ship;
whence the name _peterel_, in reference to St. Peter's attempt to walk
on the water. They are seen in all parts of the ocean. The largest of
the petrels, _Procellaria fuliginosa_, is known by seamen as Mother
Cary's goose.

PETROLEUM. Called also rock, mineral, or coal, oil. A natural oil widely
distributed over the globe, consisting of carbon and hydrogen, in the
proportion of about 88 and 12 per cent. It burns fiercely with a thick
black smoke; and attempts, not yet successful, have been made to adapt
it as a fuel for steamers.

PETRONEL. An old term for a horse-pistol; also for a kind of carbine.

PETTAH. A town adjoining the esplanade of a fort.

PETTICOAT TROWSERS. A kind of kilt formerly worn by seamen in general,
but latterly principally by fishermen. (_See_ GALLIGASKINS.)

PETTY AVERAGE. Small charges borne partly by a ship, and partly by a
cargo, such as expenses of towing, &c.

PETTY OFFICER. A divisional seaman of the first class, ranking with a
sergeant or corporal.

PHALANX. An ancient Macedonian legion of varying numbers, formed into a
square compact body of pikemen with their shields joined.

PHARONOLOGY. Denotes the study of, and acquaintance with, lighthouses.

PHAROS. A lighthouse; a watch-tower.

PHASELUS. An ancient small vessel, equipped with sails and oars.

PHASES. The varying appearances of the moon's disc during a lunation;
also those of the inferior planets Venus and Mercury, as they revolve
round the sun.

PHILADELPHIA LAWYER. "Enough to puzzle a Philadelphia lawyer" is a
common nautical phrase for an inconsistent story.

PHINAK. A species of trout. (_See_ FINNOCK.)

PHYSICAL ASTRONOMY. That department of the science which treats of the
causes of the motions of the heavenly bodies.

PHYSICAL DOUBLE-STAR. _See_ DOUBLE-STAR and BINARY SYSTEM.

PIASTRE. A Spanish silver coin, value 4_s._ 3_d._ sterling. Also, a
Turkish coin of 40 paras, or 1_s._ 7_d._

PICARD. A boat of burden on the Severn, mentioned in our old statutes.

PICCANINNY. A negro or mulatto infant.

PICCAROON. A swindler or thief. Also, a piratical vessel.

PICCARY. Piratical theft on a small scale.

PICKERIE. An old word for stealing; under which name the crime was
punishable by severe duckings.

PICKET. A pointed staff or stake driven into the ground for various
military purposes, as the marking out plans of works, the securing
horses to, &c. (_See also_ PIQUET, an outguard.)

PICKETS. Two pointer