3. (Biol.) An abrupt and marked variation in the condition or
appearance of a species; a sudden modification which may give rise to
new races.
We greatly suspect that nature does make considerable jumps in the
way of variation now and then, and that these saltations give rise
to some of the gaps which appear to exist in the series of known
forms.
Huxley.
||Sal`ta*to"ri*a (?), n. pl. [NL.] (Zoöl.) A division of Orthoptera
||including grasshoppers, locusts, and crickets.
Sal`ta*to"ri*al (?), a. 1. Relating to leaping; saltatory; as,
saltatorial exercises.
2. (Zoöl.) (a) Same as Saltatorious. (b) Of or pertaining to the
Saltatoria.
Sal`ta*to"ri*ous (?), a. Capable of leaping; formed for leaping;
saltatory; as, a saltatorious insect or leg.
Sal"ta*to"ry (?), a. [L. saltatorius. See Saltant, and cf. Saltire.]
Leaping or dancing; having the power of, or used in, leaping or
dancing.
Saltatory evolution (Biol.), a theory of evolution which holds that the
transmutation of species is not always gradual, but that there may come
sudden and marked variations. See Saltation. -- Saltatory spasm (Med.),
an affection in which pressure of the foot on a floor causes the
patient to spring into the air, so as to make repeated involuntary
motions of hopping and jumping. J. Ross.
Salt"bush` (?), n. (Bot.) An Australian plant (Atriplex nummularia) of
the Goosefoot family.
Salt"cat` (?), n. A mixture of salt, coarse meal, lime, etc.,
attractive to pigeons.
Salt"cel*lar (?), n. [OE. saltsaler; salt + F. salière saltcellar, from
L. sal salt. See Salt, and cf. Salary.] Formerly a large vessel, now a
small vessel of glass or other material, used for holding salt on the
table.
Salt"er (?), n. One who makes, sells, or applies salt; one who salts
meat or fish.
Salt"ern (?), n. A building or place where salt is made by boiling or
by evaporation; salt works.
Salt"foot` (?), n. A large saltcellar formerly placed near the center
of the table. The superior guests were seated above the saltfoot.
Salt"-green (?), a. Sea-green in color. Shak.
Salt"ie (?), n. (Zoöl.) The European dab.
Sal"tier (?), n. See Saltire.
||Sal`ti*gra"dæ (?), n. pl. [NL. See Saltigrade.] (Zoöl.) A tribe of
||spiders including those which lie in wait and leap upon their prey;
||the leaping spiders.
Sal"ti*grade (?), a. [L. saltus a leap + gradi to walk, go: cf. F.
saltigrade.] (Zoöl.) Having feet or legs formed for leaping.
Sal"ti*grade, n. (Zoöl.) One of the Saltigradæ, a tribe of spiders
which leap to seize their prey.
Sal`tim*ban"co (?), n. [It., literally, one who leaps or mounts upon a
bench; saltare to leap + in in, upon + banco a bench.] A mountebank; a
quack. [Obs.] [Written also santinbanco.]
Saltimbancos, quacksalvers, and charlatans.
Sir T. Browne.
Salt"ing (?), n. 1. The act of sprinkling, impregnating, or furnishing,
with salt.