Physalia

2 definitions found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Physalia \Phy*sa"li*a\, prop. n. [NL., fr. Gr. fysalli`s a
     bladder, fr. fy^sa a bellows.] (Zool.)
     A genus of large oceanic Siphonophora which includes the
     Portuguese man-of-war.
     [1913 Webster]
  


     Note: It has a large air sac, or float, with a sail-like
           crest on its upper side. Numerous zooids of different
           kinds are attached to the under side of the float. Some
           of the zooids have very long tentacles; some have a
           mouth and digest food; others produce gonophores. The
           American species ({Physalia arethusa}) is brilliantly
           colored, the float being pink or purple, and bright
           blue; the zooids blue. It is noted for its virulent
           stinging powers, as well as for its beautiful colors,
           graceful motions, and its ability to sail to windward.
           [1913 Webster]

From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:

  Physalia
       n : Portuguese man-of-war [syn: {genus Physalia}]