.)

Panthea, Gen. (πάν-θεια). Statues or figures which combine the symbols of several divinities.

Pantheon (πᾶν, every, and θεὸς, god). A temple dedicated to all the divinities collectively. That at Rome is now a Christian church. It is circular, 150 feet in height and in diameter, with a domed roof.

Pantherinæ, R. Panther-tables; of wood striped like the skin of a panther. (See Tigrinæ.)

Pantobles, Pantoffles, O. E. Slippers.

Pantofles, O. E. Slippers or wooden pattens.

Pantograph. An instrument for enlarging or reducing plans and designs, largely used in the arts, e. g. in machine embroidery.

Pantomine (παντὸς, of everything; μῖμος, mimic). Gesture and action applied, without speech, to represent emotion; hence applied to the form of theatrical performance which consists entirely or principally of gesture and action.

Paper. (See Charta.)

Papier-maché, Fr. Paper-pulp; made by compressing the pulp, or by pasting together different thicknesses of paper, to the hardness and consistency of wood. It is an invention of the 18th century, and originated in snuff-boxes called after their manufacturer “Martins.” The process has since been developed to great perfection by the invention of new varnishes and methods of ornament, the principal of which are gilding and bronzing, pearl and gem inlaying, &c. (See a paper by R. Hunt in the Art Journal, 1851.)

Papilio, R. (lit. a butterfly). A military tent, so called because the curtains opened and shut like the wings of a butterfly.

Papyrus. The paper made of the papyrus plant, used by the Egyptians and other nations of antiquity. The Papyrus rolls on which important relics of Egyptian literature and art have come down to us, were formed of a sheet of papyrus rolled on a slender wooden cylinder. They have mostly been discovered in mummy cases, and contain illustrations of funeral ceremonies and religious emblems relating to the future of the soul. Others are historical or literary, and some have been discovered containing caricatures and comic illustrations. (Cf. Liber.)

Parada, Celt. A tent or awning stretched over the deck of a vessel, and thence a cabin hung with tapestry.

Paradise or Parvise, Chr. (1) A vestibule or courtyard in front of a church. The term must thus, at a certain period, have been synonymous with narthex or porch. At the present day the term is applied to the open space to be found in front of cathedrals or public buildings. (2) The word is sometimes applied to the room that is often found above church porches. (See Cloister Garth.)

Paradisus (παράδεισος). A Persian park or pleasure-garden, enclosed within a wall, elaborately planted and irrigated, and stocked with animals for the chase. Hence the Garden of Eden was so called.

Paragauda, Paragaudis, R. An embroidered band of silk or gold thread sewn on to a tunic.

Paraison, Fr. A term in glass, equivalent to the English Metal (q.v.).

Paralus (πάραλος). The name of an Athenian state vessel, kept, like that of the Doge of Venice in modern times, for state and religious ceremonies. A sister vessel was named the Salaminia; they were both fast-sailing triremes.

Paramese, Gr. (next to middle), or Trite (third). The third treble note, immediately above the mese, of the seven-stringed lyre. (See Mese.)

Paranete, Gr. (beside the shortest). The second treble note of the seven-stringed lyre. (See Mese.)

Parapet, It. (parare petto, to defend the breast). A wall breast-high on a fortification, roof, or other gallery. (See Crenels.)

Paraphernalia (from the Greek παράφερνα). That which a wife brings besides her dower; i. e. her personal attire and ornament.

Parasang. A Persian measure of distance, about 30 Greek stadia or 3¾ English miles.

Paratorium. (See Oblationarium.)

Parazonium, R. (παραζώνιον). A short sword or kind of dagger worn by the tribunes and superior officers of the Roman army attached to their belt on the right side. This sword was shorter than the gladius worn by the common soldier on the right side.

Parchment. The finer kind of parchment known as vellum is from the skins of calves, kids, and dead-born lambs. The stout parchment of drum-heads is from the skin of the wolf, although that of the ass or calf is sometimes used. The parchment of battledores is from the skin of the ass, and that used for sieves from the skin of the he-goat. The green parchment used in bookbinding is coloured by means of Verdigris. (See Liber.) The name comes from the Latin Pergamentum. Eumenes, King of Pergamus, has the honour of the invention.

Parentales, Parentalia, R. Festivals, also called Februales, which were held by the Romans in honour of deceased ancestors.

Pargetting, Parge-work, O. E. In Architecture, an old term for the ornamental plasterwork common on the outside walls of timber-built houses of Queen Elizabeth’s and earlier periods.

Parhypate, Gr. (beside the longest). The second bass note of the seven-stringed lyre (See Mese.)

Parian Chronicle. A slab of Parian marble, among the so called Arundel Marbles in the University of Oxford, containing a chronological record of Greek history from B.C. 1582 to B.C. 264.

Parian Marble from the island of Paros was of extremely fine grain, easy to work, and of a creamy white. The marble now called Parian has a coarse sparkling grain, which, however, takes a high finish. (Redford, Ancient Sculpture.)

Paries, R. The wall of a house or any building, in contradistinction to murus, muri, which denoted the walls of a city.

Paris Black. A name for Ivory Black (q.v.).

Paris Blue. A very handsome dark violet-blue pigment. “Its great qualities of body and intensity of coloration will always ensure it a large sale; moreover, its mixture with chrome yellow produces a fine green cinnabar or leaf-green.” (Habich.)

Paris Lake. (See Carminated Lakes.)

Parlour (Lat. parlatorium). (1) The old “speke-house” in a convent for inmates to speak with their friends. (2) Any private room.

Parma, R. (πάρμη). A shield, usually of circular form, carried in the Roman army by the light-armed troops or light infantry (velites) and the cavalry (equites). The parma thracidica used by the class of gladiators called Thraces was not round, but in the form of a small Scutum (q.v.).

Parquet. French flooring of inlaid wood-work.

Parsley, Arch. In every period, but especially in Romano-Byzantine and Gothic art, parsley-leaves have been abundantly made use of in architectural decoration.

Parthenon. The famous temple of Minerva in the Acropolis at Athens. The finest example of the Grecian Doric style of architecture; built by Pheidias, 454–438 B.C. Fergusson says, “For beauty of detail, and for the exquisite perception of the highest and most recondite principles of art ever applied to architecture, it stands utterly and entirely alone and unrivalled—the glory of Greece.” (Hist. of Architecture.) The celebrated frieze, 525 feet in length, ran all round the outer wall of the cella close up to the ceiling. The best work on the Parthenon sculptures is by Michaelis (Der Parthenon, Leipzig, 1871). (See Elgin Marbles.)

Partisan, O. E. A kind of short pike, introduced temp. Edward III.

Partlet, O. E. A ruff. “A maydens neckerchefe or lynnen partlette.”

Party, Parted, Her. Divided. (See Per.)

Parvise. (See Paradise.)

Paschal Taper, Chr. A large wax candle which was consecrated during the service on Easter Eve, and lighted on Sundays from Easter to Whitsuntide, with five grains of incense attached to it to indicate the five movable feasts of the year.

Pasquinade, It. A lampoon; so called from Pasquino, an Italian barber at Rome, whose door was opposite to the statue of a gladiator on which such satirical writings were posted.

Passamen, O. E. A kind of lace. (Hall.)

Passant, Her. Walking and looking forward. Passant guardant, walking and looking out from the shield; passant reguardant, walking and looking back; passant repassant, walking in opposite directions. (Fig. 518, 519.)

Passe-partout, Fr. A light picture-frame of cardboard, having the inner edges generally gilt.

Passementerie, Fr. Trimming, lace, or tape of gold, silver, lace, or thread.

Passion, Instruments of the—a frequent subject in ecclesiastical decoration of the Middle Ages—are, the Pitcher from which Jesus poured water; the Towel—represented as hanging on a ring—wherewith He wiped the Apostles’ feet; the Two Swords which they showed Him, when He said, “It is enough;” the Ear of Malchus; St. Peter’s Sword, represented as a small falchion; the Post to which the Saviour was bound; the Scourge; the Crown of Thorns; the Reed wherewith He was smitten on the head; the Cross; the Ladder; the Nails; the Spear of Longinus, crossed by the Reed with the Sponge; the Fire at which St. Peter warmed himself; the Cock; the Pincers, and a Heart pierced with five wounds.

Passus, R. A pace, from the point where the heel leaves the ground, to where the same heel is set down; five Roman feet. Mille passuum, or a thousand such paces, formed the Roman mile.

Pasta Verde, It. Sap-green; a vegetable green pigment prepared from the berries of the buckthorn.

Pastel. The French name for coloured crayons. Pastel-painting was much used for portraits in the beginning of the 19th century.

Pasticcio, It. An imitation of the style of another painter in an independent design.

Pastophori, Gr. and Egyp. (παστο-φόροι). Priests who, at certain ceremonies, carried small shrines (ναὸς) containing the image of a deity, which were hidden from the eyes of the crowd by a veil of different colours called παστὸς, whence παστὸν φέρειν (to carry the pastos), the term applied to the priests who performed this duty. The keepers of the temple were also so called.

Pastophoria, Chr. Small apses flanking the principal apse in a basilica, in which the consecrated bread was kept.

Pastoral Staff, Chr. The pedum of antiquity and emblem of a bishop’s pastoral responsibility is distinct from the Crozier (q.v.) of an archbishop, and has a crook head.

Pastouraux, Cubical stones, usually of two colours, applied in the ornamentation of Romano-Byzantine architecture.

Patagium, R. A band of purple, or with gold ornaments or embroidery, which was placed round the neck and down the front of a woman’s tunic (tunica muliebris).

Patee or Pattee, Her. A small cross with the arms widening towards the ends.

Patella. Diminutive of Patera (q.v.).

Patena, R. and Chr. A manger of wood, stone, or marble for holding food for horses; when it was divided into several compartments, these were called loculi. (See Loculus.) In Christian archæology, patena was the term applied to a small plate of gold or silver, used in the celebration of mass to cover over the chalice, and to hold the pieces of the host after it has been broken by the priest.

Patent Yellow. (See Turner’s Yellow.)

Patera, dimin. Patella (φιάλη). Flat plates or dishes for holding fluids for domestic use, and wine for libations in the sacrifices. The common kinds were of red earthenware, ornamented with designs in black. Others were of bronze or silver, often richly decorated with chasing, &c. (Compare Patina.) In Architecture, a great variety of flat ornaments used in all styles of architecture are improperly called pateræ, the word applying properly to circular ornaments resembling the classical dish often found on friezes of classical architecture. (Fig. 521, 522.)

Paternosters or Bead-ornament. (1) A rosary. (2) Architectural ornaments in the form of berries or beads (Fig. 523), which decorate bands or other mouldings, and which often occur above ovolos.

Patibulum, R. An instrument of punishment in the form of a fork (furca), between the prongs of which the criminal’s neck was placed. His hands were fastened to the prongs of the fork, and in this condition (patibulatus) he was flogged through the city. The name of patibulum, or crux patibularia, was also given to a cross to which criminals were nailed.

Patina. The rust of antiquity found on bronzes and coins; it cannot be removed by rubbing or wetting it. It varies with the nature of the soil, and in some cases the surface acquires the smoothness and colour of malachite.

Patina, R. An earthenware vessel, used generally for cookery. It was deeper than the patera, but less deep than the olla.

Patonce, Her. A variety of the heraldic cross.

Patriarchal, Her. A variety of the heraldic cross, with a short cross-bar on the upper limb.

Patrick, Order of St., indicated by the letters K.P., was instituted by George III. in 1783. The badge or jewel is of gold enamelled and oval in form, and is worn suspended from a collar formed of alternate roses and harps, or from a broad sky-blue ribbon.

Patten, Fr. (1) A woman’s clog. (2) The base of a column.

Patulous. Spreading.

Paul Veronese Green. An arsenite or arseniate of copper. A fine and durable colour, used either for oil or water-colour painting. (See Emerald Green.)

Pavilion, Arch. A projecting apartment, usually with a dome or turret.

Pavimentum, R. A pavement formed by means of pieces of tile, crushed stones, flints, and other materials set in a bed of ashes or cement, and consolidated by beating down with the rammer (pavicula), whence its name of pavimentum. There were various kinds of pavimenta: the sectile (Figs. 525, 526), the tessellatum or tesseris structum, the vermiculatum, the sculpturatum, and the testaceum, &c.

Pavo. (See Peacock.)

Pavonaceum (sc. opus), R. An arrangement of materials placed so as to overlap one another, and bearing more or less resemblance to the feathers in a peacock’s tail.

Pavonine. Coloured like a peacock’s tail.

Pax, Paxboard, Chr. A representation of the Crucifixion upon a piece of wood or metal, with a handle at the back. It was kissed by the priest in the mass at the words “Pax Domini sit semper vobiscum,” and afterwards passed round to be kissed by the congregation. It was also spelt Paxbrede. Also called Osculatorium.

Peach-stone Black, prepared from calcined stones of fruits, is a handsome colour, but has a reddish tinge. Ground with oil and white lead, the colour called old gray is obtained.

Peacock, R. and Chr. In antiquity the peacock was sacred to Juno, and is called Junonia avis. It is represented on Roman imperial coins bearing the empresses up to heaven, as the eagle does the emperors; and hence in Christian archæology is the symbol of the resurrection. (Her., see Fig. 398, In Pride.)

Pea-green. (See Chrysocolla.)

Pean, Her. One of the furs; represented in gold spots on a black ground.

Pean or Pæan. A song or shout of triumph.

Pearl. A secretion of the mollusc; in its normal development a thickening of the shell, which supplies mother-of-pearl; abnormally, forming globules for the purpose of encysting foreign substances intruded within the shell, which are the precious pearls used in jewellery.

Pearl, in Chinese the emblem of talent, is put by the Chinese on porcelains destined for rewards of poets and other laureati in China.

Pebble. A name given by lapidaries to many different stones.

Pechblende or Pech-urane, Germ. An ore of uranium and iron, used in porcelain painting and glass, producing a handsome greenish-yellow pigment.

Pecten, Egyp. and R. (pecto, to comb). (1) A comb for the hair; among the Egyptians and Romans they were made of box-wood or ivory. (See Comb.) (2) A weaver’s comb for pressing the threads of the web firmly together. (3) A comb for carding flax or wool. (4) A reaper’s “comb,” used in several countries, especially Gaul, instead of a sickle, for plucking the ears of wheat from the stalk. (5) A haymaker’s rake, &c.

Pectinated. Having teeth like a comb.

Pectoral, Gen. (pectus, the breast). A plate forming the front of a cuirass, and thus covering the chest.

Peculium, R. Property or earnings which a slave or a filius familias was permitted to acquire and consider as his own, although in strict law it belonged to the master or father. The slave was sometimes allowed by agreement to use this peculium for the purpose of purchasing his liberty.

Pecunia, R. Money; so called from pecus, a herd of cattle, Man’s primitive medium of exchange.

Pedal. In Music, a passage where the harmony moves upon a sustained sound, which is either the dominant or the tonic of the key.

Pede-cloth, Chr. A carpet laid on the space between the altar and the rails.

Pedestal, Gen. The base of a structure; the base supporting a statue, group, or monumental column. A pedestal has three parts: the base or foot next the ground, the dado or die forming the centre, and the cornice or surbase mouldings at the top. Fig. 527 represents a half-section of the base of Trajan’s column at Rome; Fig. 528 a half-section of the base of the column dedicated to Antoninus Pius, and preserved in the Pio Clementino Museum at Rome; lastly, Fig. 529 gives a part of the pedestal or base of the Pandrosium at Athens; when, however, pedestals support caryatides or columns, they are more commonly called Stylobates (q.v.).

Pedica, R. (1) A snare by which an animal is caught by the foot (pes). (2) Fetters or irons worn on the feet by slaves.

Pediculated, Arch. Sustained or supported by a Pedicule (q.v.).

Pedicule, Arch. A small pillar which serves as a support to anything; whence the expressions monopediculated (with a single pedicule) (Fig. 387), and polypediculated (with several pedicules).

Pediluvium. (See Ablutions.)

Pediment, Arch. The triangular crowning of a portico, usually supported by a row of columns. (Fig. 26.) The temples of antiquity generally had two pediments, one on each face. The inner part of the pediment is called the Tympanum (q.v.).

Pedum, Gen. (pes, a foot). A shepherd’s crook, or curved stick for catching goats or sheep by the leg. Fauns and satyrs are often represented carrying the pastoral crook, and it is the attribute of Thalia, as the muse of pastoral poetry. (See under Peplum.) In Egyptian archæology it is a symbol of authority, and is frequently to be seen in the hands of Osiris and the Pharaohs; the Egyptian term for it is hyq. (Cf. Hycsos.) In early Christian art it is an attribute of Our Lord as the Good Shepherd. Representations of the pedum are of frequent occurrence in the catacomb paintings. (See Pastoral Staff.)