trachelia

pl. [TRACHELIUS.] Entom.: A group of Heteromera, founded by West wood. They comprise all but the Tenebrion idae (q. v.), and are distinguished by the head being exserted, soft integuments, and varied coloration. tra-che-li-1-dæ, s . pl . [Mod. Lat. tracheli (us); Lat. fem. pl. adj. suff. -ida .] Zool.: A family of Holotrichous Infusoria, with three genera, two entirely and one chiefly freshwater in habitat. Animalcules, free-swimming, ovate or elongate, highly-elastic, ciliate throughout; oral cilia slightly larger than those of the general surface; oral aperture at the base of an anterior prolongation.