Hypertext Webster Gateway: "Physalia"

From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)

Physalia \Phy*sa"li*a\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. ? a bladder, fr. ? a
bellows.] (Zo["o]l.)
A genus of large oceanic Siphonophora which includes the
Portuguese man-of-war.

Note: 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
colored, 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 colors,
graceful motions, and its ability to sail to windward.

From WordNet (r) 1.7 (wn)

Physalia
n : Portuguese man-of-war [syn: {Physalia}, {genus Physalia}]


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