sinus in the palleal impression of a bivalve shell, in the place where
the siphonal tube of the animal passes.
SIPHONARIA. Sow. ([Greek: Siphon], siphon.) _Fam._ Phyllidiana, Lam.
Patelloidea, Bl.--_Descr._ Patelliform, depressed, inclining to oval,
ribbed; apex nearly central, obliquely inclining towards the posterior
margin; muscular impression partly encircling the central disc, but
interrupted in front, where the head of the animal reposes, and at the
side by a siphon, or canal passing from the apex to the margin.--_Obs._
This siphon, which is in some species very distinct, serves to
distinguish this genus from Patella. S. Sipho, fig. 231*.
SIPHONOBRANCHIATA. Bl. (_Siphon_, and _Branchiæ_, gills.) The first
order of Paracephalophora Dioica, Bl. divided into the families
Siphonostomata, Entomostomata, and Angiostomata.
SIPHONOSTOMA. Guild. A sub-genus of Pupa, consisting of several
elongated species, which have the aperture detached from the whorls;
such as P. costata, and fasciata.
SIPHONOSTOMATA. Bl. ([Greek: Siphon], _siphon_; [Greek: stoma],
_stoma_, mouth.) The first family of Siphonobranchiata, Bl. the shells
of which are extremely variable in form, but always have a canal or
notch at the anterior extremity of the aperture. This family partly
answers to the Canalifera of Lamarck and the genus Murex in the system
of Linnæus. It contains the genera Pleurotoma, Rostellaria, Fusus,
Pyrula, Fasciolaria, Turbinella, Columbella, Triton, Murex, Ranella,
and Struthiolaria.
SIPHUNCLE. (Siphunculus.) A small siphon.
SISTRUM. Montf. RICINULA, Auct. fig. 413.
SKENEA. _Flem._ A genus including some species of EUOMPHALUS and
CIRRUS.
SMILUM. Leach. _Fam._ Pedunculated Cirripedes.--_Descr._ Thirteen
pieces, ten of which are in pairs, lateral, subtriangular; one
posterior dorsal, linear; all smooth; peduncle hairy.--_Obs._ This
genus is distinguished from Pentelasmis, by the number of its valves,
and from Scalpellum, by the hairy peduncle. S. Peronii, fig. 36.
SNAIL. The common garden Snail, so destructive to our vegetables,
belongs to the genus Helix. The water snail, found in ponds, is
Planorbis.
SOL. Humph. A genus consisting of several species of the genus Trochus,
and corresponding with the sub-genus Tubicanthus, Sw. Malac. Fig. 349.
SOLARIUM. Auct. (_A terrace, or gallery_.) _Fam._ Turbinacea, Lam.
Goniostomata, Bl.--_Descr._ Discoidal beneath, conical above, with a
wide umbilicus, the spiral margin of which is angulated and crenulated;
aperture trapezoidal; peritreme thin, sharp; columella straight;
operculum horny, subspiral.--_Obs._ The Solarium Perspectivum, is
commonly called the Staircase Trochus, from the angulated edges of the
whorls being seen through the umbilicus, which reaches to the apex, and
presents the appearance of a winding gallery. The species are not
numerous, they belong to tropical climates. A few fossil species occur
in the tertiary formations. Fig. 353, S. Perspectivum.
SOLDANIA. D'Orb. A genus of microscopic Foraminifera.
SOLEN. Auct. (_A kind of shell-fish_, Plin.) _Fam._ Solenacea, Lam.
Pyloridea, Bl.--_Descr._ Bivalve, transversely elongated,
sub-cylindrical, equivalve, very inequilateral, gaping at both
extremities, umbones terminal, close to the anterior extremity; hinge
linear, with several small cardinal teeth, and a long, external
ligament; muscular impressions distant, anterior tongue-shaped, placed
behind the cardinal teeth, posterior irregular, sub-ovate; palleal
impression long, bilobed posteriorly.--_Obs._ The above description of
the genus Solen, is framed so as to admit only those species which are
commonly called Razor Shells, with the umbones terminal, and the
anterior muscular impression behind them. They are found buried deep in
the sand, in a perpendicular position, their situation being pointed
out by a dimple, on the surface. They are abundant in temperate
climates. Some of the Lamarckian Solenes will be found in the genus
Solenocurtus, Bl. Fig. 60, 61.
SOLENACEA. Lam. A family of the order Conchifera, Dimyaria Lam. The
shells belonging to it are described as transversely elongated,
destitute of accessary pieces, gaping only at the lateral extremities;
ligament external.--The genera may be thus distinguished.
1. SOLEN. Razor shells, truncated at the extremities. Fig. 60.
2. PANOPÆA. Broad, with prominent tooth. Fig. 65, 66.
3. SOLENOCURTUS. Rounded at the extremities, with internal bar.
Fig. 61.
4. SOLENIMYA. No teeth, epidermis over-reaching the shell. Fig. 68.
5. GLYCIMERIS. Thick, fulcrum of the ligament prominent. Fig. 67.
6. LEPTON. Flat, scale-shaped. Fig 62.
7. NOVACULINA. Umbones nearly central; covered by a thin epidermis.
Fig. 63.
8. GLAUCONOME. Oval, margins close. Fig. 64.
SOLENELLA. Sow. (_Solen._) _Fam._ Arcacea, Lam.--_Descr._ Oval,
equivalve, subequilateral, compressed, covered with a thin, shining,
olive-green epidermis; hinge with three or four anterior, and numerous
sharp posterior lateral teeth, arranged in a straight line; muscular
impressions two, lateral; palleal impression with a large sinus;
ligament external, prominent, elongated.--_Obs._ This genus partakes of
the characters of the genus Nucula, and of the family Solenacea. A few
specimens of the only species known (S. Norrisii, fig. 138.) were
dredged by Mr. Cuming at Valparaiso.
SOLENIMYA. Lam. (Solen and Mya.) _Fam._ Mactracea, Lau. Pyloridea,
Bl.--_Descr._ Equivalve, inequilateral, transversely oblong, rounded at
the extremities with the umbones near the posterior side, covered with
a shining brown epidermis extending beyond the edges of the shell;
hinge without teeth; ligament partly internal, placed in the margin of
an oblique, flattish, posterior rib; muscular impressions two, distant,
lateral. From the Mediterranean, Australian, and Atlantic
Oceans.--_Obs._ Solenimya differs from Solenocurtus and the true
Solens, in having the posterior side of the shell the shortest; in the
internal ligament; and in being destitute of teeth. It resembles
Glycimeris, but is not incrassated. Fig. 68, Solenimya radiata.
SOLENOCURTUS. Bl. (_Solen_ and _curtus_, short.) _Fam._ Pyloridea, Bl.
Solenacea, Lam.--_Descr._ Oval, elongated, equivalve, sub-equilateral,
with the edges nearly straight and parallel, and the extremities rather
truncated; umbones not very prominent, sub-central; hinge with or
without two or three rudimentary cardinal teeth; ligament prominent,
placed upon thick callosities; muscular impressions two, distant,
rounded; palleal impression straight, with a deep sinus. East
Indies--_Obs._ Distinguished from the true Solenes by the central
position of the umbones and an internal bar reaching partly across the
shell.
SOLETELLINA. Bl. SANGUINOLARIA radiata. S. Diphos, f. 99. S. livida of
Sowerby, and similar species, are placed together in this genus.
SPATHA. Lea. A sub-genus of IRIDINÆ, consisting of I. rubens and I.
nilotica, which have not distinctly crenulated margins. Spatha
solenoides, of Lea, is the genus Mycetopus D'Orbigny. Fig. 151.
SPHÆNIA. Turt. A genus consisting of a small species resembling
Saxicava, in general appearance, but having a spoon-shaped process on
the hinge of one valve. S. Binghamii, Fig. 96.
SPHÆROIDINA. D'Orb. A genus of microscopic Foraminifera.
SPHÆRULACEA. Bl. The first family of Cellulacea consisting of the
following genera of microscopic Foraminifera: Miliola, Melonia,
Saracenaria, Textularia.
SPHÆRULACEA. Lam. The fourth family of Cephalopoda, Lam. described as
multilocular, globular, sphærical, or oval, with the whorls enveloping
each other; some of them have a particular internal cavity, and are
composed of a series of elongated, straight and contiguous chambers
which altogether form a covering for the internal cavity. This family
contains the genera Miliola, Gyrogona and Melonia.
SPHÆRULITES. Lam. (_Sphæra_, a sphere.) _Fam._ Rudistes, Lam. and
Bl.--_Descr._ Orbicular, inequivalve, irregularly foliated outside;
lower valve cup-shaped, depressed; upper valve nearly flat, like an
operculum.--_Obs._ These fossils are not regarded as shells by all
conchologists. S. foliacea, Fig. 193.
SPHINCTERULUS. Montf. LENTICULINA, Bl. A genus of microscopic
Foraminifera.
SPINES. (_Spina_, a thorn.) Thin, pointed spikes.
SPINOSE. (Spinosus.) Having spines or elevated points, as Neritina
spinosa. Fig. 325.
SPIRAL. (_Spira_, a spire.) Revolving outwards from a central apex or
nucleus, like the spring of a watch. A shell or an operculum, may be
spiral, without being produced into a pyramid. Bands of colour, striæ,
grooves, &c. commencing from the nucleus and following the volutions of
the shell, are described by the above word.
SPIRAMILLA. Bl. A genus of Serpulacea, differing from other Serpulæ
principally in the characters of the animal.
SPIRATELLA. Bl. LIMACINEA, Lam. Fig. 224.
SPIRE. (_Spira._) The cone or pyramid produced in a non-symmetrical
univalve by its oblique revolution downwards from the apex or nucleus.
The spire, in descriptions, includes all the volutions above the
aperture. See Introduction.
SPIRIFER. Sow. (_Spira_, a spire; _fero_, to bear.) _Order_,
Brachiopoda, Lam.--_Descr._ Transverse, equilateral; hinge linear,
straight, widely extended on both sides of the umbones, which are
separated by a flat area in the upper and larger valve; this area is
divided in the centre by a triangular pit for the passage of the
byssus; interior with two spirally convolute appendages.--_Obs._ This
genus, which is only known in a fossil state, is distinguished from
Terebratula externally, by the flat area in one valve, internally, by
the singular spiral process from which the above name is derived. Fig.
214, 215. Most of the species belong to the mountain or carboniferous
limestone.
SPIROGLYPHUS. Daud. A genus consisting of a species of Serpula _Auct._
which makes a groove for itself in the surface of shells. Serpula
spirorbis, var. Dillwyn. Fig. 8.
SPIROLINA. Lam. A genus of microscopic Foraminifera.
SPIROLOCULINA. D'Orb. A genus of microscopic Foraminifera.
SPIRORBIS. Lam. A genus composed of species of SERPULA, Auct. which are
coiled round in a spiral disc like a snake at rest. S. nautiloides,
fig. 5, is the common little white shell, found upon the shell of
lobsters.
SPIRULA. (_Spira_, a winding compass.) _Fam._ Lituolata, Lam. Lituacea,
Bl.--_Descr._ Convolute, smooth, symmetrical, discoid, with parallel
unconnected whorls, divided into numerous chambers by transverse septa;
siphon continuous.--_Obs._ This pretty little shell is partly internal,
only a part of it being visible when on the animal. Fig. 471.
SPISULA. Gray. A genus composed of MACTRA fragilis, and other similar
species, which have the ligament sub-external, marginal, not separate
from the cartilage; with the posterior lateral teeth double in one
valve, and single in the other. M. fragilis, fig. 80, is the species
figured for Spisula in Mr. Gray's paper on the Mactradæ, in the second
series of Loudon's Magazine of Natural History. We have since learned,
however, that it was figured there by mistake, not having been intended
for a Spisula, but belonging more properly to the genus Mactra, as
defined by Mr. Gray, whose description of Spisula, is as
follows:--"Shell ovate, trigonal, sub-angular at each end. Hinge and
lateral teeth as in Mactra, but hinge of left tooth small. Siphonal
inflexion ovate." The principal difference between Spisula and Mactra
is, that the ligament is not separated from the cartilage in the
former.
SPONDYLUS. Auct. (_A shell-fish_, Ancients.) _Fam._ Pectenides, Lam.
Sub-ostracea, Bl.--_Descr._ Inequivalve, sub-equilateral, irregularly
foliaceous and spinose, auriculated, denticulated at the margins,
attached by the lower and deeper valve; hinge rectilinear, with two
prominent teeth in each valve, locking into corresponding cavities in
the opposite valve; umbones separated by a broad, elongated, triangular
disc in the lower valve; ligament contained in a groove, dividing the
triangular area in the centre; muscular impressions one in each valve,
sub-central, sub-orbicular. The Mediterranean, East and West Indies,
and China, produce Spondyli most abundantly.--_Obs._ This genus is
remarkable for the richness and beauty of the spines and foliations,
which adorn the external surface of most of the species, the splendid
colours by which many of them are varied, and the natural groupings
formed by their attachment to each other. Fig. 177, and Frontispiece.
SPORULUS. Montf. A genus of microscopic Foraminifera.
SQUAMOSE. (_Squama_, a scale.) Scaly, covered with scales, as the
pedicle of Pollicipes Mitellus, fig. 37*.
STENOPUS. Guild. ([Greek: Stenos], narrow, [Greek: pous], foot.) A
genus nearly "allied to the Linnæan Helices, from all of which it
differs in the curious contraction of the pedal disc, and the caudal
tentaculum furnished with a gland beneath." The shell is described as
heliciform, umbilicated, transparent, with the aperture transverse. The
two species described are Stenopus cruentatus and lividus; they are
both from the Caribbæan Islands, Guild. Zool. Journ. xii. p. 528, tab.
15, f. 1 to 5.
STOMATELLA. Lam. See STOMATIA.
STOMATIA. Auct. ([Greek: stoma], _stoma_, mouth.) _Fam._ Macrostomata,
Lam.--_Descr._ Sub-orbicular, oblong, auriform, variegated without,
iridescent within; spire depressed; aperture entire, very wide,
oblique; peritreme uninterrupted. _Obs._ This genus is known from
Haliotis by being destitute of the series of holes; is distinguished
from Sigaretus by the substance of the shell, the latter being
internal, and never pearly. Our description includes STOMATELLA, Lam.
The Stomatiæ are marine, and belong to the East Indies and New Holland.
Fig. 335, S. Phymotis.
STORILLUS. Montf. 1, 131. A genus of microscopic Foraminifera, included
in the genus Rotalites in M. De Blainville's system.
STRAPAROLLUS. Mont. A genus containing some species of HELIX, Auct.
Generic characters not defined.
STREPTAXIS. Gray. _Fam._ Colimacea, Lam.--_Descr._ Ovate, or oblong;
when young, sub-hemispherical, deeply umbilicated, with rapidly
enlarging whorls. At length the penultimate whorl is bent towards the
right and dorsal side of the axis, and the umbilicus becomes depressed,
and often nearly closed. The mouth is lunulate, the edge slightly
thickened and reflected, and often with a single tooth on the outer
side of the inner lip.--_Obs._ This genus of land shells is separated
from Helix on account of the eccentricity of the penultimate whorl. S.
contusa, fig. 269.
STRIATED. (_Stria_, a groove.) Marked with fine grooves or lines.
STRIGOCEPHALUS. Defr. PENTAMERUS, Sow.? GYPIDIA, Dalman.
STROMBUS. Auct. _Fam._ Alatæ, Lam. Angiostomata, Bl.--_Descr._ Oblong,
turrited, rather ventricose, solid; aperture generally lengthened,
terminating posteriorly in a short canal, and anteriorly in an
emargination or truncated canal; outer lip, when young, thin; when full
grown, thickened and expanded, lobed at the spiral extremity, sinuated
anteriorly near the caudal canal.--_Obs._ This well known genus
includes some species of immense size, commonly called conch shells.
Most of the recent species are brought from the Indian Ocean. Very few
fossil species are known. The young shells have very much the
appearance of cones, the outer lips being thin. There are also several
species which do not, even when full grown, thicken their outer lips
very considerably. The genus Strombus is distinguished from
Rostellaria, by the notch in the outer lip, which in the latter genus
is close to the canal. Fig. 406, S. pugilis.
STROPHOMENA. Rafinesque. ORTHIS, Dalman.
STROPHOSTOMA. Deshayes. A fossil shell, of the family of Colimacea,
Lam. in some degree resembling Anostoma, having the aperture turned
upwards towards the spire, it is, however, umbilicated, and is said to
have an operculum resembling that of Cyclostoma. It is the Ferussina of
Grateloup. Fig. 534, 5, 6.
STRUTHIOLARIA. Auct. (_Struthio_, an Ostrich.) _Fam._ Canalifera,
Lam.--_Descr._ Oblong, turrited, thick; spire turrited, composed of
several angulated whorls; aperture oval, sub-quadrate, oblique; outer
lip thickened, reflected, advancing in the centre, receding towards the
extremities; inner lip thickened, expanded over the columella and part
of the body whorl.--_Obs._ This singular genus, consisting of three or
four recent species, is named "Pied D'Autruche" by the French, on
account of some resemblance in the outer lip to the foot of the
Ostrich. From New Zealand. Fig. 391, S. straminea.
STYLIFER. Brod. (_Stylus_, a style; _fero_, to bear.)--_Descr._ Thin,
pellucid, turbinated; apex a little out of the perpendicular; aperture
wide anteriorly, gradually narrowing towards the spiral extremity,
where it terminates acutely.--_Obs._ This is a genus of small,
transparent shells, found burrowing in the rays of Starfish. There are
but two or three species at present known, one of which is elongated
like Terebra, the other nearly globular. Fig. 12, S. astericola. West
Indies, Gallapagos, and Britain.
STYLINA. Flem. STYLIFER, Brod.
SUB. (_under._) Used as a prefix and signifying nearly. Thus a
bivalve-shell, the valves of which are nearly alike, would be described
as _sub_-equivalve.
SUB-APLYSIACEA. Bl. The first family of the order Monopleurobranchiata,
Bl. containing several genera of Mollusca without shells, and the genus
Pleurobranchus.
SUB-BIVALVES. A term of distinction applied by De Blainville, to those
spiral univalves which have an operculum; these, as they constitute two
distinct pieces, he considers as forming a medium between univalves and
bivalves.
SUB-MYTILACEA. Bl. The sixth family of the order Lamellibranchiata, Bl.
the shells belonging to which are described as free, rather pearly,
regular, equivalve; hinge dorsal, laminated; ligament external; two
muscular impressions; palleal impression not sinuated. This family,
with the exception of the last genus, agrees with the family Nayades of
Lamarck, and contains the genera Anodon, Unio, and Cardita.
SUB-OSTRACEA. Bl. The second family of Lamellibranchiata, Bl. the
shells of which are described as of a compact texture, sub-symmetrical;
with the hinge rather complex; one single, sub-central, muscular
impression, without any traces of palleal impression. This family
corresponds with the Pectenides of Lamarck, and part of the genus
Ostrea in the system of Linnæus. It contains the genera Spondylus,
Plicatula, Hinnites, Pecten, Pedum, Lima.
SUB-SPIRAL. Not sufficiently spiral to form a complete volution.
SUBULA. Bl. (_An awl._) A generic name under which M. De Blainville
includes TEREBRA maculata, Auct. f. 428, together with nearly all the
species of Terebra, enumerated by Lamarck and other authors; only
leaving in the latter genus those species, which being more bulbous, or
ventricose, nearly resemble Buccinum in general form. These last
mentioned species, such as Terebra buccinoidea, (fig. 247) have been
formed into a new genus by Mr. Gray, under the name Bullia. If both
these genera were adopted, the genus Terebra would be extinct.
SUBULATE. (_Subula_, an awl.) A term applied to shells which are long
and pointed as in Terebra. Fig. 427, 428.
SUCCINEA. Drap. (_Succinum_, amber.) _Fam._ Colimacea, Lam. Limacinea,
Bl. _Sub-genus_, Cochlohydra, Fer.--_Descr._ Ovate, rather elongated;
aperture large, entire, longitudinal; spire short; outer lip thin,
continuous with the thin, sharp-edged columella; inner lip spread over
a part of the body-whorl.--_Obs._ The shells belonging to this genus of
partly amphibious mollusca, are distinguished from Limnæa by not having
a fold on the columella The S. amphibia is of a bright amber colour.
Fig. 265, 266. Temperate and tropical climates.
SULCATED. (SULCATUS, lat.) Having grooves or furrows.
SULCI. Grooves or furrows.
SUTURE. (_Sutura_, lat.) A seam, stitch, joining together. Applied
particularly to the line which marks the joining of the whorls of the
spire. The suture is distinguished as _simple_, as in most cases; or
_double_, when accompanied by a parallel groove close to it;
_marginated_, when produced into a ledge by the matter which fills up
and covers it; _obsolete_, when it is filled up so as not to be
visible, as in the case of Ancillaria.
SYLVICOLA. Humph. CYCLOSTOMA, Lam.
SYMMETRICAL, ([Greek: sun], _syn_, similar; [Greek: metron], _metron_,
proportion.) Both sides alike. Although the term is used thus as one of
distinction, it is to be observed that no shells are strictly and
perfectly symmetrical; even in the Nautilus, the apex verges in a
slight degree towards one side of the shell. Two kinds of univalve are
symmetrical, or nearly so; 1st. Those which are symmetrically
convolute, as the Nautilacea and the Ammonacea, which are spiral; 2nd.
Those which are not spiral, but simply conical, as the patelliform
shells. Bivalves belonging to the Brachiopoda are also symmetrical.
_Ex._ Patella, fig. 229. Ammonites, fig. 478.
SYMPHYNOTA. Lea. A genus of Nayades, in which Mr. Lea proposed to
include species of the genus UNIO, the valves of which are connate, or
united at the dorsal margin. We believe that this distinction, as a
genus, has been abandoned by its author. The fact is, that all the
Uniones are Symphynotæ when in a young state. In Unio Alatus, (fig.
147) and Dipsas plicatus, (fig. 142) it will be observed that the
valves have not separated at the dorsal edge, but are broken lower
down.
TAPADA. (Gray. Turton. p. 127.) A division of the genus HELIX,
containing HELIX aperta, Auct. or the Tapada snail.
TAPES. Schum. PULLASTRA. Sow.?
TECTUS. Montf. A genus composed of species of the genus Trochus, having
elevated, conical spires, and columella notched or truncated by a
spiral fold. Fig. 359. Trochus maculatus, presents an example.
TELEBOIS. Montf. A genus of microscopic Foraminifera.
TELESCOPIUM. Montf. CERITHIUM Telescopium, Auct. fig. 378.
TELLINA. Linn. _Fam._ Nymphacea, Lam. Conchacea, Bl.--_Descr._
Sub-equivalve, inequilateral, compressed, rounded anteriorly, slightly
beaked or angulated posteriorly, the posterior ventral margin having a
flexuosity; hinge with two cardinal and generally two lateral teeth in
each valve; muscular impressions, two in each valve, remote; palleal
impression with a large sinus.--_Obs._ The fold or bending in the
posterior margin distinguishes this genus from others which it nearly
resembles. It is composed of some bivalves of great beauty and variety,
which are found in nearly all climates. Fig. 105, T. radiata, 106, T.
lingua-felis.
TELLINIDES. Lam. _Fam._ Nymphacea, Lam.--_Descr._ Sub-equivalve,
inequilateral, transverse, compressed, rounded anteriorly, slightly
beaked or angulated posteriorly; hinge with two cardinal teeth in each
valve, and one lateral tooth in one valve, very near the cardinal
teeth. Muscular impressions two, distant, palleal impression with a
large sinus. _Obs._ This genus is distinguished from Tellina in having
but one lateral tooth near the cardinal teeth. Fig. 107, T. rosea.
Tropical.
TENUIPEDES. (_Tenuis_, slender; _pedes_, feet.) The second section of
the order Conchifera Dimyaria, divided into the families Mactracea,
Corbulacea, Lithophagidæ, Nymphacea.
TERACLITA. Schum. CONIA, Auct.