PERIGEE

(Gr. -ictpi, and yn, the earth.) In Astronomy, that point of the moon's orbit which is nearest to the earth. Anciently the term perigee was applied to the orbits of the sun and planets, as well as the moon, because they were supposed to circulate round the earth. Since the true centre of motion has been discovered, the term perihelion is used to denote the corresponding points. PERIGON1UM. (Gr. -Kept, and yuvopat, 1 grow.) A synonym of the word perianth. PER1GYNIUM. (Gr. ncpi, and y«wj, a female.) The irceolate body formed in the genus Carcx by two bractea-, which become confluent at their edges, and enclose the pislilhun, leaving a pa age for the stigmata at their apex. Also used occasionally to denote that organ commonly called the disk. [s. 932]