phylactolæmata

Century Dictionary and Cyclopedia

1. n. A subclass or order of Polyzoa, containing those whose lophophore is bilateral, crescentic, or hippocrepiform, provided with a circlet of tentacles, and defended by an epistoma. These polyzoans are larger, softer, and more homogeneous than the Gymnolæmata, and are specially characteristic of fresh water. The families Plumatellidæ and Cristatellidæ are characteristic components of the group. Also called Lophopoda and Hippocrepia. See cut under Polyzoa.