Search the Dictionary

may be used either in the field or for bombardment; in the former case, it is armed with shells or case shot; in the latter, with a combustible material inclosed in a metallic case, which is inextinguishable when kindled, and scatters its fire on every side.

ure of a rose, fraudulently circulated in Ireland in the 13th century for a penny. Rosary shell (Zoöl.), any marine gastropod shell of the genus Monodonta. They are top-shaped, bright-colored and pearly.

To plaster with a mixture of lime and shells or pebbles; as, to roughcast a building.

common; as, a tower surmounted by a saddle roof. Called also saddleback roof. -- Saddle shell (Zoöl.), any thin plicated bivalve shaell of the genera Placuna and Anomia; -- so called from its shape. Called also saddle oyster.

hilippines (Strychnos Ignatia), of properties similar to the nux vomica. -- Saint Jame's shell (Zoöl.), a pecten (Vola Jacobæus) worn by piligrims to the Holy Land. See Illust. under Scallop. -- Saint Jame's wort (Bot.), a kind of ragwort (Senecio Jacobæa). -- Saint John's bread. (Bot.) See Carob. -- Saint John's-w…

lids of the genus Sabellaria. They construct firm tubes of agglutinated sand on rocks and shells, and are sometimes destructive to oysters.

A chank shell (Turbinella pyrum); also, a shell bracelet or necklace made in India from the chank shell.

Any species of marine bivalve shells of the genus Saxicava. Some of the species are noted for their power of boring holes in limestone and similar rocks.

e gastropods of the genus Scalaria, or family Scalaridæ, having elongated spiral turreted shells, with rounded whorls, usually crossed by ribs or varices. The color is generally white or pale. Called also ladder shell, and wentletrap. See Ptenoglossa, and Wentletrap.

ff in thin layers or laminæ; as, some sandstone scales by exposure. Those that cast their shell are the lobster and crab; the old skins are found, but the old shells never; so it is likely that they scale off. Bacon.

arine bivalve mollusks of the genus Pecten and allied genera of the family Pectinidæ. The shell is usually radially ribbed, and the edge is therefore often undulated in a characteristic manner. The large adductor muscle of some the species is much used as food. One species (Vola Jacobæus) occurs on the coast of Palesti…

acker crumbs, seasoned with pepper, nutmeg, and butter. This was at first done in scallop shells.

Any fossil cephalopod shell of the genus Scaphites, belonging to the Ammonite family and having a chambered boat-shaped shell. Scaphites are found in the Cretaceous formation.

A class of marine cephalate Mollusca having a tubular shell open at both ends, a pointed or spadelike foot for burrowing, and many long, slender, prehensile oral tentacles. It includes Dentalium, or the tooth shells, and other similar shells. Called also Prosopocephala, and Solenoconcha.

A bed or stratum of shellfish; scalp. [Scot.]

Vegetable tissue composed of short cells with thickened or hardened walls, as in nutshells and the gritty parts of a pear. See Sclerotic.

Having a hard texture, as nutshells.

id to yield a dye like indigo, and to be used sometimes to adulterate senna. -- Scorpion shell (Zoöl.), any shell of the genus Pteroceras. See Pteroceras. -- Scorpion spiders. (Zoöl.), any one of the Pedipalpi. -- Scorpion's tail (Bot.), any plant of the leguminous genus Scorpiurus, herbs with a circinately coiled p…

in the propulsion of steam vessels; also, a steam vessel propelled by a screw. -- Screw shell (Zoöl.), a long, slender, spiral gastropod shell, especially of the genus Turritella and allied genera. See Turritella. -- Screw steamer, a steamship propelled by a screw. -- Screw thread, the spiral which forms a screw.…

To ornament, as shells, ivory, etc., by engraving, and (usually) rubbing pigments into the incised lines. [Sailor's cant. U.S.]