sb. and a. Zool. Also lyssakine. [ad. mod.L. Lyssacina (Zittel, 1878).
App. an irregular formation intended to refer to the loose or detached growth of the spicules in these sponges (Gr. λύ-ειν to loosen, ἀκίς spicule).]
a. sb. A hexactinellid sponge of the division Lyssacina. b. adj. Of or pertaining to this division.
1882. Cassell’s Nat. Hist., VI. 330. It is a Lyssakine with spicules … crossing one another. Ibid. A Lyssakine sponge.
1894. Geol. Mag., Oct., 467. The Hexactinellids [found] all belong to the Lyssakine division.
