Page:Collier's New Encyclopedia v. 07.djvu/242

PERIWINKLE 188 PERKINS by cold, mechanical Injuries of the peri- toneum, the development of tumors, etc. Women in childbed are peculiarly liable to it. After the disease has continued for a certain time, it is attended with tension and swelling of the belly ; and if not checked, it usually terminates in from 5 to 10 days. PERIWINKLE (Littorina), a genus of marine Gasteropods, represented by several species on British coasts. The ^C OO PERIWINKLE Anatomy of body removed from the shell ; Bk rostrum, SG, salivary gland; LG, lingual coil; S. stomach; L, liver; RO, renal organ; A. anue; H, heart; SM, shell muscle; MC, mucous gland; C, gill; O, ovary; 00, ovarian orifice; P. foot. commonest, L. littorea, is abundant be- tween tide marks on the rocks, and is often collected and used for food. It is boiled in its shell, extracted as eaten, and is very palatable. Periwinkles crawl about when under water, but usually re- main passive when left uncovered by the tide. Without water they can survive for many hours, and they are also able to endure a considerable freshening of the salt water. They feed on sea weeds, and are often useful in keeping beds of young oysters from being smothered. Periwinkles drawn up from 70 to 80 fathoms were first in 1889 used as bait for cod fishing on the banks of New- foundland. The edible species is ovipa- rous, but in L. rudis, which is usually common nearer high water mark, the young are hatched and have a hard shell before they leave the mother. Species of Littorina occur on almost all coasts, and there are about 50 in all. PERJURY, the taking of a wilful false oath or affirmation, by a witness lawfully required to depose the truth in a matter of some consequence to the point in question. A false oath, there- fore, taken before no court, or before a court incompetent to try the issue in question, does not constitute the off'ense of perjury at common law. But many statutes in the United States, passed by the general government or the several States on the matter, provide that a false oath or declaration made on some speci- fied occasions, or for some particular pur- poses, shall be considered to be perjury, and punishable accordingly. Perjury is a misdemeanor at common law, and by several statutes punishable by fine and imprisonment, and by penal servitude for a term not sxceeding seven years. PERKINS, GEORGE WALBRIDGE, American banker. Born in Chicago in 1862. After graduating from the public schools in Chicago he entered business in the office of the New York Life In- surance Co, He rose steadily in the of- fices of the company and finally became vice-president in 1903. From 1901 to 1910 he was a member of the firm of J. P. Morgan & Co, In the latter year, while retaining his position as directcir GEORGE WALBRIDGE PERKINS in many of the large corporations, he re- tired from active business and has given his time and money to many public en- terprises, such as the Palisades Inter- state Park Commission, the New York Scenic and Historic Preservation Society, etc.