polydymite

[Pref. poly-, and Gr. didymos twofold, twain.] Mineralogy: An isometric mineral, found in octahedrons, frequently twinned poly synthetically, and also ma ive. Hardne , 4'5; specific gravity, 4-8084'816; luster, brilliant metallic; color, light-gray. Composition: Sulphur, 41-09; nickel, 54-30; cobalt, 0-63: iron, 3.98=100. The calculated formula is Ni4S5. pol-y-e-dric, pol-ỹ-ē'-dron, . [POLYHEDRIC POLYHEDRON, .] has short branches, crowded with ovate or oblong obtuse leaves; the corolla beautifully crested, blue, purple, pink, or white. It is common on dry hilly pastures. P. vulgar is and P. major are le energetic. An infusion of P. rubella , a native of North America, also very bitter, is used in small doses as a tonic and stimulant, and in larger ones as a diaphoretic. The American P. senega is Snake-root (q.v.). P.chamæbuxus from Europe, P.sanguine a and P. purpure a from North America, P. paniculata from the West Indies, P.serpent aria from the Cape, and P. crotala rio ides from the Him a lay as, are emetic, purgative, and diuretic. P. poaya from Brazil, P. glandulosa , and P. scoparia from Mexico, are emetic. P. thesioides , from Chili, is diuretic. P. tinct or i a , from Arabia, is there used in dyeing, and the Javanese P. venenosa is poisonous. pă-lỹg-a-lā-çě-æ, s. pl. [Mod. Lat. polygal (a); Lat. fem. pl. adj. suff. -aceœ.] Bot.: Milkworts; an order of Hypogynous Exogens, alliance Sap in dales. Shrubs or herbs, sometimes twining. Leaves simple, exstipulate. Flowers generally racemose, pedicels with three bracts; sepals five, very irregular, three exterior and two (the wings) interior, the latter usually petaloid. Petals three or five, one, the keel, larger; stamens eight or four, usually combined in a tube, split on one side. Ovary superior, compre ed, two or three-celled, with one, rarely two ovules in each. Style one, stigma simple. Fruit fleshy, coriaceous or drupaceous, winged or apterous, with pendulous seeds. Distribution world-wide; known genera 19, species 495 ( Lindley ); genera 15, species 400 ( Sir Joseph Hooker). po-lyg-a-lin, subst. [Mod. Lat. polygal (a); -in (Chem.).] [SENEGIN.]