Gasteropod a

(gās-ter-op'o-dah.) [From Gr. gaster, the stomach, and pous, podos,the foot. ] (Zool.)A cla of molluscous animals which move from place to place by means of a fleshy disc,orfoot, situated under the abdomen. The greater part of these mollusca consist of animals inhabiting a uni valve shell, which is cone-shaped and rolled intoa spiral (Fig. 346), and of such the snail is a familiar specimen. Some species, on the contrary, have no shell; of which the slug is an example. The body is elongated, and terminates in front by ahead, more or le developed, with a mouth provided with from two to six tentacula; the back is Fig. 346. enveloped in a mantle, FUSUS DECEMROSTATUS. which secretes the shell; (U. States.) and the belly is covered on its under side by the fleshy ma of the foot. The cla is composed of3 orders-Gasteropod a proper, Heteropod a, and Pteropod a. [s. 397] IMG:p0434_0.jpg:Gravür