scyl111dae

pl. [Mod. Lat. scylli (um); Lat. fem. pl. adj. suff. -idæ.] 1. Ichthy.: A family of Selachoidei (q. v.), with several genera, widely distributed. Two dorsals without spine, the first above or behind the ventrals, anal present; no nictitating membrane; spir acle always distinct; mouth inferior, teeth small, usually in several rows. 2. Palæont .: They appear first in the Lias. sçyl-li-ô-dus, s. [Mod. Latin scylli ( um ), and Gr. odous a tooth.] Palæont .: A genus of Scylliide, with one species, from the Upper Chalk. sçll-ite, s . [Mod. Lat. scyll( ium ) (q. v.); -ite.) Chem.: A substance occurring in the liver and other parts of sharks and rays. It is prepared by pounding the organ with ground gla and repeatedly extracting with alcohol. The filtrates are evaporated, and the residue treated with absolute alcohol, the insoluble portion is then di olved in water, and the crystals which form after a time are again di olved, and treated with basic acetate of lead, and the lead compound decomposed with sulphy. dric acid. Scyllite crystallizes from the solution in monoclinic prisms with vitreous luster, and faint, sweetish taste. Slightly soluble in water, insoluble in absolute alcohol. It does not reduce alkaline copper solutions. sçyl-11-ŭm, s . [Gr. Skylla a monster inhabiting a cavern in the Straits of Sicily, fabled to be girt about with barking dogs. (Homer: Odys .. xii. 73, 8qq.)] Ichthy.: Dog-fishes; the typical genus of Scylliide (q. v), with eight species, from the coasts of temperate and tropical seas. Origin of anal always in advance of that of second dorsal; nasal cavity separate from the mouth; teeth small, arranged in numerous series. They live on the bottom, and feed on Crustacea and dead fish. Dr. Günther ( Study of Fishes , p. 316) remarks, "that it would be worth while to apply the fins of these and other sharks, which are so extensively used in China for making gelatine soups, to the same purpose in this country, or to dry them for exportation to the East." *sçm'-ě-ter, *sçym-i-tar, s. [SCIMITER.] *sçm-me-tri-an, a . [Eng. *scymmeter; -ian.) Resembling a scimiter (q. v.).