‖ hyalonema
(haɪələʊˈniːma)
[mod.L., f. Gr. ὕαλο-ς glass + νῆµα thread.]
The glass-rope sponge, which roots itself to the sea-bed by a long stem twisted of fine siliceous threads. Hence hyaloˈnemid, a sponge of this family (Hyalonemidæ).
| 1855 Kingsley Glaucus (1878) 86 The Hyalonemas, or glass-rope sponges. 1876 Beneden's Anim. Parasites 64 In the sea of Japan is found a very remarkable sponge, generally known by the name of Hyalonema. |