calycophora

Century Dictionary and Cyclopedia

1. n. An order or suborder of siphonophorous oceanic hydrozoans, having a long stem with a somatocyst or body-sac at the proximal end, but no pneumatophore. The Calycophora are very delicate organisms of specially composite structure, and so transparent that they are rendered visible at a little distance only by their bright tints. They are mostly found floating or swimming on the surface of tropical seas, trailing their long chain of appendages after them as they dart forward with a rhythmical movement according with the simultaneous contractions of the nectocalyces or swimming-bells with which they are provided. There are several families, of which Diphyidœ and Hippopodiidœ are the leading ones. The Calycophora constitute with the Physophora the sub-class Siphonophora (which see). Also Calycophoridæ.