in ornithology, a genus belonging to the order of gallinae. The head is covered with feathers which bend backwards; and the feathers of the tail are very long, and beautifully variegated with eyes of different colours. There are three species, viz. 1. The cristatus, or common peacock of English authors, has a compressed crest, and solitary spurs, and is a native of Ceylon. 2. The bicoloratus has a small crest, and double spurs: It is a native of China. 3. The muticus, has a sharp pointed crest, and no spurs, and the orbits of the eyes are red. It is found in Japan.

in astronomy. See ASTRONOMY, p. 487.

PAURAEDRASTYLÆ, in natural history, the name of a genus of perfect crystals, with double pyramids, and no intermediate column, composed of twelve planes, or two hexangular pyramids, joined base to base.