from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Infusoria \In`fu*so"ri*a\, n. pl. [NL.; -- so called because
found in infusions which are left exposed to the air for a
time. See {Infuse}.] (Zool.)
One of the classes of Protozoa, including a large number of
species, all of minute size. Formerly, the term was applied
to any microbe found in infusions of decaying organic
material, but the term is now applied more specifically to
one of the classes of the phylum Ciliophora, of ciliated
protozoans.
[1913 Webster +PJC]
Note: (From 1913 dictionary): They are found in all seas,
lakes, ponds, and streams, as well as in infusions of
organic matter exposed to the air. They are
distinguished by having vibrating lashes or cilia, with
which they obtain their food and swim about. They are
devided into the orders {Flagellata}, {Ciliata}, and
{Tentaculifera}. See these words in the Vocabulary.
Formely the term Infusoria was applied to all
microscopic organisms found in water, including many
minute plants, belonging to the diatoms, as well as
minute animals belonging to various classes, as the
Rotifera, which are worms; and the Rhizopoda, which
constitute a distinct class of Protozoa. Fossil
Infusoria are mostly the siliceous shells of diatoms;
sometimes they are siliceous skeletons of Radiolaria,
or the calcareous shells of Foraminifera.
[1913 Webster]
from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
{Molluscoidea}, including Brachiopoda and Bryozoa. {Mollusca},
including Cephalopoda, Gastropoda, Pteropoda, Scaphopoda,
Lamellibranchiata or Acephala. {Echinodermata}, including
Holothurioidea, Echinoidea, Asterioidea, Ophiuroidea, and
Crinoidea. {C[oe]lenterata}, including {Anthozoa} or {Polyps},
{Ctenophora}, and {Hydrozoa} or Acalephs. {Spongiozoa} or
{Porifera}, including the sponges.
{Protozoa}, including {Infusoria} and {Rhizopoda}. For
definitions, see these names in the Vocabulary.
[1913 Webster] Animalcular