Lamellibranchia \La*mel`li*bran"chi*a\, Lamellibranchiata
\La*mel`li*bran`chi*a"ta\, n. pl. [NL. See lamella, and
Branchia, Branchiate.]
(Zo["o]l.)
A class of Mollusca including all those that have bivalve
shells, as the clams, oysters, mussels, etc.
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.
Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
|