Amphineura
(||Am`phi*neu"ra) n. pl. [NL., fr. + sinew, nerve.] (Zoöl.) A division of Mollusca remarkable
for the bilateral symmetry of the organs and the arrangement of the nerves.
Amphioxus
(||Am`phi*ox"us) n. [NL., fr. Gr. + sharp.] (Zoöl.) A fishlike creature (Amphioxus lanceolatus),
two or three inches long, found in temperature seas; — also called the lancelet. Its body is pointed at
both ends. It is the lowest and most generalized of the vertebrates, having neither brain, skull, vertebræ,
nor red blood. It forms the type of the group Acrania, Leptocardia, etc.
Amphipneust
(Am*phip"neust) n. [Gr. + one who breathes, to breathe.] (Zoöl.) One of a tribe of Amphibia,
which have both lungs and gills at the same time, as the proteus and siren.
Amphipod
(Am"phi*pod) n. (Zoöl.) One of the Amphipoda.
Amphipod
(Am"phi*pod Am*phip"o*dan) a. (Zoöl.) Of or pertaining to the Amphipoda.
Amphipoda
(||Am*phip"o*da) n. pl. [NL., FR. Gr. + foot.] (Zoöl.) A numerous group of fourteen —
footed Crustacea, inhabiting both fresh and salt water. The body is usually compressed laterally, and
the anterior pairs or legs are directed downward and forward, but the posterior legs are usually turned
upward and backward. The beach flea is an example. See Tetradecapoda and Arthrostraca.
Amphipodous
(Am*phip"o*dous) a. (Zoöl.) Of or pertaining to the Amphipoda.
Amphiprostyle
(Am*phip"ro*style) a. [L. amphiprostylos, Gr. having a double prostyle: cf. F. amphiprostyle.
See Prostyle.] (Arch.) Doubly prostyle; having columns at each end, but not at the sides. — n. An
amphiprostyle temple or edifice.
Amphirhina
(||Am`phi*rhi"na) n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. + nose.] (Zoöl.) A name applied to the elasmobranch
fishes, because the nasal sac is double.
Amphisbæna
(||Am`phis*bæ"na) n. [L., fr. Gr. on both ends + to go.]
1. A fabled serpent with a head at each end, moving either way. Milton.
2. (Zoöl.) A genus of harmless lizards, serpentlike in form, without legs, and with both ends so much
alike that they appear to have a head at each, and ability to move either way. See Illustration in Appendix.
The Gordius aquaticus, or hairworm, has been called an amphisbæna; but it belongs among the worms.
Amphisbænoid
(||Am`phis*bæ"noid) a. [NL., fr. L. amphisbaena + -oid.] (Zoöl.) Like or pertaining to the
lizards of the genus Amphisbæna.
Amphiscii
(||Am*phis"ci*i Am*phis"cians) n. pl. [Gr. throwing a shadow both ways; + shadow.] The
inhabitants of the tropic, whose shadows in one part of the year are cast to the north, and in the other
to the south, according as the sun is south or north of their zenith.
Amphistomous
(Am*phis"to*mous) a. [Gr. + mouth.] (Zoöl.) Having a sucker at each extremity, as
certain entozoa, by means of which they adhere.
