Animals And Plants (R-Z)
Animals And Plants (R-Z)
The rabbit is a long eared burrowing mammal.
The raccoon is an omnivorous nocturnal mammal found in the Americas.
The racoon is an American plantigrade carnivorous mammal. It has grayish-brown fur which is used for making hats.
The radiolaria are an order of rhizopoda. They are radially symetrical and live in the surface layers of seas. They have stiff, radiating pseudopodia and a skeleton.
The ragwort is a perennial plant found on waste ground.
A rail is any wading bird of the family Rallidae, including the rails proper (genus Rallus), coots, moorhens, and gallinules. Rails have dark plumage, a short neck and wings, and long legs. They are 10-45cm long.
Rape are two plant species of the mustard family cultivated for the edible oil.
The rasores are an order of birds. It includes the sub-orders of fowls, turkeys, partridges and grouse. They are characterised by their toes which end in strong claws used for scratching. Hence they are called the scratchers.
The raspberry is a prickly plant of the rosaceae family.
The rat is a rodent of the genus Rattus. There are a number of varieties, including the brown rat and the black rat.
The rat-snake is a snake domesticated in Sri Lanka for killing rats. It is an easily tamed snake.
The ratel or honey-badger is a carnivorous quadruped of the genus Mellivora, and of the badger family. It is found in south and east Africa and India. The South African ratel averages about 3 feet in length including an 8 or 9 inch tail.
The ratitae are an order of neornithes. They are large running birds, unable to fly.
The ratite is a flightless bird with a breastbone without the keel to which flight muscles are attached. Examples are the ostrich, rhea, emu, cassowary, and kiwi.
The rattlesnake is a name of various American venomous snakes of the genus Crotalus, and family Crotalidae. They are distinguished by having a tail which terminates in a number of horny pieces which the animal vibrates to make a rattling sound.
The raven is a large bird of the crow family, genus Corvus. It feeds on carrion. It is completely black in colour, and can learn to imitate human speech.
The ray is a name of many elasmobranchiate fishes, including the skate. They are are recognised by a flattened body and by the extremely broad and fleshy pectoral fins which appear as continuations of the body.
The razor-back is a large whale.
The razor-shell is a genus of lamellibranchiate mollusc common on British coasts.
The razorbill is a North Atlantic sea bird (Alca torda) of the auk family, which breeds on cliffs and migrates south in winter. It has a curved beak and is black above and white below. It uses its wings as paddles when diving. Razorbills are common off Newfoundland.
Red Gurnard (Trigla cuculus) is a British coastal fish of the Gurnard genus.
The redshank is a bird of the genus Totanus, so named because of the red colouring of its legs. It is found in Britain.
The redstart is a bird of the Sylviadae family. It has a red tail. It is found in Britain during the summer.
The redwing is a bird and a species of thrush. It is found in Britain during the winter, and in Europe and Asia during the summer.
The reebok is a species of South African antelope. It has smooth, long, straight and slender horns. It stands 2.5 feet at the shoulder and is a very fast runner.
Reeve is the name of the female ruff bird.
Reindeer are a species of deer found in north Europe and north Asia. It has branched, recurved, round antlers. The legs are quite short in proportion to the body. The Laplanders often use reindeer as a substitute for horses, sheep and cattle, using them for pulling sledges, food, and clothing.
The remora is a genus of fish included in the Goby family. They have on top of their head a peculiar sucking-disc which they use to attach themselves to the bottom of other fish or ships.
Reproduction is the unique property possessed by all living organisms to produce new individuals resembling the original organism in all essential respects.
Reptilia is a class of cold-blooded, lung breathing vertebrates which includes snakes, lizards, crocodiles, turtles and tortoises.
Respiration is the process of breathing. It is the liberation of energy from materials within the body of the organism.
The rhabdocoelida are an order of turbellaria with a simple sac-like intestine or no intestine.
The rhea is a South American bird. It is about 4 feet tall. It is incapable of flight, but has strong legs and can run very fast.
A Rhinocerous is an odd-toed hoofed mammal of the family Rhinocerotidae. The one-horned Indian rhinoceros (Rhinoceros unicornis) is up to 2 m high at the shoulder, with a tubercled skin, folded into shieldlike pieces; the African rhinoceroses are smooth-skinned and two-horned. The African black rhinoceros (Diceros bicornis) is 1.5m high, with a prehensile upper lip for feeding on shrubs; the broad-lipped or "white" rhinoceros Ceratotherium simum is actually slaty-gray, with a squarish mouth for browsing grass. They are solitary and vegetarian, with poor eyesight but excellent hearing and smell.
The rhizocrinus is a type of crinoidea.
The rhizomastigina are an order of rhizopoda. They are small amoeboid forms with a flagellum. They live in fresh water.
Rhizopoda is a class of phylum protozoa which are usually free-living and move and ingest food by means of pseudopodia.
The rhododendron is an evergreen shrub of the ericaceae family.
The roadrunner is a north American bird of the cuckoo family.
The robin is one of two songbirds of the thrush family. The North American thrush, the robin Turdus migratorius is 25 cm long, grey brown with brick-red underparts. The Eurasian and African thrush (Erithacus rubecula) is 13 cm long, olive brown above with a red breast.
The rodent is a mammal of the family rodentia. They have a single pair of incisor teeth in both the upper and lower jaws that continue to grow as they become worn.
Rodentia is the rodent order of eutheria. The incisors are chisel-like and used for gnawing. Canines are absent.
A roller is any brightly coloured bird of the Old World family Coraciidae, resembling crows but in the same order as kingfishers and hornbills. Rollers grow up to 32cm long. The name is derived from the habit of some species of rolling over in flight.
The rook is a member of the crow family.
A roost is a bird's perching or resting place.
The rosaceae is the rose family. They exhibit an exogenous mode of growth, have several petals, distinct, perigynous, separate carpels and numerous stamens.
The rose are shrubs and climbing plants of the genus rosa and family rosaceae.
Rosemary is an evergreen shrub.
The rottweiler is a breed of German guard dog.
Roundworm is a common name for phylum nematoda.
The rudd (Scardinius erythrophthalmus) is a freshwater fish, a type of minnow, belonging to the carp family Cypridae, common in lakes and slow rivers of Europe; now introduced in the USA. Brownish green above and silvery below, with red fins and golden eyes, it can reach a length of 45 cm and a weight of 1kg.
The ruff is a bird belonging to the grallatores (waders). It was once abundant in Britain.
Ruminant is the group of animals (ruminate) that have more than one stomach and chew the cud.
The ruminantia are a group of even-toed hoofed mammals, including chevrotains, camels, deer, giraffes, the prong-buck and cattle.
The term "ruminate" refers to animals (ruminants) which regurgitate swallowed food and chew it again. This process is accomplished by means of a complex stomach.
The salamander is an urodela.
The salicaceae are a natural order of apetalous exogens distinguised by a 2 valved capsule, and numerous seeds tufted with long hairs.
The samoyed is a Siberian breed of dog.
The Sandbox tree is an American tree of the genus Hura. It is a large branching tree with glossy leaves and large, furrowed, round fruits about the size of an orange. When the seed-vessels burts they make a remarkably loud retort.
Sandwort (Arenaria) is a genus of plants of the natural order Caryophyllaceae, comprising low herbs with usually awl-shaped leaves and small white flowers.
The sardine are several small fish of the herring family.
The saxifragaceae are an order of plants with five sepals, five petals and ten stamens. They are generally mountain plants.
The scallop is a marine mollusc.
Scaphopodais a class of phylum mollusca. The foot is reduced and the shell is tubular.
The scarab is a type of dung beetle.
Schistosoma is a member of the order digenea.
Scorpion-grass is another name for forget-me-not.
Scorpionidea is the scorpion order of arachnida. They have four pairs of lung-books in the mesosoma and the post-anal telson forms a sting.!
Scyphozoa is the class of marine animals known as jelly-fishes. The adult is always medusoid, and there is an extensive system of radial canals, sense organs and tentaculocysts.
Sea-swallow is an alternative name for the tern.
The seal is a marine mammal of the phocidae family.
The selachii are an order of chondrichthyes. This order includes the sharks and the rays. They have numerous teeth which are replaced in rapid succession throughout life.
Selenidium is a member of the gregarinida order.
Sensitivity is the ability of an animal to respond to stimuli from its surroundings.
The sequoia is the world's largest tree, growing to over 80 meters tall.
Sertularia is a member of the order of calyptoblastea.
Sesame is an annual plant of the order pedaliaceae.
A setter is a breed of gun dog.
The shad is a fish of the herring family.
The shag is a British sea bird.
The Shag-bark (Carya alba) is a hickory tree from which the hickory-nut is obtained.
The shallot is a type of onion.
The shamrock are several trifoliate plants of the family leguminosae.
The shark is a large group of marine fish with cartilaginous skeletons.
The shelduck is a British coastal duck.
The shoveler is a British duck.
The sidewinder is a type of rattlesnake.
Siphonophora is an order of hydrozoa. They are pelagic, colonial animals which show marked polymorphism.
The sirenia is an order of eutheria. They are large herbivorous animals adapated to life in shallow sea.
The sitatunga are a type of antelope found in swamp regions of central Africa.
Skate are several species of flatfish.
The skinks are a large family of lizards with large smooth scales, under which is a bony plate.
Skirret is a plant of the order Umbelliferae. It is a perennial plant native to China and Japan, sometimes cultivated for its edible roots.
The skua-gull is a powerful bird of the family Stercorarius. It is found in The Shetland Islands, Iceland and the Faroes.
The skunk is a north American mammal of the weasel family.
Skunk-cabbage is a plant of the natural order Araceae so named for its smell. The root and seeds are antispasmodic and were at one time used to treat asthma.
Slater was a popular name for woodlice around the turn of the century.
Sloe (blackthorn) is a deciduous shrub of the plum genus with spinose branches and hard tough wood. The black berries are used for preserves and a fictious port wine.
The smelt is a small European fish allied to the Salmon which lives in the salt water around the mouths of rivers. It is around 4 to 8 inches long and silvery-white in colour. During May to August the smelt comes up river to spawn in fresh water before then returning to the sea.
The smew is a swimming bird found in winter along the British coast. It is about 15 to 18 inches long. The male has a white underside and black back. The wings are black and white. The female is red-brown with gray tints.
Smilaceae are a tribe of plants of the order Liliaceae. They are mostly climbing plants with woody stems and small unisexual flowers.
The snail is an air breathing gastropod mollusc with a spiral shell.
A snake is a reptile of the suborder serpentes.
Snake-wood is the wood of the Strychnos colubrina, of the order Loganiaceae. It is a tree found in India and Java.
Sneeze-wood is the popular name of the South African tree Pteroxylon utile. It is of the order Sapindaceae and yields a strong durable timber which is dusty to work with, and causes sneezing.
Sneezewort is a British composite plant of the milfoil genus. It flowers between July and August.
The snow-bunting is a gregarious, passerine bird belonging to the bunting family. It is a native of arctic regions and a winter visitor to Britiain and other temperate regions.
The snow-goose is a species of goose which lives in arctic regions.
The snowdrop is a plant of the genus Galanthus of the order Amaryllidaceae. It bears solitary, drooping and elegant white flowers which appear in February.
Soap-wort (saponaria) is a genus of plants of the order Caryophyllaceae. They are so named because the bruised leaves produce a lather like soap when agitated in water.
The Soko is a herbivorous mammal closely allied to the chimpanzees. It was discovered living near Lake Tanganyika by Dr. Livingstone.
Solanaceae is a natural order of monopetalous exogenous plants, composed of herbs or shrubs, natives of most parts of the world, and especially within the tropics. They have alternate leaves, terminal or axillary inflorescence, and regular, or nearly regular, monopetalous flowers. They are generally narcotic and poisonous, although some parts of the plants are cultivated for food (such as the potato and aubergine).
Soldanella is a genus of plants of the order Primulaceae. the species are small herbs native to alpine districts.
Sole is a flatfish.
Solidungula is a division of the Ungulata mammals which includes the horse and donkey.
The soosoo is a cetaceous mammal similar to a dolphin. It is found in the Ganges and grows to about 4 meters in length.
Sophora is a genus of plants of the order Leguminosae. The species are ornamental shrubs and trees found chiefly in central and tropical Asia, and the tropical and sub-tropical parts of South America.
Sorghum is a genus of grasses. They are the tall grasses with succulent stems and are found in the tropical parts of Asia and other warm regions.
Soricidae is a family of insectivorous mammals which includes the shrews and musk-rats.
Sorrel (Rumex acetosa) is a plant of the order Polygonaceae. The leaves are used in salad. The stems are upright and grow to about 0.5 meters.
The Sorrel-tree is a tree belonging to the order Ericaceae. It inhabits the range of the Alleghanies from Virginia to Georgia. The leaves are 10 to 12 cm long, oval and finely toothed.
The spaniels are a sub-species of dogs characterized by great intelligence and an affectionate disposition.
Sparidae is a family of acanthopterygious, teleostean fishes. They form the genus Sparus.
Sparrow is a term applied to many small thick beaked birds.
Spatangus is a genus of sea-urchines, popularly called the heart-urchins from their shape.
Spatularia is a genus of fishes of the sturgeon tribe which are remarkable for their long, leaf-like snouts.
Spearmint (Mentha viridis) is a European and North American species of mint cultivated for its flavouring properties.
Spearwort is a plant of the genus Ranunculus. There are two species, the great and the lesser spearwort. Both are British plants with lanceolate undivided leaves and yellow flowers, growing in wet localities.
Speedwell is a flowering plant of the figwort family.
The Sphenisciformes are an order of birds. These are the penguins. They comprise a single family, Spheniscidae. They are water birds with a streamlined body and elongated head. The beak is stout and ends in a sharp point. They are incapable of flight, instead their wings have adapted as short powerful paddles.
The spongilla is a member of the demospongia class.
The spoonbill is a water bird.
Sporozoa are a class of phylum protozoa. They are parasitic protozoa propagated by spores.
The spruce is a coniferous tree.
The squamata is an order of diapsida. The lower border of the lower temporal vacuity is incomplete. The body is covered by horny scales. These animals live in warmer climates.Á
Squash (Cucurbita Melopepo) is a gourd cultivated in America as an article of food.
The squirrel is a bushy tailed rodent of the sciuridae family.
The St. Bernard is a breed of large dog. It has a massive head and somewhat pendulous lips. They were bred by the monks at the hospice of St. Bernard to track out and succour travellers caught in snow-storms or avalanches. At the start of the 19th century all the females died, and the monks had to cross-breed them with Newfoundlands, and the modern St. Bernard is still of this cross.
Stag is the name given to a male deer.
A stallion is a male horse.
The stamen is the male reproductive organ of a flower.
The starling is a bird.
Stegosaurus was a herbivore dinosaur of the jurassic period. It had diamond shaped spiny plates on its back and spikes on its tail for defence against predators.
The stelleroidea are a class of phylum echinodermata. They are the starfishes and brittle stars. They have a five-rayed symmetry clearly indicated by "arms" which radiate out from the centre of the body. The mouth is on the lower side of the flattened body.
Stentor is a member of the order of heterotricha.
The stomach is a region of the alimentary canal. Food accumulates in the stomach and some digestion may take place.
The strawberry is a low growing perennial of the rosaceae family. The fruit are rich in vitamin c.
The sturgeon is a member of the palaeonisciformes order.
Stylaster is a member of the order stylasterina.
Stylasterina is an order of marine hydrozoa similar to milleporina but with branched corallum.
Stylonichia is a member of the order of hypotricha.
The sub-phylum acrania group of animals are simple or aberrant chordates without a true brain, heart or kidneys.
The sub-phylum cnidaria are coelenterates which have nematocysts and nearly perfect symmetry.
Sub-phylum craniata are the vetebrate group of animals. They are chordates which show a very definite advance in complexity of structure and activity. A proper head region can be identified. Organs of special sense are prominently developed and there is a definite brain enclosed in a cranium.
The sub-phylum ctenophora are a family of solitary, free swimming animals. They have characteristic locomotor structures formed of rows of fused cilia.
Suctoria are a subclass of ciliophora. The adult form has suctorial tentacles.
The swan is a large, long necked bird of the duck family.
The sycamore is a tree native to Europe.
Sycon is a member of the calcarea class.
The synapsida are a subclass of mammal-like reptiles now extinct.
Syncarida is an order of malacostraca in which the carapace is absent and the thoracic appendages have exopodites.
The syndactyla are an order of metatheria in which the second and third toes are bound together in a common mass of tissue.
The taipan is a type of small headed cobra.
The talbot was a large, whitish hound with long hanging ears and heavy jaws bred for tacking and hunting. It is believed that the talbot was the forerunner of the modern bloodhound.
Tamaricaceae is a small natural order of polypetalous exogens. The species are either herbs or shrubs, inhabiting chiefly the basin of the Mediterranean. They have minute alternate simple leaves and usually small white or pink flowers in terminal spikes.
The tamarin are South American monkeys. They are active and restless.
Tamarind is an evergreen tree of the leguminosae family.
The Tamarisk is a plant of the genus Tamarix. It is a graceful evergreen shrub or small tree with slender feathery branches and minute leaves found in sandy places.
Tanaidacea is a marine order of malacostraca with a reduced carapace and a short abdomen.
The tangerine is a small, flattened, deep-coloured, swett-scented variety of orange from Tangier.
Tangle is a popular name for Laminaria digitata, a common British sea-weed.
The tank-worm is a nematode worm found in mud in water tanks in India.
Tanrec (Centetes) is a genus of insectivorous mammals resembling the European hedgehog in appearance. They are found in Madagascar where they live in burrows excavated with their strong claws.
Tantalus is a genus of wading birds of the heron family.
Tapir is the name of ungulate or hoofed animals forming the family Tapiridae. The nose resembles a short fleshy proboscis. There are four toes to the fore-feet and three to the hind-feet.
The Tara Fern is a species of fern found in New Zealand. The Maoris obtained a flour from its root which formed a staple part of their diet prior to British settlement.
The tarantula is a large black south European spider of the genus Lycosa with a slighly poisonous bite. The term is also popularly applied to various other large, especially hairy spiders from Africa and America.
Tare is the popular name for plants of the genus Vicia.
Taro is a plant of the arum family cultivated in Pacific islands for its starchy, edible root.
The tarpan is a breed of wild horse found in Asia.
The tarpon is a large silvery marine fish found in the warmer waters of the western Atlantic.
The tarsier (Tarsius) is a genus of mammals of the lemur family. It is about the size of a squirrel, fawn brown in colour with large eyes, large ears and a long tufted tail. The tarsier is a tree dwelling animal and eats lizards.
Tasmannia is a genus of one Tasmanian and two Australian shrubs of the natural order Magnoliaceae.
The tatouay is a kind of armadillo remarkable for the undefended state of its tail which is devoid of the bony rings that inclose it in other armadillos.
The tautog (Tautoga nigra) is an American fish found on the coast of New England and valued as a food.
Taxaceae is a sub order of Coniferae which includes the Yew tree.
Taxodium is a genus of plants of the order Coniferae. It includes the cypresses.
The tayra (Galera barbara) is a South American carnivorous animal allied to the glutton. It is black in colour with a large white patch on the breast.
Tea is an evergreen rosaceae. The infusion of the dried leaves is a popular beverage. It was introduced to England during the 17th century.
Teak is a tropical Asian timber tree.
The teal is a small British duck of the genus Querquedula.
The teasel is a plant of the genus Dipsacus. It is a herb with prickly leaves and flower heads.
Tecoma is a genus of plants of the natural order Bignoniaceae. They are trees or shrubs or climbing plants with unequally pinnate or digitate simple leaves, and terminal panicles of dusky red or orange flowers.
Tectibranchiata is a division of gasteropodous mollusca with gills protected by the shell or the mantle, as with the sea-hare.
Teff (Eragrostis abyssinica) is a grain with seeds about the size of those of millet.
The teguexin is a species of lizard inhabiting tropical America. They grow to around 150cm long and can swim with ease and rapidity.
The teledu is a stinking badger found in Java and Sumatra.
Teleostei is a large sub-class of fish distinguished by a bony skeleton.
Telosporidia are a subclass of sporozoa. They have a trophic stage which is distinct from the reproductive phase.
The tench (Tinca tinca) is a freshwater fish of the carp family.
Tenebrio is a genus of beetles.
Tenuirostres (slender-beaked) is a section of the Insessores order of birds containing those species with a long slender, tapering beak.
Termites are a social insect of the order Isoptera. They are chiefly found in tropical climates and are very destructive to timber.
The tern is a sea bird, especially those of the genus Sterna. They resemble a gull, but are usualy smaller and with a more slender body. Terns have long, pointer wings and a forked tail giving rise to their alternative name of the sea-swallow.
Ternstroemiaceae is a natural order of polypetalous dicotyledonous plants consisting of trees or shrubs with alternate simple usually coriacerous leaves without stipules. The flowers are generally white, arranged in axillary or terminal peduncles, articulated at the base.
The testes are the male gonads.
Tetradactyl is a term applied to any animal or bird with 4 fingers or toes.
Tetrapod is the family of four legged vertebrates. It includes birds because wings developed from legs.
The thalamophora are an order of rhizopoda. They are amoeboid forms protected by a shell. There are apertures in the shell through which the pseudopodia extend.
A thallophyte is a plant with a thallus body, such as seaweed or liverwort.
A thallus is the body of a primitive plant which is not divided into leaves, stem and roots but consists of a more or less uniform tissue.
The thrasher is a species of shark (Alopias vulpinus) which has a very long upper division of its tail which it uses to thrash its prey or attackers.
Thrips are minute insects with 4 hair-fringed wings of the order Thysanoptera. Many of the species injure plants by feeding upon their juices.
The thrush is a bird of the turdidae family.
The thylacine (Tasmanian wolf, Thylacinus cynocephalus) is a carnivorous marsupial resembling a dog in appearance, greyish-brown with conspicuous black markings on the hinder half of the back.
Thyme is a herb of the labiatae family.
Thysanozoon is a member of the order polycladida.
Thysanura is an order of apterygota.
The tiger is a large asian wild cat. It is maneless, of tawny-yellow colour with blackish transverse stripes and a white belly.
A tigress is a female tiger.
The tile-fish (Lopholatilus chamaeleonticeps) is a large, deep-water, yellow-spotted fish found off the coast of New England. It is apparently good to eat.
The tinamou is a South American bird of the family Tinamidae. It resembles the grouse but is actualy related to the rhea.
The Tinamous are a unique group of birds. They are about the size of a fowl with a small head and slender neck.
The toad is a tailless leaping amphibian similar to the frog, but terrestial in habits except at the breeding season.
The tody is a small insectivorous West Indian bird of the genus Todus, allied to the kingfisher.
The tonka is a large South American tree (Dipteryx odorata). The seeds, known as tonka beans, are black fragrant and almond-shaped and are used for scenting tobacco and perfume.
The tope (Galeorhinus galeus) is a small european shark.
The tortoise is a chelonia.
The toucan is a bird found in South and Central America forests.
The trachea is a pipe leading to the lung chamber.
Trachylina is an order of hydrozoa. They are mainly marine forms in which the medusoid stage is represented, and the hydroid stage is reduced or absent.
The tragopan is an asiatic pheasant of the genus Tragopan. The male has erectile fleshy horns on his head leading to its alternative name of the horned pheasant.
A tree is a perennial plant with a self supporting woody main stem.
A trefoil is a plant of the leguminosae family with leaves that appear to be divided into 3 lobes.
Trematoda is a class of phylum platyhelminthes. They are the fluke worms. Parasitic flat worms with a leaf-like body. The mesenchyme secretes a tough cuticle and cilia are lacking in the adults. Hooks and/or suckers are often present.
A trematode is any member of the Trematoda.
The triceratops was a dinosaur with three horns on its head.
Tricladida is an order of turbellaria with an intestine having three main branches. The sense organs are frequently well developed.
The trout is a fish native to the northern hemisphere.
Truffle is a subterranean fungus.
Trypanosome is a parasite of the genus Trypanosoma. It is a flagellate protozoa which infects the blood of man and other animals often causing disease.
The tsetse is a fly found in Africa that carries sleeping sickness.
The tuatara is a survivor of the group of prehistoric reptiles to which the dinosaurs belonged. It is found only in a few islands of New Zealand. It lays 10-14 eggs which it buries in the ground. A fully grown tuatara is about 24 inches long. The tuatara is carnivorous.
Tubularia is a member of the order of gymnoblastea.
The tuna is a fish of the mackerel family.
The tunny is a fish of the mackerel family, also called tuna it can reach 14ft in length.
The tupelo are large American trees of the genus Nyssa found growing in swamps and on river banks in the sourthern USA.
The turaco is a long-tailed crested African bird of the genus Tauraco.
Turbellaria is a class of free-living flatworms. They live in water and damp conditions. The epidermis is glandular, ciliated and has a thin cuticle.
The turnip is a biennial cruciferous plant with a fleshy globular or spheroidal root, toothed leaves, and yellow flowers. The root of the turnip is used as a vegetable and also fed to cattle and sheep.
The turtle is an aquatic chelonia.
Tyrannosaurus rex was a carnivorous dinosaur from the cretaceous period. It was the largest of all the carnivorous dinosaurs. It was so big it could have eaten a human in one or two bites.
The umbelliferae is a family of plants which generally have flowers in regular compound umbells and fistular furrowal stems.
Urochordata is a class of sub-phylum acrania. They are the sea squirts. They are ciliary-feeding marine animals.
The urodela are a subclass of amphibia. They are the newts and salamanders. The tail persists throughout life. The fore and hind limbs are poorly developed.
Urticaceaeis a natural order of exogenous trees, herbs and shrubs. This is the nettle family, with stinging hairs.
Vanilla is a genus of climbing orchids.
Velella is a member of the order of siphonophora.
A ventricle is a chamber of the heart which despatches blood.
The Venus Fly-trap is a plant of the genus Dionoea. It is native to the sandy savannas of Carolina and Florida. The leaves have a dilated petiole and a slightly stalked 2-lobed lamina, with three short stiff bristles on each lobe. The bristles are remarkably irritable and when touched by a fly or other insect the lobes of the leaf suddenly close on the insect. The insect is then digested.
Vicia is a genus of leguminous plants extensively cultivated as food for cattle and horses.
The viper is a family of venomous snakes. They are characterized by venom-conducting fangs which hinge forward when the snake bites.
The visceral skeleton is the bones comprising the jaws and their allied structures.
The vole is a rodent of the cricetidae family.
Vorticella is a member of the order of peritricha.
The vulture is a carrion eating bird.
Wallaby is the name of several small members of the kangaroo family.
The walrus is a marine mammal similar to the seal found in the arctic.
The warbler is a family of song birds.
The wart hog is a type of wild pig found in Africa.
The wasp is a stinging insect of the order hymenoptera.
Water-pepper is a plant of the Polygonaceae family. It grows to between 20 and 70 cm tall and has sparingly branched ascending stems. The leaves are lanceolate and irritate the skin when touched.
The waterbuck is an antelope found in Africa. It has a characteristic white ring marKing in its rump.
The waxbill is a small seed eating bird found in Africa.
The weasel is a carnivorous mammal of the family mustelidae. It feeds mainly on voles, rats and mice.
A whale is a large marine mammal of the order cetacea.
The whelk is a marine gastropod with a thick spiral shell.
The widow bird is several species of African weaver birds. They trick other birds into rearing their young.
The wigeon is a British duck.
Willow is an amentaceae of the family salicaceae. Its timber is used to make cricket bats.
The wolf is a wild dog.
Wood-ibis is an American bird of the Tantalus genus. It lives in swamps where it feeds on snakes, young alligators, frogs and other reptiles.
The woodcock is a British game bird.
Wormwood is a European woody herb (Artemisia absinthium). It yields a dark-green oil which was once used as a tonic against intestinal worms and as a protection against moths and fleas, and is now used as a flavouring in vermouth and absinthe.
The wren is a small brown bird with a cocked tail.
Xiphosura are the king-crabs order of arachnida. They are aquatic animals with gill-books.
Xylem is a woody tissue found in vascular plants. Its purpose is to conduct water and dissolved minerals from the root to the rest of the plant.
The yak is a wild ox found in Tibet.
The yam is a tropical plant, the tuba of which is eaten as a vegetable.
Yarrow is a perennial herb with a creeping rhizome and erect, furrowed and downy stems. Yarrow flowers between June and August, and is common throughout Europe and Asia.
Yeast is a fungus.
The yew (taxus) is an evergreen tree of the family taxaceae. It was sacred to the ancient pagan religion of Britain.
The zebra is a black and white striped wild horse found in Africa.
Zoantharia is an order of anthozoa. They have simple tentacles occuring in multiples of six.
Zoology is the science which deals with the structure, life-history, habits and activities of animals.
The zoomastigina are a subclass of mastigophora.
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