A BRIEF EXPLANATION OF SOME OF THE
SCIENTIFIC TERMS USED IN THIS BOOK

As the paraphrases adopted in many popular natural history books are
more or less incorrect, it has been decided in the present volume
to give the proper scientific terms. This compels the use of some-
what long words, such as ‘anthropoidea,’ ‘carnivora,’ &c. To
enable the young reader to understand exactly what these mean, a
brief glossary is here given. It is hoped that this may help beginners
to make an intelligent use of the book, and also afford pleasant
exercise in the way of word study.

Albinism, The absence of the usual colouring matters in the skin and
its appendages.

Anchylosis, The union of two bony surfaces by osseous or fibrous
matter.

Anoura. An old term for the tailless Amphibians.

Anthropoidea. Those monkeys which most nearly approach man in
form.

Antlers, The horns of the deer. ;

Agoda. Animals without limbs; the worm-like Amphibians.

Artiodactyla. Ungulates having an even number of toes on their fect.

Atavism. The recurrence of an ancestral peculiarity.

Atrophied. Arrested in development at an early period of growth.

Atlas. The vertebra of the neck which directly supports the skull.

Axis. The second vertebra of the neck, on which the skull and atlas
generally work. :

Baleen. Whalebone.

Batrachia. An old name for the Frogs, Toads, Salamanders, &c.

Brachium. The upper arm.

Branchia, The gill of a fish 3 an organ adapted for breathing the air
dissolved in water.

Bronchi. The branches of the windpipe by which air is conveyed to
the lung vesicles.

Bruta. An old name of the Edentates.

Canide. Dog-like animals.

Canine. The eye-tooth (see Dental Formula).

Carinate. Birds with a sharp breast-bone, like a keel (cavéa).

Carnassials, The flesh teeth of the Carnivores.

Carnivora. The animals which feed on flesh.