physophorae

Century Dictionary and Cyclopedia

1. n. An order of siphonophorous oceanic hydrozoans, having the proximal end modified into a float or pneumatophore (as distinguished from a somatocyst). They are mostly monœcious, and are sometimes provided with nectocalyces, and the polypites are united by an unbranched or little-branched cœnosarc, of filiform, globular, or discoidal shape. The group is contrasted with Calycophoræ, as one of two orders of Siphonophora, and contains a number of families, as Physophoridæ and others. Also written Physophora, Physophorida, Physophoridæ. See cuts under hy-dranth, hydrophyllium, and Hydrozoa.

GNU Webster's 1913

1. n. (Zoöl.) An order of Siphonophora, furnished with an air sac, or float, and a series of nectocalyces. See Illust. under nectocalyx.