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Article: Mollusk
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- Biology
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CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2002 The Gale Group Inc. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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Mollusk
The Mollusca (mollusks) are a large
phylum
of animals that includes the snails, slugs, clams, squids, and octopi, among others. Most are marine, many are freshwater, and some snails and slugs are terrestrial. The phylum name refers to their soft, pulpy bodies (
mollis
means "soft"). In many cases, the body is protected by a hard shell of calcium carbonate
—
the seashells familiar to beachcombers and "half shells" familiar to oyster lovers.
The shell is secreted by a membrane called the mantle that envelops the body like a cloak. In species without an external shell, such as octopi, the mantle forms an outermost skinlike body covering. The mantle encloses a space, the mantle ...
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Article: Harvey, William
Biology;
694 words
... ... stroke in 1657, honored by his country and wealthy from the income on his books. see also ; ; ; Kenneth S. Saladin Bibliography Durant, Will, and Ariel Durant. The Story of Civilization, Vol. VII. New York: Simon & Schuster ...
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