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ment of the back of the neck in quadrupeds. It connects the back of the skull with dorsal spines of the cervical vertebræ, and helps to support the head. Called also paxywaxy and packwax.

Having a pike or spine on the back; -- said of certain fishes.

), having a large head, with prominent nasal projection, and with large, sharp, opercular spines.

Platelike; having irregular, platelike, bony scales, often bearing spines; pertaining to the placoids.

A black variety of spinel.

Having a curved projection or spine on the inner side of a leg joint; -- said of insects.

Old Word rodent of the genus Hystrix, having the back covered with long, sharp, erectile spines or quills, sometimes a foot long. The common species of Europe and Asia (Hystrix cristata) is the best known.

The part of the scapula behind or below the spine, or mesoscapula.

Caries of the vertebræ, frequently resulting in curvature of the spine and paralysis of the lower extremities; -- so named from Percival Pott, an English surgeon. Pott's fracture, a fracture of the lower end of the fibula, with displacement of the tibia. Dunglison.

The part of the scapula in front of, or above, the spine, or mesoscapula.

sharp process or projection, as from the skin of an animal, the bark of a plant, etc.; a spine. Bacon.

ents belonging to Ctenomys and allied genera. The hair is usually intermingled with sharp spines.

A spine of the hedgehog or porcupine.

A painful affection of the spine; especially, Pott's disease; also, formerly, lead colic.

The spine; the vertebral column.

Literally, inflammation of the spine, but commonly applied to the rickets. See Rickets.

The neck and spine of a fore quarter of veal or mutton.

One of the radiating spines, or cartilages, supporting the fins of fishes.

Having gular teeth formed by a peculiar modification of the inferior spines of some of the vertebræ, as certain South African snakes (Dasypelits) which swallow birds' eggs and use these gular teeth to crush them.

The spine.