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physaliamore about physalia

physalia


  2  definitions  found 
 
  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  1.6  [wn]: 
 
  Physalia 
  n  :  Portuguese  man-of-war  [syn:  {Physalia},  {genus  Physalia}] 




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