spalacopus

[Gr. spalax ( gen it.spalakos ) = a mole, and pous =a foot.] Zobl.: A genus of Octodontine, with two species, from Chili. Ear-conchs rudimentary. They make extensive burrows in the ground, and lead an almost subterranean existence. spăl-a-co-ther-i-um, subst. [Gr, spalax (gen it. spalakos )=a mole, and therion =a wild boast.] Palæont .: A genus of small Mammals, probably marsupiate, from the Purbeck beds. They appear to have been insectivorous, and allied to the Australian Phalangers and the American Opo ums. span I. Ordinary Language: 1. The space from the end of the thumb to the end of the little finger when extended; nine inches; the eighth of a fathom. "The mind having got the idea of the length of any part of expansion, let it be a span , or a space, or what length you will, can, as has been said, repeat that idea." -Locke: Human Understanding , bk. ii., ch. xv. 2. A brief space of time. "We should accustom ourselves to measure our lives by the shortest span ." -Gilpin : Sermons, vol. i., ser. 22. 3. A pair of horses; a yoke of animals; a team. In America applied to a pair of horses nearly alike in color, ., and usually harne ed side by side. In South America applied also to other animals. [INSPAN, OUTSPAN Plied "The wagon, with its revolving wheels and long span of oxen."- Field , Sept. 25, 1886. II. Technically : 1. Arch .: The chord or reach of an arch. The distance between imposts at the springings of an arch. "Cambridge, who were originally heading straight for the Middle sex arch of the railway bridge, were suddenly fetched out and taken through the center span ."-Field, April 4, 1885. 2. Nautical : (1) A rope secured at both ends to an object, the purchase being hooked into the bight. (2) A leader for running rigging, which is conducted through a thimble at each end of the span, which is secured to the stay.