sclere 
The walls of Ascetta are strengthened by calcareous 
icleres, more especially designated as spicules. 
JsncyCi .oftt., AAJ.I. *io. 
Spherical sclere, a sclere produced by a concentric 
growth of silica or calcite about an organic particle, 01 
which occurs as u reduction of a rhabdus. 
sclerectasia (skle-rek-ta'si-ii), H. [NL., < Gr 
aK/j/pur, hard, + -amf,^extension : see ee/.-. I 
Scler&l staphyloma. See r*~ 
5401 
ueous or calcareous mass into which the axial 
part of the coenosarc of a compound actinozoan 
may be converted, as it is in the red coral ol 
commerce, for example. See cut under Coral- 
coming oil a few days after birth, accompanied with severe 
constitutional symptoms, and resulting usually in death 
in from four to ten days. 
sclerencephalia (skle"ren-se-fa li-a), n. [NL.. 
< Gr. motflfSf, hard, + tj/c^a/of, the brain: see 
enceplialon.] Sclerosis of the brain. 
SClerenchyma (skle-reng'ki-ma), . [Alsoscfe- 
renchyme; < Gr. m/.i/pof, hard. + cy^a, an in- 
fusion: see cnchymatous.] 1. The hard sub- 
stance of the calcareous skeleton or corallum 
of sclerodermic corals, a proper tissue-secretion 
or calcification of the soft parts of the polyps 
themselves. 2. In bot., the tissue largely com- 
posing the hard parts of plants, such as the 
shell (endocarp) of the hickory-nut, the seed- 
coat of seeds, the hypoderma of leaves, etc. 
The cells are usually short, but in some cases they at 
greatly elongated, as in the hypoderma of leaves ; t] 
sometimes regular in outline, but most frequently they aie 
Uy many later, especially German, writers 
It is in these Octocoralla that the form of skeleton 
which is termed a sclcrotmse, which is formed by cornitl- 
cation or calcification of the axial connective tissue of t 
zoanthodeme, occurs. Huxley, Anat. Invert., p. 143. 
-/>.] 1. Of or pertaining 'to the Sclerobaxim . 
2 Of'or pertaining to a scleftbase ; contain- 
ing or consisting of a sclerobase : as, a sclero- 
basic skeleton. The epithet notes the corallum, 
which forms a solid axis that is invested by the soft 
parts of the animal. The sclerobasic corallum is 
crustacean 8 , being 'a true tegumentary secretion. It to 
termed foot-secretion by Dana. The sclerobasic corallum is 
produced by a compound organism only, and can De dis- 
tinguished from a sclerodermic corallum by being usually 
more or less smooth, and invariably devoid of the cups 
or receptacles for the separate polyps always present in 
the latter.-Sclerobaslc Zoanthariat. Same as Cortt- 
cata t 1. 
Sclerobasica (skle-ro-ba'si-ka), n. pi. [NL. : 
see sclerobasic.] The sclerobasic zoantharians, 
- j!_.;_i .*/....,.*!.>, .-:,< the black corals. Also 
sclerosed 
(b) lu Gunther's system it was also regarded as a family 
of plectognath fishes, distinguished by having jaws with 
distinct teeth, and the sume limits were assigned to it. (c) 
In Bonaparte's later systems it was raised to ordinal rank 
but contained the same fishes as were referred to it by 
Cuvier. (d) In Gill's system, a suborder of plectognath 
fishes with a spinous dorsal or single spine just behind or 
over the cranium, with a normal pisciform shape scales 
of regular form or more or less spnuform, and distinct 
teeth in the jaws. It is thus restricted to the families 
Triacanthida and Balinlidtf. 
sclerodermia (skle-re-der'im-a), ti. [NL.. < 
Gr. mv/w-oc, hard, + Mp^a, skin.] A chronic 
non-inflammatory affection of the skin, in whicl 
it becomes very firm and firmly fixed to the un- 
derlying tissues. The disease may present it- 
self in patches, or involve the entire skin. Also 
called scleroderma and dermatoselerosis. 
sclerodermic (skle-ro-der'mik), a. [< sclero- 
ttfi-m + -ic.] 1. Same as sclerodcrmatous, 1. 
2 In iehih., having a rough, hard skin, as a 
fish; of or pertaining to the Sclerodermi. 
SClerodermite (skle-ro-der'mlt), n. [< sclero- 
dSJST-fleE] The hard skeletal element or 
chitinous test of any somite or segment of the 
body of an arthropod. 
sclerodermitic(skle"ro-der-mit ik),a. Kseuro 
dermite + -ic.] In arthropods, of or pertaining 
tissue of plants composed of cells whose walls are thick- 
ened, often to a very considerable extent. It is also used 
by some authors In a more extended sense, to include all 
sorts of lignifled fibrous cells or cell-derivatives. 
sclerenchymatous (skle-reng-kim'a-tus).a. [< 
sclerenchyma(t-) + -oits.] Having the charac- 
ter of selerenchyma ; containing or consisting 
of that substance: as, sclerentliymatous tissue; 
a sclereneliymatous polyp. 
sclerenchyme (skle-reng'kim), . [< NL. scie- 
renchyma.] Same as sclerencnyma . 
SCleretinite (sklf-ret'i-mt), . _ [For scleroreh 
rou'tfu. ] ottiuo cio CM 
scleroblast (skle'ro-blast), w. [< Or. fcrp6f, 
hard, + fl/UKrrdf, a germ.] The cell of a sponge- 
spicule; the blastema or formative tissue in 
which the sclerous elements of sponges arise. 
A superficial spiral thickening in the wal 
cell or scleroblait. Sollas, Encyc. Bri 
I. 417. 
scleroblastic (skle-ro-blas'tik), a. [< sclero- 
blast + -ic.] Forming sclerous tissue, as a 
"B-cell of a sponge; of or pertaining to 
to amber, fo'und in the coal-formation of Wigan 
in England, in drops and pellets. 
Scleria (skle'ri-a), n. [NL. (Berg, l '>> ' 
the hard fruit; < Gr. 
hard: see fevl 
Sclerobracbia (skle-ro-bra'ki-a), n.pl. [NL., < 
Gr. (TK/l^pof, hard, + fipax'w, the arm.] An or- 
der of brachiopods, including the Spiriferidee 
and Rliyiiclionellidse. 
Sclerobrachiata (skle-ro-brak-i-a ta), n. pi. 
[NL., < Gr. odaptt, hard, + ftpax'uv, the arm, -r 
-ta2.] In some systems, an order of brachio- 
pods, represented by the beaked lamp-shells, or 
Eh iiiiclionellidx, having the oral arms supported 
Of or 
j'ro-jen), n. [< Gr. m^Jip6c, rough, 
hard, + -yevw, producing: see -gen.] In bot., 
the lignifying matter which is deposited on the 
inner surface of the cells of some plants, con- 
tributing to their thickness, as in the shell ol 
the walnut ; lignin. 
A more complete consolidation of cellular tissue is ef- 
fected by deposits of Sclero^ ^^ ^^ ^ 
SclerogenidSB (skle-rS-jen'i-de), n. pi. [NL.. 
< Gr. mtaafe rough, hard, + jemc, the lower 
jaw, the cheek, = E. chin, + -iax.] to ielitli., a 
family of acanthopterygian fishes; the maile 
cheeks: same as Scleroparix. See Cottmaea. 
SClerOgenOUS 1 (skle-roj'e-nus), a. [< Gr. OK/J?- 
/><>;, hard, rough, + ->evw, producing: see -fircH.J 
In zool., producing or giving origin to a sole 
rous or scleritic tissue or formation ; hardening 
panicles, or minute axill 
m ^^SK^sr 
LtS 
xillary clusters, and by the hard bony scleroclase ( s kle'ro-klaz), . [< G 
"3 mf ' fracture: scec ^" c ' ] 
[< Gr. artr/pif, 
^ a 'fisl;' belongin to the 
rO(Jen idai , or mailed-cheeks. 
tending into temperate climates in North America, where 
12 species (known as mityraix) occur on the Atlantic coast, 
3 as far north as Massachusetts. They are rash-like herbs 
of various habit, either low and spreading or tall and ro- 
bust, bearing grass-like leaves, and often with rigid prick- 
ly-pointed bracts below the involucres, giving to S. Jtagel- 
lum the name cutting-grass in the West Indies. See kiafe- 
grais, razor-gram, and Kobresia. 
scleriasis (skle-ri'a-sis), n. [NL., < <* r - /"W 
off, a hardening (of the eyelid), < OKtoipif, hard, 
rough : see sclere.] Sclerodermia. 
Sclerieas (skle-ri'e-e), n. pi. [NL. (Neee i von 
Esenbeck. 18&4), < Selena + -ex.] A tribe of 
plants, of the order Cyperaceee. It is characterized 
by unisexual flowers, in spikelets composed of two or more 
staminate flowers above and a solitary pistillate flower 
at the base, or in panicles with the lower part composed 
of one-flowered pistillate spikelets. It includes the wide- 
spread type genus Scleria, with Kobresia and hnospora, 
perennial herbs of the Old World, and two less-known 
genera. 
sclerite (skle'rit), . [< Gr. rip4r, rough, 
hard, + -?te2.] In zool. : (a) Any separate 
skeletal element or definite hard part ol the 
integument of arthropods; apiece of the chili- 
nous skeleton or crust, as of an insect, in any 
wav distinguished from other parts. In insects 
the regular or constant sclerites, of which there are many, 
receive for the most part special names, as stcritite, pleu- 
rite tertrite emmeron, epipleurun, etc., or are identified by 
qualifying terms, as sternal, dorsal, etc. See cut I. under 
Insecta, and cut under Hymcnoptera. (b) A. scleroder- 
matous spicule in the substance of a polyp, 
especially of an alcyonarian. (c) A sponge- 
spicule; a sclere. -Cervical, jugular, etc., scle- 
rites. See the adjectives. . 
scleritic (skle-rit'ik), o. [< sclerite + -tc.] 1. 
Sclerous ; hardened or chitimzed, as a detmite 
tract of the body-wall of an arthropod ; of or 
pertaining to a sclerite. 2. Silicious or cal- 
careous, as a sclerite or spicule of a polvp or a 
SCleritis (sklo-ri'tis), n, [NL., < solera + -itix.~\ 
Inflammation of the solera or sclerotic coat ol 
the eye ; sclerotitis. 
sclerobase (skle'ro-bas), n. [< NL. sclerobasis, 
< Gr. o//J?/wf, hard, + jiuoif, base.] A dense cor- 
SClerOCOrneal (skle-ro-kor'ue-al), a. [< NL. 
solera + cornea + -al.] Of or pertaining to the 
sclerotica and the cornea of the eye. 
auMipuf, hard, + fitpfia, skin: see derm.] I. " 
1. The' hard or stony external skeleton of scle- 
rodermatous zoantharians, or corals in an ordi- 
nary sense; corallum; coral. 2. A member of 
the Sclerodermata, as a madrepore. 3. A plec- 
tognath fish of the group Sclerodermi, having 
the skin rough and hard, as the file-hsh, etc. 
II. o. Of or pertaining to the Sclerodermi; 
sclerodermous. 
scleroderma 1 (skle-ro-der'ma), . [NL.: see 
scleroderm.] Same as sclerodermui. 
Scleroderma 2 (skle-ro-der'ma), n. pi. [NL.: 
see scleroderm.] Same as Sclerodermata, 1. 
Sclerodermata (skle-ro-der'ma-ta), n.pl. [NL., 
neut. pi. of scleroder mains : see scleroderma- 
tom.] 1 . The squamate or scaly reptiles ; rep- 
tiles proper, as distinguished from Malaeoder- 
matd. Also Scleroderma. 2. One of the divi- 
sions of Zoantliaria, containing the stone-corals 
or madrepores. See cuts under brain-coral, 
coral, Madrepora, and madrepore. 3. A sub- 
order of thecosomatous pteropods, represented 
bv the family Eurylnidx. 
sclerodermatous (skle-ro-der'ma-tus), a. [< 
NL. sclerodermatus, < Gr. wt&jpar, hard, -r<*P- 
ua(r-), skin: see derma.] 1. Having a hard 
outer covering; consisting, composed of ,or con- 
taining scleroderm ; of or pertaining to tne 
Sderoaermata.& Pertaining to, having the 
character of, or affected with sclerodermia. 
Sclerodermi (skle-ro-der'mi), . pi. [rvL., < 
Gr. aK)itip6c, hard,-!- depfia, skin: see derma.} In 
i i-li th. a division of plectoguath fishes, to which 
different limits and values have been assigned. 
(a) In Cuvier's system of classification, the second family 
of plectognath fishes, distinguished by the conical or py- 
rimid'il snout prolonged from the eyes and terminated 
by a small mouth, armed with a few distinct teeth in each 
jaw, and with the skin rough or invested with hard scales. 
It included the true Sclerodermi and the Ostracodernu. 
form ] 1. In bot., having a hard texture, as 
the shells of nuts. 2. In zool., hard, as a sclere 
or sclerite ; scleritic ; sclerous. 
sclero-iritis (skle"ro-i-ri'tis), . [NL., < wtera 
+ iris (see iris, 6) -r -itis.] Inflammation of 
the sclerotic coat and iris. 
scleroma (skle-ro'ma), n. [NL., < Gr. OK^pyta, 
an induration, < "owbjpow, harden, indurate, < 
aK^rip6f, hard: see sclere.] Sclerosis; also, scle- 
rodermia or scierema. 
scleromeninx (skle-ro-me'mngks), . [NL., < 
Gr. OK/.tip6f, hard, + ^w)-?, a membrane.] The 
dura mater. 
SClerometer (skle-rom'e-ter), n. [< Gr. o-K^pof 
hard, + /itrpav, a measure.] An instrument 
for determining with precision the degree of 
hardness of a mineral. The arrangement is essen- 
tially as follows: the crystal to be examined is placed, 
with one surface exactly horizontal, upon a delicate car- 
riage movable below a vertical rod which ends in a dia- 
mond or hard steel point. The rod is attached to an arm 
of a lever and the weight is determined which must be 
placed above in order that a scratch shall be made upon 
the given surface as the carriage is moved. 
SCleromucin(skle-ro-mu'sin),H. [< Gr.cKAtipoc., 
hard, + E. mttcin, q. v.] An inodorous, taste- 
less, gummy nitrogenous substance found in 
ergot, said to possess ecbolic qualities. 
Scleropariae (sklero-pa-ri'e), H. pi. Gr 
(Ktaptt, hard, + napeta, cheek.] A family of 
acanthoDterygian fishes. It is characterized by the 
ici oss nit; cuctj*, UMU tu ii\,ui.\.o .....*. ,.... n- 
of the preopercular bone, thus strengthening and hard- 
ening the cheeks. Also called Sclerogenidx, Ciitmdea, 
bucca' loricatie, joues cuirassies, and mailed-cheeks. See 
Cottoidea. 
-' athia (skle-ro-path'i-ii), . [NL., < Gr. 
;, hard, + irddof, a suflering.] Same as 
scleroma. 
sclerosal (skle-ro'sal), a. [< scleros(is) 
Pertaining to' or of "the nature of sclerosis. 
iclerosed (skle'rost), a. [< sclerosis + -ed*.] 
Eendered abnormally hard ; affected with scle- 
rosis. Also sclerotieed. 
