# Animals And Plants (O-Q)

Oak
The oak is a tree of the family fagaceae.

Oarfish
The oarfish are any of a family Regalecidae of deep-sea bony fishes, found in warm parts of the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian oceans. Oarfish are large, up to 9m long, elongated, and compressed, with a fin along the back and a manelike crest behind the head. They have a small mouth, no teeth or scales, and large eyes. They are often reported as sea serpents.

Obelia
Obelia is a member of the order of calyptoblastea.

Ocelot
The ocelot is a wild cat found in central and south America.

Ochro
see "Abelmoschus"

Octobothrium
Octobothrium is a member of the order monogenea.

Octopus
The octopus is a cephalopod with eight arms.

OEnanthe
see "Water-dropwort"

Oesophagus
The oesophagus is the region of the alimentary canal following the pharynx. The walls of the oesophagus are muscular and force food along by contractions.

Oidium albicans
Oidium albicans is a parasitic fungus that causes thrush.

Okapi
The okapi (Okapia johnstoni) is a ruminant of the giraffe family, although with much shorter legs and neck, found in the tropical rainforests of central Africa. Purplish brown with a creamy face and black and white stripes on the legs and hindquarters, it is excellently camouflaged. Okapis have remained virtually unchanged for millions of years.

Okra
see "Abelmoschus"

Okro
see "Abelmoschus"

Oleaceae
Oleaceae is a natural order of monopetalous exogenous plants. They are shrubs or trees with opposite, simple or compound leaves and small flowers.

Oleander
Oleander (Nerium oleander) is a poisonous shrub of the dogbane family native to southern Europe and Asia. It has evergreen leaves and showy clusters of pink, red or white flowers.

Oleaster
Oleaster is a group of hardy, deciduous and evergreen shrubs. They were introduced into Britain in 1633 from China and Japan, and the deciduous variety from America.

Oligochaeta
The oligochaeta are the earthworm class of annelids, although some are freshwater rather than terrestial. They lay eggs in cocoons.

Oligotricha
Oligotricha is an order of ciliata vera. They are free-living, parasitic ciliates with the cilia restricted to certain areas of the cell-body.

Olive
The olive is an evergreen tree native to Asia.

Olm
The olm is a cave-dwelling aquatic salamander, the only European member of the family Proteidae, the other members being the North American mudpuppies. Olms are found in underground caves along the Adriatic seaboard in Italy, Croatia, and Yugoslavia. The adult is permanently larval in form, about 25cm long, almost blind, with external gills and under-developed limbs.

Ombu
The ombu (Phytolacca dioica) is a South American tree with a thick trunk and evergreen leaves.

Omnivore
An omnivore is an animal that eats both plant and animal matter.

Oncidium
Oncidium is a genus of tropical American orchid, the ''dancing lady orchid''.

Onion
The onion (Allium cepa) is a perennial herb of the order Liliaceae. It has an edible brown bulb which is much used in cooking and has been for thousands of years.

Ononis spinosa
see "Rest-harrow"

Onychophora
Onychophora is a terrestial class of arthropod. They have a thin cuticle. The head is composed of three segments with one pair of jaws.

Oorial
see "Urial"

Opah
The opah (Lampris regius) is a large soft-finned deep-sea teleost fish of the family Lampridae, found in the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans and the Mediterranean Sea. It has a deep, brilliantly coloured body. family Lampridae. It is also known as the Moonfish or kingfish.

Opalina
Opalina is a member of the order of holotricha.

Ophidia
The ophidia are a suborder of squamata. These are the snakes. They are long and slender due to an elongation of the body. Limbs are absent, and limb girdle traces are usually absent. The mouth is very extensible.

Ophiothrix
Ophiothrix is an ophiuroidea.

Ophiura
Ophiura is an ophiuroidea.

Ophiuroidea
The ophiuroidea are a subclass of stelleroidea. They are the brittle stars. They have a flattened body clearly marked into two regions; the disc and the arms. Tube feet extend from the under surface of the arms, but the groove is closed to form a tube. Locomotion is chiefly by muscular movement of the arms assisted by the feet.

Opossum
The opossum (Didelphis virginiana) is a prehensile-tailed marsupial found in east North America. It is noted for feigning death when it feels threatened.

Opuntia
see "Prickly Pear"

Orang utan
The orang utan is an anthropoid ape found in borneo and sumatra.

Orange
The orange is a globose, reddish-yellow bitter or sweet edible citrus fruit of the orange tree (Citrus aurantium).

Orangutan
The orangutan (Pongo pygmaeus) is a large, long-armed anthropoid ape inhabiting the forests of Borneo and Sumatra. The name means ''man of the forest'' in Malay.

Orchid
Orchid is the popular name for any plant of the family Orchidaceae. They are found in temperate and tropical regions and have showy flowers.

Orfe
The orfe is a fish of the carp family.

Oribi
The oribi are a few species of small fawn-coloured African antelopes with short, spike-like horns and standing about 60 cm tall.

Ormer
see "Abalone"

Ortolan
The ortolan is a songbird of the bunting family, common in Europe and west Asia, migrating to Africa in the winter. Long considered a delicacy among gourmets, it has become rare and is now a protected species.

Oryx
The oryx is a large antelope found in African deserts. They are about the size of donkeys, and both sexes carry long horns which are slightly curved in the Sudan oryx, and straight in the other species.

Oryza sativa
see "Rice"

Osiers
Osiers is a species of willow grown for basket-making.

Osprey
The osprey (Pandion haliaetus), also known as the fish hawk, is a large hawk and only member of the family Pandionidae. Unlike those of the other raptors, the anterior and hind toes are the same length, the outer toe being reversible like that of an owl, which is of great advantage in grasping prey. It seeks its prey by circling above the water and on sighting it hovers a moment before plunging down after it. The mainstay of its diet is fish, though it also eats other food.

Osteichthyes
Osteichthyes is a subclass of fishes. These are the bony fishes. The endoskeleton is of bone. The exoskeleton is comprised of bony scales. The mouth is terminal and the external nostrils lie on the dorsal surface of the snout.

Ostracoda
Ostracoda is a subclass of small crustaceans with a bivalved carapace and reduced trunk and abdominal limbs.

Ostrich
The ostrich is a member of the order Struthioniformes. It is the largest bird in existence. It has rudimentary wings and is incapable of flight. It has strong legs and can run fast for long distances.

Otter
Otter is a popular name for any of several species of aquatic, furry, weasel-like carnivorous mammals of the genus Lutra. They have webbed feet and a long slightly flattened tail.

Ousel
Ousel was an ancient name for the blackbird, it is now the name of several birds found in Europe and the Americas.

Ovaries
see "ovary"

Ovary
The ovary is a female gonad.

Oven-bird
The oven-bird is a small, South American insectivorous bird so called from its nest which is made of mud and straw in any exposed location and completely closed except for a small entrance which leads into a passage half separated by a partition from the main chamber where the eggs are laid.

Ovibos moschatus
see "Musk-ox"

Ovis
see "Sheep"

Ovis cervina
see "Bighorn"

Ovis musimon
see "Moufflon"

Ovis Vignei
see "Urial"

Owl
The owl is a nocturnal bird of prey of the order Strigiformes, sub-order Striges.

Ox
The ox is a genus of ruminant mammal.

Oxpecker
The oxpecker is an African bird, of the genus Buphagus, of the starling family. It clambers about the bodies of large mammals, feeding on ticks and other parasites. It may help to warn the host of approaching dangers.

Oyster
The oyster is a bivalve mollusc constituting the Ostreidae, or true oyster, family, having the upper valve flat, the lower concave, hinged by an elastic ligament. The mantle, lying against the shell, protects the inner body, which includes respiratory, digestive, and reproductive organs. Oysters commonly change their sex annually or more frequently; females may discharge up to a million eggs during a spawning period.

Oyster catcher
The oyster catcher is a chunky shorebird of the family Haematopodidae, with a laterally flattened, heavy bill that can pry open mollusc shells. The black and white American oyster catcher Haematopus palliatus is found on the Atlantic and south Pacific coasts.

Oyster plant
see "Salsify"

Paca
The paca is a large, nocturnal, burrowing rodent found in central America.

Pachycephalosaurus
Pachycephalosaurus was a herd living dinosaur with a 25cm thick bone on top of its skull which could have been used for defence against predators. It lived during the cretaceous period.

Pacific Loon
The Pacific Loon (Gavia pacifica) is an American wetland bird of the order Gaviiformes, family Gaviidae. It swims low in the water has a greyish colour above, lighter below with a slender and straight bill which may be tilted up at a slight angle. It is a fairly common winter visitor along the California coast.

Paco
see "Alpaca"

Pagan
see "West African Dwarf"

Paguridae
see "Hermit-crab"

Paigle
see "Cowslip"

Painted Lady
The Painted Lady (Vanessa Cardui) is a British butterfly.

Paisley Terrier
The Paisley terrier (Clydesdale terrier) is a breed of dog introduced into England around 1880. It is a similar shape to the Skye Terrier, but the coat is silky in texture and the colouring a glossy blue on the back, with tan legs and face markings.

Palaeonisciformes
The palaeonisciformes is an order of actinopterygii. They are carnivorous and have a single large dorsal fin.

Palamedea
Palamedea is a genus of South American birds.

Paliurus
Paliurus is a genus of deciduous shrubs which are natives to southern Europe and Asia Minor belonging to the natural order Rhamnaceae.

Pallah
The pallah (Aepyceros melampus) is a species of South African antelope.

Pallas cat
The Pallas cat (Felis manul, manul, steppe cat) is an Asian wild cat living in rocky areas from the eastern border of the Caspian Sea to Tibet and Mongolia. It is about the size of domestic cat with soft, long, and thick fur which is whitish grey or light yellowish with black spots on the crown and black stripes on the rump. It eats small mammals and birds.

Palm
A palm is a tree of the palmaceae family. They are found mainly in tropical countries. They usually have a an upright, unbranched stem and a head of large fan-shaped leaves.

Palm-kale
Palm-kale is a variety of cabbage which grows to around 3-4 meters tall.

Palmaceae
see "Palm"

Palmelleae
Palmelleae is a natural order of green-spored algae, amongst the lowest of plants and including the red snow and gory dew.

Palmer Worm
Palmer Worm is a popular name for the hairy caterpillar of the tiger-moth.

Palmyra Palm
The Palmyra Palm (Borassus flabelliformis) is the common Indian palm, a tree found in the Middle East and India. When fully grown it reaches a height of 20 meters.

Pampas Hare
see "Viscacha"

Panda
The panda is one of two carnivores of different families, native to north west China and Tibet. The giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) has black-and-white fur with black eye patches and feeds mainly on bamboo shoots, consuming about 8 kg of bamboo per day. It can grow up to 1.5m long, and weigh up to 140kg. The lesser, or red, panda (Ailurus fulgens) is of the raccoon family, and is about 50cm long and is coloured black and chestnut, with a long tail.

Pangolin
The pangolin or scaly anteater is a large mammal of the genus Manis, order Pholidota found in tropical Asia and Africa.

Pansy
The pansy is a perennial garden flower.

Papaver
see "Poppy"

Papio maimon
see "Mandrill"

Papyrus
Papyrus (Cyperus papyrus) is a tall aquatic plant of the sedge family native to the Nile valley in Egypt.

Parakeet
The parakeet is any of numerous small, slender parrots, usually having a long, pointed graduated tail. They are noted for their ability to mimic speech.

Paramecium
Paramecium is a member of the order holotricha. It is a simple single cell animal common in fresh water where there are decaying vegetable remains.

Paridae
Paridae is the tit (titmice) family of minute perching birds. They are small, very active and have a short, sharp beak.

Parnassia palustris
see "Grass of Parnassus"

Parr
A parr is a young salmon with transverse bands living in a river and under two years old.

Parrot
Parrot refers to any bird of the order Psittaciformes, abundant in the tropics, especially in Australia and South America. They are mainly vegetarian, and range in size from the 8.5cm pygmy parrot to the 100cm Amazon parrot. The smaller species are commonly referred to as parakeets. The plumage is often very colorful, and the call is usually a harsh screech. Parrots all have hooked bills and feet adapted for tree climbing.

Parsley
Parsley is a biennial herb.

Parsnip
The parsnip is a biennial umbelliferae.

Partridge
The partridge is any of various medium-sized ground-dwelling fowl of the family Phasianidae, which also includes pheasants, quail, and chickens. Partridges are Old World birds, some of which have become naturalised in North America, especially the European grey partridge (Perdix perdix), with mottled brown back, grey speckled breast, and patches of chestnut on the sides.

Parus ater
see "Coal-tit"

Passion flower
The Passion flower is a chiefly American climbing vine or shrub of the genus Passiflora. They have showy flowers and a pulpy fruit which in some species is edible.

Passion fruit
Passion fruit is the name given to the edible fruit of the Passion flower.

Patagonian cavies
see "Mara"

Patience Dock
see "Bistort"

Pea
The pea is a climbing plant of the family leguminosae.

Pea Crab
The Pea Crab is a small crab of the order Decapoda that lives inside marine bivalve molluscs, such as mussels and oysters, usually in shallow waters. It is pale in colour and the last pair of legs are armed with hooks for holding onto its host.

Peach
The peach is a tree of the family rosaceae.

Peacock
A peacock is technically the male of any of various large pheasants. The name is most often used for the common peacock (Pavo cristatus), a bird of the pheasant family, native to southern Asia. It is rather larger than a pheasant. The male has a large fan-shaped tail, brightly colored with blue, green, and purple ''eyes'' on a chestnut background. The female (peahen) is brown with a small tail.

Peacock Butterfly
The Peacock Butterfly is a medium-sized butterfly of the family Nymphalidae with a prominent eyespot on each reddish-brown wing. The caterpillars feed on stinging nettles.

Peacock Butterfly
The Peacock butterfly (Vanessa Io) is a British butterfly.

Peanut
The peanut (ground-nut, Arachis hypogoea) is a leguminous annual plant with a hairy stem and abruptly pinnate leaflets. The nut is situated at the end of a stalk of some length, and is ripened under ground, this stalk having the peculiarity of flowering and then bending down and pushing the fruit into the earth. Peanuts are extensively cultivated in tropical countries.

Peanut Worm
The Peanut Worm is an unsegmented marine worm of about 320 species that lives in burrows in sediment, in calcareous rock or in coral. The body is usually divided into a stout trunk and a slender, retractable proboscis, encircled by tentacles.

Pear
The pear (Pyrus communis) is a decidious, usually thorny tree of the family rosaceae, genus Pyrus. It is native to Europe and Asia. The leaves are narrowly lance-shaped to broadly oval. The flowers are white or pinkish, in flat-topped clusters, appearing before or with the leaves. The fruit has a characteristic gritty texture caused by the presence of stone-cells in the flesh of the fruit.

Pearlfish
The Pearlfish is an elongate and very slender fish of the family Carapidae, widespread in tropical and warm temperate seas where it lives inside sea cucumbers, sea urchins and other marine invertebrates. It grows to about 30 cm long and has a pointed tail and no pelvics.

Pecan
The pecan is a nut producing tree.

Peccary
The peccary is one of two species of the New World genus Tayassu of piglike hoofed mammals. A peccary has a gland in the middle of the back which secretes a strong-smelling substance. Peccaries are blackish in colour, covered with bristles, and have tusks that point downward. Adults reach a height of 40cm and a weight of 25kg.

Pedicellina
Pedicellina is an entoprocta.

Pekan
see "Fisher"

Pekingese
The pekingese is a breed of small long-haired dog first bred at the Chinese court as the ''imperial lion dog''. It has a flat skull and flat face, is typically less than 25cm tall, and weighs less than 5kg. The first specimens brought to the West were those taken during the Opium Wars when the Summer Palace in Beijing was looted in 1860.

Pelecaniformes
The Pelecaniformes are an order of birds. These are the pelicans. There are six distinct families. The foot is comprised of 4 toes connected by webs.

Pelican
The pelican is any of a family (Pelecanidae) of large, heavy water birds remarkable for the pouch beneath the bill which is used as a fishing net and temporary store for catches of fish. Some species grow up to 1.8m and have wingspans of 3 meters.

Pellitory-of-the-wall
Pellitory-of-the-wall or Lichwort (Parietaria officinalis) is a humble, inconspicuous plant of the natural order Urticaceae, belonging to the same group as the Stinging Nettle and the Hop. It is the only representative of its genus in Britain. The name of this genus, Parietaria, is derived from the Latin word panes (a wall), for it is very commonly found growing from crannies in dry walls, as its popular English name also tells us, and will frequently luxuriate in the midst of stony rubbish. It is a much-branched, bushy, herbaceous, perennial plant, one to two feet high, with reddish, brittle stems and narrow, stalked leaves one to two inches long. The stems and veins of the under surface of the leaves are furnished with short, soft hairs, the upper surface of the leaves is nearly smooth, with sunken veins. The small, green stalkless flowers grow in clusters in the axils of the leaves and are in bloom all the summer. The filaments of their stamens are curiously jointed and so elastic that if touched before the expansion of the flower, they suddenly spring from their incurved position and scatter their pollen broadcast.

Pelona
see "Africana"

Penguin
Penguins are any of an order (Sphenisciformes) of marine flightless birds, mostly black and white, found in the southern hemisphere. They range in size from 40cm to 1.2m tall, and have thick feathers to protect them from the intense cold. They are awkward on land, but their wings have evolved into flippers, making them excellent swimmers. Penguins congregate to breed in ''rookeries'', and often spend many months incubating their eggs while their mates are out at sea feeding.

Penguins
see "Penguin"

Penicillin
Penicillin is an antibiotic fungus.

Pennatula
Pennatula is a member of the order alcyonaria.

Pentadesma butyracea
see "Tallow Tree"

Pepper
Pepper is a plant of the genus capsicum.

Peppermint
Peppermint is a perennial herb.

Perch
The perch is any of the largest order of spiny-finned bony fishes, the Perciformes, with some 8,000 species. This order includes the sea basses, cichlids, damselfishes, mullets, barracudas, wrasses, and gobies. Perches of the freshwater genus Perca are found in Europe, Asia, and North America. They have varied shapes and are usually a greenish color. They are very prolific, spawning when about three years old, and have voracious appetites.

Percheron
The percheron is a breed of strong and swift horse originaly bred in the Le Perche district of north France.

Perennial
A perennial plant is one that lives for more than 2 years.

Perissodactyla
Perissodactyla is an order of eutheria. They are odd toed ungulates. Horses, tapirs and rhinoceroses. They eat vegetables and have a large caecum. The Stomach is simple.

Peritricha
Peritricha is an order of ciliata vera. They have a cone-shaped cell-body on a highly contractile stalk and a spiral of cilia leading to the cytostome.

Periwinkle
In zoology, the periwinkle is any marine snail of the family Littorinidae, found on the shores of Europe and eastern North America. Periwinkles have a conical spiral shell, and feed on algae.

Petrel
The petrel is any of various families of seabirds, including the worldwide storm petrels (family Procellariidae), which include the smallest seabirds, and the diving petrels (family Pelecanoididae) of the southern hemisphere, which feed by diving underwater and are characterized by having nostril tubes. They include fulmars and shearwaters.

Pezophaps solitaria
see "Solitaire"

Phacochoerus
see "Wart hog"

Phaethontidae
The Phaethontidae is a family of the Pelecaniformes. These are the tropicbirds. They are the smallest member of the order. There are 3 species. They are about 2 feet long. They have 2 long central tail feathers.

Phalarope
Phalarope is any of a genus Phalaropus of small, elegant shorebirds in the sandpiper family (Scolopacidae). They have the habit of spinning in the water to stir up insect larvae. They are native to North America, Britain, and the polar regions of Europe. The male phalarope is courted by the female and hatches the eggs. The female is always larger and more colourful. The red-necked phalarope Phalaropus lobatus, grey Phalaropus fulicarius, and Wilson's phalarope Phalaropus tricolour can be found in North America.

Pharaoh hound
The Pharaoh hound is a breed of hunting dog known from tomb paintings to have existed in ancient Egypt. It has a long head, large pricked ears, and a short red coat with small white markings on the muzzle, chest, toes, and tip of the tail. Wiry in build, it grows to about 56 cm. Dogs of the pharaoh hound type are thought to have been introduced into Europe in antiquity by Phoenician traders.

Pharynx
The pharynx is a region of the alimentary canal following the buccal cavity.

Phascolomys
see "Wombat"

Pheasant
The pheasant is a ground nesting bird.

Pheasant's Eye
see "Adonis"

Phleum pratense
see "Timothy Grass"

Phoenicura Ruticilla
see "Redstart"

Phoronis
Phoronis is a phylum phoronida.

Phyllostomatidae
see "Vampire Bat"

Phylloxera
Phylloxera is any of a family (Phylloxeridae) of small plant-sucking insects (order Homoptera) that attack the leaves and roots of some plants. The species Phylloxera vitifolia, a native of North America, attacks grapevines, laying its eggs under the bark.

Phylum annelida
The phylum annelida are the segmented worms. They are triploblastic, metamerically segmented, coelomate metazoa. The body wall is covered by a glandular epidermis and comprised of longitudinal and circular muscles.

Phylum arthropoda
Phylum arthropoda is the arthropod group of animals which includes; crayfish, lobsters, spiders, insects etc. They are metamerically segmented and bilaterally symmetrical animals. Typically, each segment has a pair of jointed appendages and at least one pair is modified as jaws.

Phylum brachiopoda
The phylum brachiopoda are the lamp shells. They are triploblastic animals enclosed in a dorsal and a ventral shell. The anterior part of the body bears a horsheoe-shaped ridge covered in ciliated tentacles. The coelom is extensive and continued into the folds of the body wall below the shell and into the tentacles. A simple vascular system is present.

Phylum chaetognatha
The phylum chaetognatha are the arrow worms. They are relatively simple triploblastic animals. The body is elongated and transparent. The gut is just a straight tube. The body has three regions; head, trunk and tail. The head bears a hood and rows of chitinous hooks. There is no blood vascular system. Eyes are usually present. The male gonads are in the tail, the female ovaries in the trunk.

Phylum chordata
The phylum chordata are a group of animals with a notochord present. The central nervous system is dorsal, hollow and tubular. They have a ventral heart and visceral clefts present in the pharynx.

Phylum echinodermata
The phylum echinodermata are starfishes, sea urchins, brittle stars and sea cucumbers. They are triploblastic coelomate marine animals. A calcareous skeleton is developed in the mesoderm. The coelom is divided into separte compartments which each carry out different functions.

Phylum mollusca
Phylum mollusca is the mollusc group of animals. They are coelomate animals which do not show segmentation. The body is comprised of a head, foot and visceral mass. The skin of the viscreal mass is extended into soft folds which form the mantle which often secretes a shell. The respiratory organs are usually a pair of ctenidia.

Phylum nematoda
Phylum nematoda are the roundworms. They are triploblastic animals with elongated, spindle-shaped bodies. A respiratory and blood vascular system are both lacking. The epidermis secretes a tough cuticle. Cilia are lacking. The roundworms are to be found everywhere that life can be supported.

Phylum phoronida
The phylum phoronida are small marine gregarious zooids each enclosed in a membranous tube. They are triploblastic coelomate animals with a u shaped gut. Both the mouth and the anus are surrounded by a horeshoe-shaped ridge bearing numerous tentacles. The animals are hermaphrodite.

Phylum platyhelminthes
Phylum platyhelminthes is the family of flatworms. These are triplobastic acoelomate animals. They are usually small and leaf-like shaped. The alimentary canal has a single aperture, the mouth. Nitrogenous exrection and osmo-regulation are carried out by a flame-bulb system. These animals have a complex reproductive system, which is usually hermaphrodite.

Phylum polyzoa
The phylum polyzoa are small colonial animals usually resembling sea-weeds. They are mostly marine. The individuals of the colony are termed zooids and have a crown of ciliated tentacles.

Phylum protozoa
Phylum protozoa are microscopic animals whose bodies are not divided into seperate cells.

Phylum rotifera
The phylum rotifera are minute triploblastic animals lacking a true coelom. The body is of variable shape and protected by a cuticle. The gut is complicated. A crown of cilia and a spiral, ciliated tract lies in front of the mouth. There are separate sexes.

Physalia
Physalia is a member of the order of siphonophora.

Physiology
Physiology is the study of animal's activities.

Phytomastigina
The phytomastigina are a plant-like sub-class of mastigophora.

Picidae
see "Woodpecker"

Pie-billed Grebe
The Pie-billed Grebe (Podilymbus podiceps) is a small diving bird of the order Podicipediformes, family Podicipedidae. It is brown to grey in colour with a chunky body, short neck; with a short, stubby bill with black ring near its tip. It is a migrant and permanent resident in ponds, lakes and in coastal lagoons of southern California.

Pied Wagtail
The pied wagtail (Motacilla lugubris) is a common British species of Motacilla. It feeds on the ground and runs swiftly.

Pieris
see "Cabbage Butterfly"

Pig
The pig (hog) is a hoofed mammal of the genus Sus, of the suidae family. The head is prolonged into a pointed snout. The feet have four toes. The skin is very thick and covered with stiff bristles. Pigs are very alert and inquisitive animals. The meat pork is obtained from pigs.

Pig-fish
see "Grunt"

Pig-nut
Pig-nut (Carya glabra) is a hickory tree.

Pigeon
The pigeon is a general term for birds of the Columbidae family.

Pike
The pike is a voracious fresh water fish of the genus Esox with a long flat snout.

Pilchard
The pilchard is any of various small, oily members of the herring family, Clupeidae, especially the commercial sardine of Europe (Sardina pilchardus), and the California sardine (Sardinops sagax).

Pileated woodpecker
The pileated woodpecker (Dryocopus pileatus) is a large, black and white American woodpecker with a prominent red crest.

Pilewort
see "Celandine"

Pilotfish
The pilotfish is a small marine fish Naucrates ductor of the family Carangidae, which also includes pompanos. It hides below sharks, turtles, or boats, using the shade as a base from which to prey on smaller fish. It is found in all warm oceans and grows to about 36 cm/1.2 ft.

Pimpernel
Pimpernel (Anagallis) is a genus of plants belonging to the natural order Primulaceae.

Pine
The pine is an evergreen conifer from which turpentine, tar and pitch are derived.

Pineapple
The pineapple (Ananas sativa) is a plant of the order Bromeliaceae, native to south and central America but cultivated in many warmer climates.

Pinnated Grouse
The Pinnated Grouse or Prairie hen (Tetrao cupido) is a north American bird much prized as a food. The neck of the male is furnished with tufts of eighteen feathers and two loose pendulous wrinkled skins which resemble an orange on inflation.

Pintado
see "Guinea-fowl"

Pintail
The pintail is a British duck.

Pinworm
see "Enterobius vermicularis."

Pipperidge Bush
see "Barberry"

Piranha
The piranha is a South American freshwater fish of the genus Serrusalmus, in the same order as cichlids. They can grow to 60cm long, and have razor-sharp teeth; some species may rapidly devour animals, especially if attracted by blood.

Pisces
Pisces is the fish class of vertebrates. They are aquatic vertebrates with a streamlined body. The tail is a powerful muscular propulsion organ. The paired limbs are the pectoral and pelvic fins which regulate the swimming level. Median fins are present and maintain stability.

Pitcher plant
The pitcher plant is the name of various insectivorous New World bog plants of the genera Sarracenia, Darlingtonia and Heliamphora. They have tubular or trumpet-shaped leaves containing a liquid in which insects are trapped.

Pitta
The pitta is a genus of tropical songless bird of order Passeriformes, genus Pitta, forming the family Pillidae. Some 20 species are native to south east Asia, west Africa, and Australia. They have round bodies, big heads, and are often brightly coloured. They live on the ground and in low undergrowth, and can run from danger.

Plaice
Plaice is any of various flatfishes of the flounder group, especially the genera Pleuronectes and Hippoglossoides.

Planaria
Planaria is a member of the order tricladida.

Plankton
Plankton is minute plant and animal organisms found in water. It is a source of food for many fish and whales.

Plant
A plant is a living organism which does not have the ability to move, and does not have sensory organs or digestive organs.

Plantain
Plantain is a tropical herbaceous plant similar to the banana.

Plasmodium
Plasmodium is an animal of the suborder haemosporidia.

Plastron
A plastron is a ventral shield, the lower part of the horny shell of reptiles such as the tortoise.

Plateosaurus
Plateosaurus was a herbivore dinosaur from the triassic era. It grew to 6m long and 3 meters tall. Plateosaurus digested food with the aid of swallowed stones.

Platypus
The platypus is a monotreme mammal found in Tasmania and Australia.

Platyrrhina
The platyrrhina are a suborder of anthropoidea. The nostrils face forwards. The internasal septum is broad and they have three premolars. The tail may be prehensile.

Pleurobrachia
Pleurobrachia is a member of the sub-phylum ctenophora family.

Plum
The plum is a tree bearing the fruit of the same name.

Pochard
The pochard are various diving ducks found in Europe and North America, especially the genus Aythya.

Podiceps
Podiceps (Grebe) is a genus of birds of the family Colymbidae characterized by a straight conical bill, no tail, a short tarsus, flattened toes which are separate but broadly fringed at their edges by a firm membrane and legs set so far back that on land the Grebe adopts the upright stance of a penguin. They are excellent swimmers and feed on small fish, frogs, crustaceans and insects.

Podiceps auritus
see "Horned Grebe"

Podiceps nigricollis
see "Eared Grebe"

Podicipediformes
The Podicipediformes are an order of birds. These are the grebes. They are water birds. They don't have webbed feet, instead each toe is fringed separately. They build floating nests directly on the water.

Podilymbus podiceps
see "Pie-billed Grebe"

Poinsettia
Poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima) is a plant of the spurge family native to Mexico and Central America. It has variously lobed leaves and brilliant scarlet, pink or white petal-like bracts.

Pointer
The pointer is a breed of short haired hunting dog trained to point game.

Poison ivy
Poison ivy (Rhus radicans) is a vine or shrub having trifoliate leaves and whitish berries. It causes severe dermatitis when touched by people sensative to it.

Polar bear
The Polar bear (Ursus maritmus) is a large white bear found in arctic regions.

Polecat
The polecat is an Old World weasel (Mustela putorius) with a brown back and dark belly and two yellow face patches. The body is about 50cm long and it has a strong smell from anal gland secretions. It is native to Asia, Europe, and north Africa.

Polemonium reptans
see "Blue Bell"

Pollack
The pollack is a marine fish (Pollachius virens) of the cod family. It grows to 75cm, and is found close to the shore on both sides of the north Atlantic.

Polychaeta
The polychaeta are the bristle worms. They are a class of marine phylum annelida with obvious segmentation. The head usually bears tentacles and palps.

Polycladida
The polycladida is a marine order of turbellaria. The gut has numerous caeca which ramify through the body. Numerous simple eyes are usually present.

Polygonatum multiflorum
see "Solomon's Seal"

Polygordius
The polygordius are archiannelida.

Polymastigina
Polymastigina are an order of zoomastigina. They are flagellates with four or more flagella.

Polystoma
Polystoma is a member of the order monogenea.

Pomegranate
The pomegranate (Punica granatum) is a shrub or small tree native to south west Asia which bears a chambered, many seeded globose fruit with a tough, usually red rind and surmounted by a crown of calyx lobes.

Pomeranian
The pomeranian is a breed of toy dog, about 15cm high, weighing about 3 kg. It has long straight hair with a neck frill, and the tail is carried over the back.

Pony
A pony is a small horse less than 14.2 hands tall.

Poodle
The poodle is a breed of gun dog, including the standard poodle (above 38cm at the shoulder), the miniature poodle(below 38cm), and the toy poodle (below 28 cm) varieties. The dense curly coat, usually cut into an elaborate style, is often either black or white, although greys and browns are also bred. The poodle probably originated in Russia, was naturalized in Germany, where it was used for retrieving ducks and gained its name and became a luxury dog in France.

Pooecetes Gramineus
see "Vesper Sparrow"

Poplar
Poplar is a popular name for trees of the genus Populus. They are fast growing trees charaterized by their columlar pattern of growth.

Poppy
The Poppy (Papaver) is a genus of plants with showy, usually red flowers.

Poppy anemone
The poppy anemone (Anemone coronaria) is a south European plant of the buttercup family with tuberous roots and a solitary, poppy-like red, blue or white flower.

Porcupine
A porcupine is any rodent with quills on its body, belonging to either of two families: Old World porcupines (family Hystricidae) are terrestrial in habit and have long black-and-white quills; or New World porcupines (family Erethizontidae) which are tree-dwelling, with prehensile tails and much shorter quills.

Porcupine Grass
see "Spinifex"

Porosphora
Poroshora is a member of the gregarinida order.

Porpoise
A porpoise is any small whale of the family Delphinidae that, unlike dolphins, have blunt snouts without beaks. Common porpoises of the genus Phocaena can grow to 1.8 m long; they feed on fish and crustaceans.

Portugese man-of-war
A Portugese man-of-war is any of a genus Physalia of phylum Coelenterata. They live in the sea, in colonies, and have a large air-filled bladder on top and numerous hanging tentacles made up of feeding, stinging, and reproductive individuals. The float can be 30cm long.

Portugese water dog
The Portugese water dog is a breed of medium-sized dog with a profuse black or brown coat and webbed feet. They were bred to assist Portugese fishermen.

Potato
The potato is a perennial solanaceae.

Potentilla
Potentilla is a genus of herbaceous perenials of the natural order Rosaceae, found chiefly in the temperate and cold regions of the northern hemisphere, containing about 120 species. They are tall or procumbent herbs, rarely undershrubs, with digitate or unequally pinnate leaves, and for the most part yellow or white flowers. several species are British.

Poterium
Poterium is a genus of plants of the natural order Rosaceae and sub-order Sanguisorbeae.

Potto
The potto is an arboreal, nocturnal, African prosimian primate Perodicticus potto belonging to the loris family. It has a thick body, strong limbs, and grasping feet and hands, and grows to 40cm long, with horny spines along its backbone, which it uses in self-defense. It climbs slowly, and eats insects, snails, fruit, and leaves.

Pouched Rat
see "Gopher"

Pouter
The pouter is a variety of fancy pidgeon with a very projecting breast.

Powan
The powan is a fish found in Loch Lomond, Scotland. It is of the same genus as the polland and the vendace. Also known as the fresh-water herring.

Prairie dog
The prairie dog is a burrowing rodent of the genus Cynomys found in North American prairies.

Prairie hen
see "Pinnated Grouse"

Prairie squirrel
see "Gopher"

Prairie wolf
see "Coyote"

Pratincola rubicola
see "Stone-chat"

Prawn
Prawn is a name given to several shrimp-like decapod crustaceans, some of which are used as food.

Prickly Ash
Prickly Ash is a name given to several prickly shrubs of the USA, genus Xanthoxylum, order Rutaceae. They have an aromatic and pungent bark which is used as a remedy for toothacre, giving rise to the name of toothache-tree.

Prickly Pear
Prickly Pear or Indian fig (Opuntia vulgaris) is a fleshy and succulent plant of the natural order Cactaceae, destitute of leaves, covered with clusters of spines and consisting of flattened joints inserted upon each other. The fruit is purplish in colour, covered with fine prickles and edible. The flower is large and yello. It is a native of the tropical parts America from where it has been introduced into Europe, Syria and China. It is easily propogated, and is sometimes used as a hedge plant. It attains a height of about 190cm.

Primate
Primate is the family of mammals that includes humans, apes, monkeys, lemurs bushbabies, lorises and tarsiers.

Primrose
The primrose is a woodland plant common in Europe.

Privet
Privet (Ligustrum) is a genus of plants of the order Oleaceae. The common privet (Ligustrum vulgare) is a native of Europe growing to two meters high. The leaves are ellipticolanceolate, entire and smooth. The flowers are slightly odorous, white at first but soon changing to a reddish-brown. The berries are dark purple, approaching black in colour.

Proboscidea
The proboscidea are an order of eutheria. They are large animals of the ungulate type. The two upper incisors are modified to form tusks. Canines and
Premolars are lacking.

Procellariiformes
The Procellariiformes are an order of birds. These are the tube-nosed swimmers. They are sea birds of about 100 species. They have a horn sheathed bill, tubular nostrils and webbed feet.

Prong buck
The Prong buck or Prong Horn Antelope (Antilocapra americana) is a species of antelope which inhabits the western parts of North America. It frequents the plains in summer and the ountains in winter.

Prong Horn Antelope
Prong buck

Pronghorn
The pronghorn is a ruminant mammal (Antilocapra americana) constituting the family Antilocapridae, native to the west USA. It is not a true antelope. It is light brown and about 1m high. It sheds its horns annually and can reach speeds of 100 kph.

Protomonadina
Protomonadina are an order of zoomastigina. They are small colourless flagellates. In the trypanosomes is a single flagellum.

Protoplasm
Protoplasm is the basic living substance of all animals, rather than the dead substances such as found in nails and hair. It is responsible for carrying out all the vital activities characteristic of living animals.

Protozoa
The Protozoa are a division of primitive animals consisting of a single cell.

Prunus armeniaca
see "Apricot"

Prunus insititia
see "Bullace"

Prunus Maritima
see "Beach Plum"

Prussian Carp
see "Gibel"

Psychotria ipecacuanha
see "Ipecacuanha"

Ptarmigan
The ptarmigan is a Scottish bird similar to the grouse.

Pteranodon
Pteranodon was a flying reptile of the cretaceous period. It had a wing span of 7m and fed on sea fish.

Pterygota
Pterygota is a two division subclass of insecta. In the first division are the cockroaches, locusts, earwigs, lice, termites etc. In the second division the butterflies, moths, beetles, ants, bees, wasps fleas, gnats and meat-flies etc.

Puffer fish
The puffer fish is a fish of the family Tetraodontidae. As a means of defense it inflates its body with air or water until it becomes spherical and the skin spines become erect. Puffer fish are mainly found in warm waters, where they feed on molluscs, crustaceans, and coral.

Puffin
The puffin is a sea bird found in the north atlantic.

Pug
The pug is a breed of small, short-haired dog with a tightly curled tail and a deeply wrinkled face.

Puma
The puma is a large wild cat found in the Americas.

Pumpkin
The pumpkin is a trailing plant of the gourd genus with heart shaped five lobed leaves.

Putchock
Putchock is the root of Aplotaxis Lappa, a composite plant growing on y=the Himalayas in the vicinity of Cashmere. In China it forms the main ingredient of incense sticks, in Upper India it is used as a medicine for various ills ranging from coughs to cholera.

Pyranga rubra
see "Red Bird"

Pyrrhula pyrrhula
see "Bullfinch"

Pyrus
Pyrus is a genus of ornamental and fruit trees belonging to the pomeous section of the natural order of Rosaceae.

Python
The python is a genus of constricting snake found in the tropics and allied to the Boidae.

Quadruped
Quadruped is the group of animals with four feet.

Quagga
The quagga is an African mammal related to the zebra.

Quail
The quail is the smallest species of the partridge family. The Common, or Migratory Quail (Coturnix coturnix) is rarely seen, its presence being more frequently heralded by its characteristic call "wet-my-lips". It inhabits north and southern Africa, Europe and a large part of Asia. Northern populattions migrate to Africa and southern Asia.

Quaking Grass
see "Briza"

Quamash
Quamash (Camassia esculenta) is a North American plant of the lily family with an edible root which is eaten by the Indians.

Quamoclit
Quamoclit is a genus of climbing ornamental plants of the natural order Convolvulaceae.

Queen Victoria water lily
see "Victoria"

Quetzal
The quetzal is a long-tailed Central American bird (Pharomachus mocinno) of the trogon family. The male is brightly coloured, with green, red, blue, and white feathers, and is about 1.3 meters long including the tail. The female is smaller and lacks the tail and plumage. The quetzal eats fruit, insects, and small frogs and lizards. It is the national emblem of Guatemala, and was considered sacred by the Mayans and the Aztecs.

Quezal
The quezal is a bird found in Central America. It is a member of the Trogon family. It is about the size of a magpie and the male has tail-feathers which are an emerald green colour and are about 3 feet long. The quezal lives in forests and feeds on fruits.

Quince
The quince is a tree of the rosaceae family.

Copyright 1997,1998 Servile Software Enquiries to Matthew Probert

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