312 MANUAL OP ZOOLOGY. 



VERMIFORM (Lat. vcrmis, worm ; and/orwa, form). Worm-like. 



VBRTEBRATA (Lat. vertebra, a bone of the back, from verttre, to turn). The 

 division of the Animal Kingdom, roughly characterised by the posses- 

 sion of a backbone. 



VESICLE (Lat. vesica, a bladder). A little sac or cyst. 



VIBRACULA (Lat. vibro, I shake). Long filamentous appendages found in 

 many Polyzoa. 



VIBRIOXES (Lat. vibro, I shake). The little moving filaments developed in 

 organic infusions. 



VIVIPAROUS (Lat. vivus, alive ; and pario, I bring forth). Bringing forth 

 young alive. 



WHORL. The spiral turn of a univalve shell. 



XIPHOSURA (Gr. xipkos, a sword ; and oura, tail). An order of Crustacea, 

 comprising the Limuli or King-crabs, characterised by their long sword- 

 like tails. 



XYLOPHAGOUS (G-r. xulon, wood ; and phago, I eat). Eating wood ; applied 

 to certain Mollusca, 



ZOOID (Gr. zoon, animal ; and eidos, like). The more or less completely in- 

 dependent organisms, produced by gemmation or fission, whether these 

 remain attached to one another or are detached and set free. 



ZOOPHYTE (Gr. zoon, animal ; and phuton, plant). Loosely applied to many 

 plant-like animals, such as Sponges, Corals,. Sea-anemones, Sea-mats, &c. 



ZOOSPORES (Gr. zoon, animal ; and spora, seed). The ciliated locomotive 

 germs of some of the lowest forms of plants (Protopkyta), 



