Rhagodia 
< frit; (fay-), a grape.] A genus of apetalous 
plants of the order Cheitopodiaeex and tribe 
Chenopodiese, characterized by glomerate flow- 
ers, a horizontal seed, and fleshy fruit crown- 
ing the persistent five-lobed calyx. The 13 species 
are all Australian. They are shrubs or rarely herbs, either 
slender'or robust, mealy or minutely woolly, bearing chiefly 
alternate leaves and small greenish flowers which are 
spiked orpanicled, and are followed by globose or flattened 
berries, often red. General names for the species are red- 
berry and seaberry. It. Billardieri is a sea-side shrub with 
somewhat fleshy shoots and leaves, straggling or 5 or 6 
feet high, of some use in binding sands. R. hastata is the 
saloop-bush, an undershrub with small soft leaves, intro- 
duced at Hong-Kong and elsewhere as food for cattle, 
rhagon (rag'on), n. [NL., < Gr. JM% (pay-), a 
grape.] A type of sponge-structure resulting 
from the modification of a primitive form, as 
an olynthus, by the outgrowth of the endoderm 
into a number of approxim ately spherical cham- 
bers communicating with the exterior by a 
prosopyle and with the paragastric cavity by 
an apopyle (see prosopyle), with conversion of 
the flagellated into pavement epithelium except 
in the chambers. The rhagon occurs as a stage in the 
early development of some sponges, and others exhibit it 
in the adult state. The structure is named from the grape- 
like form of the spherical chambers. The term is corre- 
lated with ascan, leucon, and sycon. Also called dyesycus. 
This may be termed the aphodal or racemose type of 
the Rhagon system, since the chambers at the ends of the 
aphodi radiating from the excurrent canal look like grapes 
on a bunch. W. J. Sollas, Encyc. Brit, XXII. 41S. 
rhagonate (rag'o-nat), . [< rhagon + -ate 1 .'] 
Having the character of a rhagon ; of or per- 
taining to a rhagon ; rhagose. 
rhagose (rag'os), a. [< Gr. pd$ (/toy-), a grape. 
+ -use.] Racemose, as the rhagon type of 
sponge-structure; rhagonate. W. J. Sollax. 
Rnamnaceae (ram-na'se-e), n. pi. [NL. (Lind- 
ley, 1835), < Rhamnus + -acese.] An order 
of polypetalous plants of the series Discifloree. 
It is unlike the rest of its cohort Celastrales in its valvate 
calyx-lobes, and resembles the related Ampelidacepp, or 
grape family, in its superior ovary and the position of its 
stamens opposite the petals ; it is distinguished by its 
habit, strongly perigynous stamens, concave petals which 
are not caducous, larger and valvate sepals, and fruit not 
a berry. It includes about 475 species, classed in 5 tribes 
and 42 genera, widely diffused through warm countries. 
They are commonly erect trees or shrubs, often thorny, 
bearing undivided alternate or opposite stipulate leaves, 
which are often coriaceous and three- to five-nerved. The 
small flowers are greenish or yellow, commonly in axil- 
lary cymes, which are followed by three-celled capsules 
or drupes, sometimes edible, sometimes hard and indehis- 
cent. It is often called the buckthorn family, from the 
common name of Rhamntts, the type genus. See cut un- 
der Rhamnus. 
rhamnaceous (ram-na'shius), a. [< NL. Rham- 
nus + -aceous.] Of or pertaining to the order 
Rhamnacese. 
Rhamneae (ram'ne-e), n. pi. [NL. (A. P. de 
Candolle, 1825), < Rhamnus + -ex.'] The prin- 
cipal tribe of the order Sliamnaeese, character- 
ized by a dry or drupaceous fruit containing 
three stones which are indehiscent or two- 
valved. Although this name was originally employed 
for the order, it is better to restrict it to the tribe, and 
adopt the later form Rhainnacetf of Lindley for the ordi- 
nal term, as is very generally done. See Rhamnus, Cea- 
nothug, Safferetia, and Poinaderris for the chief among its 
21 genera. 
rhamnegin (ram'ne-jin), . [< Rhammts + -er/-, 
an arbitrary syllable, + -z'i 2 .] A glucoside 
(2411320^4) found in buckthorn-berries. 
rhamnetin (ram'ne-tin), n. [< Rhamnus + -et-, 
an arbitrary syllable, + -in 2 .] A decomposi- 
tion-product (C 1 2H 10 O 5 ) formed from rhamnin. 
rhamnin (ram'nin), n. [< Rhamnus + -in 2 .] A 
crystallizable glucoside found in buckthorn- 
berries. 
rhamnoxanthin (ram-nok-san'thin), n. [< NL. 
Rhamnus + Gr. I;av66f, yellow, + -in 2 .] Same 
as frangulin. 
Rhamnus (ram'nus), n. [NL. (Tournefort, 
1700), < L. rhamnos, < Gr. pa/ivoe, the buck- 
thorn, Christ's-thorn.] A genus of polypet- 
alous shrubs and trees, including the buck- 
thorn, type of the order Rhamnaceie and of the 
tribe Rhamncx. It is characterized by a thin disk 
sheathing the bell-shaped calyx-tube and bearing the four 
or five stamens on its margin ; by a free ovary often im- 
mersed within the disk ; and by its fruit, an oblong or spheri- 
cal drupe, surrounded at its base by the small calyx-tube, 
and containing two, three, or four hard one-seeded stones. 
There are about 60 species, natives of warm and temperate 
regions, frequent in Europe, Asia, and America, rare in the 
tropics. They bear alternate petioled and feather-veined 
leaves, which are either entire or toothed, deciduous or 
evergreen, and are furnished with small deciduous stip- 
ules. The flowers are in axillary racemes or cymes, and 
are commonly dioecious in the typical section, but not so 
in the principal American species(the genus Frangula of 
Brongniart), which also differ in their unfurrowed seeds 
and flat fleshy seed-leaves. A general name for the spe- 
cies is buckthorn, the common buckthorn being R. cathar- 
ticus of the northern Old World, planted and sparingly nat- 
r. 1 4 7 
uralized in the United States. It is used as a hedge-plant. 
Its bark is medicinal, like that of R. Frangula; its black 
berries afford a now nearly disused cathartic, and with 
Branch of Common Buckthorn (Khatnnns (atliarticns) with Fruit. 
a. female flower ; b, male flower ; c, leaf, showing the nervation. 
those of some other species yield by treatment the pigment 
known as sap-yreen. R. Franyvla, of the same nativity, 
called black or berry-bearing alder, alder-buckthorn, and 
(black) dogwood, affords one of the very best gunpowder- 
charcoals, while its bark is an officinal cathartic. (See 
frangula, frangulin. ) The fruit of R. infectorius and other 
species forms the French, Turkey, or Persian berries of the 
dyers. (See under Persian.) In China the bark of R. tine- 
tariu9 (R. chlorophonut) and R. Davuricus (R. utilis) af- 
fords the famous green indigo, or lokao, there used to 
dye silks, also introduced at Lyons. (For other Old World 
species, see alaternug and lotus-tree, 3.) R. Carolinianus 
of the southern United States is a shrub or small tree, 
bearing a sweet and agreeable fruit. The berries of R. 
croceug of California are much eaten by the Indians. R. 
Caltfornicus, the California coffee- tree, yields an unimpor- 
tant coffee-substitute. R. 'Purxhianus of the western coast 
yields the cascara sagrada bark (see under bark?), some- 
times called chittam-bark, whence probably, in view of the 
hard fine wood, the name ehittrm-wood. See bearberry, 2, 
and redwood, 2. 
Rhamphalcyon (ram-fal'si-on), n. [NL., < Gr. 
pd/ifac, a curved beak, + af.kvuv, the kingfisher: 
see alcyon, hale-yon.] A genus of Alcedininse: 
same as Pelargopnix. Reichenbach, 1851. 
Rhamphastidae(ram-fas'ti-de), . pi. [NL., < 
Rhampliantos + -idle.] A family of picarian 
birds, typified by the genus Rhamphastos ; the 
toucan s. They have a bill of enormous size, though very 
light, the interior bony structure being highly cancellous 
and pneumatic ; the tongue is long, slender, and feathery ; 
the toes are four, yoked in pairs ; there are ten tail-fea- 
thers ; the vomer is truncate ; the manubrium stern! is 
pointed ; the clavicles are separate ; the carotid is single ; 
the oil-gland is tufted ; and there are no caeca. The legs 
are homalogonatous, and the feet are antiopelmous. The 
tail can be thrown up on the back in a peculiar manner. 
The cutting edges of the bill are more or less serrate, and 
there is a naked space about the eye. The coloration is 
bold and varied. There are upward of 50 species, con- 
fined to the warmer parts of continental America. The 
leading genus besides Rhamphailm is Pteroglos/tus. See 
toucan, toucanet, and cuts under Rhamphastos, Selenidera, 
and aracari. 
Rhamphastinx (ram-fas-ti'ne), n. pi. [NL., 
< Rhamphastos + -inse.~\ If. The Rhamphagtidse 
as a subfamily of some other family. 2. A 
subfamily of Rhamphastidss, contrasted with 
Pteroglossinse. 
Rhamphastos (ram-fas'tos), . [NL. (Lin- 
nseus, 1766, after Aldrovandus, 1599), more 
prop. Rhamphestes (Gesner, 1560) (cf. Gr. pa/j- 
<tttiarr/f, a fish, prob. the pike), < Gr. pduijioi; a 
curved beak.] The typical genus of Rham- 
phastidm, formerly coextensive with the fam- 
Ariel Toucan (Rhamphaslos ariet). 
ily, now restricted to large species having the 
bill at a maximum of size, as R. pica tux, the 
rhamphotheca 
toco toucan, or ft. arid. Usually written Rum- 
phastos. 
Rhamphobatis (ram-fob'a-tis), M. [NL.. < Gr. 
pa/a/ioc, a curved beak, -I- /tor/f, a flat fish.] Same 
as Rhina, 1 (6). 
RhamphocelllS (ram-fo-se'lus), n. [NL. (Dem- 
arest, 1805, as Ramphocelus), < Gr. pd/ufa, a 
curved beak, + ////, tumor; altered to JRham- 
phoccelus (Sclater, 1886), on the presumption 
that the second element is < Gr. Kol/.of, hollow.] 
A remarkable genus of tanagers, having the 
ranii of the under mandible peculiarly tumid 
and colored, and the plumage brilliant scarlet 
or yellow and black in the male. There are 
about 12 species, all of South America, espe- 
cially Brazil, as R. brasilius and R. jacapa. 
Rhamphocottidse (ram-fo-kot'i-de), n. pi. 
[NL.,< Rhamphocottus + -idee.] A family of 
mail-cheeked acanthopterygian fishes, repre- 
sented by the genus Rhamphocottus. The body 
is compressed, and the head also compressed and with a 
projecting snout; there are a short spinous and oblong 
soft dorsal fins, and the ventrals are subabdominal and 
imperfect. 
Rhamphocottinffi (ram'fo-ko-ti'ne), n. pi. 
[NL., (Rhamphocotttis + -hiss.] The Rhani- 
phocotttaie considered as a subfamily of Cot- 
tidse. 
Rhamphocottoidea (ram"fo-ko-toi'df-a), n. pi. 
[NL., < Rhamphocottus + -oidea.] A super- 
family of mail-cheeked acanthopterygian fishes, 
represented by the family Rhampliocottidse, and 
distinguished by the development of the post- 
temporal bones. 
Rhamphocottus (ram-fo-kot'us), n. [NL. 
(Gunther, 1874), < Gr. pau</iof, a curved beak, 
+ Ko>TOf, a river-fish, perhaps the bullhead or 
miller's-thumb: see Coitus.] A genus of mail- 
cheeked fishes having a projecting snout, typ- 
ical of the family Rhaniphocottidx. The only 
known species, R. richardsoni, is an inhabitant of the 
colder waters of the Pacific coast of North America. 
Rhamphodon (ram'fo-don), n. [NL. (Lesson, 
1831, as Ramphodon),( Gr. pdu<j>nc, a curved beak, 
-I- boabf (bSovr-) = E. tooth.] A genus of Tro- 
chilidse, so called from the serration of the bill 
of the male ; the saw-billed humming-birds, as 
the Brazilian R. nsevms: synonymous with Gry- 
pns, 1. 
rhamphoid(ram'foid), a. [<Gr. pauipudr/f, beak- 
shaped, < pafujxti;, a curved beak, + <5of, form.] 
Beak-shaped Rhamphold cusp, a cusp on a plane 
curve, where the two branches lie on the same side of the 
tangent at the cusp ; the union of an ordinary cusp ; an 
inflexion, a binode, and a bitangent. 
Rhampholeon (ram-fo'le-on), 11. [NL., < Gr. 
pd/ufioc, a curved beak, +' 'Atuv, a lion : see limi, 
and cf. chameleon.] A genus of chameleons, 
having the tail non-prehensile. R. spectrum is 
a Madagascan species. Gmither, 1874. 
Rhamphomicron (ram-fo-mik'ron), n. [NL., < 
Gr. pafupof, a curved beak, + fUKpof, little.] A 
notable genus of Trochilidee, including large 
humming-birds with short weak bill, no crest, 
and a beard of pendent metallic feathers, rang- 
ing from the United States of Colombia to Bo- 
livia. R. Stanley! and R. herrani are examples. 
They are kiiown as thornbills. 
Rhamphorhynchinae (rain"fo-ring-kl'ne), ii.pl. 
[NL., < Rhamphorhi/iichus + -iiiss.] A subfamily 
of pterodactyls, typified by the genus Rhampho- 
rhyuchus. 
rhamphorhynchine (ram-fo-ring'kin), a. Of or 
pertaining to the Rhamphorhyncliinse. 
Rhamphorhynchus (ram-fo-ring'kus), n. [NL., 
< Gr. pdu<fiof, a curved beak, + /''}^of, a beak, 
snout.] A gemis of pterodactyls, differing 
from Pterodactylus in having the tail very long 
with immobile vertebrae, the metacarpus less 
than half as long as the forearm, and the ends of 
the jaw produced into a toothless beak which 
was probably sheathed in horn. One of the 
species is R. gemmiii</i. 
Rhamphosidae (ram-fos'i-de), . pi. [NL., 
< Rhamphosus + -idee.] A family of extinct 
hemibranchiate fishes, represented by the ge- 
nus Rhamphosus. They had normal anterior vertebra, 
plates on the nape and shoulders only, a tubiform mouth, 
subthoracic ventrals, and a dorsal spine behind the nu- 
chal plates. They lived in the Eocene seas. 
Rhamphosus (ram'fo-sus), n. [NL. (Agassiz), 
with term, -osus (see -ose), < Gr. pdfi</>of, a curved 
beak.] An extinct genus of hemibranchiate 
fishes, representing the family Rhantphositlae. 
rhamphotheca (ram-fo-the'ka), n. ; pi. rhnm- 
l}hoihecse(-se). [NL.,' < Gr. "pafubof, a curved 
beak, + ft?7, a sheath.] In orniih., the integ- 
ument of the whole beak, of which the rhino- 
theca, dertrotheca, and gnathotheca are parts. 
