Hydrophanous

( Min.) Applied to a mineral transparent in water. Hydroph'idæ, n. pl. ( Zool.) A section of Ophid ians, including the Sea-snakes or Water-snakes. These IMG:content-0661.png:[ocr errors] Fig . 1342.-BANDED SEA-SNAKE (Chersydrus fasci at us.) a, head; b, part of back. are principally distinguished by having the tail compre ed or flattened sideways, for the purpose of swimming. They are armed with poison-fangs; but these are of small size, and are a ociated with a row of non-venomous maxillary teeth. Hydro phil i dae, n . pl . [Gr. hudor , and phileo , I love.) A family of coleopterous insects, comprising aquatic beetles, which are ovate, hemispherical, and with the thorax broader than long, the edges and the tibisæ slightly spined, but terminated by strong spurs, and the tarsi are commonly ciliated so as to aid in swimming. They are le agile in swimming than the Dyticide, and move their posterior legs alternately. They stay in the water by day, but take wing at night.