See Also: Physalia(medicine)
Herbal medicine (botanical medicine, herbology, phytomedicine)(health)
Medicine Lodge Memorial Hospital- Medicine Lodge(health)
Orthomolecular medicine (orthomolecular nutritional medicine, orthomolecular therapy)(health)
medicine(1)(dictionary)
medicine(2)(dictionary)
medicine(dictionary)
medicine man(encyclopedia)
medicine(encyclopedia)
medicine man(dictionary)

Physalia (medicine)


physalia
<zoology> 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