PODURA, or SPRINGTAIL, a genus of insects of the order of aptera. See ENTOMOLOGY Index.
POE-BIRD is an inhabitant of some of the South sea islands, where it is held in great esteem and veneration by the natives. It goes by the name of koko in New Zealand; but it is better known by that of poë-bird. It is somewhat less than our blackbird, and is remarkable for the sweetness of its note, as well as the beauty of its plumage. Its flesh is also delicate food.
POECILE was a famous portico at Athens, which received its name from the variety (ποικίλος) of paintings which it contained. Zeno kept his school there; and there also the stoics received their lessons, whence their name, δ εἶα, a porch. The Poecile was adorned, among many others, with a picture of the siege and sacking of Troy, the battle of Theseus against the Amazons, and the fight between the Lacedæmonians and Athenians at Oenoe in Argolis. The only reward which Miltiades obtained after the battle of Marathon was to have his picture drawn more conspicuous than that of the rest of the officers that fought with him, in the representation which was made of the engagement, and which was hung up in the Poecile in commemoration of that celebrated victory.