Raccoon
The racoon is an American plantigrade carnivorous mammal. It has grayish-brown fur which is used for making hats.
Radiolaria
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.
Ragwort
The ragwort is a perennial plant found on waste ground.
Rail
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.
Rainbird
Rainbird is a name given to several birds, especially the black-billed cuckoo and the yellow-billed cuckoo. They get their name from the belief that they call frequently before a rain storm.
Rambouillet
The Rambouillet is a breed of sheep developed from the Merino and named after the town of Rambouillet in north France where the breed originated around 1905.
Rambutan
Rambutan is a Malayan sapindaceous tree bearing a bright-red oval fruit covered with soft spines and having a subacid taste.
Rangpur
Rangpur is a variety of mandarin orange bearing a tart fruit.
Ranunculaceae
Ranunculaceae is the buttercup order of plants.
Rape
Rape are two plant species of the mustard family cultivated for the edible oil.
Rasores
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.
Raspberry
The raspberry is a prickly plant of the rosaceae family.
Rat
The rat is a rodent of the genus Rattus. There are a number of varieties, including the brown rat and the black rat.
Rat-snake
The rat-snake is a snake domesticated in Sri Lanka for killing rats. It is an easily tamed snake.
Rat-tailed Snake
see "Fer de Lance"
Ratel
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.
Ratitae
The ratitae are an order of neornithes. They are large running birds, unable to fly.
Ratite
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.
Rattlesnake
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.
Raven
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.
Ray
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.
Razor-back
The razor-back is a large whale.
Razor-shell
The razor-shell is a genus of lamellibranchiate mollusc common on British coasts.
Razorbill
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 bellied turtle
The Red bellied turtle is a fresh water turtle of the genus Pseudemys found in east and south USA having red markings on the underside of the shell.
Red Gurnard
Red Gurnard (Trigla cuculus) is a British coastal fish of the Gurnard genus.
Red Poll
The red poll is a medium sized, red coloured breed of domestic beef and dairy cattle.
Red sage
Red sage (yellow sage) is a showy, rank-smelling shrub of tropical America with yellow flowers that turn orange or red.
Redshank
The redshank is a bird of the genus Totanus, so named because of the red colouring of its legs. It is found in Britain.
Redstart
The redstart is a bird of the Sylviadae family. It has a red tail. It is found in Britain during the summer.
Redwing
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.
Reebok
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.
Reed
Reeds are perennial aquatic grasses.
Reeve
Reeve is the name of the female ruff bird.
Reindeer
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.
Reindeer moss
Reindeer moss is a lichen of the genus Cladonia of arctic and sub-arctic regions eaten by reindeer and caribou.
Remora
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
Reptilia
Respiration
Retriever
Rhabdocoelida
Rhea
Rhinoceros
Rhizocrinus
Rhizomastigina
Rhizopoda
Rhodesian ridgeback
Rhododendron
Rhubarb
Ringneck snake
Roach
Roadrunner
Robber fly
Robber frog
Robin
Robinia
Rocky Mountain goat
Rodent
Rodentia
Roe deer
Roller
Romney Marsh
Rook
Rookery
Roost
Rooster
Rosaceae
Rose
Rosemary
Rotifer
Rotifera
Rottweiler
Roundworm
Rubiaceae
Rudd
Rue
Ruff
Ruminant
Ruminate
Rush
Rye
Sabella
Sable
Sable antelope
Safflower
Sage
Sagitta
Saiga
Sailfish
Sainfoin
Saki Monkeys
Salamander
Salicaceae
Sallow
Salmonidae
Salsify
Saluki
Salvinia
Samoyed
Samphire
Sand dollar
Sand-eel
Sandbox tree
Sandwort
Sanguinaria
Sanguinaria canadensis
Santa Gertrudis
Sapindaceae
Sapotaceae
Sardine
Sassafras
Saxifragaceae
Scabious
Scallop
Scaphopoda
Scarab
Schistosoma
Scorpion-grass
Scorpionidea
Scyphozoa
Sea Elephant
Sea gooseberry
Sea-Swallow
Seal
Seaweed
Secretary Bird
Segmented worm
Selachii
Selenidium
Sensitivity
Sequoia
Serow
Sertularia
Sesame
Setter
Shad
Shaddock
Shag
Shag-bark
Shallot
Shamrock
Shark
Sheep
Sheep Louse
Sheep's Fescue
Sheldrake
Shelduck
Shoe-bill
Shorthorn
Shoveler
Shrew
Shrike
Shrimps
Siamang
Siamese
Siberian pine
Sidewinder
Siphonophora
Sirenia
Sitatunga
Skate
Skink
Skirret
Skogkatt
Skua
Skua-gull
Skull
Skunk
Skunk-cabbage
Skylark
Slater
Sloe
Sloth
Smelt
Smew
Smilaceae
Smilax
Smolt
Snail
Snake
Snake-flies
Snake-wood
Sneeze-wood
Sneezewort
Snipe
Snow-bunting
Snow-goose
Snowdrop
Soap-wort
Soapwort
Soko
Solanaceae
Solaster
Soldanella
Sole
Solidungula
Somali
Soosoo
Sophora
Sorghum
Soricidae
Sorrel
Sorrel-tree
Sow-bread
Spaniel
Sparidae
Sparrow
Spatangus
Spatularia
Spearmint
Spearwort
Speedwell
Spergula
Sperm Whale
Sphagnum
Sphenisciformes
Spinifex
Spleenwort
Sponge
Spongilla
Spoonbill
Sporozoa
Springbok
Spruce
Spurge
Squamata
Squash
Squirrel
St. Bernard
St. John's Wort
Stachys
Stag
Stallion
Stamen
Starling
Starwort
Stegosaurus
Stelleroidea
Stentor
Stephanotis
Sterculiaceae
Stinkhorn
Stoat
Stomach
Stonecrop
Stork
Strawberry
Strophanthus
Sturgeon
Stylaster
Stylasterina
Stylonichia
Sub-phylum acrania
Sub-phylum cnidaria
Sub-phylum craniata
Sub-phylum ctenophora
Suctoria
Suffolk Down
Sugar-Beet
Sundew
Sunflower
Sussex
Swallow
Swan
Swede
Sweet Pea
Sweet Potato
Sweet-william
Swift
Swiss stone pine
Sword-fish
Sycamore
Sycon
Sylvia succica
Synapsida
Synapta
Syncarida
Syndactyla
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 retrievers are several breeds of dog with a coarse, thick, oily coat bred originally to retrieve game.
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 Rhodesian ridgeback is a breed of South African dog. It is a medium-sized, muscular dog with a short, glossy red or tan coat with a characteristic ridge of hair along the spine consisting of parallel crowns of hair growing in the opposite direction of the rest of the coat. They were originally bred for hunting lions, but are now primarily used as guard dogs.
The rhododendron is an evergreen shrub of the ericaceae family.
Rhubarb is a perennial plant.
The ringneck snake is a small, nonvenomous North American snake of the genus Diadophis usually having a conspicuous yellow or orange ring around the neck.
The roach is a freshwater fish of north Europe.
The roadrunner is a north American bird of the cuckoo family.
The Robber fly is a swift flying large dipterous insect of the family Asilidae which eats other insects.
The robber frog is a small tropical American frog of the genus Eleutherodactylus.
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.
Robinia is a genus of trees of the natural order Leguminosae. They have pink or white flowers. The chief species is the American locust tree which yields a valuable hard wood.
The Rocky Mountain goat is a long-haired, white, antelope-like goat with short black horns found in mountainous regions of west North America.
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.
The roe deer is a small, agile deer. The male has three-pointed antlers.
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 Romney Marsh or Kentish is a breed of hardy English sheep good for fattening and immune from foot-rot and liver-rot.
The rook is a member of the crow family.
A rookery is a colony of rooks, penguins or seals.
A roost is a bird's perching or resting place.
Rooster is the name for a male domestic fowl and certain game birds.
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.
Rotifer is a phylum rotifera.
Rotifera (Rotatoria) is a class of minute animals related to the Arthropods and the Annelid worms. They have usually a top-shaped transparent body. The head is furnished with cilia, which lash in unison giving the appearance of a revolving wheel and enabling the animal to swim.
The rottweiler is a breed of German guard dog.
Roundworm is a common name for phylum nematoda.
Rubiaceae are trees, shrubs or herbs, mostly tropical, with leaves possessing prominent stipules, in some cases as large as leaves.
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.
Rue (Ruta) is a genus of plants of the order Rutaceae. Common Rue is a strong smelling yellowish British garden plant which was once used as a charm against witches and is mentioned in Shakespeare's works as the ''herb of grace''.
The ruff is a bird belonging to the grallatores (waders). It was once abundant in Britain.
Ruminant is the group (ruminatia) of even-toed hoofed mammals, including chevrotains, camels, deer, giraffes, the prong-buck and cattle, that have more than one stomach and chew the cud.
The term ''ruminate'' refers to ruminant animals.
The rush (Juncus) is a genus of plants of the order Juncaceae.
Rye (Secale cereale) is a grass cultivated in Russia, Germany and Scandinavia. It's flour is used to make ''black bread''.
Sabella are polychaeta.
The sable is a carnivorous type of marten.
The sable antelope (Hippotragus niger) is a large African antelope with long, saber-like horns and in the male a black coat.
The Safflower (Carthamus tinctorius) is a composite plant native to India. It's large red flowers yield the dye carthamine used in the preparation of rouge.
Sage (Salvia) is a genus of perennial herbs of the order Labiatae.
Sagitta is a phylum chaetognatha.
The Saiga (Saiga tartarica) is an antelope found on the steppes of Europe and Asia. It has a large inflated nose and yellow, lyre shaped horns. The Saiga was in prehistoric times native to Britain.
The sailfish is a large tropical and sub-tropical marine fish of the family Istiophoridae distinguished by a long, high dorsal fin, long pelvic fins and a double keel on each side of the tail.
Sainfoin (Onobrychis sativa) is a plant of the order Leguminosae with pink flowers and used as fodder.
The Saki Monkeys (Pithecia) are a genus of American monkeys of the family Cebidae, with non-prehensile tails and projecting incisor teeth. They are found mainly in the Amazon valley.
The salamander is a small amphibian of the subclass urodela. They have a small rounded plump, usually spotted body without a dorsal crest. Salamanders are widely distributed throughout Europe but are absent from Britain.
The salicaceae are a natural order of apetalous exogens distinguised by a 2 valved capsule, and numerous seeds tufted with long hairs.
Sallow is a popular name of trees of the willow family. Common Sallow or goat willow (Salix caprea) was used in the manufacture of gun-powder charcoal.
Salmonidae is the Salmon family of bony fish. The body is long and covered with scales, but the head is naked and has no barbel. Most characteristic is the second dorsal fin which is small, fleshy and without rays. The family includes the Salmon and the trout.
Salsify is a purple-flowered composite plant whose root has an oyster-like flavour and is used as a culinary vegetable. It is also known as the oyster plant and vegetable oyster.
The saluki is a black and tan, white, gold or tricolour breed of dog resembling the greyhound and having fringes of long hair on the ears, legs and thighs. It originates from Egypt and south west Asia and is also known as the gazelle hound.
Salvinia is a genus of floating heterosporous ferns. The spores form on the underside of the leaves and drop to the pond bed when the old plants die, giving rise to fresh plants in the spring.
The samoyed is a Siberian breed of dog.
Samphire (Crithmum) is a genus of plants of the order Umbelliferae. The common samphire (rock-plant) has umbels of yellow flowers and makes an excellent pickle.
The sand dollar is a flat, dish-like sea urchin that lives on the sandy bottoms of the sea off the coast of North America.
The sand-eel (Launces, Ammodytidae) is a small, long-bodied fish related to the cod family found burrowing in the sand on the coasts of the northern hemisphere.
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.
Sanguinaria is a genus of plants of the order Papaveraceae.
see "Blood-root"
The Santa Gertrudis is a deep red coloured, horned breed of domestic beef cattle.
Sapindaceae is a natural order of mainly tropical trees which includes the soapberry.
Sapotaceae is a natural order of tropical trees and shrubs which includes the gutta-percha tree.
The sardine are several small fish of the herring family.
Sassafras is a genus of trees of the order Laurinaceae represented by the single species Sassafras officinale, an American tree whose fruits yield oil.
The saxifragaceae are an order of plants with five sepals, five petals and ten stamens. They are generally mountain plants.
Scabious (Scabiosa) is a genus of plants of the order Dipsaceae. The flowers having a terminal head.
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.
see "Elephant Seal"
The sea gooseberry is a common name for the sub-phylum ctenophora family.
Sea-swallow is an alternative name for the tern.
The seal is a marine mammal of the phocidae family.
Seaweed is a popular collective name for any plant which grows in the sea.
The Secretary Bird (Serpentarius sagittarius or secretarius) is a crane-like African bird which feeds on insects and reptiles. It received its name on account of pen-like tufts of feathers stuck at the back of the head.
see "phylum annelida"
The selachii (selachians) 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. It is a coniferous genus of tree with just two species, both confined to the western part of North America.
The Serow (Sarau, Goat Antelope, Nemorhoedus) is a genus of shaggy goats found in mountain districts of east and south-east Asia in the Himalayas.
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 Shaddock (Citrus decumana) is a tree of the same genus as the orange and lemon. It is a native of Malaysia, and has fruit which resembling the grape in flavour are known as grape fruit.
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.
Sheep (Ovis) are a ruminant hoofed mammal of the Caprinae family, a sub-family of the Bovidae.
Sheep Louse is a fly which gets into the wool of sheep and sucks their blood. The parasite fixes its head in the skin and causes a tumour. The remedy for Sheep Louse is the sheep-dip.
Sheep's fescue is an abundant tufted grass on dry open spaces growing from 15 cm to 60 cm tall. The leaves are almost cylindrical and chiefly basal. The panicle is compact and slightly one-sided.
The Sheldrake (Sheld-Drake, Bargander) is a British duck found in sandy coastal regions.
The shelduck is a British coastal duck.
The Shoe-bill (or Whale-headed stork) is a large heron-like bird with a very large, broad bill the upper part of which ends in a prominent hook. It is a rare bird found only in the marshes of the White Nile and its tributaries.
The shorthorn (Durham) is a horned or hornless, red or roan coloured breed of domestic beef cattle.
The shoveler is a British duck.
The shrew is an insectivorous mammal of the family soricidae.
The Shrikes (Laniidae) are small birds with varying characters, but often with compressed, hooked, serrated bills suitable for seizing and tearing the small birds and animals they feed on.
Shrimps are malacostraca.
The siamang is a type of gibbon native to Malaysia and Sumatra.
The Siamese is a breed of short-haired cat known for its coloration, intelligence and svelte elegance. The coat is thick and glossy, with points on the mask, ears, feet, and tail which can be seal, chocolate, blue, or lilac coloured.
The ears are large and pointed, the tail is long and thin and the eyes are sapphire blue. The Siamese has the loudest meow of all cat breeds. The breed originates from Asia and first appeared in Britain in the 1870s when the King of Siam gave a gift of two siamese cats to Owen Gould, the English consul general in Bangkok, to take back to London.
see "Cembra pine"
The sidewinder is a type of rattlesnake.
Siphonophora is an order of hydrozoa. They are pelagic, colonial animals which show marked polymorphism.
The sirenia (sea-cow) is an order of eutheria. They are large herbivorous animals adapa ed 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.
see "Norwegian Forest"
The Skua (Stercorariidae) are a family of seven species of swimming birds closely related to the gulls, with the upper mandible of the beak longer than the lower, and strongly hooked at the tip. They have strong crooked claws and completely webbed feet.
The skua-gull is a powerful bird of the family Stercorarius. It is found in The Shetland Islands, Iceland and the Faroes.
The skull is a term applied to the skeleton bones of the cranium and visceral skeleton.
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.
The Skylark (Alauda arvensis) is a small passerine bird found in the northern hemisphere and typically distinguishable by a long black claw toe. It is common throughout Europe and north and central Asia and is famous for its song and soaring flight.
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 sloth is a south American herbivorous mammal.
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.
Smilax is a genus of shrubs of the order Liliaceae with umbels of small, dioecious flowers. The roots of several species furnish sarsaparilla.
A smolt is a young, silvery salmon over two years old, but still living in a river and leaving for the sea in the Spring.
The snail is an air breathing gastropod mollusc with a spiral shell.
A snake is a reptile of the suborder serpentes.
Snake-flies (also called camel-flies, Raphidiadae) are a family of neuropterous insects so named on account of their neck-like elongation of the head and thorax.
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 snipe is a European marsh bird.
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.
Soapwort (Saponaria officinalis) is a hardy herbaceous plant whose leaves possess the properties of soap.
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).
Solaster is an asteroidea.
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 Somali is a breed of long-haired cat renowned for its playful attentiveness and for its keen abilities as a mouser and hunter of small game. It has a lush and slightly shaggy coat, each individual hair carrying ten or more colour tickings, giving the coat a very rich colour density.
The ears are large, pointed, and set wide apart, the tail is full and brushy and held over the back when the cat is moving. The eyes are hazel, amber, or green and almond-shaped. It has a lively and shrewd demeanor and is suited to a life indoors, although it needs space to run and play.
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 Insectivora 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.
Sow-bread is a species of Cyclamen so called from its being the favourite food of the Sicilian wil boars.
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.
Spergula is a genus of plants of the knot grass order.
The Sperm Whale (Physeter macrocephalus) is the largest of the toothed whales, with a long and massive head comprising roughly one third of its total length.
Sphagnum is a genus of mosses commonly known as bog-moss from their unusual habitat. They have erect stems several centimeters long, and bear the male organs on laternal stems, somewhat resembling catkins, and the female organs on shorter lateral stems, resembling buds.
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.
Spinifex (Porcupine Grass, Triodia irritans) is a coarse Australian grass growing in tufts to around 1 meter high.
Spleenwort is a fern of the order Aspleniaceae. Most of the species are tropical. They are distinguished by long sori at the back of the fronds covered by a protective membrane.
Sponges (Porifera) are a group of simple animals. They posess a porous ''spongy'' texture and no definite external organs or form. They vary in shape and hardness. The sponge body consists of a mass of cells of various kinds forming a delicate tissue, and this is supported on a skeleton of minute rods, or spicules, of calcite, silica or of a horny organic substance.
The spongilla is a member of the demospongia class.
The spoonbill (Plataleidae) is a family of stork-like wading birds with very wide and flat bills. They are found near shallow, fresh water in most parts of the world except northern Europe, Asia and America.
Sporozoa are a class of phylum protozoa. They are parasitic protozoa propagated by spores.
The springbok is an antelope found in South Africa.
The spruce is a coniferous tree.
Spurge is a species of plants of the Euphorbiaceae family. The British spurges are all herbaceous, and remarkable for the singular structure of their flowers which are green, and their milky juice.
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 (Sciurus) 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.
St. John's Wort (Hypericum) is a genus of plants of the order Hypericineae. They have yellow flowers and leaves which emit a lemon-like smell when crushed. St. John's Wort was once worn as a charm against evil.
Stachys (Hedge-nettle, woundwort) is a genus of plants of the order Labiate.
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.
Starwort (Stitchwort, Stellaria) is a genus of plants of the order Caryophyllaceae having five sepals, five deeply cleft petals, ten stamens and three styles. The flowers are generally white.
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.
Stephanotis is a genus of tropical twining shrubs.
Sterculiaceae is a natural order of tropical trees and herbs.
Stinkhorn (Phallus impudicus) is a fungus of the family Phalloidaceae, of the order Gasteromycetes. It is at first about the size of a small egg, attached to the ground by a slender radicle. The egg contains a jelly, in which is the nucleus of the phallus. When the egg is ripe the skin breaks, and within a few hours the phallus rises. It consists of a lattice-work structure to allow quick development, most of which takes place in half-an-hour, and is surmounted by a cap covered with mucus, at first sweet smelling, but later becoming revolting. This mucus attracts flies which disseminate the fungus spores.
The stoat is a carnivorous mammal of the weasel family.
The stomach is a region of the alimentary canal. Food accumulates in the stomach and some digestion may take place.
Stonecrop (Sedum) is a name for a group of succulent herbaceous plants of the order Crassulaceae. There are 120 species of which 11 are British. Most are perennial and very small.
The stork is a family of carnivorous wading birds with long necks and long legs.
The strawberry is a low growing perennial of the rosaceae family. The fruit are rich in vitamin C.
Strophanthus is a genus of plants of the natural order Apocynaceae growing chiefly in equatorial Africa and in India.
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 Suffolk Down is a large and heavy breed of English sheep with a black-head and no horns. It is notable for producing many twins.
Sugar-Beet is a type of beet from which sugar is obtained. Sugar was extracted from beet in Germany since the 18th century, but cultivation only started in England in 1912.
Sundew (Drosera rotundifolia) is an insectivorous plant found in bogs. It has spoon-shaped, reddish leaves and captures its prey by means of tentacles which are coated with a glistening secretion.
The sunflower (Helianthus annuus) is a plant of the order Compositae. It grows to over 2m tall and bears an immense head of yellow florets.
The Sussex or Southdown is a breed of English short-wooled sheep. It has fine close curled wool and a brown or grey face and short legs.
The Swallow (Hirundinidae) is a family of around 150 species of perching birds found everywhere in the world except New Zealand. They are typical migratory birds, and are distinguished by broad beaks, opening almost to the eyes, small, weak feet, and a long, forked tail.
The swan is a large, long necked bird of the duck family.
Swede is a biennial plant.
The Sweet Pea (Lathyrus odoratus) is an annual plant of the order Leguminosae. It is easy to grow and is a popular garden plant in Britain.
The Sweet Potato (Batatas) is a genus of plants of the order Convolvulaceae found in South America and Central America.
Sweet-william (Dianthus barbatus) is a biennial plant of the pink genus of the order Caryoophyllaceae.
The Swift (Cypselidae) is a family of about 100 species of Picarian birds. They are similar to the Swallow, with long, narrow wings, forked tail, and a beak slit to the level of the eyes.
see "Cembra pine"
The Sword-fish (Xiphiidae) is a family of six species of bony fish remarkable on account of their having an enormous prolongation of the upper jaw which forms a sword-like weapon of attack.
The sycamore (Sycomorus) is a genus of trees of the order Moraceae native to Europe.
Sycon is a member of the calcarea class.
see "Blue-throat"
The synapsida are a subclass of mammal-like reptiles now extinct.
Synapta is a type of holothuroidea.
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.