acanthcB 
acanthcB, . Plural of acantha. 
Acantharia (ak-an-tha'ri-a), n. i>l. [NL., <Gr. 
iiKai'lla, a thorn, spine.] An order of radiolii- 
rians. See BaMolaria. 
acantharian (ak-an-tha'ri-an), a. and . I. ft. 
Of or pertaining to the Ai-iiii/lnirin. 
II. . One of the Ai-iinlliiiria. 
Acanthia (a-kan'thi-a), n. [NL., < Gr. i"iKav6a, a 
spine, thorn.] A genus of heteropterous he- 
mipterous insects. Fabrinntt. The name is used by 
some as synonymous with ,SWM, by others with Ciiin'j:. 
Aeanthias (a-kan'tlu-as), H. [NL.,<Gr. aKav- 
tliaf, a kind of shark, prob. flquiilus aeanthias, 
< anavQa, a thorn, prickle.] A genus of sharks, 
containing such as the dogfish, A. vtdgaris, type 
of the family Ac<nilliiiil/r. 
acanthichttiyosis (ak-an-thik-thi-o'sis), n. 
[NL., <Gr. uKavda, thorn, spine, + ixOif, a fish, 
+ -osis.] In jiiitliul., spinous fish-skin disease. 
See ichtliiitixia. 
Acanthiidae 1 (ak-an-thi'i-de), n. pi. [NL., < 
Acant/tin + -iilir.] In entom., a family of het- 
eropterous insects, taking name from the genus 
Acanthia. Also written Acanthida;. 
Acanthiidae 2 (ak-an-thi'i-de), n. pi. [NL., < 
Aeanthias + -ida;.] In ichth., a family of sela- 
chians, taking name from the genus Aeanthias. 
Also written Acanthida:, Acantkiadai. 
acanthine (a-kan'thin), a. and n. [<L. acan- 
thinus, < Gr. aKavffivof, thorny, made of acan- 
tha-wood, < (i/cavflof, brankursine, < anavda, a 
thorn: see acantha, Acanthus.] I. a. 1. Per- 
taining to or resembling plants of the genus 
Acanthus. 2. Inarch., ornamented with acan- 
thus-leaves. 
II. n. In arch., a fillet or other molding orna- 
mented with the acanthus-leaf. Buchanan, 
Diet. Sci. See cut under Acanthus. 
Acanthis (a-kan'this), n. [NL., < Gr. anavQ'u;, 
the goldfinch or the linnet, < aaavBa, a thorn, a 
thistle.] 1. A genus of fringilline birds, con- 
taining the linnets or siskins, the goldfinches, 
and also the redpolls. liechstein, 1803. [Now 
little used.] 2. A genus of bivalve mollusks. 
Serres. 1816. 
Acanthisittidae(a-kan-thi-sit'i-de), n.pl._ [NL., 
(.Acantltisitta, the typical genus (<Gr. aKavdif, 
the goldfinch or the linnet, + aim/, the nut- 
hatch, Sitta europa;a), + -ida;.] Same as Xeni- 
cidce. 
acanthite (a-kan'thit), n. [< Gr. anavSa, a thorn, 
+ -i'te 2 .] A mineral, a sulphid of silver hav- 
ing the same composition as argentite, but dif- 
fering in crystalline form : found at Freiberg, 
Saxony. 
acantho-. The combining form of Greek uKavOa, 
thorn, meaning "thorn" or "thorny." 
acanthobolus (ak-an-thob'o-lus), n. ; pi. acan- 
thoboli (-11). [NL., less correctly acantltabolus, 
contr. acanthalm; also in E. and F. form acan- 
thobole, less correctly acanthabole; <Gr. aKavdo- 
/3oAof, a surgical instrument for extracting 
bones, also lit., as adj., shooting thorns, prick- 
ing, < &Kav6a, a thorn, spine, -f- J3a/U<v, throw.] 
An instrument used for extracting splinters 
from a wound. Formerly called volsella. 
Acanthohranchiata(a-kan*'th6-brang-ki-a'ta), 
n.pl. [NL., < Gr. aKavSa, thorn, spine, + fipayxla, 
L. Itranchiai, gills, + -ate.] A suborder of nu- 
dibranchiate gas- 
tropods with spi- 
cules in the bases 
of the branchial 
tentacles. It in- 
cludes the fami- 
lies Doridida; 
and Polyceridai 
(which see). M. 
Sars. 
acanthocarpous 
(a-kan-tho-kar'- 
pus), a. [< Gr. 
anavffa, a thorn, + 
Kopirof, fruit.] In 
bot., having the 
fruit covered 
with spines. 
: *_ _ i _ 
Echinorhynchus of the Flounder, iltustrat- 
.-/, diagrammatic representation of the 
structure : a, proboscis ; t>, its stem ; c, an- 
terior enlargement of the body;y, neck, or 
constriction between the foregoing and d, 
the rest of the body ; e, posterior funnel ; 
p, lemniscus ; h. superior oblique tubular 
bands; *, inferior muscles of proboscis; /, 
ft, genitalia ; 0, penis or vulva. B, lower 
extremity of stem of the proboscis: a, gan- 
glion ; *, vascular space ; c, inner wall; d, 
outer coat; e, tubular band, with the nerve; 
29 
have neither mouth nor alimentary canal, but 
have recurved hooks on a retractile proboscis 
at the anterior end of the body, by which they 
attach themselves to the tissues of animals. 
T!u-.sr rlito/niUls belong to tin- class X I'liHttt'lnnullut . The 
embryos are gregarliu-llke, and become eiirysti-il us in <'<- 
(orfa, in whicll state they are swallowed by various ani- 
mals, in the bodies of which they are ik-velopt'd. A spe- 
cies occurs in the liver of the cat, ami another in the ali- 
mentary canal of the hog. There are about 100 species, 
all referable to the family Echitwrhym-ltiilir. 
The Acrin!hiH'i'{ili(ilfi undoubtedly present certain resem- 
blances to the NematoMea, and more particularly to the 
Gordiacea, but the fundamental differences in the struc- 
ture of the muscular and nervous systems, and in that of 
the reproductive organs, are so great that it is impossible 
to regard them as Nematoids which have undergone a re- 
trogressive metamorphosis. 
Huxley, Aunt. Invert., p. 558. 
acanthocephalan(a-kan-th6-sef'a-lan), n. One 
of the Aefinthocc2>ltala. 
Acanthocephali (a-kan-tho-sef 'a-H), n. pi. 
Same as Aeanthocephdla. 
Acanthpcephalina (a-kan-tho-sef-a-li'na), n. 
pi. [NL., < Acanthocephalus + -ind.'] A divi- 
sion of hemipterous insects, of the superfamily 
Corcoidea. 
acanthocephalous (a-kan-tho-sef 'a-lus), a. 
[<NL. aeaiithocephalns, < Gr. anavSa, a spine, + 
Ke^aA)?, the head.] 1. Having spines on the 
head. 2. Pertaining to the Acanthocephala. 
Acanthocephalus (a-kan-tho-sef 'a-lus), n. 
[NL. : see acanthocephalous.^ In entom., the 
typical genus of the Acanthocephalina (which 
see). A. declimtt is a large bug of the extreme southern 
United States ; A. arcuata is another example of this 
genus. 
acanthocladous (ak-an-thok'la-dus), a. [< Gr. 
anavSa, a spine, + KAdcSof, a shoot, branch.] In 
bot., having spiny branches. 
acanthoclinid (ak-an-thok'li-nid), n. [< Acan- 
thocUmda; ."] One of the Acanthoclinidai. 
Acanthoclinidae (a-kan-tho-klin'i-de), n. pi. 
[NL., < Acanthoclinus + -idee.] In Giinther's 
system of classification, a family of blenniiform 
acanthopterygian fishes, having numerous anal 
Spines. Only one genus, AcantJioclinus, is known ; it is 
peculiar to the Pacific ocean, the typical species, A. lit- 
toreufi, being found in New Zealand. 
Acanthoclinus (a-kan-tho-kli'nus), n. [NL., 
< Gr. anavtia, a spine, + NL. clinus, a blennioid 
fish : see CZWMM.] A genus of fishes represent- 
ing the family Acanthoclinidai (which see). 
Jcnyns, 1842. 
(a-kan-tho-sef '- 
Q lii't 11 rt] rNTT, 
a-la;, n.pl. [IM-i., 
nCUt. pi. Of OCan- 
, 17 
tllOCeplialUS : See 
acanthoccplia- 
, -,.-*, 
lOUS.J An Order 
nf wn-pm lib-o irt 
01 WOrm-llke in- 
tei'lial parasites 
or entozoa, which 
Acanthoclinus littoreus. (From " Zoology of the Beagle.") 
acanthodean (ak-an-tho'de-an), a. Having the 
character of or pertaining to Acanthodes: as, 
the acanthodean family of fishes; acanthodean 
scales. Egerton, 1861. 
Acanthodei (ak-an-tho'de-I), n.pl. [NL. : see 
Acanthodes.] The name originally given by 
Agassiz to the family Acantliodida; (which see). 
Acanthodes (ak-an-tho'dez), n. [NL., < Gr. 
aKavftj(%, thorny, spinous, < uxavfla, thorn, 
spine, + elSog, form.] 1. The representative 
genus of the family Acanthodidce. Agassiz, 
1833. 2. A genus of crustaceans. 3. A genus 
of coleopterous insects. 4. A genus of zoan- 
tharian polyps. Dybowski, 1873. 
Acanthodidae (ak-an-thod'i-de), n. pi. [NL., 
i. Acanthodes + -?'rf<e.] A family of extinct 
fishes of the order Acanthodoidea, typified by 
the genus Acanthodes. They had a compressed 
(flaviform body, posterior dorsal fins nearly opposite to 
the anus, prolonged upper tail-lobe, and well-developed 
spines in front of the fins. The only species known are 
from the Devonian and Carboniferous formations. Also 
used by Huxley as a subordinal name for the Acantho- 
doidea. 
Acanthodini (a-kan-tho-di'ni), n. pi. [NL., 
< Acanthodes + -ini.~\ An order of fossil ganoids 
of the Devonian and Carboniferous periods, 
connecting the ganoids and selachians, having 
a cartilaginous skeleton, heterocercal tail, small 
rhomboidal scales, and a fulcrum before each 
fin. It includes such genera as Acanthodes, 
Chiracanthufi, IHplacanthus, etc. 
Acanthodoidea (a-kan-tho-doi'de-a), n. pi. 
[NL., <.Aeontkodes + -oidca."] An order of ex- 
tinct fishes of the ganoid series, with a cartilagi- 
nous skeleton, heterocercal caudal fin, shagreen- 
like scales, no opercular bones, and the external 
acanthophorous 
rays of the pectoral and ventral fins developed 
as spines. The chief family is Amnthodiittr. 
Acanthoganoidei (a-kan"th6-ga-noi'de-i), ii. 
l>l. [NL., < Gr. iinavtia, spine, + jfiwr, luster, 
+ eMof, form: see ,/minitl.'] A snperorder of 
extinct paleo/.nie lishes, consisting only of the 
order Acatli<itloitlrit. 
Acanthoglossus (a-kan-tho-glos'us), H. [NL., 
<Gr. anavHa, a thorn, + y/tdxrtra, a tongue.] A 
genus of aculeated monotrematous ant-eaters 
of the family Tachyf/losida;. It differs from Tachy- 
<//.v*/i.v iii the vertebral formula (whicll is cervical 7, dorsal 
17, lumbar 4, sacral :i, caudal 12), in having lingual pha- 
langes and claw.s only on the three middle digits of each 
foot, in the much-lengthened and decurved snout, and in 
the spatulate tongue with three rows of recurved spines. 
The type and only species is A. bruijni, lately discovered 
in New Guinea. The generic name is antedated by Za- 
ii/nxKitH of Gill. GereoM, 1877. 
acanthoid (a-kan'thoid), a. [< acantha, spine, 
+ -oid. Cf. Acanthodes.] Spiny; spinous. 
Acanthoidea (ak-an-thoi'de-a), n. pi. [NL. : 
see acanthoid and Acanthodes.] In conch., regu- 
lar Chitonida', with insertion-plates sharp and 
grooved externally, eaves furrowed beneath, 
and mucro posteriorly extended. Dall. 
acanthological (a-~kan-tho-loj'i-kal), a. [< 
*acanthology, < Gr. aKavfla, thorn, spine, 4- Xoym: 
see -ology.] Of or pertaining to the study of 
spines. 
acantholysis (ak-an-thpri-sis), n. [NL.. < Gr. 
aKavtia, thorn, spine, + /.iaif, dissolution, < Uiuv, 
loose.] In pathol., atrophy of the stratum spi- 
nosuni (prickle-cells) of the epidermis. 
acanthoma (a-kan-tho'ma), n. ; pi. acanthoma- 
ta (-ma-ta). [NL.,< Gr. SnavSa, thorn, spine, + 
-oma. Cf. acanthois.] Inpathol., a neoplasm 
or tumor of the stratum spinosum of the epider- 
mis, which invades the corium ; a skin-cancer. 
Acanthometra (a-kan-tho-met'ra), n. [NL., 
fem. of acanthometrus : see acanthometrous.] 
1. The typical genus of the Acanthometrida;. 
Miiller, 1855. 2. A genus of dipterous insects. 
Acanthometraa (a-kau-tho-met're), n.pl. [NL., 
pi. of Acanthometra.] A suborder of acantha- 
rian radiolarians, whose skeleton is composed 
merely of radial spicules, and does not form a. 
fenestrated shell. Haeckel. 
Acanthometrida (a-kan-tho-met'ri-da), n. pi. 
[NL., <. Acanthometra + -ida.] In Mivart's sys- 
tem of classification, a division of radiolarians 
having a well-developed radial skeleton, the 
rays meeting in the center of the capsule, and 
no test or shell-covering. 
Acanthometridae (a-kan-tho-met'ri-de), n. pi. 
[NL., < Acanthometra + -ula;.] A family of 
acantharians having the skeleton composed of 
20 radial spicules, regularly arranged accord- 
ing to J. Mailer's law in 5 zones, each contain- 
ing 4 spicules. It consists of a group of genera 
of deep-sea forms. Haeckel. 
acanthometrous (a-kaii-tho-met'rus), a. [<NL. 
acanthometrits, < Gr. anavOa, a thorn, spine, + /te- 
rpov, measure.] Pertainingtothe^cai/oe<rE. 
Acanthomys (a-kan'tho-mis), n. [NL., <Gr. 
aKavda, spine, + fiitf = E. mouse.] A genus of 
African murine rodents, having the fur mixed 
with spines. R. P. Lesson. 
Acanthophis (a-kan'tho-fis), n. [NL., < Gr. 
anavSa, a thorn, + o<j>if , a serpent : see ophidian.] 
A genus of venomous serpents, of the family 
Elapidai. They are of small size, live on dry land, and 
feed upon frogs, lizards, and other small animals. The 
Death-adder of Australia (Acanthophis antarctica). 
tail is furnished with a horny spur at the end, whence 
the generic name. A. antarctiea, the death-adder of Aus- 
tralia, has long immovable fangs, and is considered the 
most venomous reptile of that country. 
acanthophorous (ak-an-thof 'o-rus), a. [< Gr. 
anav0o<t>6pn, bearing spines or prickles, < aKavSa, 
a spine or prickle, + -^opof, < ijtepetv = E. bcarl.] 
Having or producing spines or prickles. Also 
spelled acanthopherous. 
