Lamellibranchia \La*mel`li*bran"chi*a\, Lamellibranchiata
\La*mel`li*bran`chi*a"ta\, n. pl. [NL. See lamella, and
Branchia, Branchiate.]
(Zool.)
An earlier name for the class of Mollusca including all those
that have bivalve shells, as the clams, oysters, mussels,
etc., now called Pelecypoda or Bivalvia.
[1913 Webster +PJC]
Note: They usually have two (rarely but one) flat,
lamelliform gills on each side of the body. They have
an imperfectly developed head, concealed within the
shell, whence they are called {Acephala}. Called also
Conchifera, and Pelecypoda. See Bivalve.
[1913 Webster]
Source: The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
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