POLYZOA
\pˌɒlɪzˈə͡ʊə], \pˌɒlɪzˈəʊə], \p_ˌɒ_l_ɪ_z_ˈəʊ_ə]\
Sort: Oldest first
By Princeton University
By DataStellar Co., Ltd
-
A class of animals forming the lowest members of the Mollusca, and generally known by the popular names of "sea-mosses" and "sea-mats." They are invariably compound, forming associated growths or colonies produced by gemmation from a single primordial individual, and inhabit a polyzoarium, corresponding to the polypidom of the composite hydroids. The typical polypide of a polyzoon differs from the polypite of the Hydrozoa in having a distinct alimentary canal suspended freely in a body cavity, and in having the reproductive organs contained within the body. The body is inclosed in a doublewalled sac, the outer layer (ectocyst) of which is chitinous or calcareous, and the inner (endocyst) a delicate membranous layer. All the Polyzoa are hermaphrodite. Besides true sexual reproduction, and besides the power of producing colonies by continous budding, fresh individuals are in many cases produced by a process of discontinuous gemmation. The Polyzoa are chiefly marine, encrusting stones, old shells, and sea-weeds; but some are fresh-water.
By Daniel Lyons
Word of the day
Elizabeth Sara Sheppard
- An English novelist; born at Blackheath, 1830; died Brixton, March 13, 1862. She wrote noted "Charles Auchester"(1853), mystical art novel; "Counterparts, or the Cross of Love"(1854); "My First Season"(1855); "The Double Coronet"(1856); "Rumor", a musical and artistic novel(1858).