Proterosaurus

3850

Prothallus

and as a source of energy. Proteins arc in-
soluble in and usually coagulated by alcohol.
They are also coagulated by heat.

Proterosaurus, a fossil reptile found in the
Permian strata of Bohemia and North Amer-
ica.

Proterozoic Era, that period of geological
time between the making of the igneous com-
plex of the oldest known rocks and the be-
ginning of the lowest system now known to
contain well-preserved fossils. It ib therefore
the time between the Archcnn in its restricted
sense and the Paleozoic. As thus used, it is
a synonym of the term Algonkian of the II.
S. Geological Survey.

Protestant. See Protestantism.

Protestant Episcopal Church, the title
officially adopted by the Anglican commun-
ion in America (see CHURCU, ANGLICAN).The
church of the Jamestown colonists in 1607
was the Anglican. With the recognition of the
independence of the Colonies, at the close of
the Revolution, the English Church as such
ceased to exist there, hut loyal Churchmen
set themselves the task of organizing a na-
tional church upon Episcopal foundations
and traditions. In the year 1784 a movement
was begun to unite the Episcopalians in the
United States in one organization. The Eng-
lish Prayer Book was to be the basis of the
Liturgy, but so modified as to be suitable for
the new political status.

The first General Convention, composed
of 16 clergymen and 24 laymen from seven
States, met in Philadelphia, Sept. 27, 1785,
drafted an ecclesiastical constitution, and be-
gan the preparation of a liturgy. Corres-
pondence with the Archbishop of Canter-
bury and the passage of the Act of Parlia-
ment enabling the English episcopate to con-
secrate bishops for America, prepared the
way for the consecration in 1787, of Dr,
White of Pennsylvania and Dr. Provoost of
New York. The General Convention which
met in Philadelphia, July 28-Oct. if>, 1780,
completed the union of the church in the
States under one name and government.

The ministry of the church comprises
bishops, priests, and deacons. The territory
of the United States is divided into dioceses
or missionary districts, each under the juris-
diction of a bishop, Bishop-coadjutors are
allowed the right of succession, and also
suffragan bishops who arc eligible but have
not the right of succession. The dioceses and
missionary districts arc further grouped into
eight provinces, with a metropolitan see at
the head of each. In matters of legislation

the General Convention is first, then the
diocesan convention, and lastly the parochial
vestry. The General Convention meets every
three years. Any revision of the constitution
of the Prayer Book must lie over from one
convention to another and be passed bv
both. The diocesan conventions meet annually
and legislate for their own internal affairs.
Vestries are elected by the members of the
parish. Rectors are chosen by the vestries,
usually with the advice of the bishop. In
matters of discipline there are canonical pro-
visions, both general and diocesan.

There are various organizations devoted to
the religious, social, and educational work
of the church. The leading church publica-
tions a re: The Church at Work, The Church-
wan, The Living Church, The S/ririt of Mis-
sions, The Witness, Tltc. Chronicle and The
Antficiin Theological Review. Consult Bishop
Perry's History; Hodges* Three Hundred
Years of the fipisc.opdl Church hi America.

Protestantism. The name 'Protestant' was
first given to the supporters of Luther, who
'protested' against the decree of the second
Diet of Spires in 1520. The name was soon
extended to ail the churches which separated
from Rome, whether Episcopal or Presby-
terian. Since the Oxford movement in the
Church of England it has sunk into dis-
favor with thr Anglican Catholic party.

Proteus (Proteus an#uinns), a long, slen-
der amphibian, representative of the family
Protekku, which retains throughout life ex-
ternal gills, which are provisional larval
structures in most Amphibia. It lives always
in absolute darkness. So far as is known, it
never leaves the water* The body is white,
faintly touched with red by the blood. The
animal reaches a length of about a foot, ha?
a long tail, four weak limbs placed far apart.
A related species is found in the United
States, in caves in Texas, The American mud-
puppy or mud-eel, another related form, is
nocturnal in its activities, searching at night
for the worms, crayfish, frogs, etc., on which
it lives and hiding under rocks, or amid
weeds, during the day.

Proteu*, in ancient Greek mythology, 'the
old man of the sea.' He had prophetic pow-
ers; but any man who desired his advice
must seitfe him and hold him while he
changed into one shape after another: if he
was kept a prisoner, at last he returned to his
true form and declared the future.

Prothallus, the name given to the flat,
heart-shaped body which results from the de-
velopment of a spore of a fern. On the under