Saxicava (saksikava)

[NL.: see saxica vous.] A genus of bivalve mollusks, typical of the family Saxicavidæ, whose species live mostly in the hollows of rocks which they ex cavate for themselves. The common European S. rugosa varies greatly under different conditions. Sometimes by excavation it does considerable damage to seawalls. Succe ive generations will occupy the same hole, the last inhabiting the space between the valves of its predece or. See cut under Glycymeris. Saxicavidæ (sak-si-kav'i-dē), n. pl. [NL., mal has the mantle-lobes mostly united, the siphons elongated, covered with a thin skin, and with fringed orifices, and the foot digitiform; the shell has thick valves, gaping at the extremities; the hinge has a single cardinal tooth, and the ligament is external. The species live in sand or mud as well as soft rocks, in which they excavate holes or burrows. Also called Glycymerida. See cut under Glycymeris. saxicavous (sak-sik'a-vus), a. [NL. saxicavus, IMG:content-0187.png:[blocks in formation]