| peristome | 1. <botany> The fringe of teeth around the orifice of the capsule of mosses. It consists of 4, 8, 16, 32, or 64 teeth, and may be either single or double. 2. <zoology> The lip, or edge of the aperture, of a spiral shell. The membrane surrounding the mouth of an invertebrate animal. Origin: Pref. Peri- + Gr, mouth. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
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