sarcome 
sarcomet (sar'kom), . [< NL. sarcoma, q. v.] 
Same as sarcoma. Mi unite n. 
Sarcomphalus (sar-kom'fa-lus), . [NL. (P. 
Browue, 1756), so called with ref. to the fleshy 
fuuiculus; < Gr. adpf (napn-), flesh, + b/tQaMf, 
navel.] A genus of polypetalous plants of the 
order Khanniaceee and tribe Zi:yji!icie. It is char- 
acterized by panicled flowers with five long and slender- 
stalked erect and hooded petals, five anthers opening out- 
ward, and a disk which sheathes the base of the calyx and 
invests the ovoid three-celled ovary, a small dry and ovoid 
drupe in fruit, containing a two-celled and two-seeded 
stone. The a species are natives of the West Indies. They 
are trees or shrubs with very smooth bark, with or with- 
out spines, and bearing very smooth ovate or ottovate en- 
tire leaves, and small flowers in much-branching panicles. 
S. tattrima of Jamaica is there known as bastard liynum- 
oitif. 
Sarcopetalum (sar-ko-pet'a-lum), n. [NL. 
(Ferdinand von Mueller, 1860),< Gr. aapt; (aapn-), 
flesh, + 7rfra/,o, petal.] A genus of polypeta- 
lous plants of the order MenispermacexsknA tribe 
Cissampelidese. It is characterized by dioecious flowers 
with two to five minute sepals, three to five or rarely six 
thickened and fleshy petals, and a column of stamens with 
two or three short and spreading lobes above, each lobe 
bearing a horizontal anther. The pistillate flowers contain 
three to six carpels, which become in fruit compressed and 
one-seeded drupes. The only species, S. Harreyanum, is 
a native of Australia, and is there cultivated under the 
name of Harvey's vine. It is a climbing vine with broad 
and heart-shaped evergreen leaves, and flowers borne in 
lateral unbrauched racemes. 
Sarcophaga 1 (sar-kof'a-ga), n. [NL'. (Meigen, 
1826), fern. sing, of sarcophagus, flesh-eating: 
see sarcophagous.] A genus of dipterous in- 
sects, typical of the family Sarcophagidse ; the 
flesh-flies. They are large or small, moderately bristly 
species, recognizable from the lengthened three-striped 
scutellum and from cubical claret-colored spots on the 
abdomen. These flies are viviparous, and deposit liv- 
ing larvae upon decaying animal substances. Some have 
been considered parasitic upon other insects, but probably 
they never oviposit upon living larvae or pupae. They have 
been known to breed in ulcerous sores upon man and other 
mammals. The species are numerous, over 50 inhabiting 
the United States. S. camaria is the European flesh-fly, 
by some authors considered identical with the North 
American S. simUis, in which case the former is said to 
be cosmopolitan. See cut under flesh-fly. 
Sarcophaga 2 (sar-kof'a-ga),.J>/. [NL., neut.pl. 
of sarcophagus : see sarcophagous.] In Owen's 
classification (1839), a division of marsupials, 
having teeth of three kinds and no csecum, 
as the dasyures, and including a section of the 
carnivorous marsupials. 
sarcophagal (sar-kof'a-gal), a. [< sarcopha- 
g-ous + -al.~\ Flesh-devouring. 
So this natural balm . . . can at utmost but keep the 
body living till the life's taper be burnt out ; or, after death, 
give a short and insensible preservation to it in the sar- 
cophayal grave. Rev. T. Adams, Works, I. 37G. 
sarcophagan (sar-kof'a-gan), n. [< NL. Sar- 
cophaga^ + -an.] A carnivorous marsupial; 
a member of the Sarcophaga. 
sarcophaget, Same as sarcophagus. 
sarcophagi, . Plural of sarcophagus. 
Sarcophagidffi (sar-ko-faj'i-de), n. pi. [NL., 
< Sarcuiihaya 1 + -idee.] A family of dipterous 
insects or true flies, founded on the genus Sarco- 
phaga. The antennal bristle is naked at the tip, and 
feathered for half its length only ; the forehead is broad 
in both sexes, and the abdomen is four-jointed. The 
family contains about 6 genera, of which Sarcophaga is 
the most important. 
sarcophagous (sar-kof'a-gus), a. [< NL. sar- 
cophagus, < Gr. aap/co^dyof, flesh-eating, carnivo- 
rous, < adfit- (aap/c-), flesh,-!- ^ayriv, eat.] Flesh- 
eating; zoophagous; carnivorous, as a marsu- 
pial ; pertaining to the Sarcophaga : sometimes 
specifically contrasted with phytophagous or 
herbivorous. 
sarcophagus (sar-kof'a-gus), n. ; pi. sarcophagi 
(-jl). [Formerly also sarcophage, < F. sarco- 
phage f= Sp. sarcofago = Pg. sarcophago = It. 
sarcofago = D. sarcopliaag = G. sarcophag = 
Dan. Sw. sarkofag, a coffin, sarcophagus ; < L. 
sarcophagus, adj., sc. lapis, a kind of limestone, 
as a noun a coffin, sepulcher, < Gr. aapnotyayof, 
adj., flesh-eating, carnivorous (oapKoQayoc //- 
ft>f, a limestone so called, lit. 'flesh-consum- 
ing stone,' so named from a supposed property 
of consuming the flesh of corpses laid in it) ; 
hence, as a noun, a coffin of such stone : see sar- 
oophagoug.'] 1. A species of stone used among 
the Greeks for making coffins. It was called l>y 
the Romans lapis As/tins, from being found at 
Assos, a city of the Troad. 2. A stone coffin, 
especially one ornamented with sculptures or 
bearing inscriptions, etc. Sarcophagi were in use 
from very early Egyptian and Oriental antiquity down to 
the fall of the Roman empire. Many Greek and Roman 
examples are magnificent in their rich carvings, and a few 
are of high importance as preserving in their decoration 
almost the chief remains of purely Greek painting in col- 
ors. Although now uncommon, they are sometimes used, 
5343 
Sarcophagus (restored), from the Street of Tombs at Assos in the 
Troad, excavated by the Archaeological Institute of America, 1881. 
especially for the burial of distinguished persons whose 
tombs are more or less monumental. See also cuts under 
bacchante and Etruscan. 
3. A peculiar wine-cooler forming part of a 
dining-room sideboard about the end of the 
eighteenth century: it was a dark mahogany 
box, lined with lead. 
Sarcophagy (sar-kof'a-ji), n. [< Gr. aapKvtt>ayia, 
the eating of flesh, < aap:o0o>of , flesh-eating : see 
sarcophagous.'] The practice of eating flesh; 
zoophagy; carnivorousness. 
There was no sarcophagie before the flood. 
Sir T. Brovme, Vulg. Err., iii. 25. 
sarcophile (sar'ko-fil), H. An animal of the 
genus Sarcophilus; hence, some or any sarcoph- 
ilous animal. 
sarcophllous (sar-kof'i-lus), a. [< Gr. o-apf 
(aapK-), flesh, + fyutlv, love.] Fond of flesh as 
an article of diet; sarcophagous. 
Sarcophilus (sar-kof'i-lus), . [NL. : see sar- 
cophiloiis.] A genus of carnivorous marsupials 
of the family Dasyuridie and subfamily Dasyx- 
rinee, formerly united with Dasyurus, contain- 
lian Devil (Sarct 
(tins itrstrtus). 
ing the Tasmanian devil, or ursine dasyure, 5. 
ursinus, a stout heavy animal about as large as 
a badger, of blackish color with some white 
marks, remarkable for its ferocious and intrac- 
table disposition. 
Sarcophyte (sar-kof 'i-te), . [NL. (Sparr- 
mann, 1777), < Gr. aapf (o-apx-), flesh, + (jnrrov, 
plant.] A monotypic genus of parasitic and 
apetalous plants of the order Balanophorese, 
constituting the tribe Sareopltyteee. It is charac- 
terized by dioecious flowers, the staminate with a three- or 
four-lobed calyx and three or four stamens with many- 
celled anthers, the pistillate with a three-celled ovary 
without style, ita three pendulous ovules reduced to em- 
bryonal sacs. The only species, S. sanyuinea, is a native 
of South Africa, and is a thick fleshy herb, of a blood-red 
color, very smooth and oily, and with an unpleasant odor. 
It produces a lobed and shapeless rootstock, which is 
without scales, and bears a short and irregularly ruptured 
ring around the base of the thick and scaly flower-stalk. 
The flowers are panicled on a large pyramidal spadix, the 
staminate solitary on its branches, and the pistillate com- 
pacted into rounded heads, followed by fleshy syncarps 
which are commonly empty or contain a hard three-angled 
single-seeded stone. 
Sarcophyteae (siir-ko-fit'e-e), . pi. [NL. (End- 
lieher, 1836), < Sarcophyte + -ex.~\ A tribe of 
apetalous plants of the order Balanophorese, 
consisting of the fleshy parasite Sarcophyte. 
sarcoplasma (sar-ko-plas'ma), . [NL., < Gr. 
ffdpf (aapK-), flesh, + irAaaua, anything formed: 
see planm.] The interfibrillar substance of 
muscular tissue. 
Filling up the spaces between the muscle-columns is 
the interflhrillar material or sarcoplasma. 
Micros. Science, N. S., XXXI. 67. 
Sarcopsylla (sar-kop-sil'ii), . [NL. (West- 
wood, 1840), < Gr. ovifif (aapn-), flesh, + ij>ii/-^a, a 
flea.] A genus of siphonapterous or aphanip- 
terous insects, erected to contain the so-called 
jigger, chigoe, chique, or pique of tropical Amer- 
ica, S. priiftraiix, a peculiar flea which during 
the dry season attacks exposed parts of tho 
sarcotheca 
human body, especially the feet, and burrows 
under the skin or nails. See cut under chigoe. 
Sarcoptes (siir-kop'tez), n. [NL. (Latreille), < 
Gr. aapt; (cap*-), flesh, + (irreg.) KOKTUV, cut.] 
The typical genus of Sarcoptidse ; the itch-mites 
or scab-mites. S. scabin, formerly Acarus sca- 
biei, is the acarid which produces the itch in 
man. See cut under itch-mite. 
sarcoptic (sar-kop'tik), a. [< sarcopt(id) + 
-ic.] Pertaining to or caused by sarcoptids; 
due to the presence of these mites: as, sarcoptic 
mange or itch. 
Sarcoptidae (siir-kop'ti-de), n. pi. [NL., < Sar- 
coptes + -idee.] A family of atracheate aca- 
rines, typified by the genus Sarcoptes; itch- 
mites, living as parasites under the skin of the 
host, and producing a painful disease, the itch. 
See cut under itch-mite. 
Sarcoptinse (siir-kop-ti'ne), n. pi. [NL., < Sar- 
coptes + -'#.] The itch-mites as a subfamily 
of Acaridee. 
Sarcorhamphidaet (sar-ko-ram'fi-de), n. pi. 
[NL., < Sarcorhamphus + '-id&.] A family of 
Ruptores, named from the genus Sarcorhamphus: 
same as Cathartidce; the New World_ vultures. 
Sarcorhamphinaet (sar"ko-ram-fi'ne), n. pi. 
[NL.,< Sarcorhamphus + -ilia?.] The Sarcorham- 
phidx or Cathartidee regarded as a subfamily 
of Vulturidx. 
Sarcorhamphus (sar-ko-ram'fus), n. [NL., < 
Gr. o-dpf (aapK-), flesh, +' /iqu^of, a curved beak.] 
An American genus of CWAarft'rfa?, having fleshy 
caruncles on the bill; the condors and king- 
vultures. S". gryphus is the Andean condor; S. papa 
is the king-vulture. The Californian condor, formerly in- 
cluded in this genus, is now placed in Pseudogryphw. 
See cuts under condor and kiny-mdture. 
sarcoseptum (sar-ko-sep'tum), . ; pi. sarcosep- 
ta (-ta). [NL., < Gr. aapf (o-ap/c-), flesh, + NL. 
septum, q. v.] A soft septum; a fleshy parti- 
tion ; specifically, a mesentery of some antho- 
zoans, as sea-anemones. See mesentery, 2 (6). 
sarcosis (sar-ko'sis), n. [NL., < Gr. aapnuoif, 
sarcoma, a fleshy excrescence, < oapnovv, make 
flesh, aapKovaSai, produce flesh : see sarcoma.] 
In surg.: (a) The formation of flesh. (6) A 
fleshy tumor; sarcoma. [This term is now gen- 
erally disused.] 
sarcosperm (sar'ko-sperm), . [< Gr. crapf 
(o-np/i-), flesh, + fj7rf'p/ia, a seed.] Same as sar- 
coderm. 
Sarcostemraa (sar-ko-stem'a), n. [NL. (R. 
Brown, 1809), so called with "ref. to the fleshy 
inner corona; < Gr. crapf (ovzp/c-), flesh, + arijifia, 
a wreath, chaplet: see stemma.] A genus of 
gamopetalous plants of the order Asclepiadeee 
and tribe Cynanchese. It is distinguished by flowers 
with deeply five-parted calyx and corolla, and five sta- 
mens united into a short tube, surrounded by an exterior 
corona of ten short rounded lobes forming a membrana- 
ceous ring, and by an inner corona of five fleshy convex 
or keeled erect scales. There are about 8 species, natives 
of Africa, Asia, and Australia within tropical and sub- 
tropical limits. They are leafless, shrubby climbers with 
fleshy branches, and small white or yellow flowers in 
rounded cymes. S. breristigma (formerly Asclepias acida) 
is the reputed soma-plant of the Vedic hymns. S. aphylla 
and S. viminale are sometimes cultivated under the name 
of flesh crvwn-flawer. 
Sarcostigma (sar-ko-stig'ma), H. [NL. (Wight 
and Arnott, 1833), so called with ref. to the 
fleshy discoid stigma ; < Gr. ffdpf (mzp/t-), flesh, 
+ arty/ia, a point: see stigma.] A genus of 
polypetalous plants of the order Olacinese and 
tribe Phi/tocreiicie. It is characterized by dioecious and 
interruptedly spiked flowers, with filaments longer than 
the anthers, a sessile stigma, and a one-celled oyaiy with 
two pendulous ovules, in fruit an oblong drupe with woody 
stone containing a seed destitute of albumen, and with 
thick, fleshy, heart-shaped seed-leaves. The 3 species are 
natives of tropical Asia and Africa. They are shrubby 
climbers and twiners, growing to a great height, and with 
hard-wood stems bearing alternate oblong rigid and veiny 
leaves, and elongated spikes of small flowers. S. Kleimi 
is the odal-oil plant. See oda&. 
Sarcostyle (sar'ko-stil), . [< Gr. o-apf (o-opx-), 
flesh, + orW.oc, a pillar.] The mass of sarcode 
or protoplasm contained in the sarcotheca of 
a cO3lenterate. See quotation under sarcotheca. 
The colony is provided with bodies which admit of close 
comparison with the sarcoslyles and sai cothecte of the Plu- 
mularlne. Nature, XXXVm. 338. 
sarcotheca (sar-ko-the'ka), n. ; pi. sarcothecie 
(-se). [NL., < Gr. <rdpf (aapn-), flesh, + OT/KJI. 
a sheath.] The cup or cell of a thread-cell or 
lasso-cell, which may contain a sarcostyle ; a 
cnida, cnidocell, or nematophore, regarded as to 
its walls, as distinguished from its contents, 
which when existing form a sarcostyle or cni- 
docil. See cuts under Cnida. Hindi's. 
Mr. Tlincks, however, considering that the presence of 
the thread-cells is not the primary characteristic, and is 
