 Lesson 9 of the Elements of Herpetology and Ictheology. This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. Recording by Zarina Silverman, Los Angeles, California. The Elements of Herpetology and Ictheology by William Russianberger Lesson 9, Division of Cartilaginous Fishes or Condropterigians Organization, Order of Sturiones Sturgens, Caviar, Fish Glue Order of Salakiai Sharks, Sawfish Rays, Torpedo Order of Cyclostomy Lampris Division of Condropterigiai or Cartilaginous Fishes The Condropterigians differ in many respects from all the fishes we have spoken of and are less uniform in their structure. Some of them have organs even more complicated than the last and approximate more to the reptiles, while others form a sort of connecting link between the vertebrata and inferior classes of animals. Their skeleton is essentially cartilaginous. It is not formed of bony fibres, and the calcareous matter that hardens on its surface is only deposited in small grains. Sometimes the skeleton is only membranous, and it is always more simple in its conformation than that of the osseous fishes. It is also remarked there is a resemblance between it and the cartilaginous skeleton of the tadpole. The cranium is not divided by sutures and is composed of a single piece shaped in other respects very much like the skull of an ordinary fish. The upper jaw is formed of pieces analogous to the palate bones in Womer. The maxillary and intermaxillary bones do not exist or are found only in a rudimentary state concealed beneath the skin. The lower jaw is constituted of one piece on each side, and the uppercular apparatus is, in general, entirely wanting. The vertebral column is sometimes formed in a great part of a single tube pierced on each side for the passage of nerves, but not divided into distinct vertebrae. Frequently, too, the bodies of the vertebrae are pierced through and through so that the gelatinous substance which fills the spaces betwixt these bones forms a continuous cord. The disposition of the bones of the shoulder of the pelvis and fins varies. The hyoid apparatus which supports the bronchier is, in general, much the same as it is in ordinary fishes, but towards the termination of the series or division the bronchial arches are wanting and the bronchier are only attached on the internal side to the parietes of a membranous canal. Remarkable modifications in the mode of organization of these organs are observed. Sometimes the bronchier are free on the external edge as in the osseous fishes. Sometimes, on the contrary, they are attached by both edges and this difference furnishes a basis for the division of cartilaginous fishes into two groups. The chondroptorigions with free bronchier which constitute a single order and the chondroptorigions with fixed bronchier which form two orders, the selachii and cyclistomy. Order of chondroptorigii bronchies liberis or sturionis. The sturionis or chondroptorigions with free bronchier of which the sturgeon is the type resemble ordinary fishes in the disposition of their gills as well as in their free bronchier. They have on each side a single bronchial opening furnished with an operculum but which wants the rays. The sturgeons, acypenser, have the general form of osseous fishes and in the structure of their skeleton form the connecting link between them and the chondroptorigions. For many bones of their head and shoulders are completely hardened and as it were stony on the surface. Their upper jaw is composed of the palate bones solidly attached to the maxillary bones and vestiges of intermaxillary bones are found in the substance of the lips. The body is more or less covered with plates embedded in the skin in longitudinal rows. Their mouth is small and unprovided with teeth. The dorsal fin is situated behind the ventral and above the anal fin. The caudal fin surrounds the extremity of the tail and has a projecting lobe beneath. These fishes are generally large and endowed with very considerable muscular strength. They easily stem the most rapid current and can strike violent blows with their tail but their habits are ordinarily peaceful and they are formidable only to small or badly armed fishes. They feed on herrings, mackerels, sometimes salmon and have been seen to root in the mud with their noses in pursuit of worms and mollusks. In the spring they ascend certain rivers from the sea often in numerous shoals to deposit their eggs. Their fecundity is very great. We are assured that 1,500,000 eggs have been found in one female that weighed 278 pounds and in another weighing 2,800 pounds the young ones appear to seek the sea very early and remain until full grown. The flesh of most of these fishes is agreeable and there is prepared from their eggs a food which is very much esteemed in the north of Europe known under the name of caviar and it is chiefly from their swimming bladder that fish glue or ichthyacola is prepared. Many species of sturgeons are known. They are found in western Europe and north America but it is particularly in the great rivers of the eastern part of Europe and the north of Asia that they abound and give rise to important fisheries. The common sturgeon, Asipenser Sturio is six or seven feet long with a pointed snout and five rows of strong spiny plates. It enters the large rivers of France about the month of April and ascends in numerous shoals the Danube, the Dawn and many other streams that flow into the Caspian Sea. This species is found in the waters of the United States. The housing or great sturgeon, Asipenser Housseau which attains from 12 to 15 feet in length and often weighs more than 1,200 pounds and sometimes even as much as 3,000 is sometimes seen in the Poe but generally it only frequents the Danube, the Dawn the Volga and other rivers which empty into the same seas. It enters them in shoals from the end of winter and immediately after spawning returns to the sea where it is soon followed by its young. Its flesh is less esteemed than that of the common sturgeon but it is chiefly from its eggs and its swimming bladder that caviar and ichthyocola are prepared. It is distinguished from the last by its blunter tubercules or plates, its shorter snout and smoother skin. The sterlet or little sturgeon, Asipenser Pygmias which seldom exceeds 2 feet in length and which has its plates arranged in more numerous rows than the preceding species also inhabits the rivers which flow into the black and Caspian seas. Its flesh is said to be delicate. It is probably the elops and Asipenser so celebrated among the Romans. We give the name of Polyadon Spatularia to certain fishes of the Mississippi River which bear some analogy to sturgeons. They are remarkable for an enormous prolongation of the muzzle to which its wide borders give the figure of a leaf. The mouth is well cleft and furnished with numerous small teeth. The chimeras form a connecting link between the preceding and the sharks which they resemble in the general form of the body. The chondroptoridians with fixed bronchiae which form the two orders of selachii and cyclistomy possess a very remarkable character in the arrangement of the respiratory apparatus which are common to them all. Instead of having the bronchiae free on the external edge and suspended in a common cavity from which the water escapes by a single opening they have them, on the contrary, adherent to the integuments so that for the escape of the water that laves them there is required as many openings as there are intervals betwixt them. Sometimes, however, they empty into a common canal which serves to transmit the water externally and their cartilaginous arches, often suspended in the flesh are placed opposite to the external edges of the bronchiae. In other respects these fishes differ very much from each other and are divided into two orders according as they are provided with movable jaws of the ordinary form or according as these organs are solidly united into an immovable ring only suited for suction. The first are the selachii and the second the cyclistomy order of selachii. This order comprises the greatest number of cartilaginous fishes rays and sharks, for example. Their external form varies. They have pectoral fins, ventral fins situate on the abdomen near the anus five bronchial openings in the form of slits on each side of the neck or on its inferior face and the jaws are armed with teeth. In a great many of these fishes there is on the upper surface of the head two openings called vents or spiracles which lead to the bronchiae and serve to carry off the water necessary to respiration when the throat of the animal is distended by a voluminous prey. Some of them are ovoviviparous others lay eggs covered by a hard horny shell. It is divided into sharks, sawfishes, rays, etc. The sharks, squalides, constitute a large tribe recognizable by their general form which differs but little from that of ordinary fishes. Their body is elongated the tail stout and fleshy and the pectoral fins of moderate size. Their eyes are situate as usual on the sides of the head. Their muzzle presents nothing remarkable and the openings of their bronchiae are found upon the sides of the neck. The shoulder bones are suspended in the flesh without articulating either with the cranium or a vertebral column and the skin is rough and their flesh coreaceous. Most of them attain a large size and are very voracious. The rosettes, scillium, are distinguished from other squalides by a short obtuse snout by the nostrils being pierced near the mouth and surrounded by a groove which extends to the lip. These fishes are provided with spiracles and an anal fin. Their dorsals are behind it and the caudal is elongated not forked and truncated at the end. Their bronchial openings are situate partly under the pectorals There are two large species on the coast of France. The great rosette or sea dog, squalus canicula which is also found on the American coast attains three or four feet in length and the rock shark, squalus catulus. The skin of these fishes which is studded with a multitude of small stony tubercules becomes very rough on drying and is then employed in the arts for polishing hard bodies such as ivory. Sharks properly so-called have the nostrils without a groove and situate under the muzzle, which is prominent. The caudal fin is more or less forked. Some of them have spiracles and in others they are wanting. The genus carcarius have no spiracles and are provided with an anal fin. Their muzzle is depressed and the mouth is strongly armed with pointed, trenchant teeth which are generally dentate on the edges. The white shark, squalus carcarius which attains twenty-five or thirty feet in length is celebrated for its ferocity. Its vast mouth is furnished with triangular movable teeth the number of which increases with age. In the young we see but a single row but in the adult we find six. The strength of this fish is very great and its motions rapid, its ferocity knows no bounds. Hence it is among the most dangerous animals. Men frequently become the prey of sharks and as many as eight or ten tunnies have been sometimes found in its belly. Seals, tunnies, and cauds are their ordinary food but they attack dead bodies and even devour each other. It appears they are found in every sea but voyagers often confound with the carcarius other species of sharks with cutting teeth. The saw-fishes, pristis, unite to the form of the sharks a body flattened in front with bronchial openings beneath as in the rays but they are especially distinguished by a very long snout depressed in form of a sword-blade armed on each side with strong bony spines which are pointed and trenchant. This beak from which they derive their name is a powerful weapon with which they do not fear to attack the largest whales. The true teeth of their jaws are like small pebbles. The common saw-fish, squalus pristis which is found in almost every sea attains a length of twelve or fifteen feet. Its skin is tuberculous of a very dark grey on the back ash-colour on the sides and whitish under the belly. The rays, rea, form a large tribe. Fishes of this genus are recognized by their body being horizontally flattened and similar to a disc a conformation which is principally due to the disposition of their pectoral fins which are extremely broad and fleshy and are joined to each other in front or to the muzzle and extend backwards on both sides of the abdomen nearly to the base of the ventral fins. The eyes as well as the spiracles are placed on the dorsal face. The mouth, the nostrils, and the openings of the bronchier are on the ventral surface of the body and the dorsal fins are almost always upon the tail which is very slender. This group is divided into rays properly so called torpedoes, etc. The rays properly so called, rea, have the body of a rhomboidal form, a slender tail, fine teeth, etc. Our coast furnishes many species such as the skate, stingray, etc. The torpedoes or electric rays, torpedo, have a short but fleshy tail. The body is smooth and in form of a nearly circular disc the anterior border of which is formed by two prolongations of the snout which on each side go to join the pectoral fins and leave between these organs in the head and bronchier an oval space in which is lodged the electric apparatus of these fishes. This apparatus consists of a multitude of vertical membranous tubes placed close together like the cells of a honeycomb subdivided by horizontal partitions into small cells filled with mucus and supplied by numerous large branches of the pneumogastric nerve. In these singular organs is produced the electricity by aid of which torpedoes communicate electric shocks to those who touch them a faculty possessed by the malaptorori and gimnoti, but which in these last is seated in a different structure. These fishes are less powerful than the gimnoti but can nevertheless be numb the arm of a person touching one of them and they probably resort to this means to obtain their prey. Several species are found on the coasts of France. Order of Cyclostomy This last order of cartilaginous fishes is characterized by the singular confirmation of the mouth and is composed of the most imperfectly organized of all the vertebrate animals. Their body, elongated, naked, and viscid is unprovided with thoracic and abdominal extremities for both the pectoral and ventral fins are wanting. Anteriorly they terminate in a circular or semicircular fleshy lip sustained by a cartilaginous ring formed by the solid union of the palatine and lower jaw bones or rather cartilages. The vertebrae are reduced to simple cartilaginous rings scarcely distinct one from the other traversed by a tendinous cord and surmounted by a second ring which is more solid surrounding the spinal marrow. There are no true ribs nor bronchial arches. The bronchier instead of being pectinate present the appearance of sacs formed by the union of the face of one bronchia with that of a corresponding bronchia on the opposite side. Sometimes this imperfect skeleton is not even cartilaginous but always remains membranous. The organs of the senses are less complicated in structure than they are in ordinary fishes. They have no swimming bladder. The lampreys, petromison, are recognized by seven bronchial openings which are seen on both sides of the neck by their circular labial ring armed with several ranges of strong teeth and horny tubercules. The tongue is also furnished with teeth carried forward and backward like a piston which enables the animal to exert the faculty of suction and use its buccal disc not only to suck up the juices upon which it feeds but to attach itself to solid bodies. The skin of these fishes is raised up above and beneath the tail in a longitudinal crest that takes the place of fins which are sustained only by vestiges of fin rays. It is necessary for respiration passes from the mouth to the bronchiae by a canal situate under the esophagus and pierced laterally by holes. The sea lamprey, petromison mariness which is two or three feet long and marbled brown on a yellowish ground inhabits the coasts of France and the United States and in the spring ascends rivers to deposit its eggs. It ordinarily preys on marine farms and small fishes or fragments of dead bodies but it attaches itself to large fishes and succeeds in piercing their skin and devouring them. Its flesh is much esteemed. The freshwater or river lamprey, petromison fluviatilis, is a smaller species seldom exceeding 18 inches in length and passes the greater part of the year in freshwater lakes which it abandons in the spring to enter rivers. Its color is dark olive above and yellowish or silvery beneath. It is found in the fresh waters of New England. A third species is the small river lamprey eight or ten inches in length. It also inhabits fresh waters and is distinguished from the proceeding by its dorsal fins which are continuous or united instead of being distinct. The hagfishes, myxenae have the maxillary ring entirely membranous and armed above by a single fang-like tooth or they are entirely destitute of teeth. While the tongue is armed on each side with two horny plates deeply serrated so that at first sight they might be supposed to have lateral jaws like articulated animals with which in fact some authors have placed them. In other words, their organization is analogous to that of lampreys. Their body is cylindrical and furnished posteriorly with a fin which surrounds the tail. Their mouth is circular, surrounded by eight siri and its upper margin is pierced by a spherical which communicates with its interior. They have no vestiges of eyes and their body is lubricated by a great quantity of mucus. The myxenae, when it attacks its prey uses its mouth like a cupping-glass and plunges its fang into its flesh and, thus securing a firm hold, the lingual saws tear their way into its very vitals. Some, called hiptatrimus, have seven bruncule apertures on each side of the neck. Others, named gastrobrancous, have on each side a canal which receives through particular holes water coming from the bronchier and empties externally by a hole situated at about one-third of the length of the body. And in others, again, the bruncule openings are arranged as in the lamprey in hiptatrimus. But the fleshy lip, which is unprovided with teeth, is only semicircular and covers only the upper part of the mouth which prevents them from using it as a means of attaching themselves. These last myxenaes, which are named have an entirely soft and membranous skeleton. They keep in the mud of small streams and have many of the habits of worms which they resemble also in form. It may be well for the reader who has followed us through our first, second, third and fourth books to remark that we began our account of the animal world with a general description of the most perfectly organized being and we found man, independent of his possessing an immortal soul, the most complete and most wonderful of all animal structures. Without any other reason he is placed at the head of the great class of mammals, and it may be observed, as we advanced in our descriptions, that the animals became less and less perfectly organized, the nervous system, the respiratory and circulatory systems were less and less perfect as we proceed. On reaching the reptiles we discover, for example, that their heart has lost one ventricle and their blood is cold, and in fishes we find it has also lost an oracle and consists only of a single oracle and a single ventricle. In the fishes, too, we observe striking changes in the composition of bone and the skeleton gradually loses its hardness until we come to the myxinase where it is soft in membranous or, it might be said, the internal hard frame called the skeleton has disappeared and we are brought step by step to the consideration of soft animals without vertebrae, but, nevertheless, they are provided with organs suitable for maintaining the kind of life with which they are endowed by the omniscient creator of all things. This concludes our account of the vertebrate animals which constitute the first branch of the animal kingdom. We have next to consider the second branch composed exclusively of the molluscus animals, the study of which embraces concollogy or the history of shells. End of Lesson 9 Glossary of the elements of herpetology and Ictheology. This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. Recording by Larry Wilson. The Elements of Herpetology and Ictheology by William Russianberger. Glossary A through H. Abdomen. From the Latin Abdari to Conceal. The Belling, the chief viscera contained in the abdomen, are the stomach, intestines, liver, etc., etc. Abdominal. Relating or belonging to the abdomen. Adominales. Latin, plural of Adominalis. Relating to the abdomen. Applied to an order of fishes which have the ventral fins placed beneath the abdomen. Aboma. Systematic name of a species aboa. Abramus. The generic name of the breves. Absorption. From the Latin Absorberi to Drink to Suck Up. The function of absorbent vessels by virtue of which they take up substances from without or within the body. Acanthotorigen. From the Greek Acantha, a spine, and Tearon winged. Applied to fishes that have bony fin rays. Acanthotorigi. Latin, plural of Acantha to Gerius. Same derivation. Name of the first order of the class of fishes given to them because they have bony fins. Acanthorii. Latin, plural of Acanthorus. From the Greek Acantha, a spine, and Ura, tail. Generic name of a kind of fishes vulgarly called surgeon because they have sharp, lancet-like spines on the tail. Acapinsir. Latin, Asturgin. Acutus. Latin, sharp pointed, acute. Adipose. From the Latin Adepts, fat. Belonging or relating to fat. Egypticus. Latin, Egyptian belonging to Egypt. Agamian. From the Greek A, privative, and gammas marriage. Having no sex applied to certain lizards. Elasa. Generic name of the Shad. Alveoli. Latin, plural of Alveolus. Sockets of the teeth. Alveolus. Latin. The hole in which a tooth is placed. Amosetis. From the Greek Amos sand. Name of a genus of fish that live in the sand or mud. Amphibius. From the Greek Amphi, double, and bios life. That which partakes of two natures so as to live in two elements as in the air and water. Amphispina. From the Greek Amphis both by nine to move, to walk. Walking both ways. The generic name of a serpent. Amphioma. Generic name of a kind of salamander. Anavis. From the Greek Anabino. I ascend. I embark. Generic name of a kind of fishes that crawl on the land and live for a time out of water. Anal. Belonging or relating to the anus. The anal fin obtains its name from being near the anus. Analogous. From the Greek Ana between and Lagos reason. Having some resemblance or relation though differing in essential particulars. Similar. Anastomosis. From the Greek Ana between and stoma mouth. The communication between two vessels or nerves. Anastomose. Vessels or nerves that communicate with each other are said to anastomose. Ankylost. Ankylost said. From the Greek Ankulei stiff joint. A joint or articulation which has become immovable is said to be Ankylost. Angela. Latin and eel. Angela forms. From the Latin Angela eel and form a shape. Eel shaped. Systematic name of a tribe of fishes which are eel shaped. Anguina. Latin. Formed from Angus a serpent. Systematic name of a family of Ophidians. Anguinas. Latin. Belonging or relating to serpents. Angus. Latin a snake. Analis. A kind of Saurian called Analy in the Antilles. Anolius. Latin. Generic name of the Analyse. Anura. From the Greek. A or an. Pivotive and Ura tail. Without a tail. The systematic name of a family of Batracians. Anteabraculum. A part of the gill cover or operculum which is before the operculum proper. Anti-pinultimate. From the Latin anti before. Penny almost. And Ultimus the last. That which is immediately before the next to the last. Or that which is immediately before the pin ultimate. Anus. Latin. The Fundament. The inferior opening of the bowels. Aorta. From the Greek Aorta. A vessel. The great primary artery which conveys blood to all parts of the body. A pada. From the Greek A privative. And poose in the genitive padas. Foot. Footless without feet. Apodis. Latin. Same derivation as apoda. Applied to an order of fishes. Apodus. Same derivation as apoda. Without feet. Apparatus. From the Latin ad for. Emparrari to prepare. A collection of instruments or organs for any purpose whatever. An assemblage of organs. Aboria. Latin. Belonging or relating to a tree. Branch like a tree. Arches of the Branchia. A system of small bones joined together by ligaments. Which supports a series of pectiniform vascular fringes. Constituting the gills of fishes. The Branchial Arches. The Arches of the Branchia. The Arches of the Branchia. The Branchial Arches which are generally for a number on each side. Are attached by one extremity. To an intermediate chain of bones. Situated in the middle line behind the hyoid bone. While by their opposite extremity. They are connected by ligaments. To the under surface of the cranium. They are perfectly flexible. And so arranged as to prevent food taken into the mouth. the issue in streams of water, so that in reality these pieces fulfill in their way the same office as the epiglottis of mammals. Armature Armour The armature of the mouth consists of teeth, etc. Arterial Belonging are relating to arteries. Arterialized When venous or dark blood by the process of respiration is converted into arterial blood it is said to be arterialized. Artery From the Greek air, air, and terrine to preserve, because it was anciently believed that the arteries were filled with air like the windpipe, the vessels which convey blood from the heart to all parts of the body are called arteries. Articular surface The surface of that part of a bone which forms an articulation or joint. Articulate From the Latin articulus, which is the diminutive of artis, a limb, which is derived from arthron, a joint, to join or joint width, also to form words to utter. Articulation, a joint Asphyxia From the Greek air, privative, and sphuxus pulse, without a pulse, suspended animation. Asphyxiate An estate or condition of suspended animation. Atrophied From the Greek air, privative, and trophae nourishment. Without nourishment, wasted when the whole bulk of the body is progressively and morbidly diminished or wasted, it is said to be atrophied or in his state of atrophy. Atonisus Specific name of the minnow Oratus Latin Golden Arriculae From the Latin auricula, which is the diminutive of aureus, ear. A part of the heart is so called from its resemblance to an ear, also applied to a part of the ear. Axolotus Latin Generic name of the axolotus Axolotus Mexican Name of a kind of batrachian Ballistis Systematic name of certain fishes of the family sclerodermae given to them by Arteidae from their Italian appellation peschabilestra, crossbow fish, which is derived from a supposed similitude between the motion of their great dorsal spine and that of a crossbow. Barbatus Latin Bearded Having a beard Barbus The generic name of the barbells Vasculariscus Latin A vascularisk, a kind of saurian Betrachea Betrachea Latin Plural Betracheans Betrachean Betrachean From the Greek patrakas, frog, a name given to those reptiles which resemble frogs in their mode of organization, bolognae. From the Greek bolognae, point of an arrow, a kind of fish, specific name of the sea pike. Baris Specific name of the common viper given by Linnaeus. This name was only used by authors of the Middle Century. Bifid From the Latin bis twice and findere to split. Split are divided into two separate parts. Bifurcate From the Latin bis twice and furca fork. To divide or separate into two branches, divided or separated into two branches. By manae, Latin, formed from bis to a manae's hand. Having two hands. Systematic name of a kind of saurian that has anterior extremities only. Bipedis Latin, plural, formed from bis to and pest foot. Having two feet. Applied to saurians that have abdominal extremities alone. Braechio From the Latin breakium an arm, belonging or relating to the arm. Braema Systematic name of the castagnolis. Brancheae Latin, plural of brancheae. From the Greek brancheos, throat, the gills of fishes. Brancheo Belonging or relating to the brancheae. Brancheo arches, sea arches of the brancheae. Brancheo openings, apertures for the passage of water from the gills. Branchephora From the Latin brancheae, gills and phara, I bear. Gilberi Systematic name of a family of batricians. Brancheis Latin, plural, ablative. Brancheae Liberus with free brancheae. Brancheos fixes with fixed brancheae. Brancheoste gusts. From the Greek brancheae, the brancheae are gills and stego, I cover. Belonging are relating to the gill cover, the great fissure that exists on each side between the head and shoulder of an osseous fish wherein the gills are situated. Is not closed merely by the opercular bones, but likewise by a broad membranous expansion called the Brancheostegius membrane, which is adherent to the hyoid bone, and assists in forming the great valve of the opercolum. This membrane is supported by a series of slender bones derived from the external margin of each branch of the hyoid bone, and these are named for their office, the Brancheostegius Rays. Buccee Latin, plural, abucca, cheek. Buccee lorcaeae, mailed, cheeks. Buccal From the Latin bucca, cheek. Belonging are relating to the cheek. Ruffle Latin, atode, bungerous, barbarous Latin, the generic name of the rock snakes. Cecilia, Latin, formed from cicus blind, systematic name of a kind of batrachian, which has very small eyes and sometimes none. Cayman, Spanish, alligator. Calcareous From the Latin calcs, lime. Cain are partaking of the nature of lime. Canicula, Latin, a dogfish. Capillary from the Latin capillus, a hare. Small, hairlike. The capillary vessels are the extremely minute terminations of the arteries and convincing branches of the veins. Carapax, the systematic name of the upper shell of tortoises. Carbonic acid. This is a gas which neither supports combustion nor respiration. It constitutes an essential ingredient in effervescing drinks, such as those known under the name of soda water, mineral water, etc. Carcareous From the Greek carcarous, rude, snappish, wicked, the systemic name of certain sharks. Carina, Latin, the keel or bottom part of a ship. A sort of ridge or elevation. Carini, Latin, plural of carina. Coronate, marked with a carina or ridge. Carnivorous, from the Latin carro, in the genitive, carnus. Flesh, and vorro, I eat. Flesh eating, applied to animals that feed on flesh. Carotid, the great arterial trunks which convey blood to the head are called carotid arteries. Carpio, specific name of the common carp. Carpus, from the Greek carpeous, the wrist, that part which is between the forearm and hand. Cartilage, gristle, a solid part of the animal body of medium consistency between bone and ligament. Cartilaginous, partaking of the nature of cartilage. Catalypsy, from the Greek catalypsis, detention, which is formed from catalabano, I arrest, I hold. Because every kind of motion is arrested in catalypsy. A stupefying disease which suddenly ceases an individual causing him to remain in the situation in which he was at the moment of attack, and imparting to the limbs the power of retaining any position that may be given to them, and depriving him completely of sensation and voluntary motion during the paroxysm. Catalysts, Latin, properly a welp, a young dog, specific name of a shark. Caudal, from the Latin cauda, tail. Belonging or relating to the tail. The caudal fin generally increases the length of the tail. Caustic, from the Greek cowl, I burn. Articles which have the property of burning or disorganizing animal substances, such as pure potash, nitrate of silver, etc., are called caustics. Cotterize, the same derivation as caustic, to burn with a cottery or red hot iron, to apply caustic. Cavernous, filled with small cavities or caverns as a sponge. Caviar or caviarae, a culinary preparation much used by certain people and made on the shores of the Black and Caspian seas, from the roe or eggs of the sturgeon mixed with salt and other condiments. Cellular, composed of cells. Cronotus, systematic name of the pilot fish. Cephalus, from the Greek kefale head, systematic name of the sunfishes, given to them for their appearance of having the posterior part of the body cut off. Cerastes, from the Greek carous, a horn, specific name of the horned viper. Cervical, from the Latin cervix, the neck. Belonging or relating to the neck. Cortodon, from the Greek keo, I contain an odontus genitive of odus, a tooth. Generic name of certain fishes of the family of squama penes. Calcides, from the Greek calcus, a serpent with a head resembling that of lizards. Generic name of a kind of saurian. Camileo, from the Greek cami, earth and leon lion, because it pursues flies as the lion does of the animals. Systematic name of the chameleons. Chameleon idin, from the Greek chameleon, chameleon and idus resemblance. Systematic name of animals that resemble chameleons. Cologneia, from the Greek cologne, a sea tortoise. Systematic name of the order which includes the tortoises. Cersia, specific name of a viper. Chimera, a kind of fish so-called from the fantastic figure it assumes when carelessly dried. Condoturigian, from the Greek chondrous cartilage and terricks in the genitive terugus, thin or wing. Systematic name of fishes with a cartilaginous skeleton. Cudrotorigii, Latin, plural of chondorigius. Condorigians, chondaroptii, brancous, fixes. Condaroptians, with fixed branchii. Condaroptii, brancous, liberous. Condaroptigerians, with free branchii. Cyle, from the Greek koulos. Nutritious juice, a nutritive fluid which is extracted from food by the action of the digestive organs. Chrysophorus, from the Greek koulos, gold and alfres eyebrow. Golden eyebrow, systematic name of the doradi, given to it on account of a crescent-shaped band of golden hue which extends from one eye to the other. Ciri, Latin, plural of cirrus. Cirrus Latin, a tuft, a beard, a fringe, applied to that which hangs in form of mustache or beard from the end and sides of the mouth of certain fishes. Cystu, from the Greek kyste, a chest, a coffer, name of a kind of tortoise, the box tortoise. Clavicle, from the Latin clavis, ki, the collarbone so-called for its resemblance to a ki. Coloaca, Latin, a common sore, from the Greek cloutso, I wash. The pouch at the extremity of the intestinal canal in which the solid and liquid excretions are co-mingled in birds, fishes and reptiles. Clupia, Latin, a shad. Clupi, Latin, plural of clupia. Copitis, generic name of certain fishes, from the Greek copitis, the name of an unknown fish. Cobra capello, Portuguese. Cobra snake, capello, a crawl, a hood. Hood-like snake, name of a venomous serpent. Cueca or Sica, Latin, plural of Sica. Sequel, belonging or relating to the Sica. Sica, from the Latin sica, blind. The blind gut, so-called from its being perforated or open at one end only. Colon, a large portion of the large intestine. Colubar, Latin, name of a serpent. Concology, from the Greek cauculian, a shell. A logos, a discourse. A treatise on shells. Condyle, from the Greek condulus, a knot. An eminence, a bump. A small round eminence, a bone entering into the composition of an articulation. Coricoid, from the Greek corax. A crow, an idus resemblance. Resembling the beak of a crow, name of a thick, short process of bone, situate at the anterior upper part of the scapula in man. In birds and reptiles this process is represented by a separate bone. Cortiform, from the Latin core in the genitive cordus. Heart and form a shape. Heart-shaped. Coriaceus, from the Latin coriaceus, consisting of leather. Corpusculae, a small body or particle of matter, an atom. Corsalate, a light armor for the front part of the body. Cranial, belonging or relating to the cranium. Cranium, Latin, the skull. Crocodilian, of the family of crocodiles. Dylida, from the Greek crocodile, crocodile, an idus resemblance. Systematic name of the family of crocodiles. Crocodilus, Latin, a crocodile. According to some from the Greek crocus, saffron, and dailus fearful, timid. Because the land crocodile is afraid of the sight and odor of saffron. According to others from croquet, shore, and dailus timid. Because the water crocodiles fear the shore where men set snares for them. Kotalus, Latin, form from the Greek kotaleo, I make a noise, rattlesnake. Chrysolincus, specific name of the shinor. Cutaneous, from the Latin cutus skin, belonging or relating to the skin. Cyclostomy, Latin, plural of cyclostomas, from the Greek couclas, circle, and stoma, mouth. Systematic name of an order of fishes. Sipronoides, from the Greek cuprinus, a carp, an idus resemblance. Systematic name of a family of fishes. Sipronite, same derivation as Sipronoides, and applied in the same way. Dactylopterus, Latin, a carp. Dactylopterus, Dactylopterus, from the Greek dactylus, finger, anteran wing. Wing-fingered, systematic name of the two flying fishes. Dorad, French, name of a fish. Deglutition, from the Latin deglutere, to swallow, the act by which substances are passed into the stomach through the pharynx and esophagus. Dentate, from the Latin dens, a tooth, notched or toothed. Diaphram, diaphragm from the Greek diaphragma, a partition, a fleshy or muscular partition between the cavity of the chest and cavity of the abdomen. Diadon, from the Greek dis twice, an odus the genitive odontus, tooth. Systematic name of a genus of fish, which have but two teeth. Discoboli, Latin, plural of discobolis, formed from the Greek discus, a disc, embolo, I throw. A coit player, systematic name of a family of fishes, whose ventral fins form a disc. Dorsal, from the Latin dorsum, the back, belonging or relating to the back. Duct, a canal, pipe or conduit. Ductor, Latin, a leader. Eukinas, eukinas from the Greek echo, I hold, I stop, and now's ship. A ship-holder, an anchor, systematic name of a family of fishes, which the ancients supposed were capable of arresting the course of a vessel under sail. Elaps, from the Greek elaps or elaps, a particular serpent, systematic name of certain vipers. Electric, belonging or relating to electricity. Electricity, from the Greek electron, amber, the substance in which this imponderable cause of certain phenomena was first observed. The property which certain bodies, such as glass, wax, sulfur, etc., acquire by being rubbed of attracting or repelling each other. In a more modern and extended signification, the power and action of a peculiar imponderable fluid, the accumulation of which is manifested by sparks, and by communicating to the nervous system more or less powerful sensations, and producing effects analogous, if not identical, to those of lightning. Yes, Latin, electric, possessing electricity. Elevator, applied to muscles whose function is to raise certain parts. Elaps, specific name of a fish. In Kefalon, in Kefalon from the Greek n, n, and Kefalé, head. The contents of the cranium, the brain and spinal marrow, are generally included in this term. In Cracicolas, in Cracicolas specific name of the anchovy. In Gralis, generic name of the anchovy. In Perlenus, systematic name of the smelt. Epidermic, belonging or relating to the epidermis. Epidermis, from the Greek epi, apon, and derma skin. The scarf skin, the cuticle. Erics, generic name of a serpent. Associes, Latin, plural of Essex. Essex, Latin, generic name of the pike. Exquisitory, an excretory vessel or duct is one which transmits the fluid secreted by a gland either externally or into the reservoirs in which it has to be deposited. Exocetus, Latin, generic name for a kind of flying fish. Extensile, susceptible of being stretched out or extended. Extrimities, the limbs, the legs, arms, wings, fins, etc. Facet, fringe, the diminutive of assay. A small face, the articular facet of a bone is a small circumscribed portion of its surface. Fario, specific name of the common trout. Fysiculi, Latin, plural of fysiculus. Fysiculus, Latin, a little bundle. Femur, Latin, the thigh bone. Fibrocartilaginus, of the nature of fiber's tissue and cartilage. Fibula, the name of the long slender bone situate at the outer part of the leg. Filament, from the Latin filamentum which is the diminutive aphylum, a thread. A very small fiber. Filiform, from the Latin phylum a thread and form a form shape, thread-like. Fin, the limb of a fish by aid of which it balances itself and directs its course. Finraise, the rays or spines which serve to sustain and spread the fins. Fyxus, Latin, a blighted plural, fixed. Flesus, the specific name of the flounder. Fluvalietile, belonging or relating to a river. Fluviatilus, Latin, fluvitile. Formation, any group of rocks or mineral substances of similar character and age, is termed a formation in geology. Fossa, Latin from fario, I dig. A cavity of greater or less depth, the entrance to which is always larger than the base or bottom. Fosse, Latin, plural of fossa. The nasal fossae are two large irregular cavities, situate between the orbits below the cranium and behind the nose. The nostrils, the temporal fossae, are the depressions of the temples on the sides of the cranium towards its anterior upper part. Facete, facet. French, a little fossa, a pit, a dimple. Fossil, an organized body found buried in the layers are strata of earth from a date, the antiquity of which we can form no certain estimate. Most fossils appear to belong to periods even anterior to the existence of the human race. Fragilus, Latin, fragile, easily broken. Fusiform, from the Latin fuses a spindle and form a shape, spindle shaped. Gadoides, from the Greek gaitis, a certain fish, an idus resemblance, systematic name of a family of fishes. Gaitis, generic name of the codfish. Gangerica, Latin, belonging or relating to the Ganges. Gastrobrancus, from the Greek gastrobelli and Braghia gills, systematic name of a genius of cartilaginous fishes, because the openings of their gills are situate under the belly. Gecko, name given to a species of Saurian of India, in imitation of its cry. Gekotida, from Gekko and the Greek gaitis resemblance, systematic name of a family of Saurians. Gekotian, applied to the animals of the family of Gekotida. Gelatinous, partaking of the nature of gelatin or jelly. Genus, Latin, a kindred breed, race, stock, lineage or family. Genra, Latin, plural of genus. Generic, belonging or relating to genus. Geology, from the Greek g, the earth and logos discourse, the study or description of the structure of the earth and the changes which have taken place in it. Gladius, Latin, a sword, systematic name of the swordfish. Gland, from the Latin glans, in the genitive glanthus. An acorn, a simple, soft, friable, spongy part of the body which bears some resemblance to an acorn, applied to those softish granular organs composed of numerous vessels, nerves and a peculiar structure which form particular secretions. Glangular, composed of glands resembling a gland. Gobio, generic name of the gudgeon. Greca, Latin, Greek, Grecian. Gymnodontes, Gymnodontes, from the Greek gummose, naked, and odus, in genitive odontus, tooth, systematic name of a family of fishes. Gymnodus, Gymnodus, Latin, the generic name of the electric eel. Gymnoti, Latin, plural of Gymnotus. Haji, specific name of a colubr. Haryngas, generic name of the herring. Helena, specific name of a kind of eel. Heptarimas, from the Greek Heptaseven and Trima, a hole or perforation, generic name of certain fishes of the order of cyclostomy. Herbivorous, from the Latin herbah, grass, herb, and voro I eat. Grass eating, herb eating, applied to animals which feed on grass or plants. Herpetology, from the Greek herpton, a creeping thing, a reptile and locus a discourse, a treatise on reptiles. Hexagonal, from the Greek x6 angonia angle, having six sides or angles. Hibernate, from the Latin hibernare, to winter, to bee in winter quarters. Animals that retire and sleep throughout the winter are said to hibernate. Hibernation, the act of hibernating, being in winter quarters. Hippocampus, from the Greek hippos, a horse and compae crookedness, systematic name of the seahorse. Hippoglosses, from the Greek hippos, a horse and gloss a tongue, systematic name of the hollabit. Humeral syncher, a chain of bones forming a sort of belt which sustains the pectoral fin and turea extremity of fishes. Humorous, the bone of the arm which is situate between the shoulder joint and elbow. Hussow, specific name of a sturgeon. Hydrus, Latin, a water snake. Hyla, from the Greek hule, a wood, trees, systematic name of the tree frog. Hyoid, from the Greek hule and idus resemblance. Resembling the shape or form of the letter U. The aus hyoidis, the hyoid bone, is a very movable bony arch placed horizontally in the substance of the soft parts of the neck at the root of the tongue. It does not articulate with any other bone of the skeleton and is only connected to it through the medium of muscles and ligaments. The general characters of the hyoid bone are the same in all vertebrate animals. In fishes, its branches are composed of several pieces and give support to the Brankoostagus rays. Hyoidis, C hyoid. End of Glossary A through H. Glossary of the elements of herpetology and ichthyology. This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. Recording by Lauren Hough. The elements of herpetology and ichthyology by William Ruchenberger. Glossary. Ictheologist, from the Greek ichthis, a fish and logos, a discourse. One skilled in ichthyology. Ictheology, from the Greek ichthis, a fish and logos, a discourse. A history of fishes. Ictheosaurus, from the Greek ichthis, a fish and saura, lizard. Fish lizard. Systematic name of a kind of fossil. Ictheocala, from the Greek ichthis, a fish and caula, glue. Fish glue. A kind of glue prepared from fishes. Iguana, name of a kind of Sarian. Iguanian, applied to Saurians of which the type is the Iguana. Iguanida, formed from the aboriginal name Iguana, and the Greek ichthos, resemblance. Systematic name of a family of Saurians. Illyrica, Latin. Illyrian, belonging or relating to Illyria. Imbricate, laid one over the other like tiles or shingles. Insizer, from the Latin insido, I cut. The teeth which occupy the interior part of the upper and lower jaws are called insizers, or incisor teeth because they are used for cutting the food in the manner of cutting instruments. Integument, from the Latin tigiri, to cover. The skin, the covering of the body. Intermaxillary, from the Latin inter, between, and maxilla, the jaw. Bones situate at the interior part of the upper jaw between its two sides. Interspinal. The interspinal bones form a series of strong, dagger-like bones, deeply implanted in the flesh along the middle line of the body of fishes, between the two great masses of lateral muscles. Their points generally penetrate to a little distance between the spinous processes of the vertebrae to which they are connected by ligamentous attachment. Whilst to their opposite extremity, which may be compared to the hilt of the dagger, the corresponding fin rays are affixed by a beautiful articulation. Each interspinous bone consists of two pieces united by a suture, one portion representing the blade, the other the handle of the dagger, to which we have compared it. Invertebrate. Without vertebrae, wanting the spinal column. Iris. That part of the eye in which the pupil is situate, a vertical partition between the anterior and posterior chambers of the eye. Irides. Plural of iris. Irritability. From the Latin irritó, I provoke. A power possessed by all living, organized bodies of being acted upon by certain stimulants and of moving responsive to or consequently to such stimulation. It is the ultimate vital property. Isolated. From the Italian isola, an island, because one who is isolated resembles an island entirely surrounded by water, separated, alone, single. Araculator. Latin. A shooter, a darter, a dart flinger. Specific name of a shooting fish. Labial. From the Latin, labium, lip. Belonging or relating to lips. Labrax. Greek. Specific name of a kind of perch. Labyrinthiform. From the Greek, labyrinthos, a labyrinth, and the Latin, forma, form, shape. Systematic name of a family of fishes. Lacerta. Latin. A lizard. Lacertian. Applied to animals resembling lizards. Lacertenida. From the Latin, lacerta, a lizard, and the Greek, idos, resemblance. Systematic name of a family of Saurians. Lacrimal. From the Latin, lacrima, a tear. Belonging or relating to tears. Lamella. Latin. A little thin plate or piece. Lamelli. Latin. Plural of lamella. Lanciolatus. Latin. Lance-shaped. Larva. Latin. A mask. An insect after it has left the egg, and before it assumes the form of a chrysalis, is called a larva, because in this state it is, as it were, masked. Larvi. Latin. Plural of larva. Larynx. From the Greek, larix, a whistle. The apparatus of voice. Lusiscus. Latin. Generic name of the roach. Liberus. Latin. A blade of plural. Free. Ligament. From the Latin, ligari, to tie. A name given to fiber structures which serve to unite bones and form articulations. Lomanda. From the Latin, lima. A file. Specific name of a fish. Lofabranchean. From the Greek, lophos, a tuft, or topknot, and brachia, gills. Applied to fishes of the order of Lofabranchei. Lofabranchei. Latin. Plural of Lofabranches. Same derivation as the last. Systematic name of an order of fishes. Loricati. Latin. Plural. Loricate. Armed with a coat of mail, clad in armor. Lota. Systematic name of the ling. Lawson's shape. Shape like a lozenge, which is a figure with four equal sides, forming two acute and two obtuse angles. Lubricate. To make smooth or slippery. Lucius. Latin. A pike. Malacopterigian. From the Greek, malacos, soft. In terrux, fin. Soft fin. Applied to fishes that have no bony fin rays. Malacopterigii. Latin. Plural of Malacopterigius. Same derivation as the last. Systematic name of an order of fishes. Malapterurii. Latin. Plural of Malapterurus. Formed of mala, much. Teron, fin. Andreo. I fall off. Imperfect fins. Generic name of a fish of the family of cilleroides. Mamma. Latin. The breast, pap, or teat. Mammy. Latin. Plural of Mamma. Mammal. Any animal having teats for suckling its young is called a mammal. Mamelia. From the Latin, mamma, breast. Systematic name of the class of animals that suckle their young. Marinas. Latin. Marine. Belonging or relating to the sea. Masticatory. From the Greek, mastico, aichu. Relating to mastication or the act of chewing the food. Mastoid. From the Greek, mastos, a nipple. And idos, resemblance. A process or projection of the temporal bone behind the ear is so called on account of its shape. Maxillary. From the Latin, maxilla, a jaw. Belonging or relating to the jaws. Maximus. Latin. Greatest, largest. Membrane. A name given to different than organs, representing species of supple more or less elastic webs. Membranus. Belonging to or partaking of the nature of a membrane. Menides. From the Latin, mina or menna. A kind of fish. Systematic name of a family of fishes. Menobrancus. From the Greek, menos, strength, and brachia, gills. Systematic name of a genus of betracheans. Minopoma. Generic name of a kind of betrachean. Merlongus. Latin. Formed from the French, merlin, a whiting. Systematic name of the whiting. Merlucius. Specific name of the hake. Metamorphosis. From the Greek, meta, after, and morph form. Transformation. Applied to the organic changes which take place in certain animals. Molesca. From the Latin, mollus, soft. Systematic name of a class of animals without vertebrae. Molesc. Any animal of the class of mollusca. Monitor. Latin. Generic name of a kind of saurian. Morua. Systematic name of the codfish. Mosasaurus. Systematic name of a fossil saurian. Motive. From the Latin, mauveo, I move. That which moves or causes motion. Mucosity. A fluid which resembles mucous or contains a certain quantity of it. Mucous. Belonging or relating to mucous. Mucous. Animal mucilage. A peculiar fluid secreted by mucous membranes. Mugil. Latin. A mullet. Muguloides. From the Latin, mugil. A mullet and idos. Resemblance. Systematic name of a family of fishes. Muloides. From the Latin, mullus. A barbel. A red mullet and idos. Resemblance. Systematic name of a family of fishes. Mucous. mulus, latin, a barbel, a red mullet, murina, latin, from the greek merena, a kind of fish resembling an eel, systematic name of eels, murini, latin, plural of murina, myxene, from the greek mucinos, which is formed from muzo, isuck, systematic name of the hagfish, necreus, from the spanish nacar, mother of pearl, of the nature of mother of pearl, naha, specific name of a serpent, nasal, belonging or relating to the nose, nasal fossey, nocrates, from the greek noss, a vessel, and creteo, i have power over, systematic name of certain fishes, nalotica, latin, belonging or relating to the nile, nuda, latin, naked, oscillate, from the latin oculus, an eye, having marks resembling an eye, esophagus, from the greek oiso, i carry, and fagin, to eat, the gullet, the membranous canal which conveys food from the mouth to the stomach, olfactory, from the latin olfactus, the smell, belonging or relating to smell, omniscient, from the latin omnis, all, everything, and sio, i know, all-knowing, opercula, latin, plural of operculum, opercula, belonging or relating to operculum, operculum, latin, a cover, a lid, a bony plate which, in a great many fishes, covers the gills, the gill cover, the little cover or kind of door which closes the entrance or mouth of a shell, ophidia, from the greek ophis, serpent, systematic name of an order of reptiles, ophidian, any reptile of the order of ophidia, orbit, from the latin orbis, a circle, the circular cavities which lodge the organs of vision are called orbits, orbital, belonging or relating to the orbits, organ, from the greek organon, an instrument, part of an organized being destined to exercise some particular function, for example, the ears are the organs of hearing, the muscles are the organs of motion, etc. organic, relating to an organ, organized, composed of organs, having a mode of structure, organization, the mode or manner of structure of an organized being, os, latin, bone, osmaris, generic name of the smelt, osius, from the latin os, bone, bony, composed of bone, ossified, applied to that which has become bone, ossification, from the latin os, bone, and faceri, to make the formation of bone, the process by which bone is formed, ostrachion, from the greek ostracon, a shell, a scale, generic name of the trunk fish, oviparis, from the latin ovum, an egg, and perere, to bring forth, animals that multiply by means of eggs or oviparis, ovoviviparis, from the latin ovum, egg, vivis, alive, and perere, to bring forth, animals that multiply by means of eggs which are hatched before they are laid, oxygen, from the greek oxus, acid, sour, and genow, ion gender, the generator of acid as it was believed to be exclusively when this name was given to it, a gas which constitutes about one fifth of our atmosphere, which is necessary to the respiration of animals and consequently indispensable to animal life, but it cannot be breathed alone for any considerable time with impunity, requiring to be mixed with about four parts of nitrogen, azote, as is the case in our atmosphere, to render it suitable for respiration, palatine, relating to the palate, palmate, from the latin palma, the palm, having the form of the palm, from the toes or fingers being united by a membrane, pancreas, from the greek pan, all, and creas, flesh, all fleshy, a gland deeply seated in the abdomen, which resembles the salivary gland in its structure and has been called the abdominal salivary gland, papilla, latin, a nipple, a name given to small immanences which appear to be formed by the ultimate expansion of the vessels and nerves, papilly, latin, plural of papilla, parachute, from the greek para against, and the french chute, a fall, a machine somewhat in the form of the top of an umbrella used to moderate the descent of those who ascend in balloons and guarantee them against the effects of a sudden fall, parietes, from the latin paris, a wall, a name given to parts which form the enclosure, the limits of different cavities of the body, parotid, from the greek para, about, and ous, the ear, a large salivary gland situated near the ear is so called, pectin, latin, a comb, a fold or process of the retina found in some animals is so called, pectiniform, from the latin pectin, a comb, in forma, form, shape, comb shaped like a comb, pectinate, formed like a comb, having teeth like a comb, pectoral, from the latin pectus, in the genitive pectoris, the chest, the breast, belonging or relating to the chest, pedicle, peduncle, from the latin pex, in the genitive pedis, foot, a little foot, a stem, palamis, specific name of the bonita, pelvis, the bony structure at the lower part of the trunk, perca, latin, a perch, percoides, from the latin perca, perch, and idos, resemblance, systematic name of the family of fishes, peritonium, from the greek parae, around, and taino, I stretch, a cirrus membrane which lines the abdominal cavity and covers entirely or in part all the organs contained in it, petromyzon, from the greek petra, rock, and muzo, I suck, rocksucker, systematic name of the lampreys, pedicle, belonging or relating to the pharynx, pharyngean, applied to certain fishes, pharynx, from the greek pharynx, the pharynx, the swallow, the superior opening of the esophagus, physiology, from the greek physis, nature, and logos, a discourse, the science which treats of the functions of animals or vegetables, pituitary, from the latin pituita, phlegm, the lining membrane of the nose is called the pituitary membrane, piscaformis, latin, fish-shaped, formed like a fish, plastrum, the inferior shell of a tortoise, platessa, from the greek platus, broad, flat, systematic name of the place, platurus, generic name of certain ophidians, plectonathae, from the greek plectos, twined, joined together, and nathos, jaw, cheek, generic name of an order of fishes, plesiosaurus, from the greek plesos, most, and saura, a lizard, the systematic name of a fossil saurian, pleuronectes, from the greek pleura, the side, and nectes, fin, systematic name of a family of fishes, pneumogastric, from the greek pneumon, the lung, and gastar, the stomach, the name of a nerve which is distributed chiefly to the organs contained in the chest and abdomen, polyodon, from the greek polis, many, and odus, in the genitive odontos, tooth, name of a kind of sturgeon, porta, latin, a gate, polygonal, from the greek polis, many, and gona, angle, having many sides and many angles, prehension, from the latin, prehendere, to lay hold of, the prehension of elements consists in laying hold of and conveying food to the mouth, preaperculum, a part of the gill cover, pristis, latin, generic name of the sawfish, process, from the latin prosado, I go before, an eminence of bone, a bony projection, proteus, from the greek protos, first, name of a particular reptile, protractile, susceptible of being extended or stretched out, pterodactylis, from the greek pteron, wing, endactylus, finger, name of a fossil, pteridioid, from the greek pterus, wing, and idos resemblance, name of a bone which is connected to the pallet bones, pulmonary, belonging or relating to the lungs, pupil, the aperture of the iris, through which the rays of light pass that have to paint the image of an object on the retina, pygmius, latin, small, little, dwarfish, pygmi, pylorus, from the greek pupil, gate, and urus, a guardian, the right orifice of the stomach, python, from the greek puthon, a serpent, generic name of certain ophidians, quadrangular, from the latin quator, four, an angular angle, having four angles or sides, radius, latin, a spoke, one of the bones of the forearm so called from its shape, raya, latin, a ray fish, rana, latin, a frog, regimen, from the latin regere, to govern, the rational and methodical use of food and everything essential to life, both in a state of health and disease, it is often restricted in its meaning to diet, remora, latin, a hindrance, the name of a fish, reptile, from the latin ripare, to crawl, an animal that crawls, that drags itself along its belly like serpents and worms, also applied to animals that have legs so short that they seem to crawl, respiration, from the latin respiro, I take breath, a function proper to animals, the object of which is to place the materials of the blood in contact with atmospheric air in order that it may acquire the vivifying qualities that belong to arterial blood, aquatic animals find sufficient air for the respiration mixed with or dissolved in the water, retina, from the latin retae, annette, the essential organ of vision situated within the eyeball, on it the images of objects are impressed, retractile, susceptible of being drawn back, rhomboidal, lozenge shape, sacrum, latin, sacred, the bone which forms the posterior part of the pelvis and is a continuation of the vertebral column, salar, specific name of the salmon, saliva, spittle, salivary, belonging or relating to saliva, salmo, latin, a salmon, salmonides, systematic name of a family of fishes, sardina, latin, a sardine, sargis, latin, name of a fish, saria, from the greek saura, a lizard, systematic name of an order of reptiles, sarian, any reptile of the order of saria, salvagarde, french, name of a sarian, scapula, the shoulder blade, schist, from the greek schizane, to divide, a sort of stone which separates into leaves or plates like slate but not to the same extent, a generic name given by geologists to all minerals which split or divide into very thin plates, cyanoides, systematic name of a family of fishes, skinkoidea, skinkoides, from the greek skigkos, a sort of crocodile, an eidos, resemblance, systematic name of a family of sarians, skink, french, a kind of sarian, scleroderma, latin, plural of sclerodermis, from the greek scleros, hard, and derma, skin, hard skinned, systematic name of a family of fishes, sclerops, from the greek scleros, hard, and ops, eye, specific name of a kind of crocodile, scomber, latin, a mackerel, scomboroides, from the greek scombros, mackerel, and eidos, resemblance, systematic name of a family of fishes, cilium, from the greek scullo, itarin pieces, systematic name of the shark, secretion, from the latin secrenere, to separate. The organic functions of the several glands by which they separate from the blood, the materials which they respectively demand for their several purposes, each organ according to its peculiar structure differs from the rest, and hence we have the formation of the different fluids, as bile, saliva, milk, etc. etc. The fluids thus elaborated or separated from the blood are also termed secretions. Cilakii, plural of Cilakus, in the greek celikos, an order of cartilaginous fishes, serpentia, systematic name of a family of aphidians, serpentina, latin, belonging or relating to a serpent, serrated, from the latin sera, a saw, notched or toothed like a saw, cileroides, from the greek cilurus, name of a particular fish, and eidos, resemblance, systematic name of a family of fishes, cilurii, latin, plural of cilurus, cilurus, latin, name of a fish, sinus, any cavity the interior of which is more expanded than the entrance, in this respect being the reverse of fossa, venus sinus is a venus canal into which a number of vessels empty, siren, from the greek sira, a chain, from the supposed strength of its charms, a fabulous monster, name of a kind of betrachean, solia, latin, a soul, spiroides, from the latin sparis, a kind of fish, and the greek eidos, resemblance, systematic name of a family of fishes, sparis, latin, name of a kind of fish, a dart, spatularia, systematic name of a kind of sturgeon, specific, any medicinal substance to which is attributed the property of curing one disease rather than any other, it is doubtful whether any such remedy really exists, specific gravity is the weight of any body, solid or fluid, comparatively with the weight of an equal volume of distilled water, or specific gravity is the gravity or weight of two bodies, solid or fluid, which possess different weights when of equal volume, sphenoid, from the greek sphen, a wedge, an eidos, resemblance, a bone situate on the middle line and at the base of the cranium, it articulates with all the other bones of the cranium, and strengthens their union, acting very much like the keystone of an arch, spinus, belonging or relating to a spine, spherical, from the latin spirari to breathe, a breathing hole or nostril in aquatic animals, spleen, one of the organs of the abdomen, the precise use of which is not known, squalities, systematic name of a family of fishes, squall, latin, plural of squalis, squalis, latin, a shark, squama pennies, from the latin, squama, a scale, and pena, a feather, systematic name of a family of fishes, stelio, latin, a kind of sarian, sternol, belonging or relating to the sternum, sternum, the breast bone, stereo, specific name of the common sturgeon, stirrionis, systematic name of an order of fishes, stylet, diminutive of style, a slender process or needle-like projection of bone, subbrakiatae, latin, plural of subbrakiatus, from the latin sub, beneath and brachium, arm, applied to an order of fishes that have the ventral beneath the pectoral fins, that is, the arms, subbrakian, applied to fishes of the order of subbrakiatae, subcaudal, from the latin sub, under and burratae, tail, applied to that which is beneath the tail, surmullus, latin, a surmullet, sutre, from the latin suo, eye-stitch, a kind of immovable articulation or joint in which the bones unite by means of serrated edges, which are, as it were, dovetailed into each other. The articulations of the bones of the cranium are of this kind, tactile sensibility, the sensibility which enables us to perceive impressions through the means of the sense of touch. Tinoides, from the latin tinia, a ribbon, and the Greek eidos, resemblance, systematic name of a family of fishes. Tadpole, from the Saxon tad, toad, and pola, a young one, the young of the betracheans are called tadpoles. Tendonus, belonging or relating to tendon. Tendon, from the Greek tano, eye-stretch, strong white fibrous cords which connect the muscles to the bones which they move. The tendons may be considered as so many cords for transmitting the motion of the muscles to the bones, they are sometimes vulgarly designated under the name of leaders. Testudo, latin, a tortoise, tetradon, from the Greek tetra, fore, and odus in the genitive odontos, tooth, systematic name of certain fishes. Thermometer, from the Greek thermos, heat, and metron measure, an instrument for measuring the different degrees of heat or cold by means of the expansion and contraction of the fluid, commonly mercury, contained in it. Theutees, systematic name of a family of fishes. Therasic, belonging or relating to the chest. Thorax, from the Greek thorax, the chest, the cavity destined to lodge the chief organs of respiration and circulation, the heart and lungs, the chest. Thymallus, systematic name of the graylings. Thynus, systematic name of the tunii. Tibia, Latin, a flute. The largest bone of the leg is so called tinka, Latin, a tench, tissue, from the Latin tixere, to weave. The interlacement or union of many things which form a body as threads of flax, silk, wool, etc., of which cloths and stuffs are made. From analogy, the term is employed in anatomy to describe the substances of which the organs of animals in general and of man in particular are formed and which result from the interlacement of fibers. It is applied to different kinds of organization of the body as for example, the muscular tissue, osseous tissue, meaning the structure of which the muscles and bones are composed. Torpedo, Latin, numbness, name of a fish. Tortrix, generic name of certain ophidians. Tehotes, from the Greek tehotes and archer. Systematic name of certain fishes. Trachea, from the Greek trachus, rough and arteria and artery, which is formed from air, air, and terion to keep. The canal which conveys air to the lungs, the windpipe. Trenchant, cutting. Trigonosephalii, Latin, plural of trigonosephalus. Trigonosephalus, from the Greek traeus, three, gonia, angle, and kefali, head. Triangular head, the systematic name of a serpent. Trilobed, from the Latin trace, three, and lobos lobe, formed of three lobes. Trionics, from the Greek traeus, three, and onyx, nail, having three nails, generic name of certain tortoises. Trunkate, cut abruptly or square off, cut short. Trunk, the body without including the head and extremities. Truta, specific name of the trout. Tuberkul, from the Latin tuber, a knot, a small knot or projection. Tuberculosis, composed of or containing tubercles. Tempenum, Latin, a drum, the drum of the ear. Typhlops, Greek, one who is blind, name of an aphidian. Olna, the bone of the forearm which forms the prominence of the elbow during the flexion of that joint. Umbrina, generic name of a fish. Eurodella, systematic name of a family of betracheans. Vascular, supplied with vessels. Vina, Latin, a vein. Vina porta, a vein of the liver. Venus, relating to veins. Ventral, from the Latin, venter, belly, belonging to the belly. Ventricle, a name given to various parts by anatomists. Ventricular, belonging to a ventricle, of the nature of a ventricle. Vermiform, from the Latin, vermus, a worm, and forma, form. Worm shape, like a worm. Vernalis, Latin, vernal, relating to the spring. Vertibra, from the Latin, vertiri, to turn. This name has been given to each of the bones which, by their union, form the vertebral or spinal column, commonly called the backbone. Vertibra, the plural of vertebra. Vertibral, belonging or relating to vertebrae. Vertibrata, animals that possess vertebrae. Systemic name of the first branch of the animal kingdom. Vertibrit, having vertebrae. Verticulate, from the Latin, verticillum, a peg, arranged in a circle, like the leaves of certain flowers around a stem. Vestibule, the first part of the second cavity of the ear is so called. Vipera, Latin, a viper. Veridis, Latin, green. Visera, Latin, plural of viscous. Viscid, viscous. Glutenous, sticky, tenacious. Viscus, Latin, any bowel or entrail or internal part as the heart, liver, lungs, brain, etc. Viviparous, from the Latin vivus, alive and pario, I bring forth. Animals who's young or born without being hatched are said to be viviparous. Vomer, Latin, a thin flat bone which constitutes a part of the partition between the nostrils. Vulgaris, Latin, common vulgar. Sipheus, Latin, a swordfish. Zoology, from the Greek zoan life and logos, a discourse that part of natural history, which treats of animals. Zoologist, one skilled in or devoted to the study of zoology. End of Glossary, recording by Lauren Huff. End of The Elements of Herpetology and Ictheology by William Ruchenberger.