branchiae 
the medium of water. They arc highly vascular, 
with thin walls, permitting the aeration of the blood by 
tlie oxygen in the water which comes in immediate con- 
tact with them. They are developed from different parts 
of the body in different classes of animals. See gilll, and 
cuts under Polyplacophora and Tetrabranchiata. 
2. In Arthropoda, as crustaceans, specifically, 
the externally projecting processes of the body 
or its limbs, which are supplied with venous 
blood (which is thus brought into contact with 
the air dissolved in water), and constitute a 
special respiratory organ. See cut under Po- 
dophthttlmia. Other kinds of respiratory organs in 
arthropods are tracheo-branchite, trachea, and pulmonary 
xacs. See these words. 
3. In Vermes, any appendages of the head or 
body so modified as to act as a respiratory or- 
gan ; the various processes which protrude or 
radiate from the head or other region of the 
body, and have, or are supposed to have, a 
respiratory function. See cut under Protnla. 
In ... [Amphinomldce, Ettnieida, and Terebelliilce] the 
branchiae are ciliated branched plumes or tufts attached 
to the dorsal surface of more or fewer of the somites. In 
[Serpulidce] . . . they are exclusively attached to the an- 
terior segment of the body, and present the form of two 
large plumes, each consisting of a principal stem, with 
many lateral branches. Hnxky, Anat. Invert., p. 210. 
4. In entom., gill-like appendages on the bodies 
of certain insect-larvee and -pupae which live in 
the water, as many dragon-flies and gnats. 
They are expansions of the integument, and it is supposed 
that they "absorb air from the water, and convey it by 
the minute ramifications of the tracheal vessels, with 
which they are abundantly supplied, into the main tra- 
cheae, to be distributed over the whole body." Sen-port. 
branchial (brang'ki-al), rt. [< NL. bratichialis, 
< L. bronchia, gills : see branchim.] 1. Of or 
pertaining to the brauchise or gills ; or, in ani- 
mals which have no gills properly so called, 
of or pertaining to the parts considered homol- 
ogous with gills, as, in a bird or mammal, parts 
of the third postoral visceral arch, or of any 
visceral arch behind the hypidean. 2. Per- 
formed by means of branchiae: as, branchial 
respiration; a branchial function. _ Branchial 
aperture, the aperture or outlet for water which has sup- 
plied the branchiie, lying behind them. In fishes there 
are 2, one on each side ; rarely the two are confluent in 
a single inferior aperture. In selachians they are gen- 
erally in 5 pairs, rarely iu or 7. In myzonts they are 
usually in 7 pairs, rarely 8 or more than 7, and sometimes 
continent in an inferior pair of " pores." In invertebrates 
they vary. Branchial arch, in lishes, one of the arches 
of the branchial apparatus which support the branchial 
filaments on each side. Branchial bar, the hardened 
portion of the branchial apparatus which supports the 
sills : same as branchial arch. Branchial basket. See 
basket, 10. Branchial cavity, or branchial chamber. 
() The cavity on each side of which are the branchire : it is 
behind and generally confluent with the oral cavity. (6) 
In Crustacea, a cavity or space inclosed by the branchios- 
tegite or gill-cover (formed by a free pleura! part uf tilt- 
carapace), and bounded internally by the epimera of the 
branchiferous somites. Branchial Cleft, one of the lat 
eral foramina behind the head which are apparent in the 
embryos of vertebrates, soon disappearing in the higher 
types, but longer persistent (sometimes through life) in 
the lower, as in the amphibians : homologous with the 
branchial aperture*. Branchial coil, a spirally curved 
tube formed by a diverticuHun of the superior pharyngeal 
mucous membrane in certain fishes, such as the clupeids 
(for example, menhaden) and related forms. Branchial 
duct, in myzonts, a short canal (interior) between a bran- 
chial pouch and the intestinal cavity, or one (exterior) be- 
tween a pouch and the exterior of the body. Branchial 
fold, the series of branchial filaments around the convex 
margin of a branchial arch. Branchial framework. 
Same as branchial skdetun. Branchial ganglion, a 
ganglion which supplies the branchire, as in certain mol- 
lusks. Branchial gut, a rudimentary branchial cham- 
ber. Branchial heart, a specialized widened vascular 
canal which supplies the branchiie. Branchial lamella, 
a row of branchial filaments approximated to one another 
and forming a lamella-like structure. In fishes there are 
generally two lamella; to most of the arches, surmounting 
their convex edges. Also called branchial plate. Bran- 
chial pharynx, a pharynx with a branchial apparatus, as 
in the tunicates. Branchial plate. Same as branchial 
lamella. Branchial pore, a pore-like branchial aper- 
ture common to all the branchial ducts of one side, such 
as occurs in myxiuids or hags. Branchial pouch, in my- 
zonts and selachians, a pouch-like structure of the bran- 
chial apparatus in which and from which the branchiiv 
are developed. Branchial ray, in selachians, one of the 
cartilaginous rods radiating from a branchial arch back- 
ward, and affording support to the branchial pouches. 
Branchial respiration, respiration by means of bran- 
chise or gills. Branchial sac, the respiratory chamber 
containing the branchiie in the tunicates. It is the large 
pharyngeal dilatation into which the oral aperture leads, 
and which presents the stigmata through which the cav- 
ity of the sac communicates with the atrium. See cut 
under Tunicata. Branchial septum, in certain tu- 
nicates (for example, Salpidai), a gill detached from the 
wall of the branchial chamber and forming a rafter stretch- 
ing from its dorsal wall to the ventral wall. Branchial 
sinus, a vascular sinus into which blood passes from the 
visceral sac on its way to the branchiae Branchial 
skeleton, the harder framework which is subservient to 
the branchiae in branchiferous animals. Also called bran- 
chial /,-u-wi. Branchial slit, the space between 
neighboring branchite or branchial arches. Branchial 
tentacle, in certain worms (for example, terebellids), one 
"f the tentacle-like organs of the head, performing in part 
660 
a respiratory function. Branchial tuft, in tnbicolous 
chretopodous worms, an aggregation of contractile ten- 
tacular filaments iu the cephalic region, assuming in part 
the office of branchiae. 
Branchiata (brang-ki-a'ts), w. pi. [NL., neut. 
pi. of branchiatus, having 'gills: see bronchia tf.~] 
In zo67., a name used with various significations. 
(a) In some systems of classification, one of the prime 
divisions of the Arthropoda, by which all crustaceans, 
in a broad sense, are collectively distinguished from 
the Tracheata, or insects in the widest sense (arachnids, 
myriapods, and insects proper) : so called from having a 
branchial instead of a tracheate respiratory apparatus. 
divided into Crustacea proper (including the two main 
groups of Entotnostraca and Malacostraca) and Poecilo- 
poda, represented by Limulm, etc. (6) A division of ver- 
tebrates containing those which for some time or perma- 
nently breathe by gills; the amphibians and fishes, as 
distinguished from reptiles, birds, and mammals : synony- 
mous with Ichthyopsida (which see), (c) In mollusks, same 
as Branchiayaiiteropoda. (d) A division of annelids con- 
taining those which breathe by gills, or the tubicolous and 
errant worms, corresponding to the groups Cephalobran- 
cliia and Notnbranchiata. 00 A group of echinoids with 
gills on the buccal membrane and with ambnlacral plates 
only on the latter, including all the echinoid families ex- 
cept Cidarida 1 . Ludirig. 
branchiate, branchiated (brang'ki-at, -a-ted), 
a. [< NL. branehiatus, having gills, < L. bran- 
chice, gills: see bronchia;.] Having permanent- 
gills : contrasted with pnlmonate or pulmonated : 
as, " branchiated Vertebrata," Huxley, Anat. 
Vert., p. 70. 
Branchifera (brang-kif 'e-ra), n. pi. [NL., neut. 
pi. of bronchifer : see branchiferous.] In zool. : 
(a) Same as Branchiogasteropoda ; a division of 
Gasteropoda including those which breathe by 
gills: opposed to Pulmonifera. (6) In De Blain- 
ville's system of classification, a division of 
univalves, of the order Cervicobranchiata, equiv- 
alent to the family Ftssurellidat ; the keyhole 
limpets. 
branchiferous (brang-kif'e-rus), a. [< NL. 
branchifer, having gills, < L. bronchia:, gills, 
+ ferre = E. beari.] 1. Bearing gills; having 
brauchire. 
In the Amniota, also, the arrangement which has been 
transmitted from their branchifemtt ancestors is retained 
during certain stages of embryonic life, in the form of 
clefts in the wall of the pharynx. 
Qtgenbaur, C'omp. Anat. (trans.), p. 545. 
2. Of or pertaining to the Branchifera. 
branchiform (brang'ki-fonn). a. [< L. bron- 
chia', gills, + forma, form.] Having the form, 
character, or appearance of gills. 
branchihyal (braug-ki-hi'al), . and M. [< L. 
branchial, gills, + NL. hy(oideus), hyoid, + -al.] 
I. a. Pertaining to the gills and tongue, or to 
the branchial and hyoidean arches. 
II. n. One of the elements or joints of a 
branchial arch. The lowermost or hypobranchial is 
called the basal branchihyal, and the uppermost or epi- 
branchial is distinguished as the superior branchihyal. 
K. D. Cupe. 
branchiness (bran'chi-ues), H. The character 
of being branchy; the state of being full of 
branches. 
branching (bran'ching), jj. a. [Ppr. of branch, 
.] Furnished with branches; shooting out 
branches. 
Not thrice your braitchinii limes have blown 
Since I beheld young Laurence dead. 
Tennyson, Lady Clara Vere de Vere. 
branchiocardiac (brang'ki-o-kar'di-ak), a. 
[< Gr. ffpdyxia, gills, + KapSia = E. heart : see 
cardiac.'] Pertaining to, lying between, or sep- 
arating a branchial and a cardiac region or di- 
vision : applied to a groove on each side of the 
middle line of the thoracic portion of the cara- 
pace of a crustacean, separating the cardiac divi- 
sion of the carapace from the branchial division. 
Branchiogasteropoda (brang"ki-6-gas-te-rop'- 
o-da), 11. pi. [NL., < L. bronchia:, gills, + 
NL. Gtwteropoda .] A division of gastropo- 
dous mollusks which breathe the air contained 
in water. Kespiration may be effected in three ways : 
first, the blood may be simply exposed to the water 
in the thin walls of the mantle-cavity, as in some of the 
Heteropoda ; secondly, the respiratory organs may be in 
the form of outward processes of the integument, exposed 
in tufts on the back and sides of the animal, as in the 
Xudibranchiata, such as the sea-slugs, etc. ; and thirdly, 
the respiratory organs may be in the form of pectinated 
or plume-like branchiie, contained in a more or less com- 
plete branchial chamber formed by an inflection of the 
mantle, as in the whelks, etc. The Bratichiw/asteropoda 
fall into two distinct scries, the one being hermaphrodite, 
with the gills placed toward the rear of the body, and the 
other having the sexual organs in distinct individuals. 
The Branchiofftisteropoda are divided into three orders : 
(1) Pronobrawhiata (sexes distinct, gills usually inclosed), 
as whelks, etc. ; (2) 0/risthobranchiata (sexes usually 
united in the same individual, gills often exposed), as 
sea-slugs, etc. ; (8) Jleferopoda (free-swimming .uusti-"- 
pods), as member* of the genus Cariiuiria. 
branchiostege 
branchiogasteropodous (brang " ki - 6 - gas - te- 
rop'o-dus), a. Of or pertaining to the lintii- 
chiogasteropoda. 
brarichiopallial (brang"ki-6-pal'i-al), a. [< L. 
branch'ut, gills, + pallium, mantle: see />n/- 
II urn.] In Mollusca, of or pertaining to both 
the brauchise and the pallium: applied to a 
ganglion of the nervous system in relation with 
the gills and the mantle. 
Branchiopneusta (brang"ki-op-nus'ta), n. pi. 
[NL., < Gr. ftpdyx'o, gill 8 - + *KvevnTO, verbal 
adj. of weiv, breathe.] A superfamily group 
of pulmonate gastropodous mollusks, by means 
of which such aquatic families as Auneulida- 
and Linino}ida> are collectively distinguished 
from the Helicultt, or land-snails proper, the 
latter being contrasted as Nephropneusta. The 
two groups correspond respectively to the Basommato- 
phora and Stiilotitmatophora of some authors. 
Branchiopnoa (brang-ki-op'no-a), n.pl. [NL., 
< Gr. /3pa;',tz, gills, + -xvodc., 'breathing (irvo'/, 
a breathing), < mielv, breathe.] A loose syn- 
onym of Crustacea, crustaceans being so called 
because they breathe by branchiae. 
branchiopnoan (brang-ki-op'no-an), . and 11. 
I. a. Of or pertaining to the Brdnchiopnou . 
II. n. A member of the Branchiopnoa. 
branchiopod (brang'ki-o-pod), . and a. I. n. 
An animal belonging to tie order Branchiopoda. 
Also branchiopode. 
II. a. Gill-footed; branchiopodous. 
Also branchiopodan. 
Branchiopoda (brang-ki-op'o-da), n.pl. [NL., 
< Gr. Spayxta, gills, + xoi'f (KO&-) = E. foot.'} 
1. In Latreille's system of classification, the 
first order of his Entmnostraca, characterized 
as having a mouth composed of an upper lip, 
two mandibles, a tongue, and one or two pairs 
of maxillae, and the branchiae more or less an- 
terior: so called because their branchiae or 
gills are situated on the feet. The order thus de- 
nned was divided into two sections : (1) Lophyropwla 
(Carcinoida, Ostracoda, and Cladocera); (2) Phyllopoda 
(Ceratophtkahna and Aspidophora). 
2. As defined by Huxley, a group of entomostra- 
cous Crustacea, embracing only the two groups 
Phyllopoda and Cladocera. it is represented by 
such genera as Aputf, Xt'balia, Branchipits, Limneti*, 
Daphnia, and their allies, which pass into one another so 
gradually that the groups Phyllopoda and Cladocera can 
hardly be established. The genera named conform to the 
definition of Entomontraca (which see) in invariably pos- 
sessing more or fewer than twenty somites ; and the tho- 
racic and abdominal appendages are nearly always more 
or less foliaceous, resembling in many respects the ante- 
rior maxilliped of one of the higher Cnmtacea. See cut 
under Amu, Daphnia, and Luuuetin. 
branchiopodan (brang-ki-op'o-dau), n. and a. 
Same usuranchiopod. 
branchiopode (brang 'ki-o -pod), n. Same as 
branchiopod. 
branchiopodous (braug-ki-op'o-dus), . [< 
branchiopod + -OH.] Gill-footed; belonging to 
the order Branchiopoda. 
Branchiopulmonata (braug^ki-o-pul-mo-ua '- 
ta), it. pi. [NL.. neut. pi. of branchiopulmo- 
li'atus: see branchiopulmonate.'] A division of 
the class Arachnida, in an enlarged sense, 
adopted by some naturalists to include the ex- 
isting genus Limulus, or horseshoe crabs, and 
the extinct Eurypterina and Trilobita. 
Following Prof. Ed. Van Benedeu, I include Limulus, the 
Eurypterina, and Trilobites under the Arachnida as Bran- 
ckwpiilinonata. Gf'ienbanr, L'omp. Anat. (trans.), p. xix. 
branchiopulmonate (brang"ki-6-purmo-uat), 
a. and . [< NL. braiichiopulmonatus, < L. 
bronchia;, gills, + pulmo(H-), lung.] I. a. 
Pertaining to or having the characters of the 
Branchiopulmonata. 
II. ;/. A member of the Branchioi>iilmonata. 
Branchiopus (brang-ki'o-pus), H. [NL.] Same 
as BrniH'liipus. 
branchiostegal (brang - ki - us 'te- gal), . [< 
branchiostege + -ah'] Relating to or of the na- 
ture of a brauchiostege.- Branchiostegal rays, 
branchiostegal membrane. See extract, and cuts un- 
der LepUottren mid Sonatina. 
Braiu"liMtef/al ray* are attached partly to the inner, 
and partly to the outer, surface of the hyoidean arch. 
They support a membrane, the braneMofM|fi0i nfittbram', 
which serves as a sort of inner gill-cover. 
Huxley, Anat. Vert., p. 136. 
branchlostegan (brang-ki-os'te-gan), ff. and n. 
[< branchiosteye + -an.] I. a. "1. Same as 
hraiH'litosteyouH. 2. Of or pertaining to the 
Kri/ncliiostegi. 
II. ' One uf the lil'iliii-llinnli-i/i. 
branchiostege (braug'ki-o-stej), //. [< Gr. 
f/jii;^, gills, + ort';//, a root', a covering, < ort- 
7v=L. tegerc, cover: .sec teijuuicnt, tile.] In 
fishes, the 'membrane which lies beneatli the 
