PALLISER

Palliser, Sir William, 1830-82; British inventor; b. Dublin, Ireland; served in the army, 1855-71; knighted, 1873; inventor of the Palliser projectiles for piercing armor-plated ships, and improved methods of rifling ironwrought cannon for use in ships and on fortifications, and of converting smooth-bore castiron ordnance into rifled guns.

Pal'lium, in the Roman Catholic Church, a band of white lamb's wool, embroidered with purple crosses, worn on the neck by the pope and all ecclesiastics of archiepiscopal rank, including metropolitans and patriarchs; has two pendants, one hanging down the back and one down the breast of the wearer. It is the chief badge of the archbishop's authority, is granted by the pope in person, and is worn only on very solemn occasions. The pope, however, wears it continually. It is always buried with the wearer, and can never be transferred to an

other person.

Palm, any member of a large group of monocotyledonous trees or treelike plants, numbering 1,100 or more species, nearly all natives of tropical climates. Palms vary greatly in size, some scarcely rising above the ground, while others are 100 ft. or more in height. In their growth they first attain very nearly their full diameter, and then shoot up their cylindrical stems, which subsequently increase in

HARDY PALM.

size little or not at all. Some species, especially of the genus Calamus and its allies, are long, slender, prickly, climbing shrubs, often attaining a length of 300 ft. or more. The grasses possibly excepted, no other family of plants excels the palms in economic importance. Food, clothing, shelter, furniture, utensils, tools, weapons, ornaments, medicines, and intoxicating drinks are sometimes all supplied by one or more species.

The family has been separated into five subfamilies. The Coryphine include the date palm and the palmetto of the S. U. S.; the Borassing, the doum, or gingerbread palm, and the Palmyra palm, from whose juice are made wine, toddy, and sugar; the Lepidocaryinæ, which include the sago palms and the rattan palms; the Ceroxylince, which include the toddy palm of India, the Piassaba palm of Brazil, whose fiber is used for cordage, mats,

PALMERSTON

brooms, etc., and the cocoanut palm, which yields cocoanuts; the Phytelephantine, which comprises palms yielding very hard nuts, whose endosperm resembles ivory, for which it is used as a substitute.

;

Palma (päl'mä), Tomas Estrada, 1835Cuban statesman; b. Bayamo; took part in the insurrection of 1868-78 and lost his estates by confiscation; was at one time a representative in the Chamber of Deputies of the Republic of Cuba; afterwards chosen Secretary of State, and soon President of the Republic: taken prisoner. 1877, and sent to Spain; on declaration of peace, 1878, was released, and went to Honduras. Removing to the U. S., he taught school at Central Valley, N. Y.; in September, 1895, was made delegate-at-large and minister plenipotentiary of the Republic of Cuba; December 31, 1901, elected first President of the new republic; failing to crush an insurrection, 1906, asked for American intervention, and resigned September 28th.

RATTAN PALM.

Palma, one of the Canary Islands; area, 330 sq. m.; contains the interesting extinct volcanoes Caldera and Barranco; produces good timber, and has two fine towns, St. Cruz and Los Llanos. Pop. (1900) 41,994.

Pal'mas, Cape. See CAPE PALMAS.

Palmblad (pälm'bläd), Vilhelm Fredrik, 17881852; Swedish author; b. Liljestad; 1810 began the publication of the Phosphoros; 1812, of the Poetisk Kalender, and, 1813, of the Svensk Literaturtidende, periodicals which had great influence in diverting Swedish literature from French to German models. He became Prof. of Greek Literature at Upsala, 1835; edited the biographical lexicon of distinguished Swedes, twenty-three volumes; wrote, besides other works, several novels, of which "Familjen Falkensvärd" and "Aurora Königsmark are the most remarkable.

Palm Crab. See CRAB.

Palm'er, in mediæval times, a pilgrim returned or returning from the Holy Sepulcher; so called from the fact that he bore branches of palm gathered near Jericho, which were placed on the church altar after his return.

Palm'erston, Henry John Temple (Viscount and Baron Temple), 1784-1865; British statesman; b. Broadlands, Hampshire; son of an Irish peer of the family of Sir William Temple; succeeded to the title, 1802; entered Par

PALMETTO

liament, 1806; represented Newport, 1807-11; Cambridge Univ., 1811-31, and later Bletchingley, S. Hants, and Tiverton; Secretary of War, 1809-28; Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, 1830-34, 1835-41, and 1846-52. He sympathized with Napoleon's coup d'état of 1851, and the avowal of his views resulted in his withdrawal from the Cabinet; Secretary of State for Home Affairs, 1852-55; Premier and First Lord of the Treasury, 1855-58 and 185965. His premiership is distinguished by the warlike spirit shown by the government in dealing with foreign affairs. In 1861 he was appointed Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports, and, 1863, was elected rector of Glasgow Univ.; buried in Westminster Abbey.

Palmet'to, small palm tree of S. Europe (Chamaerops humilis); also any one of certain other small palms, of which the U. S. has the following: (1) Sabal palmetto, cabbage palmetto, found as far N. as the Cape Fear River, in sandy soil near the coast; timber

CABBAGE PALMETTO.

useful in constructing piers, since it is durable and not subject to the attack of the teredo; tree sometimes reaches the height of 50 ft.; leaves largely used in making hats. (2) Serenoa serrulata, saw palmetto, has a creeping stem from 5 to 8 or more ft. 6 in. in diameter, with thick clusters of fan-shaped leaves, abode of many rattlesnakes. (3) S. adansonii, dwarf palmetto, stemless, and has leaves 2 or 3 ft. high; covers dense patches of ground in low coast regions. (4) Rhapidophyllum hystrix, blue palmetto, low palm, with long-stemmed, fanlike leaves, in the axils of which are sharp, needlelike thorns.

Pal'mistry. See CHIROMANCY.

PALMYRA

tributed in the fats of the animal and vegetaPalmit'ic Ac'id, fatty acid universally disble kingdoms; is a colorless solid, lighter than water, crystallizes in small shining scales, and ly so in hot alcohol and ether. Combined with is without odor; insoluble in water, but freeglycerin, it occurs abundantly in palm oil, the fat of certain palms, Chinese tallow, Japanese wax, and the wax of Myrica cerifera. It is found in butter, beeswax, spermaceti, human fat, etc.

Palm Oil, thick oil obtained from the fleshy pericarps of the fruit of Elais guineensis and melanococca, a palm tree of Africa, and to some extent from other palms; extensively imported and made into soap, candles, and glycerin, and used for lubricating purposes.

Palm Sun'day, Sunday before Easter, celebrated in the Greek, Roman Catholic, and Lutheran churches in commemoration of the triumphal entry of Christ into Jerusalem (John xii), on which occasion the multitude cast branches of trees before him. These branches are represented by sprays of palm, or, in countries where the palm does not grow, by those of other trees, as of the yew, willow, box, and fir. These branches are blessed by a priest and distributed to the congregation, who wear them for the rest of the day. The custom prevails, at least locally, of gathering and preserving the "palms," which are afterwards burned, the ashes serving for use on Ash Wednesday.

Palm Wine, or Tod'dy, alcoholic beverage prepared from the sweet sap of various species of palm; yields by distillation a stronger drink called arrack. Palm wine is much used in India and other parts of Asia; it is made in Chile, and is almost the only fermented liquor made in Africa.

Palmy'ra, ancient city of Upper Syria; in an oasis, 150 m. NE. of Damascus; founded or enlarged by Solomon (II Chron. viii, 4); formed at that time a bulwark against the Bedouin hordes of the desert; called in Scripture Tadmor. In the second century A.D. it was the commercial metropolis of N. Arabia. In the third century Odænathus, a native of Palmyra, established an independent Palmyrene kingdom, which was further extended, comprising the whole of Syria and parts of Mesopotamia, and brought to great prosperity by his widow, Queen Zenobia. Aurelian defeated her army, dissolved her empire, and captured her capital, 272. A revolt occasioned covered, though, 527, Justinian endeavored to its destruction shortly after, and it never rerestore it. In 633 it was devastated by the Saracens, and again, 744. In 1400 Tamerlane completely destroyed it. A small village, Thadmor, inhabited by a few Syrian shepherds, is close by. See illustration on opposite

page.

Palmyra, one of the noblest of the palm trees, the Borassus flabelliformis of India and Ceylon; fruit is valuable food; timber excellent; furnishes thatch, cordage, material for

Palpita'tion of the Heart, forcible pulsations of the heart which make themselves felt or produce unpleasant sensations; may be due to organic disease of the heart, but in most cases the heart itself will be found normal, and the cause of the palpitation will be discovered elsewhere. The most direct cause of nonorganic palpitation is pressure upon the heart by some tumor mass, or a distended stomach. Reflex excitability is furthered by causes increasing nervous instability, as the overuse of stimulants, such as tea, coffee, tobacco, and alcohol. Finally there are the cases of palpitation due to diseases of the heart itself-such as hypertrophy, valvular disease, fatty heart, etc. See HEART DISEASE. In the attacks of palpitation the pulse is generally rapid, from 100 to 150 per minute. These cases are designated tachycardia. Constant or frequently repeated palpitation leads to hypertrophy of the heart from overexercise, as in athletes. The treatment of palpitation varies with the cause. In nervous cases or in palpitation from fright, and the like, sedatives are called for. When the heart is weakened by organic disease digi

talis and other stimulants are needed. Finally, local treatment directed to the stomach, etc., or constitutional remedies to improve the blood, or the simple correction of dietetic errors may suffice to control the tendency to palpitation.

Palsy (pâl'zi). See PARALYSIS.

from the Trans-Alai Mountains on the N. to the Hindu Kush on the S., and from the plains of Kashgar to the upper tributaries of the Oxus. It is a complex of mountains, valleys, and limited plains, all at elevations above 12,000 ft., and the mountains sometimes reaching 20,000 and 25,000 ft. The Pamir region is sometimes referred to as the "Roof of the World." It is traditionally the birthplace of the Aryan race, and some of the names of places still in use there present curious similarity to corresponding ones found in Genesis.

Pamir Di'alects, Iranian dialects spoken in the central Asiatic table-land, the plateau of Pamir. Most important of these is the Munji or Munjani, spoken in the region of Mungan, near Kafiristan; this tongue presents interesting resemblances to the ancient language of

the Avesta.

Pam'philus, abt. 240-309; Syrian martyr; b. Berytus, Phoenicia; embraced Christianity; became a friend and associate of Eusebius; founded a library at Cæsarea in Palestine, which he bequeathed to the Christian church there, and suffered martyrdom.

Pamphyl'ia, ancient district of Asia Minor, extending along the Mediterranean from Cilicia on the E. to Lycia on the W.; with exception of the plain of Perge-Aspendus, it is mountainous, being covered with ramifications of the Taurus Mountains; inhabitants were

composed of Greek colonists and aboriginal tribes; country belonged to the Persian Empire, and after its fall to the Macedonians. When Alexander died it fell to Syria, and became subsequently a Roman province. Its chief cities were Olbia, Attalia, Perge, Aspendus, Sylleum, and Cibyra; chief rivers, the Cestrus and Eurymedon.

Pamplo'na, or Pampeluna (päm-på-lô'nä), ancient Pompeiopolis, capital of Navarre, Spain; on the Arga; is fortified and defended with a strong citadel; has a Gothic cathedral, natural history collection, bull ring (accommodating 8,000 spectators), magnificent aqueduct; manufactures of silk, leather, pottery, and a trade in wine. Originally a town of the Vascones, it was rebuilt by Pompey, from whom it derived its name; became capital of Navarre, 907; was held by the French, 1808

PANAMA

13; was a point of attack by the Carlists, 1873-76, but never taken. Pop. (1900) 30,609.

Pan, son of Hermes by a daughter of Dryops (or of Zeus by Callisto); was a genuine Greek god, originally a light god, though in poetry and art he was the patron of flocks and pasturage. Pan had goat's legs, horns, beard, tail, ears, and face; was so ugly that his mother was terrified when she first saw him; was the inventor of the syrinx and of pastoral music; had a loud voice by which he frightened the wayfarer and even put armies to flight, wherefore such sudden flight is called panic. He must not be confounded with the Satyrs, Sileni, or Roman Fauns.

Panama', republic in Central America; bounded W. by Costa Rica; N. by the Caribbean; E. by Colombia; S. by the Pacific; length about 480 m.; breadth, 37-110 m.; area, 31,500 sq. m.; pop. abt. 38,300, the larger part of Spanish descent; chief cities, Panama (capital), and Colon or Aspinwall, on the Atlantic coast; smaller ports, Aqua Dulce, Pedregal, Montijo, Puerto Mudis, on the Pacific; Bocas del Toro and Puerto Bello, on the Atlantic. A zone 5 m. wide on each side of the canal route was granted in perpetuity to the U. S., 1903, while for subsidiary canals other territory was ceded, and for the defense of the canal the coast line of the zone and the islands in Panama Bay were also ceded. About half the country is unsettled and peopled only by a few roving Indians. Surface generally mountainous, but immense swamps and treeless uplands are frequent, coast line rough and broken; chief rivers, the Tuira, Chagres, and Bayano.

Iron, copper, gold, salt, mercury, coal, gypsum are found. Forests are rich in cabinet woods; climate very hot on the coasts; in interior relatively cool; wet season, May to December, inclusive; miasmatic fevers prevail in certain districts. The soil is very fertile, producing bananas, coffee, cacao, caoutchouc, cattle raising an important industry, as is maize, rice, sugar cane, tobacco, vanilla, etc.; insignificant; value of imports from the U. S. pearl fishing on the Pacific. Manufactures are (1906) $14,000,000; exports to the U. S., $750,000; imports chiefly for use on canal or Panrubber, hides, mahogany, cabinet woods, vegeama Railroad work; chief exports, bananas,

table ivory.

Panama was the first region in continental America settled by Europeans, and since 1535 it has had a special importance, owing to the The Isthmus was trade across the Isthmus. incorporated with the vice royalty of New Granada, 1718. It was independent, 1857-60, then became a department of the republic of Colombia. The Panama Canal Treaty with the U. S, 1903, having been rejected by the Colombian Congress, the city council of Panama, backed by the soldiers in the city, declared, November 3d, the independence of the Isthmus. The de facto government was recognized by the U. S., November 13th, and a treaty was concluded, November 18th, guaranteeing and agreeing to maintain the independence of the new republic.

PANAMA

Panama is also the name of the capital and largest city of the republic; on the Pacific side of the Isthmus, at head of Panama Bay; terminus of Panama Railway, which connects it with Colon; is the oldest city of European origin in continental America; founded by Pedro Arias Davila, 1519. The old city, 6 m. SE. of the present one, was burned by the buccaneer Henry Morgan, 1670. Panama was long the most important port on the Pacific side of Spanish America. The completion of the isthmian railway, 1855, gave it much impetus; but it suffered greatly from revolutions and destructive fires. The modern city is built on a rocky peninsula. There is no proper harbor for large vessels, and the anchorage of vessels at Flamenco Island and the wharf at La Boca, now called Port Ancon, lie within the Panama Canal zone so far as seagoing vessels are concerned. Besides the commerce in transit there is considerable trade with Central America and the Pacific ports of Colombia. Among the interesting old buildings are the cathedral (one of the largest in America), convents, the palaces of the Audiencia, and the ancient walls and fortifications, which were of great strength. Pop. abt. 20,000. PANAMA, ISTHMUS OF, is a neck of land connecting N. America with S. America, and separating the Caribbean from the Pacific. Broadly speaking, the isthmal portion of the continent includes all of Central America and S. Mexico; but the name is generally restricted to the narrow portion extending from the Bay of Chiriqui to the Atrato River. It extends from W. to E., forming a double curve; length nearly 470 m.; average width nearly 70 m. The bays of Panama and San Miguel on the S., and of Chiriqui and Uraba on the N., form three minor constrictions which bear distinctive names. Beginning at the W., the Isthmus of Chiriqui, opposite the bay of that name, has a minimum width of about 45 m. Beyond this the neck is broadened to 118 m. by the Azuero Peninsula on the S. The Bay of Panama reduces it to 31 m. opposite the Bay of San Blas, or about 35 m. between Panama and Colon; this is known as the Isthmus of Panama proper, or of San Blas. The Isthmus of Darien (a name sometimes applied to the whole neck) is properly the portion between the gulfs of Uraba and San Miguel, 35 m. in minimum width.

An irregular mountain chain, the Cordillera de Baudo, runs the whole length of the Isthmus, generally near the N. coast; W. it has volcanic peaks, said to be over 7,000 ft. high; but E. it subsides to a range of hills, with passes less than 400 ft. above sea level. It is separated from the Andes by the valley of the Atrato River, which forms the true limit of the S. American continent. Balboa, who first established the existence of the Isthmus, 1513, crossed it in the part known as the Isthmus of Darien. The difficulties of this route, and of that opposite the Bay of Chiriqui, early led to their abandonment in favor of the easier roads from Panama, by the valley of the Chagres River. This has continued to be the ordinary route across the Isthmus.

Panama Canal', ship canal across the Isthmus of Panama, connecting Colon Bay on the Atlantic with Panama Bay on the Pacific, mainly following the line of the Panama Railroad; length, 50 m. Such a canal was proposed as early as 1528; surveys were made by American and foreign engineers, 1843-75; the first practical attempt to construct a canal was made by the French engineer De Lesseps, who, 1881, organized a Universal Interoceanic Company, and obtained a concession from the Colombian Govt. Work (on a sea-level canal) was prosecuted till 1889, when, having expended $135,000,000 and wasted some $130,000,000, the company went into liquidation and suspended work. In March, 1893, an extension was granted for future work; 1894, the French investors formed a new company, subscribed $4,000,000, and obtained from Colombia a concession for ten years (extended, 1900, by six years). On January 4, 1902, the board of the company offered to sell to the U. S. all their rights and property, the French Govt. having given its consent. The U. S. Isthmian Commission then recommended this route in preference to one across Nicaragua, and the U. S. offered Colombia $7,000,000 in cash and an annuity of $600,000 in return for absolute surrender of 3 m. of land on either side of the canal, and authority over five leagues of the sea at either entrance. Colombian Constitution forbade the leasing of territory in perpetuity, but a lease for one hundred years, renewable at the option of the U. S., was obtainable, and, January 22, 1903, a treaty between the two countries was signed. Objecting to the practical cession of sovereignty, and to the sum offered by the U. S. as too small, the Colombian Congress rejected the treaty. This action was followed by the secession of the Department of Panama. November 18, 1903, a treaty between the U. S. and Panama was signed, insuring the construction of the canal; and, April 23, 1904, the properties of the French Canal Company were transferred to the U. S. on payment of $40,000,000 to that body.

The

On

An Isthmian Canal Commission took charge of the construction of the canal and the government of the zone, but after nearly a year of service resigned, April 3, 1905, and a new commission succeeded to its duties. A majority of the engineers recommended a sea-level canal, but June, 1906, the U. S. Congress voted in favor of a lock type. The canal is being constructed on an 85-ft. level. At Gatun a duplicate flight of three locks will have a lift and descent for vessels to and from a lake 30 m. long and 164 sq. m. in area, the object of this reservoir being to receive the floods of the Chagres River. A lock at San Pedro on the Pacific side will have a lift and descent of 30 ft., from which point there will be lake navigation at 55 ft. level for 5 m. to Sosa Hill on the shore of Panama Bay, where two duplicate locks will carry vessels down to the level of the Pacific. From the Caribbean Sea to the mouth of the Mindi River the channel will have a bottom width of 500 ft. and a From the depth of 45 ft. below mean tide. Mindi to the Gatun locks the width and depth