Epigæa (epijea)

[NL., dial. form ( τα ἐπίγαια, the parts on or near the ground), poet. (dial.) form of γέα, γῆ, the earth, the ground: see epi geo us.] 1. A genus of erica ceo us plants, of two species, one a native of Asia, the other, E. repens, the well known Mayflower or trailing arbutus of the United States. They are prostrate or creeping evergreens, with fragrant rose-colored or white flowers appearing in early spring. Also Epigea. Trailing Arbutus ( Epigaa repens). 2. In entom., a genus of lepidopterous insects. Hübner, 1816. epigeal, epigeous, a. See epigeal, epigeous. epigaster (ep-i-gas'ter), n. [NL., epigastrale (epi-gas-trale), n.; pl. epigastra lia (-li-). [NL.: see epigastral.] A sponge spicule on the gastral surface with free entiated ray only. F. E. Schulze.