Dictionary definitions
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volvox
From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Volvox \Vol"vox\, n. (Bot.) A genus of minute, pale-green, globular, organisms, about one fiftieth of an inch in diameter, found rolling through water, the motion being produced by minute colorless cilia. It has been considered as belonging to the flagellate Infusoria, but is now referred to the vegetable kingdom, and each globule is considered a colony of many individuals. The commonest species is Volvox globator, often called {globe animalcule}. [1913 Webster] .
From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Animalcule \An`i*mal"cule\, n. [As if fr. a L. animalculum, dim.
of animal.]
1. A small animal, as a fly, spider, etc. [Obs.] --Ray.
[1913 Webster]
2. (Zool.) An animal, invisible, or nearly so, to the naked
eye. See Infusoria.
[1913 Webster]
Note: Many of the so-called animalcules have been shown to be
plants, having locomotive powers something like those
of animals. Among these are Volvox, the
Desmidiac[ae], and the siliceous Diatomace[ae].
[1913 Webster]
Spermatic animalcules. See Spermatozoa.
[1913 Webster]
