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A minute, slender granule, or point.

A peculiar small siliceous spicule having a denticulated wheel at each end; -- found in freshwater sponges.

One of the anchor-shaped spicules of certain sponges; also, one of the calcareous spinules of certain Holothurians, as in species of Synapta. Anchor ice. See under Ice. -- Anchor ring. (Math.) Same as Annulus, 2 (b). -- Anchor stock (Naut.), the crossbar at the top of the shank at right angles to the arms. -- The an…

An order of marine sponges, containing calcareous spicules. See Porifera.

onge, of the genus Hyalonema, and allied genera; -- so called from their glassy fibers or spicules; -- called also vitreous sponge. See Glass-rope, and Euplectella.

An order of sponges, having simple siliceous spicules and keratose fibers; -- called also Keratosilicoidea.

Having six-rayed spicules; belonging to the Hexactinellinæ.

Belonging to the Hexactinellinæ, a group of sponges, having six-rayed siliceous spicules.

An order of vitreous sponges, having glassy six-rayed, siliceous spicules; -- called also Hexactinellinæ.

rder of rhizopods, usually having a siliceous skeleton, or shell, and sometimes radiating spicules. The pseudopodia project from the body like rays. It includes the polycystines. See Polycystina.

mbulacra on the upper side of the spatangoid and clypeastroid sea urchins. See Illust. of Spicule, and Sand dollar, under Sand.

Having the parts spreading out like a wheel; wheel-shaped; as, a rotate spicule or scale; a rotate corolla, i.e., a monopetalous corolla with a flattish border, and no tube or a very short one.

Having a straight shaft with whorls of spines; -- said of certain sponge spicules. See Illust. under Spicule.

A hard chitinous or calcareous process or corpuscle, especially a spicule of the Alcyonaria.

Having six rays; -- said of certain sponge spicules. See Illust. of Spicule.

ifera, which includes those that have the skeleton composed mainly of siliceous fibers or spicules.

Covered with, or having, spicules.

Having the shape of a spicule.

Producing or containing spicules.

A division of sponges including those which have independent siliceous spicules.