- Lamellibranchia
- Lamellibranchia La*mel`li*bran"chi*a, Lamellibranchiata
La*mel`li*bran`chi*a"ta, n. pl. [NL. See {lamella}, and
{Branchia}, {Branchiate}.] (Zo["o]l.)
An earlier name for the class of Mollusca including all those
that have bivalve shells, as the clams, oysters, mussels,
etc., now called {Pelecypoda} or {Bivalvia}.
[1913 Webster +PJC]
Note: They usually have two (rarely but one) flat, lamelliform gills on each side of the body. They have an imperfectly developed head, concealed within the shell, whence they are called {{Acephala}}. Called also {Conchifera}, and {Pelecypoda}. See {Bivalve}. [1913 Webster]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.