Ophidium 
SanJ-cusk (Ofhidiitnt tnnrgittatnm). 
by Artedi and formerly of great extent, now 
restricted to such species as O. barbatum and 
O. marijinattim. 2. [/. c.] A species of this ge- 
nus : as, the bearded ophidiinii. 
Ophidobatrachia (of'i-do-ba-tra'ki-ji), 11. pi. 
[NL., improp. for "Ophiobatracliia, < Gr. 6^(f, a 
serpent, 4- /ferpo^of, a frog.] The ophiomor- 
phic amphibians, or cfficilians: same as Ophio- 
miiriiha, and opposed to Saurobatrachia . 
ophidobatrachian (of"i-do-ba-tra'ki-an), a. and 
11. I. a. Ophiornorphic, as an amphibian; of 
or pertaining to the Ophidobatrachia. 
H. n. An ophiomorphic amphibian; a cre- 
cilian. 
ophidologist (of-i-dol'o-jist), re. [< ophidolog-y 
+ -ist] One learned' in ophiology; a writer 
who treats of snakes. 
ophidology (of-i-dol'o-ji). . Same as ophiology. 
Ophiocaryon(of 'i-6-kar'i-on), n. [NL. (Schom- 
burgk, 1840), so called from the serpentine radi- 
cle in the embryo ; < Gr. b$i, snake, 4- napvov, 
nut.] A genus of dicotyledonous trees of the 
polypetalous order Sabiacea, characterized by 
orbicular petals; the snakenuts. There is but one 
species, 0. paradoxum, the snakenut-tree, native in Uuiana, 
a lofty tree bearing alternate pinnate leaves, panicles of 
many very small flowers, and roundish one-seeded drupes 
containing a spirally twisted snake-like embryo. The na- 
tives are said to believe that these are transformed into 
venomous serpents. 
Ophiocephalidae (ofi-6-se-fal'i-de), n. pi. 
[NL., < Ophiocephalus 4- -idee.'] A family of 
fishes, typified by the genus Ophiocephalus; the 
walking-fishes. They have a long subcylindric body 
covered with small scales, and a snake-like head shielded 
on top with large scales, a long spineless dorsal fin, and usu^ 
ally six-rayed thoracic ventrals. These remarkable fishes 
breathe air by means of an air-chamber developed over the 
gills, and die if they breathe water too long. They live 
in holes in the banks of rivers and pools and similar wet 
places, and often burrow in the mud. There are 25 or 30 
species, natives of the fresh waters of the East Indies and 
Africa, and some attain a length of from 2 to 4 feet. They 
are able to survive droughts, living in semi-fluid mud or 
lying torpid below the hard-baked crust of a tank or pool 
from which every drop of water has dried up. Respiration 
is probably suspended during this torpidity, but while the 
mud is still soft enough to let them come to the sur- 
face they rise at intervals to breathe air. This faculty of 
aorial respiration is due to the development of the acces- 
sory branchial chamber ; there is, however, no accessory 
branchial organ, and the opening of the cavity is partly 
closed by a fold of mucous membrane. 
ophiocephalqid (of ''i-o-sef'a-loid), a. and M. I. 
a. Resembling an Ophiocephalus; belonging 
to the Ophiocepltalida!, or having their charac- 
ters. 
H. n. A fish of the family Ophiocephalido!. 
Ophiocephalus (of"i-o-sef'a-lus), n. [NL., < 
Gr. o^iojcepaAof , serpent-headed, < ofa, a serpent, 
4- KtijiaAri, a head.] 1. The typical genus of 
walking-fishes of the family Ophiocephalidai. 
The species are natives of the East. They are furnished 
with a cavity to supply water to the gills, and are able to 
live a long time out of water, and often travel considera- 
ble distances from one pool to another. The 0. gachua 
(the coramota or gachua of India) is much used for food 
by the natives. It is generally brought to market and cut 
up for sale while living. Also, improperly, Ophicephalus. 
Block and Schneider, 1801. 
2. [I. c.] A member of this genus. 
Ophiocoma (of-i-ok'o-ma), n. [NL., < Gr. fyif, 
a serpent, 4- Hour/, the hair of the head : see 
coma*.] The typical genus of Ophiocomida;. 
O. ceiliiops and O. alexandri are two large spe- 
cies from the Pacific coast of North America. 
Ophiocomidae (of"i-o-kom'i-de), n.pl. [NL., < 
Ophiocoma + -idee.] A family of brittle-stars 
or ophiurians, represented by the genus Ophio- 
coma, having unbranched arms, the disk cov- 
ered with solid plates, the oral clefts armed, 
and angular papillte present. 
Ophiodon (o-fi'o-dou), . [NL., < Gr. tyis, a 
serpent, 4- oAobc (bdovr-) = E. tooth.'] A genus 
of chiroid fishes, founded by Girard in 1854. 
0. elongatus, aCalifornian species, attains a length of 5 feet 
and a weight of from 30 to 40 pounds. It is esteemed for 
the table, and is known by various names, as bastard cod, 
cultus-cod, green-cod, bufalo-cod, and codfish. See cut un- 
der cultus-cod. 
Ophioglossaceae(of "i-o-glo-sa'se-e), n.pl. [NL., 
< Ophioglossum + -acea;.] A small but very well- 
defined group of vascular cryptogamous plants, 
by some systematists regarded as an anoma- 
lous section of the ferns, by others considered 
as a group of equal taxonomic rank with the 
true Filicfs, the Kipilxi luci-ie, LyeopncUaeetr, etc. 
The prothallium is formed of parenchymatous tissue, and 
is destitute of chlorophyl, being developed underground; 
4124 
the leaves are not circinate in vernation, and the sporangia, 
which are endogenous in their origin and without annu- 
lus, are never borne on the under side of the green frond. 
They differ further from the true ferns by the absence or 
imperfect formation of bundle-sheaths and sderenchyma 
in the stems and leaves. The Ophiiiyliisxacece embrace 3 
genera, Ophioglossum, Helminthostachys, and Bolrychium. 
Ophioglosseae (of'i-o-glos'e-e), n. pi. [NL., < 
Ophinylossum 4- -en:] Same as Ophioglossacea:. 
Ophioglossum (of"i-o-glos'um), n. [NL., < Gr. 
byif, a serpent, 4- -//.uaaa, tongue.] A genus 
of vascular cryptogamic 
plants, typical of the 
froup Opli iogloxxni'i'ii: 
he fronds are usually from 
a fleshy, sometimes bulbous 
root, and straight or inclined 
in vernation; the sporangia, 
which are endogenous in ori- 
gin, cohere in one or more 
simple spikes, are naked, not 
reticulated, and destitute of a 
ring, and open by a transverse 
slit into two valves. There 
are 10 species, 4 of which are 
found in North America, 0. 
vulgalum, the adder's-tongue, 
being the most abundant. 
ophiography (of-i-og'ra- 
fi), re. [\ Gr. 60<f, a ser- 
pent, + -y/Hufiia, < ypdQsiv, 
write.] Graphic or de- 
scriptive ophiology; the 
description of serpents. 
ophiolater (of-i-ol a-ter), 
n. [< ophiola tr-y, "after 
idolater.] One who prac- 
tises ophiolatry ; a ser- 
pent-worshiper. 
ophiolatrous (of-i-ol'a- 
trus), a. [As ophiolatr-y 
4--OMS.] Worshiping SCI'- e a "..>>." a, the upper part of 
H-oiTilT10'tnnnhi the ferti!e frond, showing the 
, pertaining tO Opm- b iseri alsporan B ia; .the ster- 
T. ile frond, showing the nerva- 
ophiolatry (of-i-ol'a-tri), lion - 
. [< Gr. of-f, a serpent, 4- harpeia, worship.] 
Serpent-worship. 
For a single description of negro ophiolatry may be 
cited Bosnian's description from Whydah in the Bight of 
Benin ; here the highest order of deities were a kind of 
snakes which swarm in the villages, reigned over by that 
huge chief monster, uppermost and greatest and as it 
were the grandfather of all, who dwelt in his snake-house 
beneath a lofty tree, and there received the royal offerings 
of meat and drink, cattle and money and stuffs. 
E. B. Tylor, Prim. Culture, II. 212. 
ophiolite (of 'i-o-lit), n. [< Gr. 60<f, a serpent, 
4- /U'0of, a stone.] A name given by Bron- 
gniart to one of the rocks designated in Italy 
as gabbro, which consists of serpentine with 
included segregations of diallage. 
ophiolitic (of "i-o-lit'ik), . [< ojihiolite + -ie.~] 
Of, pertaining to, or resembling ophiolite ; con- 
taining ophiolite. 
ophiologic (of'i-o-loj'ik), a. [< ophiolog-y + 
-it;.] Pertaining to ophiology. 
ophiological (of"i-o-loj'i-kal), a. [< ophiologic 
+ -at,] Same as ophiologic, 
onhiologist (of-i-ol'o-jist), n. [< ophiolog-y + 
-ist.] One versed in the natural history of ser- 
pents ; an ophidologist. 
Ophiology (of-i-ol'o-ji), re. [< Gr. tycc., a ser- 
pent, 4- -%oyla, < 'Aeyeiv, speak: see -ology.'] The 
zoological study of serpents. Also, less prop- 
erly, ojihidology. 
ophiomancy (of'i-o-man-si), n. [< Gr. 6^f, a 
serpent, 4- fiavrcia, divination.] The art of di- 
vining or predicting events by serpents, as by 
their manner of coiling themselves or of eat- 
ing. 
ophiomorph (of 'i-o-morf ), . A member of the 
Ophiomorpha; a cseciliau. 
Ophiomorpha (of'i-o-mor'fa), n.pl. [NL., neut. 
]H.of*ophiomorphus: see ophiomorphous.'] An 
order of limbless serpentiform amphibians, rep- 
resented by the family Cwciliidce ; the ceecili- 
ans: contrasted with Ichthyomorpha. Also 
called Apoda, Batrachophidia, G-ymnophiona, 
Ophiosoma, Ophidobatrachia, Pseudophidia, and 
Peromela. 
Ophiomorphse (of // i-o-mor'fe), re. pi. [NL., 
fem.pl. of*ophiomorphm: see ophiomorphous.] 
Same as Ophiomorpha. 
ophiomorphic (of"i-6-mor'fik), a. [As ophio- 
morph-oug + -ie.~] formed like a snake; ser- 
pentiform ; anguif orm ; specifically, of or per- 
taining to the Ophiomorpha. Also ophiomor- 
/i/IOHS. 
ophiomorphite (of'i-o-mor'fit), . [< Gr. b<t>/(, a 
serpent, + ^op<j>r/, form, 4- -ite 2 .] A name some- 
times given to the fossil shells of ammonites, 
from their snake-like appearance. Imp, Diet. 
Ophiorhiza 
ophiomorphous (of"i-o-m6r'fus), a. [< NL. 
*ophiomorphus, < Gr. a'pif, a serpent, + /<?</>>}, 
form.] Same as ophiomiirphic. 
Ophion (o-fi'on), . [NL., prob. < Gr. '(tyiuv, 
a. king of the Titans.] A genus of parasitic 
Long-tailed Ophion (Ophion 
), natural size. 
hymenopterous insects, founded by Fabricius 
in 1798, belonging to the family Ichneumonida:, 
and typical of the 
subfamily Ophi- 
onaue. Theantennie 
are as long as the 
body, the abdomen Is 
compressed, and the 
color is usually honey- 
yellow. O. macmiruin 
infests the American 
silkworm, Telea poly- 
phemus. The female 
lays one egg in the 
body of the silkworm, 
which latter lives till 
it is full-grown and 
spins its cocoon, but 
then dies without pu- 
pating. O. puryatwn othini t,,r f alum, natural size. 
infests the common 
army-worm, or larva of Levcania unipuncta. 
Ophionidae (of-i-on'i-de), n.pl. [NL., < Ophion 
+ -Ida;.] A family of ichneumon-flies, typified 
by the genus Ophion. Shuckard, 1840. 
Ophioninae (of"i-o-m'ne), n. pi. [NL., < Ophion 
+ -(;.] A subfamily of Ichneumonida;, typi- 
fied by the genus Ophion. It is chiefly characterized 
by the compressed, usually petiolate abdomen and short 
ovipositor. It includes about 60 genera besides Ophion, 
and many hundred species. All are parasitic upon other 
insects, and some feed externally upon their hosts. About 
400 are catalogued as European, and 250 are described for 
the United States. 
OphiophagOUS (of-i-pf'a-gus), . [< NL. opl:i- 
ophayus, < Gr. btjuo^ayof, serpent-eating, < bQif, 
a serpent, + tyayeiv, eat.] Eating or feeding 
upon serpents ; reptilivorous. 
Nor are all snakes of such impoisoning qualities as com- 
mon opinion presumeth : as is conflrniable from the ordi- 
nary green snake with us, from several histories of domes- 
tick snakes, from ophiophagotw nations, and such as feed 
upon serpents. Sir T. Lrmme, Vulg. Err., vi. 28. 
OphiophagUS (of-i-of'a-gus), . [NL., < Gr. 
bfyiotyayof, serpent-eating: see OpUonkagOHt,] 
A genus of very venomous serpents of the fam- 
ily Elapida', or of the restricted family Niijiidtr. 
It isa kind of cobra, very closely related toXaja, the chief 
technical distinction being the presence of postparietal 
plates on the head. O. elaps, the hamadryad, is one of the 
largest and most deadly of serpents ; it is known to attain 
a length of nearly 12 feet, and is said to reach is feet. Its 
bite is fatal to man in a few moments, and ft is said to be 
able to kill very large quadrupeds. This serpent is found 
in India and some of the East India islands, as Java, Su- 
matra, and Borneo, hut is fortunately not so common as 
the ordinary cobra. The generic name refers to its habit 
of feeding upon other snakes. 
Ophiopogon (of"i-o-po'gon), n. [NL. (Aiton, 
1789), < Gr. fyif, snake, 4- na-yuv, beard.] A 
enus of monocotyledonous plants of the or- 
er Hceniodoracew, type of the tribe Ophinpn- 
gonew, characterized by separate filaments 
shorter than the linear anthers. There are 4 spe- 
cies, found from India to Japan. They produce racemes 
of violet, bluish, or white flowers with small dry bracts. 
They are plants of moderate beauty, bearing the name of 
XJiake's-beard. 
Ophiopogonese (ofi-o-po-go'ue-e), . pi. [NL. 
(Endhcher, 1836), < Ophiopogon + -ea 1 .] A tribe 
of plants of the monocotyledonous order H<c- 
modoraeete, distinguished by the withering per- 
sistent perianth of six similar segments. It in- 
cludes about 23 species in 4 genera, mainly of eastern 
Asia, all producing racemed flowers, and long leaves from 
a short and thick rootstock. 
Ophiorhiza (ofi-o-ri'za), H. [NL. (Linnaeus, 
1/47), < Gr. 60<f, a snake, 4- p/Ca, root.] A ge- 
nus of rubiaceous plants of the tribe Hedyoti- 
