2106 PROTEUS-PROTOPHYTES. a long, smooth, naked, eel-like body; four small and weak legs; the fore-feet three-toed, the hinder four-toed; the tail compressed and forming a kind of fin; the head lengthened and flattened; the eyes extremely small and covered by the skin; the ears concealed in the flesh; the gills external and permanent, reddish, very conspicuous between head and fore-legs. It inhabits the caves of Carinola, especially Adelsberg, near Firesti. Pro'teus, a name given by many naturalists to certain animalcules remarkable for changefulness of form; on which account, also, as the name P. has been otherwise appropriated in science, they now receive the generic name Amaba, (Gr. "vicissitude.") They are Protozoa, and rank among the Rhizopoda. They are found in fresh water, and are generally from too of an in. in diameter, when they assume a somewhat globose form, which, however, they exchange for almost every imaginable shape, so that they cannot be described as having any proper or definite shape whatever. Prothon'otary, the name given to a notary appointed by the Holy See. Among the officials of the court of Rome is a body, 12 in number, called the College of Notaries, who are to be distinguished from honorary or extraordinary apostolic notaries. The former are said to date from a very early time, and are charged with the official registration of all the solemn acts of the pope, whence they have a very special duty in relation to the canonization of saints, etc. Protococ'cus, a genus of Palmellaceae, to which Red Snow is commonly referred. Another species is P. pluvialis, not unfrequent in stagnating rain water. It passes through various stages of growth, in which it has been described under various generic and specific names. In some of its stages, in which it moves by two long cilia, it has often been mistaken for an animalcule. Its color is usually green, but sometimes red; and the red matter often appears as a mere central nucleus which has been mistaken for the eye of the animalcule. Many of the Desmids multiply by subdivision, but the plan is modified so as to maintain the symmetry characteristic of the tribe. At other times multiplication takes place by the Pro'tocol, a word used in two senses: (1) The rough draft of an instrument or transaction, and more particularly the original copy of a government dispatch, treaty, or other document; (2) a record or register. Pro'togene, a granitic rock, composed of the same ingredients as true granite, except that the mica is replaced by talc. It received its name because it was supposed to have been the first-formed granite. The clay produced by its decomposition is greatly valued for the manufacture of china. Protog'enes, a celebrated painter of ancient Greece, b. at Kaunus in Caria, and practiced his art at Rhodes. Very little is known concerning him, except that he was a contemporary of Apelles, who was the means of first drawing the attention of the Rhodians to his extraordinary merits. P. d. about 300 B.C. His principal works were "A Satyr Resting and Holding his Pipes," "The Paralos and Ammonias," and "The Thesmothetæ." Protonop'sidæ, a family of salamandroids, some of the species of which attain a 1. of 2 ft., inhabiting N. Am. and eastern Asia. Pro'tophytes, a name now frequently employed to designate the lowest or simplest organisms in the vegetable kingdom, A, frond showing central separation at a, in which large globules b, are not seen; B, one extremity enlarged, showing at a the double row of cilia, at b the internal current, and ate the external current: C, external jet produced by pressure on the frond; D, frond in a state of self-division. In Cosmarium, for example, the conjugating cells become deeply cleft and separate, so that the contents pour out freely at first without a protecting membrane. At length it acquires an envelope, and becomes a sporangium, or spore-case of red Development of Palmogloea macrococca. Cosmarium botrytis. A, mature frond; B, empty frond; C, transverse view; D, sporangi, with empty fronds. corresponding to the Protozoa of the animal kingdom. They are regarded as among the Algae. The life-history of simplest Protophyte is exemplified in the Palmogla macrococca, a sort of green scum or slime, growing on damp stones, etc. The cells are generally independent, but in some species re-dish-brown tint. It is covered with spines, and greatly re main adherent one to another so as to form a filament. sembles certain fossil forms found in flint, called Xanthidia Some species have spiny projections of the outer coat, which The Closteria conjugate after a somewhat similar manner, and is of a horny consistence, as in Staurastrum. Others are it is not uncommon to find a pair in this condition, but many notched on the sides; some, as the Closterium, are smooth. of them are mere simple cells which multiply by division. PROTOPLASM-PROVISION. Pro'toplasm, a name given to the primary element. It Is composed of the proteins and water. Protozo'a constitute the lowest animal subkingdom, and Include a large number of animal beings of the lowest and simplest type of organization. Their bodies consist of a simple cell. In none of the P. can a nervous system or organs Noctiluca miliaris, highly magnified. 2107 Prout, Father, the assumed name of an Irish writer and wit, who contributed many able articles to Frazer's Magazine and several of the London dailies. His real name was Francis Mahoney. B. 1805, d. 1866. Provençal Language, or Langue d'oc, the most important of the Romance languages, still spoken in some parts of France and Spain, and once used in northern Italy; softer and more musical than the true French, and abounding in Latinisms. It took its name from the word oc, for "Yes," instead of the N. oui. Provence, formerly a maritime prov. of France, in the extreme S.-E. of the country, was bounded on the S. by the Mediterranean, and comprised the modern Depts. of Bouches du Rhone, Var, Basses-Alpes, and the E. part of Vaucluse. 66 Prov'erbs, pithy, practical, popular sayings, expressive of more or less certain convictions. The definitions of the proverb are almost as numerous as its own varieties of form. Aristotle speaks of Ps. as remnants which, on account of their shortness and correctness, have been saved out of the wreck and ruins of ancient philosophy." Agricola considers them "short sentences into which, as in rules, the ancients have compressed life." Erasmus holds them to be "well of sense be detected; and except in one group (the Infuso-known and well-used dicta, framed in a somewhat out-of-theria) there is no trace of a mouth. Excepting the sponges they are generally of very minute size, and only to be observed with the microscope; and excepting a few that inhabit the bodies of other animals all are aquatic animals. To the P. belong Paramecium Aurelia, an Infusorian Animalcule, magnified 300 times. the Foraminifera and the Sponges, the most important members of this division of the animal kingdom. Protract'or, a mathematical instrument for laying down and measuring angles in drawing or plotting. Protuberances, Solar. See PROMINENCES, under article SUN. Proud Flesh, the popular term for coarse and too luxuriant granulations springing up on wounds or ulcerated surfaces. Such granulations must be treated with nitrate of silver or sulphate of copper, either in solid form or in strong solution. Proudhon, (PIERRE JOSEPH,) a noted Fr. publicist and speculator on social and political subjects, b. 1809 at Besançon. In 1830 he declined an offer of the editorship of a ministerial journal, preferring an honorable independence as a workman to the career of a writer pledged to the support of authority. He became partner, in 1837, with MM. Lambert and Maurice in the development of a new typographical process; was engaged on an edition of the Bible, to which he contributed notes on the principles of the Hebrew language; and in 1838 published an Essaie de Grammaire Générale, in approval of which a triennial pension of 1,500 francs was awarded to him by the Académie de Besançon. In 1840 he issued the work entitled Qu'est-ce que la Propriété? which afterward became so famous. With the outburst of the Revolution of Feb., 1848, the opportunity of P. had arrived. He instantly repaired to Paris, and on April 1 he came before the public as editor of the Représentat du Peuple. In Jan., 1849, he attempted a reduction of his theories to practice by the institution of a Banque du Peuple. This project, which had for its object la suppression du capital, speedily experienced at the hands of "capital" the fate it had intended to inflict. The bank was closed by authority, and its originator fled toward Geneva to escape threatened Imprisonment. He returned shortly, and was imprisoned for three yrs. In June, 1852, he was set at liberty, and quitting Paris, no longer a desirable abode for such unquiet spirits, went to Belgium, where he continued to publish from time to time on his favorite subjects of speculation. He died in obscurity at Paris, Jan. 19, 1865. Prout, (SAMUEL,) an Eng. painter in water-colors, was b. 1783. He evinced a strong love for nature at an early age, and his pictures evince considerable skill and finish. D. at Camberwell 1852. way form or fashion." Cervantes explains them as "short sentences drawn from long experience." Johnson talks of them as "short sentences frequently repeated by the people." Prov'erbs, The Book of, a canonical book of the O. T., containing an anthology of gnomes and sentences, the fruit of reflections on the Mosaic law and on the divine guidance of the people called Israelites. It is also called the "Book of Wisdom," inasmuch as it embraces the doctrines of the old covenant crystallized into religious maxims of thought, will, and action. Practical piety is enjoined under the name of "Life," while "Death" represents sin throughout. The form of these proverbs is manifold-similes, enigmas, theses and antitheses, wise sayings, gnomes, comparisons, etc., vary constantly. The book is divided into three sections, to which the two last chapters form an appendix. Tradition has ascribed the authorship of this book to Solomon, "the wisest of men;" and although neither the language, nor the struct. ure, nor the contents, are of a nature to convince us of the absolute necessity of assuming various authors and epochs, there is no doubt a strong presumption in favor of this hypothesis. Providence, a sea-port city, a capital of the State of R. I., situated at the head of navigation, on an arm of Narragansett Bay known as Providence River, 35 m. from the ocean, 43 m. S.-S.-W. from Boston, and 160 N.-E. of New York. It is the second city in New England, covering nearly 15 sq. m. on both sides of the river, which, above its two bridges, expands into a cove, 1 m. in circuit, on the borders of which is a handsome park, shaded with elms. It is a city of large commerce, manufactures, and wealth, abounding with beautiful villas and gardens. Two small rivers afford water-power to extensive manufacturing establishments. By the latest census P. had 1,883 manufacturing establish ments, representing 154 industries and a capital of $54,274,227. There are numerous papers; many churches, among them the First Baptist meeting-house built in 1775; hospitals and asylums; a State prison; Brown University, with a library of 80,000 volumes; an Athenæum, with a library of 55,000 volumes; a public library of 64,000 volumes, a Friends' school, a State normal school, many other schools, banks, and insurance companies. P. was settled in 1635 by a colony of refugees from Mass. under Roger Williams. Pop. 132,146. Providence, in Theology, implies not only foreknowl edge, but preparation and provision, government and control, and includes the general idea of preservation. There is no limit to P., and its end is infinitely benevolent, holy, and wise. It was affirmed with great unanimity by all the fathers, and was then, at an early period, the occasion of much the same controversies as in the present day. Provincetown, a village of Barnstable Co., Mass., at the extremity of Cape Cod, 118 m. by R.R. E.-S.-E. of Boston. The harbor is one of the best on the E. coast, being almost entirely landlocked. P. is a popular summer resort. cod and mackerel fisheries are the chief industry of the place. Pop. 4,642. The Provin'cial of an Or'der, the superior of all the houses and all the members of a monastic order within any particular province. The office is generally held for a stated term of yrs., and in most orders the appointment to it rests with the general of the order. Provision, in Church Law, means the bestowing an ecclesiastical benefice, and involves two stages-the designa- off. It may be accepted as a general rule that the branches tion of the person on whom it is bestowed, and the actual removed should be small in proportion to the whole bulk of collation of the benefice, which is completed by his taking the tree. The general seasons of P. are winter and spring; possession. Both these acts fall properly to the ecclesiastical but some trees, particularly cherries, are advantageously authority; but by usage the state and often individuals are pruned in summer, as they then throw out less gum. P. inadmitted to a share in ecclesiastical benefices. struments are of various kinds-knives, axes, saws, bills, of various forms, etc., and the averuncator, which may be described as a pair of scissors, one blade hooked or crooked, attached to a long handle, and working by a cord or pulley. It is scarcely used except for standard trees in gardens and orchards. Provi'so, that part of an agreement which provides for the doing or not doing of something, in order to make the deed effective. Pro'vo City, a town of Utah, is the cap. of Utah Co., and is on Utah Lake. It is the center of mining industries, and contains the Utah Insane Asylum. Pop. 5,159. Provoost', (SAMUEL, D.D.,) an Amer. prelate; first P. E. Bishop of N. Y., consecrated by the Archbishop of Canterbury and York 1787; was chaplain of the U. S. Senate 1789; b. in New York 1742, d. 1815. Pro'vost, in Church Law, the chief dignitary of a cathedral or collegiate church, from which use the title has also been transferred to the heads of other similar bodies, whether religious, literary, or administrative. In the Protestant Church in Germany the name P. is sometimes used as synonymous with that of dean or arch-priest. In England the heads of several colleges in the University of Oxford, and the heads of King's Coll., Cambridge, are designated P. In Scotland the chief municipal magistrate of a city or burgh is called P., the term corresponding to the English word mayor. In France there were formerly various descriptions of inferior judges, known under the name of P., (prevot.) The Grand P. of France had jurisdiction in the king's house and over its officers. Pro'vost-mar'shal, in the English navy, is a person appointed to have charge of a prisoner before a court-martial, and until the sentence of the court is carried into execution. In the army the P. is an officer with the rank of captain, appointed to superintend the preservation of order, and to be, as it were, the head of the police of any particular camp or district. He has cognizance of all camp-followers, as well as of members of the army. His power is summary, and he can punish an offender, taken flagrante delicto, on the spot, according to the penalties laid down in the Mutiny Act. Prow, generally the fore-part of a ship, or more especially the beak or pointed cut-water of a galley, polacre, or xebec. Prox'y, the agency of one person who acts as substitute for another. For instance, every member of the House of Lords can appoint another lord of Parliament his P, to vote for him in his absence. Prudhommes, Council of, municipal tribunals which existed first in the Middle Ages at Marseilles, Prow of Ancient Galley. Lyons, and elsewhere in France, exer cising an equitable jurisdiction as arbiters of disputes between masters and workmen. Similar tribunals, under the same name, were re-introduced by Napoleon I. in 1806, and have been found of great practical utility. They now exist, or recently existed, in Lyons and Paris. Prunel'la, a genus of plants of the natural order Labiatae, having the upper lip of the calyx 3-toothed, the lower lip bifid; the upper lip of the corolla arched and nearly entire; the lower lip 3-lobed; and four filaments, each with two teeth at the extremity, of which one bears the anther. Also a sort of smooth woolen cloth used occasionally in the manufacture of shoes. Prunes, dried fruit of the plum-tree, of the variety called Juliana, which is so largely cultivated in France that not only is that country supplied, but the U. S. alone imports from thence over 4,000 tons per annum. Prun'ing, the removal of branches from fruit or forest trees, in order to the greater production of fruit, the improvement of the timber, or purposes of ornament. In P. for ornamental purposes taste must chiefly be consulted, but reference must be made to what has been too little regarded in P. of every kind-the nature or habit of the tree itself. Some trees will bear clipping into fantastic forms which would be utterly destructive to others. Such forms, once esteemed as the finest ornaments of a pleasure-ground or the neighborhood of a mansion, are rejected by the simpler taste of the present age, and the topiarian art has few admirers. Much may be done, however, by the removal of the branches to give a finer form to ornamental trees; but in this, as in the P. of trees grown for the sake of their timber, a great mistake is very generally committed in permitting branches to grow to a considerable size before they are cut Pru'nus Virginia'na, the wild choke-cherry of the U. S., order Rosacea, family Amygdaleæ. Pruri'go, a non-contagious affection of the skin, in which immense itching is the most prominent symptom. Treatment. In general P. a lotion, (laudanum 1 dram, carbolic acid 1 dram, alcohol 6 ounces,) or paint on with a camel's hair brush, (chloral 2 drams, camphor 2 drams, well rubbed together till an oily fluid results,) has good effect. In P. of the genitals a lotion (glycerite of borax 2 ounces, water 4 ounces) may be used. In P. of the anus an ointment (calomel 1 dram, benzoated lard 1 ounce) is recommended. Prus'sia, a kingdom of the German Empire, embracing nearly the whole of northern Germany. It is bounded N. by the German Ocean, Jutland, and the Baltic, E. by Russia and Poland, S. by Austria, Saxony, Saxe-Altenburg, Saxe-Weimar, Gotha, and others of the smaller German states, Bavaria, Hesse-Darmstadt, and Alsace-Lorraine; W. by Belgium and the Netherlands. P. owns, besides, the detached domains of Hohenzollern and Jaade or Jahde on the North Sea, which lie within the boundaries of other German states. Area and Population.-The following table gives the area and population according to the last census: The duchy of Lauenburg, with an area of 452 sq. m. and a pop. of 48,808, was incorporated with the province of SleswickHolstein in July, 1876, and is included above. Physical Features.-The larger portion of P. is a part of the great plain stretching from Holland to the Ural Mountains, and, except in the S. of Hanover and Silesia, is an almost unbroken level. The Sudetic Mountains, whose N. ranges, known as the Riesengebirge, lie between the Oder and the Elbe, divide P. from Bohemia; while the Thüringerwald intersects the line dividing it from Saxony and some of the lesser German states. The Hartz Mountains of Hanover are now within the limits of Prussian territory. None of these ranges rise, even in their highest summits, above 5,000 ft. The W. and S.-W. parts of P., comprising Rhenish P., Westphalia, and HesseNassau, are quite distinct in their physical character from the rest of P. They are divided by the Rhine into two portions, each of which has an elevated and a low plain. The narrow valley of the Rhine is noted as one of the most picturesque |