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A South American bird, of the genus Aramus, allied to the rails.

An umbelliferous plant of the genus Chærophyllum (C. temulum and C. sylvestre).

A coarse umbelliferous weed of the genus Heracleum (H. sphondylium in England, and H. lanatum in America).

A leguminous climbing plant of the genus Mucuna, having crooked pods covered with sharp hairs, which stick to the fingers, causing intolerable itching. The spiculæ are sometimes used in medicine as a mechanical vermifuge. [Written also couhage, cowage, and cowitch.]

The seed of one or more leguminous plants of the genus Dolichos; also, the plant itself. Many varieties are cultivated in the southern part of the United States.

A genus of plants (Briza); quaking grass.

A marine shell of the genus Cypræa.

A weed of the genus Melampyrum, with black seeds, found on European wheatfields.

ass (Digitaria, or Panicum, sanguinalis); -- called also finger grass. (b) A grass of the genus Eleusine (E. Indica); -- called also dog's-tail grass, wire grass, etc. -- Crab louse (Zoöl.), a species of louse (Phthirius pubis), sometimes infesting the human body. -- Crab plover (Zoöl.), an Asiatic plover (Dromas ard…

A wading bird of the genus Grus, and allied genera, of various species, having a long, straight bill, and long legs and neck.

A genus of living Brachiopoda; -- so called from its fancied resemblance to the cranium or skull.

A kind of fresh-water bass of the genus Pomoxys, found in the rivers of the Southern United States and Mississippi valley. There are several species. [Written also croppie.]

A genus of small, hardy trees, including the hawthorn, much used for ornamental purposes.

h in Europe and America. The North American species are numerous and mostly belong to the genus Cambarus. The blind crawfish of the Mamoth Cave is Cambarus pellucidus. The common European species is Astacus fluviatilis.

A small bird of the genus Certhia, allied to the wrens. The brown or common European creeper is C. familiaris, a variety of which (var. Americana) inhabits America; -- called also tree creeper and creeptree. The American black and white creeper is Mniotilta varia.

An orthopterous insect of the genus Gryllus, and allied genera. The males make chirping, musical notes by rubbing together the basal parts of the veins of the front wings.

A genus of bulbous plants, of the order Amaryllidace, cultivated as greenhouse plants on account of their beauty.

A large reptile of the genus Crocodilus, of several species. They grow to the length of sixteen or eighteen feet, and inhabit the large rivers of Africa, Asia, and America. The eggs, laid in the sand, are hatched by the sun's heat. The best known species is that of the Nile (C. vulgaris, or C. Niloticus). The Florida c…

A genus of iridaceous plants, with pretty blossoms rising separately from the bulb or corm. C. vernus is one of the earliest of spring-blooming flowers; C. sativus produces the saffron, and blossoms in the autumn.

A bird of the genus Loxia, allied to the finches. Their mandibles are strongly curved and cross each other; the crossbeak.