is something harder than the above metal, being about the stiffness of jewellers' gold. It is less malleable than silver or platina, owing probably to its greater hardness. Its specific gravity, according to Dr. Wollaston, varies from 11.3 to 11.8. When heated to about 30° of Wedgewood, it assumes a blue color, owing to its combination with oxygen, in which property it has some resemblance to iron. If, however, the heat be increased, the oxygen flies off, and it re-assumes its original lustre. It does not fuse at the ordinary temperature of furnaces. Although its oxide seems to be formed at a certain temperature of the open air, it has not been procured by these means. An orange oxide is procured by precipitation from the acids, but not sufficiently pure to get the proportion of oxygen; hence we are at present unacquainted with the oxides of palladium. It does not combine with carbon, nor is it known to combine with hydrogen, nitrogen, or phosphorus.

It combines with sulphur, forming a compound fusible at a low red heat. The sulphur gradually escapes, leaving the metal in a state of purity.

Its specific gravity is from 10-9 to 11.8. It is a less perfect conductor of caloric than most metals, and less expansible, though in this it exceeds platina. On exposure to a strong heat its surface tarnishes a little, and becomes blue; but an increased heat brightens it again. It is reducible per se. Its fusion requires a much higher heat than that of gold; but, if touched while hot with a small bit of sulphur, it runs like zinc. The sulphuret is whiter than the metal itself, and extremely brittle.

Nitric acid acquires a fine red color from the palladium, but the quantity it dissolves is small. Nitrous acid acts on it more quickly and powerfully. Sulphuric acid, by boiling, acquires a similar color, dissolving a small portion. Muriatic acid acts much in the same manner. Nitro-muriatic acid dissolves it rapidly, and assumes a deep red.

Alkalis and earths throw down a precipitate from its solutions, generally of a fine orange color; but it is partly re-dissolved in an excess of alkali. Some of the neutral salts, particularly those of potash, form with it triple compounds, much more soluble in water than those of platina, but insoluble in alcohol.

Alkalis act on palladium even in the metallic state; the contact of air, however, promotes their action.

A neutralised solution of palladium is precipitated of a dark orange or brown by recent mariate of tin; but, if it be in such proportions as to remain transparent, it is changed to a beautiful emerald-green. Green sulphate of iron precipitates the palladium in a metallic state. Sulphureted hydrogen produces a dark brown precipitate; prussiate of potash, an olive-colored and prussiate of mercury a yellowishwhite. As the last does not precipitate platina, it is an excellent test of palladium. This precipitate is from a neutral solution in nitric acid, and detonates at about 500° of Fahr. in a manner similar to gunpowder. Fluoric, arsenic, phosphoric, oxalic, tartaric, citric, and some

other acids, with their salts, precipitate some of the solutions of palladium.

All the metals, except gold, silver, and platina, precipitate it in the metallic state. If this metal were more common (its price is about six times that of gold), it might be employed for medals and chemical vessels, and it might be used in place of silver in some articles of jewellery.

PALLADIUS, bishop of Helenopolis in Bythynia, and afterwards of Aspona. He was a Galatian, and born at Cappadocia. He became an anchorite in the mountain of Nebria in 388, and was consecrated a bishop in 401. He was an intimate friend of St. John Chrysostom, whom he never forsook during the time of his persecution, nor even in his exile. He went to Rome some time after Chrysostom's death, and, at the request of Lausus, governor of Cappadocia, composed the history of the Anchorites or hermits, and entitled it Lausiaca, after that lord, to whom he dedicated it in 420, when it was written, being then in the twentieth year of his episcopacy, and fifty-third of his age. His history was published in Greek by Meursius at Amsterdam, in 1619, and in Latin in the Bibliotheca Patrum.

PALLADIUS (R. T. Æmilianus), an author who flourished after the decline of literature at Rome, but the precise period is not known. A treatise written by him, De Re Rusticâ, was published at Paris, in L'Economie Rurale, vol. 5, in 1775.

PALLANTIDES, the fifty sons of Pallas, the son of Pandion, and brother of Egeus; who were all killed by Theseus, the son of Ægeus, whose succession they opposed. Plut. in Thes.

PALLAS, in mythology, a giant, the son of Cælus and Terra, who was killed by Minerva. PALLAS, a common name of Minerva, from aλλuy, to brandish, in allusion to her spear.

It

PALLAS, a freed man of Claudius, celebrated for the power and the riches which he obtained. He advised the emperor to marry Agrippina, and to adopt her son Nero for his successor. was through him and Agrippina that the death of Claudius was hastened, and that Nero was raised to the throne. Nero, however, discarded Pallas, and some time after caused him to be put to death, that he might obtain his wealth.

PALLAS (Peter Simon), a celebrated German modern naturalist, was born at Berlin, in 1741. After having studied medicine at Halle and Gottingen, he removed to Leyden, where he graduated M.D. in 1760. He then came to London, to improve his professional knowledge, and about 1762 returned to Berlin. At length he settled at the Hague, where he published some valuable zoological works. In 1767 he went to Russia, and was employed by the government of that country on an expedition of discovery in the Asiatic provinces. In the course of this nd rtaking he procured the materials for several important works on the various branches of natural history, which he afterwards published. In 1793 and 1794 he travelled in the southern provinces of Russia, and subsequently settled in the Crimea, on an estate bestowed on him by the empress. His death took place at Berlin in 1811. Among his principal works are, Elenchus Zoophytorum, Hag. Com., 1765; Miscellanea Zoologica, Hag. Com., 1766, 4to; Spicliegia quibus novæ Ani

malium species Iconibus illustr., Berolin, 1767 -80, 4to.; Nove Species Quadrupedum, e Glirium Ordine, Erlang. 1778, 4to.; Icones Insectorum præsertim Rossie, Sibiriæque peculiarium, Erlang. 1791, 4to.; Flora Russica, seu stirpium Imp. Rossici per Europam et Asiam indigenarum Descriptiones et Icones, Petrop., 17841815, 2 vols. folio; Illustrationes Plantarum imperfectè vel nondum cognitarum, Petrop., 1804 -6, folio; Linguarum totius Orbis Vocabularia comparativa, Petrop, 1786-89, 2 vols. 4to.; Reise durch verschiedene Provinzen des Russiscaen Reichs, Petersb. 1771, &c. 5 vols. 4to.; Sammlungen Historischer Nachrichten über die Mongolischen Volkerschaften, Leips. 1779, 8vo.; Bemerkungen auf einer Reise in die Südlichen Staathalterschaften der Russischen Reichs in den Jahren, 1793-4, Leips. 1799-1801, 2 vols. 4to. The travels of M. Pallas have been transated into French, under the title of Voyages dans Plusieurs Provinces de l'Empire de Russie, et dans l'Asie Septentrionale, trad, par Gautier de la Peyronie, Paris, 1788, 5 vols. 4to., and 1794, 8 vols. 8vo. ; and, Second Voyage en Russie, pendant les années, 1793—4, Paris, 1811, 4 vols. 8vo. There is also an English translation of the latter work, 1812, 2 vols. 4to.

PALLAVICINI (Ferrante), an Italian wit of considerable note, descended from a noble family in Placentia, where he was born about the close of the sixteenth century. He gave early proofs of an extraordinary genius, and quickly acquired a masterly knowledge in the elements of classical erudition. He was afterwards sent to complete his education in the monastery of Augustin friars at Milan, where he took the habit, lived much esteemed for piety as well as learning, and raised great expectations of future fame; but at length he engaged in an intrigue with a young courtezan of Venice, to enjoy whose company without restraint, he obtained leave from his general to make the tour of France. Accordingly, he pretended to set out for that country; but never left Venice, but lived there privately with his mistress; and imposed upon his friends, by sending them, in letters, feigned accounts of his travels through France; also Informing them of several things respecting that court, which he learned from the information of many considerable persons with whom he corresponded. But such a series of imposition could not last. Being in want of money, he wrote for the booksellers; and, among other pieces, published a collection of Satirical Letters, the wit of which was chiefly levelled against the Spaniards, entitled The Courier robbed of his Mail. Though licensed by the inquisitors, the secretary of the republic of Venice refused it his imprimatur; which irritated the author so much that he published an enlarged edition of it, filled with severe invectives against, not only the Venetian secretary, but pope Urban VIII., his nephews, and the whole family of the Barbarini. This raised him a number of powerful enemies; who, by the treachery of one Morfu, a Frenchman, who pretended to be his friend, got him at last into their power; and, after a year's imprisonment at Avignon, brought him for form's sake to a trial; and, notwithstan! ng an excel

lent defence, condemned him to be beheaded and he was accordingly executed, in the flower of his age. The latter part of his life had been one continued series of dissipation, debauchery, folly, and extravagance. Yet he was not without some virtues. Sincere and faithful in his friendships, no man was ever a more easy prey to the treachery of others. His works were published in 2 vols., with his life prefixed, at Amsterdam, in 1696.

PALLAVICINI (Sforza), a learned cardinal, born at Rome in 1607. He became a Jesuit in 1638. He was much employed by popes Innocent X. and Alexander VII. He wrote several works, the chief of which was a History of the Council of Trent, wherein he opposes that of F. Paul.

PALLENE, a small peninsula of Thrace or Macedonia, formerly called Phlegra. It is situated near the bay of Therma, and contains five cities, the principal of which is also called Pallene. It was famous in the mythology for an engagement between the gods and the giants.

PALLET, n. s. Fr. puilette; Lat. paleatus. Written paillet' by Chaucer, from Fr. paille, straw, as Dr. Johnson conjectures. A small mean bed: also a small measure.

Why, rather, Sleep, liest thou in smoky cribs, Upon uneasy pallets stretching thee, And husht with buzzing night-flies to thy slumber; Than in the perfumed chambers of the great, Under the canopies of costly state,

And lulled with sounds of sweetest melody?

Shakspeare. His secretary was laid in a pallet near him for ventilation of his thoughts. Wotton's Buckingham. If your stray attendants be yet lodged, Or shroud within these limits, I shall know, Ere morrow wake, or the low-roosted lark From her thatcht pallet rouse. A surgeon drew from a patient in four days, twenty-seven pallets, every pallet containing thiee Hakewill.

ounces.

Milton.

PALLET, among painters, is a little oval table, or piece of wood, or ivory, very thin and smooth; on and round which the painters place the several colors they have occasion for, to be ready for the pencil. The middle serves to mix the colors on, and to make the tints required in the work. It has no handle, but, instead thereof, a hole at one end to put the left thumb through to hold it.

PALLET, among potters, crucible-makers, &c., a wooden instrument, almost the only one they use for forming, heating, and rounding their works. They have several kinds, the largest are oval, with a handle; others are round, or hollowed triangularly; others, like large knives, serving to cut off whatever is superfluous on the moulds of their work.

PALLET, in gilding, an instrument made of a squirrel's tail, to take up the gold leaves from the pillow, and to apply and extend them on the matter to be gilt.

PALLET, in heraldry, the diminutive of the pale, being onehalf of its breadth. Several pallets may be borne in one escutcheon, as in the annexed example. Argent three pallets, wavy gules, name Downes.'

And, like a withered lily, on the land
His slender frame and pallid aspect lay,
As fair a thing as e'er was formed of clay.

Byron. PALLIO CO-OPERIRE. It was an ancient custom, where children were born out of lawful wedlock, and their parents were afterwards married, that those children, together with the father and mother, should stand pallio co-operti, under a cloth, while the marriage was solemnising; which was a kind of adoption, and had the effect of a legitimation.

PALLIOT (Peter), a French engraver, printer, bookseller, and author, born at Dijon, in Normandy. His works are highly valued by literary antiquaries; particularly two tracts on Blazoning and Genealogy. His folio edition contains above 6000 escutcheons of his own engraving.

PALLIUM, in antiquity, an upper garment or mantle worn by the Greeks, as the toga was by the Romans. Each of these were so peculiar to the respective nations, that Palliatus is used to signify a Greek, and Togatus a Roman.

PALLIUM, a word often mentioned in our old historians. Durandus tells us that it was a garment made of white wool, after the following manner, viz. The nuns of St. Agnes, every year, on the feast-day of their saint, offer two white lambs on the altar of their church, during the time they sing Agnus Dei, in a solemn mass; which lambs are afterwards taken by two of the canons of the Lateran church, and by them given to the pope's subdeacons, who send them to pasture till shearing time, and then they are shorn, and the pall is made of their wool mixed with other white wool. The pall, being thus made, is carried to the Lateran church, and there placed on the high altar, by the deacons, on the bodies of St. Peter and St. Paul; and, after an usual watching, it is carried away in the night, and delivered to the subdeacons, who lay it up safely. And, because it was taken from the body of St. Peter, it signifies the plenitude of ecclesiastical power; and therefore it was the prerogative of popes, who pretend to be the immediate successors of that saint, to invest other prelates with it; which at first was done nowhere but at Rome, though afterwards at other places.

PALL'MALL, n. s. Fr. pale maille; Lat. pila and malleus. A play in which the ball is struck with a mallet through an iron ring: and which seems to have given name to the celebrated street in Westminster of this name. PALM, n. s. & v. a. PALM'IST,

PALMISTRY, n. s.

Fr. palme; Ital., Span., Port., and Lat., Spalma; Gr. radaun. The

inner surface of the hand: hence a measure of three inches: to conceal in the hand or palm; hence to impose by juggling or fraud; to handle or stroke with the hand: palmister is one who attempts to foretel the events of a person's life by inspecting the palm of the hand: palmistry, his pretended art: Addison uses it of another kind of cheating by the hand. See below.

By this virgin palm now kissing thine, I will in thine. Shakspeare. Drinks of extreme thin parts fretting, put upon the back of your hand, will, with a little stay, pass through to the palm, and yet taste mild to the mouth. Bacon.

Henry VIII. of England, Francis I. of France, and Charles V. emperor, were so provident, as scarce a palm of ground could be gotten by either, but that the other two would set the balance of Europe upright again. Id.

The same hand into a fish may close,
Which instantly a palm expanded shows.

Denham.

The length of a foot is a sixth part of the stature; a span one eighth of it; a palm or hand's breadth one twenty-fourth; a thumb's breadth or inch one seventy-second; a forefinger's breadth one ninetysixth. Holder on Time.

We shall not query what truth is in palmistry, or divination from lines of our hands of high denomination. Browne's Vulgar Errours. Seeking my success in love to know, I tried the infallible prophetic way, A poppy-leaf upon my palm to lay. Dryden.

PALM, N. S. Fr. palmier; Ital. Span. PALMER, Port. and Lat. palma, as PALMERWORM, some have conjectured PALMETTO, n. s. from its leaves resembling PALMIT'EROUS, adj. the open hand. A tree of PAIMY, great variety in its species. PALMIPEDE. See below. Its branches were borne and worn as tokens of victory; hence it intends victory; triumph; superiority: a palmer is a kind of pilgrim, so called from those who formerly returned from Palestine bearing palm-branches: palmerworm, a worm covered with hair, so called, says Johnson, because he wanders over many plants: palmiferous, is bearing or abundant in palms: palmipede, web-footed; having the toes connected by a membrane (as the palmleaves): palmy is literally synonymous with palmiferous, and used for high; triumphant; magnificent, as in the extract from Shakspeare.

Get the start of the majestic world,
And bear the palm alone.

Shakspeare. Julius Cæsar,
In the most high and palmy state of Rome,
A little ere the mightiest Julius fell,
The graves stood tenantless.
My sceptre, for a palmer's walking staff.

Id. Hamlet.

Water-fowl which are pulmipede are whole footed, have very long necks, and yet but short legs, as swans. Ray.

There are twenty-one species of this tree, of which the most remark iblare, the greater palm or date-tree. The dwarf pn grows in Spain, l'ortugal, and Italy, from whence the leaves are sent hither and made into flag-brooms. The oily palm is a native of Guinex and Cape Verd Isla. 1, but has been transplanted to Jamaica and barbadoes grows as high as the main mast of a ship. Müller. behold you isle, by paoners, pilgrims trod, Men bearded, bald, cowled, uncowled, shod, unshod. Pope.

Broad o'er my head the verdant cedars wave, And high palmettos lift their graceful shade. Thomson.

It

PALM, CABBAGE. See ARECA.

PALM, COCOA NUT. See Cocos.

PALM SUNDAY, the Sunday before Easter; being so called in memory of our Saviour's triumphal entry into Jerusalem, when the multitude that attended him strewed branches of palm trees in his way. The ancients had other names for this day: for, 1. They called it Dominica Competentium, i. e. Sunday of the Competents; because on that day the catechumens came to ask the bishop leave to be admitted to baptism, which was conferred the Sunday following. They had also then given them the symbol or creed, to get off by heart, to be repeated to the bishop in the ceremony of baptism. 2. They called it Capitiluvium, the Sunday of washing the head; because those who were to be baptised the following Sunday were prepared by washing their heads on this day.

PALMA, a north-west island of the Canaries, is eight leagues long, and six leagues broad, very mountainous and woody: the interior having many extensive volcanoes. It is only cultivated near the coast, and produces the best wine of the islands, a great quantity of almonds, some sugar and silk, and corn to serve its inhabitants half the year. It has a trade in silk which is considerable, and a good fishery on the African coast. Humboldt states it to contain 36,000 inhabitants.

PALMA, the capital of Majorca, is situated at the bottom of a large bay, formed by Cape Blinco and Cala Figuera. It stands on the slope of a hill; and, when viewed from the bay, presents a picturesque appearance. It is still surrounded with walls, and has on the land side

dry ditch and outworks, but is not capable of sustaining a siege. Part of the streets are narrow and all paved, but those in the lower part of the town, and the squares, are spacious and regular. The cathedral is a large and handsome Gothic building, with beautiful windows of painted glass, and has a tower temirkable for the bold

ness and delicacy of its architecture. The parish church of St. Michael is yet more ancient, and served for a mosque under the Moors. The government house is an irregular but large building, containing a chapel royal, an arsenal, barracks, and state prison. It has several elegant apartments. The house called de la Contratacion is a large Gothic edifice, with a beautiful hall, and is used for the meetings of merchants, as well as for balls, and other public entertainments. The town-house attracts attention by the sculpture and public ornaments on its entablature. In the inside are portraits of all the great men of Majorca, from Hannibal to Don Jayme. The clock is said to be regulated, both in marking and striking the hours, by the course of the sun and by the solstices, being perhaps the only one of the kind in the world. The private houses are on the plan of the ancient Moorish residences, which is probably the most suitable to the climate: they have on the ground floor a portico and lobby, with pillars, and some small apartments. On the first floor are large rooms without glass windows; and above all the family apartments, such as bed-rooms, kitchen, &c In the latter there are seldom chimneys or stoves, the cooking being carried on with charcoal. The poor reside in cellars, which seldom receive air or light but by the door. See MAJORCA.

PALMA, a town of Sicily, noted for its sulphur cargoes shipped annually to England. It has a small harbour. Population 6000. Twelve miles S.S. E. of Girgenti.

PALMA, a small town in the south of Spain, in Andalusia, on the Xenil. Population 4200. Thirty-eight miles W.S. W. of Cordova.

PALMA, a town of Austrian Illyria, in Friuli, on the Natisone, near Aquileja, with 2000 inhabitants, and a fort.

PALMA, a small inland town of Portuguese Estremadura, on the right side of the river Cadaon, twenty-eight miles east of Setubal.

PALMA, a river of Brasil, which runs nearly west, and enters the Paratinga, a tributary of the Toccantines. It is also the name of an island close to the mouth of the river Plata.

PALMA, NUESTRA SENORA DE LA, a city of New Granada, in Tunja, on the east shore of the river Magdalena. The inhabitants carry on a considerable trade in sugar, sweets, and linen and cotton manufactures. Population 600 housekeepers. Fifty-four miles north-west of Santa Fe, and sixty-eight west by south of Tunja. Long. 74° 52′ 30′′ W., lat. 5° 8′ N. This is the name of several other settlements in South America.

PALMÆ, in botany, palms. Under this name Linnæus has arranged several genera, which, although capable of a place in separate classes of his system, he chooses rather, on account of their singular structure, to place apart in an appendix to the work. See BOTANY. They are defined to be plants with simple stems, which at their summit bear leaves resembling those of the ferns, being a composition of a leaf and a branch; and whose flowers and fruit are produced on that particular receptacle or seat called a spadix, protruded from a common calyx in form of a sheath or scabbard, termed by Linnæus spatha.

PALMAS, CIVIAD DE LAS, the capital of the Grand Canary Island, and the centre of all its commerce. It is the residence of a bishop, whose living is said to be worth about £10,000. The convents are numerous; and the town, watered by a rivulet, has a handsome appearance. Inhabitants 9437. Being less frequented by navigators, however, it does not equal in importance the ports of Teneriffe.

PALMAS, a small town, the capital of Gomera, one of the Canaries.

PALMAS, CAPE, a promontory of West Africa, forming the entrance from the north into the Gulf of Guinea, and the western termination of the Ivory coast. Here is a road affording good shelter against south winds.

PALMER (John), an eminent actor, born in London in 1742, made his debut, under Foote, at the Haymarket theatre, and, after having performed with reputation in the country, was engaged by Garrick at Drury Lane. He gradually appeared in a great variety of parts, both in tragedy and comedy, in some of which perhaps he was never excelled. He remained at Drury Lane, sometimes visiting Liverpool in the summer, till he engaged in the scheme for erecting a new theatre in the East of London. Having been appointed manager, he laid the first stone of the new building, December 26th, 1785, and in June 1787 it was opened, but without legal authority. Mr. Palmer persevered for some time in a fruitless attempt to obtain a patent; and was obliged at last to return to Drury Lane. His unlucky project was the cause of great pecuniary embarrassments, and he was committed to the King's Bench, from which he was only liberated by a compromise with his creditors. His difficulties continuing, he purposed to emigrate to America; and went with that view to Edinburgh, but afterwards relinquished his scheme. Towards the close of his life he passed the summer season in the country, and his last engagement was at Liverpool. At the theatre there, on the 2d of August 1798, while performing The Stranger, he fell on the stage exclaiming, in the words of the drama, 'There is another and a better world!' and almost immediately expired. His distressed circumstances, the recent loss of a son by death, and other misfortunes, had preyed greatly on his spirits.

PALMER (John), the projector of the mail coaches, was a native of Bath, where he at first was employed in a common brewery. After this, he solicited and obtained a patent for a theatre, which concern proved eminently successful. To elicit theatric talent he travelled much on horseback; and the necessity of despatch, but, above all, the insecurity of the ordinary mode of conveying the mails, inspired Mr. Palmer with the idea of transmitting letters by coaches. He succeeded in his object, though not without great opposition; but the utility of the plan soon became manifest, and he was made comptroller general of the post-office, with a salary of £1500 a year. But in 1792 he was suspended, and lost the benefit to which he was entitled for the advantage he had rendered to the public. At length, on application to parliament, he received a compensation; though a very in