sphaeridium 
sriitellum and the visible pygidium. N. xrttni- 
lix'oiilcx is an example. 
Sphaeriidae (sfe-ri'i-de), n.pl. [NL., < fiphseritim 
+ -ids.} A family of fresh-water bivalve mol- 
lusks, typified by the genus Sphierium, formerly 
called (''i/clailiilie, and now generally united with 
the typical Cyrenidie under the latter name. 
sphaeristerium (sfe-ris-te'ri-um), . ; pi. sphse- 
rixti-ria (-a). [< L. uphieristcriuni, < Gr. a$cu- 
p/ari'/pioi', a place for playing ball, < a^tupifeev, 
play at ball, < afalpa, a ball: see sphere.'] In 
I'liifis. initiq., any place or structure for the ex- 
ercise of ball-playing ; a tennis-court. 
sphaerite (sfe'rit), . [< Gr. a^aipa, a ball, 
sphere, + -ite 2 .] A hydrous phosphate of 
aluminium, allied to wavellite in structure and 
composition. 
Sphaerium (sfe'ri-um), n. [NL. (Scopoli, 1777), 
< Gr. atyaipiov, dim. of aQalpa, a ball.] The typi- 
cal genus of the Spheeriidse, or a genus of the 
family Cyrenidie, for a long time generally 
known as Cyclas. It contains many small clam- 
like fresh-water shells. 
Sphaerobacteria (sfe"ro-bak-te'ri-a), it. t>l. 
[NL., < Gr. cnt>aipa, a sphere, + NL. bacterium. 
q. v.] In Cohn's system of classification, a 
tribe of sehizomycetes or bacteria, with spheri- 
cal cells, as in the genus Micrococcus. See Mi- 
crococcus. 
Sphaerococcaceae (sfe'ro-ko-ka'se-e), n. pi. 
[NL., < Kphserococcus + -ace.] The same or 
nearly the same as the Sphssrococcoidese. 
Sphaerococcoideae (sfe"ro-ko-koi'de-e), n. pi. 
[NL., < Spheerococctis + -oidea.'] An order or 
suborder of florideous algas, named from the 
genus Sphssrococctts. The fronds are cylindrical or 
membranaceous, often of very delicate substance. The 
antheridia form superficial patches, or are occasionally 
contained in sunken cavities. 
Sphaerococcus (sfe-ro-kok'us), n. [NL. (Stack- 
house), < Gr. otfialpa, a ball, + i(ucor, a berry.] 
A genus of florideous algee, giving name to the 
order Sphserococcoidese. There are no American 
species. 
Sphaerodactylus (sfe-ro-dak'ti-lus), w. [NL. 
(Wagler, 1830), < Gr. ajaipa, a ball, + i&KTvfjof, 
finger.] A genus of American gecko lizards, 
having toes ending in small circular sucking- 
disks, by means of which they adhere to per- 
pendicular surfaces. There are large carinate scales 
on the back, and small smooth hexagonal ones on the belly. 
S. notatux is one of the smallest of lizards, about 2 inches 
long, found in Florida and Cuba; it is notable as the only 
gecko of the United States. Also Sphariodactylus. 
Sphaerogaster (sfe-ro-gas'ter), n. [NL. (Zet- 
terstedt, 1842), < Gr. oQalpa, a ball, + yaart/p, 
belly.] A genus of dipterous insects, of the 
family Acroceridse, containing one species, 8. 
arcticus, a minute shining-black fly, which oc- 
curs from the northernmost point of Lapland 
to northern Sweden. 
Sphaerogastra (sfe-ro-gas'tra), n. pi. [NL., < 
Gr. o^oipOj a ball, + yamf/p, belly.] A division 
of arachmdans, containing those whose abdo- 
men is more or less spheroidal or globose, as 
the spiders: contrasted with Arthrogaxtra. See 
cut under spider. 
sphaeroid, n. See spheroid. 
Sphasroma (sfe-ro'ma), n. [NL. (Latreille, 
1802), < Gr. a^a/pu/ttz, anything made round or 
globular, < aqiaipovv, make round or globular, < 
ofaipa, a ball, sphere: see sphere.~\ The typi- 
cal genus of Sphseromidx, so called from their 
habit of rolling themselves up in a ball when 
disturbed, like some of the Oniscidse,. They 
are known as globe-slaters. Also Spheroma. 
Leach. 
sphaeromere, n. See spheromere. 
sphaeromian, a. and n. See spheromian. 
Sphaeromidae (sfe-rom'i-de), . pi. [NL., < 
Sphteroma + -irfa;.] A family of isopod crus- 
taceans, typified by the genus Spliseroma; the 
globe-slaters. Also Sphseromatidse. 
sphaerosiderite, See spherosiderite. 
sphasrosppre, . Same as spherospore. 
sphaerostilbite (sfe-ro-stil'bit), n. [< Gr. a<j>alpa, 
a ball, + E. stilbite.] ' A variety of stilbite. 
Sphaerotheca(sfe-ro-the'ka),n. [NL. (L6veill6, 
1851), < Gr. a<j>alpa, a ball, + 6r/nr/, a case.] A 
genus of pyrenomycetous fungi, belonging to 
the family Eri/siphese, characterized by a peri- 
thecium which contains only a single aseus. 
The appendages are simple threads not unlike the myce- 
lium with which they are frequently interwoven. The as- 
cus is usually snborbicnlar in shape, and generally con- 
tains eight spores. S". hitmuli, called the hop-mildew, is 
destructive to the hop-vine ; S. pannosa is injurious to 
rose-bushes ; and f?. mnrtt-uvx is the common gooseberry- 
mildew. See hop-mildew. 
5822 
sphaerotherian (sfe-ro-the'ri-an), . and n. [< 
Slilnernthi-riiiiii + -nn."] I. . Of or pertaining 
to the genus Sphserotlieriiim. 
II. w. A milleped of the genus Sphserothe- 
r in HI or family Sphserotlieriidee . 
Sphaerotherii'dae (sfe"ro-the-ri'i-de), n. pi. 
[NL., <Sphserotherittm + -idle.] Afamilyof chi- 
lognath inyriapods, typified by the genus ,S/I/I<T- 
rotherium, having aggregated eyes and lateral 
antennae. Also called Zepltroniidx. 
Sphaerotherium (sfe-ro-the'ri-um), . [NL., 
(Brandt, 1841), < Gr. aifiaipa, a ball, + &r/piov, a 
wild beast.] A genus of chilognath myriapods, 
of the family (Homeridse, and giving name to 
the Sphssrotiieriidse. S. doiir/dtiim is an exam- 
ple. Also called Zephronia. 
sphaerozoa, n. Plural of sphserozoou. 
sphaerpzoid (sfe-ro-zo'id), a. and n. I. a. Of or 
pertaining to the ' Sphserozoidee. 
II. . A spheerozoon, or member of the Sphse- 
rozoidse. 
Sphaerozoidae (sfe-ro-zo'i-de), . pi. [NL., 
' Sphierozoum + -idse.~\ A family of spumella- 
rians, or compound radiolarians, typified by the 
genus Sphierozoum, with a skeleton composed 
of numerous detached spicules scattered round 
the social central capsules, or embedded in their 
common gelatinous body, 
sphaerozoon (sfe-ro-zo'on), n. ; pi. sphserozoa 
(-a). [NL. : see Sphserozoum.'] An individual 
or species of the genus Sphierozoum or family 
Sphserozoidse. 
Sphaerozoum (sfe-ro-zo'um), n. [NL., < Gr. 
aipaipa, a ball. + Cw, an animal.] A genus 
of compound 
radiolarians, 
typical of the 
family Sphse- 
rozoidse, the 
protoplasm of 
which con- 
tains colored 
cellseformbod- 
ies, and gives 
rise to a net- 
work of spic- 
ules forming 
a loose de- 
tached skele- 
ton. S. orodi- 
sph*r<Ksmm madimnrt. magnited. mare is an ex- 
ample. A sec- 
ond species is S. punctatum. See also cut un- 
der spicule. 
sphaerule, sphaerulite, etc. See spherule, etc. 
Sphagnaceae (sfag-na'se-e), n. pi. [NL. (Bri- 
del, 1826). < Sphagnum + -acexT] A monotypic 
order of mosses; the peat-mosses. They are soft 
and flaccid caulescent plants, generally of large size, grow- 
ing in more or less compact tufts or patches on the sur- 
face of bogs, or floating in stagnant water, more rarely on 
the borders of mountain rivulets. They are whitish, yel- 
lowish, or sometimes red or olive-colored, and are peren- 
nial by the annual prolongation of the stems or by simple 
innovations at the apex. The branches are generally 
spreading, in lateral fascicles of from two to seven, rarely 
more, those at the summit of the stem capitate. The leaves 
are nerveless, translucent, formed of a single layer of two 
kinds of cells. The inflorescence is monoecious or dioe- 
cious ; the male organs (antheridia) are borne upon clavate 
catkin-like branches, solitary at the side of each leaf, glo- 
bose or ovoid, pedicellate ; the female organs (archegonia) 
are generally three or four terminating a short branch, 
only one perfecting fruit and forming a capsule. The cap- 
sule is globose, operculate with a convex or nearly flat lid, 
the orifice naked ; the spores are of two kinds. See cut 
under Sphagnum. 
Sphagnei (sfag'ne-1), n. pi. [NL., < L. sphag- 
nos, < Gr. a<f>ayvo<;, a kind of moss.] Same as 
Spluignacese. 
sphagnicolous (sfag-nik'o-lus), a. [< NL. 
Sphagnum + L. colere, innabit.] In bot. and 
zofil., growing or living upon or among mosses 
of the genus Sphagnum. 
sphagnologist (sfag-nol'o-jist), n. [< sphag- 
nolog-y + -ist.] In bot., a student of the Sphag- 
nacese; one who is an authority on, or interest- 
ed in the study of, the Sphagnacese. Jour. Hoy. 
Micros. Soc., 2d ser., VI. 108. 
sphagnology (sfag-nol'o-ji), n. [< NL. Sphag- 
num + Gr. -/loyJa, < Aeyeiv, speak: see -ology.] 
The special study of the Sphagnacese. 
sphagnous (sfag'nus), a. [< NL. Sphagn(um) 
+ -ous.] In bot., pertaining to bog-mosses or 
peat-mosses; abounding in bog- or peat-mosses. 
See Sphagnum. 
Sphagnum (sfag'num), n. [NL. (Dillenius, 
1741), < Gr. otydyvof, also aifianof, and QaaKof, $&a- 
KOV, a kind of moss.] 1. A genus of mosses, 
the peat- or bog-mosses, the only representa- 
tive of the order Sphagnacese. For charac- 
Sphecius 
ters, see Splimiinici se. 
The plants of this genus 
are widely diffused over 
the temperate parts of the 
globe, and enter largely 
into the composition of 
peat. There are about 25 
North American species 
and many varieties or 
forms, about the validity of 
which the best authorities 
differ widely. The most di- 
vergent forms may be dis- 
tinguished by well-marked 
characters, but these seem 
to merge into one another 
by a complete series of con- 
necting links. See peat', 
r-moss, Bryaceee. 
[I. c.~\ A mass 
or quantity of moss 
of this genus: often 
used attributively: as, 
.i/iliiiiiitin moss; a 
SphagOlODUS ( sf S-gol- the capsule of Sphagnum suitr- 
rXTT ' /r*.i cuildltm : f, the amhericluim of 
0-bUS), n. [JSL. (Oa- sphagnum su b, tc ,,,,d,<m ; rf, 
banis, 1860), < Gr. <** ?' '' f sp^e"* 
ai/Kryf/, the throat, + ' 
Ao/36f, lobe.] A genus of hornbills, of the fam- 
ily Bueerotida, characterized by the peculiar 
form of the casque and by the curly crest. The 
Sphagolobus alrattts. 
only species is S. atratus of western Africa, of 
a blackish color with the tail dark-green and 
broadly tipped with white. 
sphalerite (sfal'e-rit), n. [< Gr. e<t>aZcp6f, slip- 
pery, uncertain ('< efyaUciv, cause to fall, throw 
down, trip: see fall, fail 1 ), + -tie 2 : so named 
because often confounded with more useful 
ores.] The native zinc sulphid more familiar- 
ly known as zinc-blende. See blende. 
sphalerocarpium (sfaFe-ro-kar'pi-um), n. ; pi. 
.iphalerocarpia (-a). [NL-, ( Gr. afafapfy, slip- 
pery, uncertain (see sphalerite), + xapmSf, fruit.] 
In bot., a name proposed for an accessory fruit, 
as that of Sliepherdia, in which the achene is 
invested by a persistent succulent calyx, which 
assumes the appearance of a berry. 
Sphargididae (sfar-jid'i-de), n.pl. [NL. (Bona- 
parte, 1839), < Sphargis (Sphargid-) + -idx.~\ 
A family of chelonians, typified by the genus 
Sphargte, having a soft, thick, coriaceous cara- 
pace not consolidated by the bones, and claw- 
less feet forming mere paddles ; the soft-shelled 
turtles. Only one species is known, the luth, or leather- 
back turtle, which reaches a gigantic size. Preferably to 
be called Dermochelydidse. Also Sphargida, Sphargi- 
dina, Sphargidoida. See cut under lealherbaclc. 
Sphargis (sfar'jis), n. [NL. (Merrem, 1820).] 
The typical genus of Sphargididss. The species is 
S. coriacea, the soft-shelled or leather-backed turtle, or 
trunk-turtle. An earlier and unexceptionable name, and 
therefore the onym of this genus, is Dermochelyt. See cut 
under leatherbacit. 
Sphecia (sfe'shi-a), n. [NL. (Hiibner, 1816), 
< Gr. a<t>t/j; (ff^K-)J' a wasp.] A genus of lepi- 
dopterous insects, of the family MgerUdse, hav- 
ing the abdomen moderate and no anal tuft; 
the hornet-moths. Two European species are the 
hornet-moth (S. apifmrmii) and the lunar hornet-moth (S. 
bembeciformis). See Sesia. 
Sphecidae (sfes'i-de), . pi. [NL., also errone- 
ously Sphegidse, < Sphex (Sphec-) + -idee.] A 
family of fbssorial hymenopterous insects, typ- 
ified by the genus Sphcx: same as Sphegidse. 
SpheciilS (sfe'shi-us), n. [NL. (Dahlbom, 
1843), < Gr. o-^f (a<tlK-), a wasp.] A notable 
genus of digger-wasps, of the family Bembccidfe, 
having the middle tibise armed with two spurs 
at the apex, and the marginal cell of the fore 
wings lanceolate. The species are of large size and 
bright colors. S. tpedaswi is one of the largest of the 
