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All the zooids of a hydroid colony collectively, including the nutritive and reproductive zooids, and often other kinds.

An alteration in a mineral or rock mass when involving a chemical change of the substance, as of chrysolite to serpentine; -- opposed to ordinary metamorphism, as implying simply a recrystallization. -- Met`a*so*mat"ic, a.

The assimilation by one body or organism of the elements of another.

See Musicomania.

A genus of small oceanic fishes, remarkable for the large conical tubercles which cover the under surface.

Same as Perisome.

The larva of the spiny lobsters (Palinurus and allied genera). Its body is remarkably thin, flat, and transparent; the legs are very long. Called also glass-crab, and glass-shrimp.

The investing portion, or spherical envelope, surrounding the eccentric germinal spot of the germinal vesicle.

The anterior of the body of an animal, as of a cephalopod; the thorax of an arthropod.

Such as can be ransomed.

An order of Pteropoda comprising those species which have a shell. See Pteropoda. -- The`co*so"ma*tous, a.

One of the largest African antelopes (Hippotragus, or Oryx, nasomaculatus).

The state of being appointed to somappointment of treasurer.

The religious system of Brahmo-somaj. Balfour.

ral other birds. -- Caterpillar hunter (Zoöl.), any species of beetles of the genus Callosoma and other allied genera of the family Carabidæ which feed habitually upon caterpillars.

Any species of sea duck of the genus Somateria, esp. Somateria mollissima, which breeds in the northern parts of Europe and America, and lines its nest with fine down (taken from its own body) which is an article of commerce; -- called also eider duck. The American eider (S. Dresseri), the king eider (S. spectabilis),…

teeth, as in certain insects and mollusks. Gizzard shad (Zoöl.), an American herring (Dorosoma cepedianum) resembling the shad, but of little value. -- To fret the gizzard, to harass; to vex one's self; to worry. [Low] Hudibras. -- To stick in one's gizzard, to be difficult of digestion; to be offensive. [Low]…

The larval state (Phyllosoma) of the genus Palinurus and allied genera. It is remarkable for its strange outlines, thinness, and transparency. See Phyllosoma.

A marine, sparoid, food fish of California (Cæsiosoma Californiense). The body is ovate, blackish above, blue or gray below. Called also medialuna.

orned snake (Zoöl.), the cerastes. -- Horned toad (Zoöl.), any lizard of the genus Phrynosoma, of which nine or ten species are known. These lizards have several hornlike spines on the head, and a broad, flat body, covered with spiny scales. They inhabit the dry, sandy plains from California to Mexico and Texas. Calle…