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The Probert Encyclopaedia of Nature

HABROCERUS

Picture of Habrocerus

Habrocerus is a genus of rove beetles, Staphylinidae.
Research Habrocerus

HABROLOMA

Picture of Habroloma

Habroloma is a genus of jewel beetle (Buprestidae).
Research Habroloma

HABU

The Habu (Trimeresurus flavoviridis) is a large venomous snake of the pit viper family Crotalidae found in Okinawa and others of the Ryukyu Islands.
Research Habu

HACK

Picture of Hack

A Hack is an elegant type of show horse, usually a Thoroughbred or a Thoroughbred and Anglo-Arab cross. They are between 14 and 15 hands tall, of any solid colour, and with an impeccable disposition of good manners, calm and poise.
Research Hack

HACKBERRY

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The hackberry (Celtis occidentalis) is an American tree of the nettle-tree family introduced into Britain in 1636 and resembling the elms.
Research Hackberry

HACKNEY HORSE

Picture of Hackney Horse

The Hackney Horse is a British breed of trotting horse developed during the 18th and 19th centuries from the now extinct Norfolk Roadster and the also now extinct Yorkshire Roadster breeds. The Hackney Horse stands between 14 and 15.3 hands high and is any solid colour.
Research Hackney Horse

HACKNEY PONY

Picture of Hackney Pony

The Hackney Pony (formerly known as the Wilson Pony) is an English breed of pony developed by Christopher Wilson during the 19th century from a stallion which was a Norfolk Roadster and Yorkshire Trotter cross mated with Fell Pony mares. The Hackney Pony stands 12 to 14 hands high, is black, bay, chestnut or brown coloured and has outstanding trotting abilities, with a highly exaggerated gait.
Research Hackney Pony

HADDOCK

Picture of Haddock

The haddock (Gadus oeglefinus) is a marine fish of the cod family found in the north Atlantic. It is easily distinguished from other species of the group by the large black spot on each side beneath the first dorsal fin, the black lateral line, and the position of the first ventral fin, which begins under the second dorsal. It occasionally reaches a length of one meter, but is usually under 70 centimetres long. The females outnumber the males almost two to one, and are of a different size.

The food consists of crustacea, molluscs, echinoderms and worms, and haddock are very fond of the eggs of the herring. On the east coast of Britain, haddock spawn in February, March and April at a moderate distance from the coast, or near if the water is deep; the haddock also spawns on various banks in the North Sea in deeper water. The female sheds upwards of 200,000 eggs which are similar in appearance to those of the cod, but are a little larger. The larval fish are also larger than the cod, and hatch after about two weeks. The female reaches maturity when three years old and about 30 centimetres in length.
Research Haddock

HADROSAURUS

Hadrosaurus was a dinosaur of the Cretaceous period. Remains of Hadrosaurus comprising a headless skeleton were discovered in New Jersey in 1858, and were the first dinosaur to be named from North America, and was also the most complete skeleton found to date. The skeleton of Hadrosaurus showed that it was about ten metres long and walked on its hind legs, until then it had been thought all dinosaurs walked on all fours. A later skull discovery showed Hadrosaurus to have had a duck-billed shaped head.
Research Hadrosaurus

HAEMATOPUS

Haematopus is a genus of wading birds which includes the common oyster- catcher.
Research Haematopus

HAEMODORACEAE

Haemodoraceae is a family of monocotyledonous plants, mostly natives of sub-tropical countries. They derive their name from the blood-red liquid obtained from the roots of many species. They bear flowers mostly with bell-shaped perianths, downy on the outside.
Research Haemodoraceae

HAEMOSPORIDIA

Haemosporidia is a suborder of Coccidiomorpha. They are parasites which live in warm-blooded animals and produce various types of malaria.
Research Haemosporidia

HAFLINGER

Picture of Haflinger

The Haflinger is an Austrian breed of mountain pony. The Haflinger is a placid, gentle and good natured pony growing to 14 hands high chestnut coloured with a flaxen mane and tail.
Research Haflinger

HAG

Hag is the popular name of fish of the genus Myxine. They are of worm-like form and have no eyes or scales. The mouth is formed for suction and is without lips and is furnished with barbells. The hag has horny teeth which it uses to eat into the interior of other fish.
Research Hag

HAIMURA

Haimura (Erythrinus macrodon) is a large fresh-water fish belonging to the Gunther's family of Characinidae. It is abundant in the rivers of Guiana and is popular as a food fish there.
Research Haimura

HAKE

Hake is a popular name for several marine food fishes related to the cod, particularly Merluccius vulgaris) which has a dark grey back, lighter underneath, and is fairly common around the British Isles, especially off the south-west coast where it feeds upon pilchards.
Research Hake

HALIAETUS

Haliaetus is a genus of birds which includes the British white-tailed erne and the American bald eagle.
Research Haliaetus

HALIBUT

Picture of Halibut

The halibut (Hippoglossus vulgaris) is a large flatfish found in the north Atlantic. It is usually about two metres in length. It is distinguished by its long narrow body, eyes on the right side, large mouth and dark olive back. It is mainly found in deep water where it feeds on other fishes. It spawns in spring, producing millions of pelagic eggs.
Research Halibut

HALICHONDRIA

The halichondria is a family of sponges of the Demospongia class.
Research Halichondria

HALICORIDAE

The Halicoridae is a family of Sirenia found in herds on the shores of the Indian Ocean.
Research Halicoridae

HALIOTIS

Picture of Haliotis

Haliotis is a genus of gateropodous molluscs commonly called abalone, ear- shell or sea-ear and found adhering to rocks on the sea-shore. They are remarkable for the pearly iridescence of their inner surface.
Research Haliotis

HALIPLIDAE

Haliplidae is the crawling water beetles family of insects of the order Coleoptera. They are tiny, boat-shaped insects less than five millimetres long, yellowish or reddish brown in colour with black markings and live among aquatic plants in slow moving or stagnant water, though they are not good swimmers, moving their legs as if walking. They feed on vegetable matter.
Research Haliplidae

HALIPLUS

Haliplus is a genus eighteen species of crawling water beetles of the family Haliplidae.
Research Haliplus

HALISTEMMA

Halistemma is a member of the order of Siphonophora.
Research Halistemma

HALOBRECTA

Picture of Halobrecta

Halobrecta is a genus of rove beetles, Staphylinidae with three British species. They are confined to the seashore where they live under rotting seaweed.
Research Halobrecta

HALOPHYTES

The Halophytes are a class of plants which inhabit salt marshes, and by combustion yield barilla.
Research Halophytes

HALTICA

Haltica is a genus of beetle.
Research Haltica

HALTICOSAURUS

Halticosaurus was a dinosaur of the Triassic period. A carnivore. it was about five metres long, walked on its hind legs and had short arms with five-fingered hands and a long, large head.
Research Halticosaurus

HALYZIA

Picture of Halyzia

Halyzia is a genus of ladybird (Coccinellidae).
Research Halyzia

HAMAMELIDACEAE

Hamamelidaceae is a small family of epiygynous exogenous trees or shrubs, varying in height from two to ten metres. These are the witch-hazels.
Research Hamamelidaceae

HAMBURGH

The Hamburgh is a breed of chicken.
Research Hamburgh

HAMMER-OYSTER

The hammer-oyster is a bivalve shell fish. Malleus vulgaris, found in the Indian Ocean. It resembles the pearl-oyster when young, but becomes more hammer-like as it gets older by the lengthening of its ears.
Research Hammer-oyster

HAMMERHEAD

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The hammerhead is a species of shark.
Research Hammerhead

HAMPSHIRE DOWN

Picture of Hampshire Down

The Hampshire Down is a docile, friendly breed of English domestic sheep with a black face and white fleece used for meat production. The breed originated from crossing the Wiltshire Horn and the Berkshire Knot breeds with the Southdown. The Hampshire Down is a fast growing breed that produces lean meat.
Research Hampshire Down
More information about Hampshire Down

HAMPSHIRE HOG

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The Hampshire Hog is an old black and white breed of pig. They are of a large size, and admired for their prolificacy, hardy vigour, foraging ability and outstanding carcass qualities.
Research Hampshire Hog

HAMSTER

The hamster is several genera of rodent animals belonging to the family Cricetidae, super-family Muridae (the mice) and are closely allied to the rats. They are distinguished by being burrowing, stout-bodied, with a short hairy tail, cheek pouches and thick, soft fur. Hamsters eat fruit, vegetables, grain and also other rodents, lizards and small birds. The female will produce several litters in a year, giving birth two to three weeks after conception. Hamsters are used as pets - particularly the easily tamed Golden Hamster (Mesocricetus auratus) which is also used in vivisection laboratories, and also eaten and their fur used as a lining for coats.
Research Hamster

HAND-PLANT

The hand-plant (Cheirostemon platanoides) is a Mexican tree of the family Sterculiaceae. It grows to about ten metres in height and has flowers, the stamen of which looks a bit like a human hand.
Research Hand-plant

HANDMAID

The handmaid (Dysauxes ancilla) is a European moth of the family Ctenuchidae which produces a single generation flying from July to August.
Research Handmaid

HANOVERIAN

The Hanoverian is a German breed of dressage and show-jumping horse first developed by George Louis (later King George II of England) in 1735 as a versatile carriage, riding and agricultural horse. The Hanoverian stands about 16.2 hands high, occurs in any solid colour, and has an international reputation for its temperament, strength and stamina.
Research Hanoverian

HARAS

Haras is the collective noun for a group of horses.
Research Haras

HARD-FERN

Hard-fern is the popular name of Lomaria spicant, a common fern found throughout Britain growing on heaths and glens.
Research Hard-fern

HARE

Picture of Hare

The hare (Lepus) is a genus of rodent similar to the rabbit, with long ears, long hind legs, a shirt tail, soft hair and a divided upper lip. The young hare is called a leveret and are born in litters of between three and six leverets up to four times a year.
Research Hare

HARE'S EAR

Hare's Ear (Bupleurum) is a plant of the family Umbelliferae.
Research Hare's Ear

HAREBELL

Picture of Harebell

Harebell or Scotch bluebell, (Campanula rotundifolia) is a plant of the family Campanulaceae with a bell shaped blue, and sometimes white flower. The radical leaves are cordate or reniform, the stem-leaves partly ovate or lanceolate. It is a slender plant growing to about twelve centimetres tall.
Research Harebell

HARELD

The hareld (Harelda glacialis) is the long-tailed duck, an oceanic duck with a short thick bill, a high forehead and two very long feathers in the tail of the male. It inhabits the northern seas and is often found around Orkney and Shetland.
Research Hareld

HARICOT BEAN

Haricot Bean is a modern more popular name for French Beans. The name haricot in English, derives from the bean's association with the dish 'haricot', in which the beans were commonly served.
Research Haricot Bean

HARLEQUIN BUG

Picture of Harlequin Bug

The harlequin bug (Murgantia histrionica) is a hemipterous insect of the stink bug family (Pentalomidae). It is about one centimetre long, shield- shaped and coloured red and black. The harlequin bug was first introduced into the USA in 1864 in Texas spreading quickly over the entire USA by 1900. The harlequin bug attacks cabbage and other crops, eating their sap causing the plants to wilt and die.
Research Harlequin Bug

HARLEQUIN CORAL SNAKE

The Harlequin coral snake (Micrurus fulvius) is a venomous snake of the family Elapidae found in the south-eastern USA and Mexico, preferring dry, open or brushy areas where they prey on reptiles including other snakes. It is a banded red, yellow and black snake growing to about 120 cm long.
Research Harlequin Coral Snake

HARLEQUIN DUCK

Picture of Harlequin Duck

The Harlequin Duck (Clangula histrionica) is a species of duck with white, grey and black plumage found in Arctic regions.
Research Harlequin Duck

HARLEQUIN FRUIT BUG

The harlequin fruit bug (Dindymus versicolor) is an Australian hemipterous insect that attacks fruit trees.
Research Harlequin Fruit Bug

HARMONIA

Picture of Harmonia

Harmonia is a genus of six millimetre long ladybird (Coccinellidae).
Research Harmonia

HARNAI

The Harnai is a fat tail, mutton/wool type breed of sheep. They are found in parts of Loralai, Quetta, Sibi and Zhob districts in Baluchistan Province. They are medium size with a white body coat with a black or tan spotted head and ears. They have a compact body with a small fat tail, high fibre density.
Research Harnai

HARP SEAL

Picture of Harp Seal

The harp seal or saddleback (Phoca groenlandicus) is a gregarious Arctic seal. The adult male is generally light grey with a harp-shaped black band running along the flanks and across the back. The head to just behind the eyes is black. In females both facial and harp markings are usually paler and may be broken into spots. The tail is short and slightly flattened dorso- ventrally. Harp seals spend most of the year at sea, venturing onto sea ice to mate and moult. There are three breeding regions for the harp seal: off Newfoundland, off Jan Mayen Island and in the White Sea. Harp seals eat pelagic crustacea and fish, especially capelins and also herring, cod and other fish which the adults will dive to 200 metres to catch.
Research Harp Seal

HARP-SHELL

The harp-shell is a genus of molluscs (Harpa) belonging to the gastropoda and to the whelk family. The species are found around Mauritius. The shells are very attractive, but exposure to light causes their colours to fade.
Research Harp-shell

HARPALUS

Picture of Harpalus

Harpalus is a genus of over sixty species beetles of the ground beetle family, Carabidae. They vary greatly in size from 4 to 17 mm in length, but all have a similar body form - long oval or straight-sided, relatively short legs and only moderately long antennae. They live in dry, sandy localities where they hunt prey and also eat the seeds of umbelliferous plants including the strawberry.
Research Harpalus

HARPY-EAGLE

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The harpy-eagle (Thrasaetus harpyia) is a large, powerful bird of South America. It has a crooked bill, and strong sharp claws. The harpy- eagle feeds on birds, sloths, racoons, fawns, fish and tortoise eggs.
Research Harpy-Eagle

HARRIER

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The Harrier is a breed of dog intended for hare hunting - hence the name. It is similar to the foxhound, but smaller.
Research Harrier

HART

Hart is the name given to a male deer (a stag) of five or six years or older. The term is also applied to the stag of the red deer species (Cervus elaphus). The very rare white hart was a mystical beast in ancient British Celtic tradition, and was adopted as the badge or emblem of king Richard II.
Research Hart

HART'S-TONGUE

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Hart's-tongue (Scolopendrium) is a genus of highly ornamental fern with simple, undivided fronds.
Research Hart's-tongue

HARTEBEEST

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The hartebeest (Alcelaphus) is a south African antelope which measures about 1.5 metres high at the shoulder, has a long head, horns projecting outwards and backwards, black marks on the face and legs, a white mark on the rump and a bushy tail. They are generally found in small herds.
Research Hartebeest

HARVEST-BUG

The harvest-bug (Leptus autumnalis) is a small larval insect of the family Acaridae. It is bright red in colour and about the size of a grain of cayenne pepper. It attacks livestock and humans, burrowing under the skin and so causing red pustules.
Research Harvest-bug

HARVEST-MOUSE

Picture of Harvest-mouse

The harvest-mouse (Musmessorius) is the smallest British quadruped. It builds a nest suspended amongst stalks of wheat.
Research Harvest-mouse

HARVEST-SPIDER

The harvest-spider (Phalangium longipes) is a British spider with very long legs. It has a peculiar habit of throwing off one or more legs.
Research Harvest-spider

HASHT NAGRI

The Hasht Nagri is a fat tailed mutton and wool type breed of sheep. They are found in the Hasht Nagar tract in Pakistan. They are a medium size with a white body coat with the head and face either partially or completely black or tan. They have a compact body with short legs. The hanging fat tail may reach fetlock. In well fed animals, the fat tail may even touch the ground.
Research Hasht Nagri

HAUSTELLATA

Haustellata is an extensive division of insects in which the mouth is furnished with a haustellum or proboscis adapted for suction. It includes the butterflies and moths, and two winged flies.
Research Haustellata

HAVANA BROWN

Picture of Havana Brown

The Havana Brown or Havana is a hybrid breed of shorthair domestic cat developed during the 1950s with Siamese ancestry. The Havana is gentle, affectionate and has a quiet voice and large ears. They are a lively breed, examining objects with their paws rather than the more usual smelling of them.
Research Havana Brown

HAWFINCH

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The hawfinch (Coccothraustes coccothraustes) is a species of grosbeak. It is one of the largest of the finches. It resembles the Chaffinch in colour, but is distinguished by its enormous beak, larger size, and bill-hook formation of some of its wing feathers. It feeds on all kinds of berries and is found throughout Britain.
Research Hawfinch

HAWK-MOTH

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The Hawk-moth is one of the sphinx moths, so called from its hovering motion which resembles that of a hawk.
Research Hawk-moth

HAWKBIT

Hawkbit (Apargia) is a genus of plants forming a subdivision of the Compositae. the distinguishing marks of the genus are the strap-shaped florets, the unequally imbricated involucre, the tapering form of the fruit, and the one-row feathery pappus.
Research Hawkbit

HAWKWEED

Hawkweed (Hieracium) is a genus of composite plants, sub-family Cichoraceae, consisting of numerous species with yellow flowers.
Research Hawkweed

HAWTHORN

Picture of Hawthorn

Hawthorn (Crataegus Oxyacantha) is a small spiny European tree, belonging to the sub-family Pomaceae of the family Rosaceae, rising sometimes to the height of six metres. The leaves are alternate, obovate and three to five lobed. The flowers are white, sometimes with a reddish tinge, disposed in corymbs and smell rather nice.
Research Hawthorn

HAZEL

The hazel is a shrub and sometimes small tree of the genus Corylus, sub-family Corylaceae, family Betulaceae. The leaves are roundish-cordate, alternate and shortly petiolate. The bark is reddish-brown and smooth. The plant is monoecious, the male flowers are clustered in pendulous catkins, the female flowers are arranged in erect, short, bud-like spikes with protruding red styles. The fruit is a hard, brown, rounded nut (filbert), enclosed by an irregularly lobed green involucre.
Research Hazel

HAZEL-GROUSE

The hazel-grouse is a species of grouse inhabiting Europe and Asia. It is found in healthy tracts, woods and forests. It feeds on berries, buds, insects and worms.
Research Hazel-grouse

HEART AND DART

The Heart and Dart (Agrotis exclamationis) is a moth of the family Noctuidae. It is one of the most common moths in the temperate and warmer parts of the Palaearctic, with a single brood flying from June to September.
Research Heart and Dart

HEART'S EASE

Picture of Heart's Ease

Heart's Ease also known as wild pansy, Love-lies-Bleeding, Love-in-Idleness and Bullweed (Viola tricolor) is a British annual wild violet found on hedge banks and waste grounds. The flowers vary in colour and size, but are generally purple, yellow or white and most commonly a combination of the three. The upper petals are generally the most showy and usually purplish in tint. The lowest and broadest petal is usually yellow and has its base elongated into a spur. The Saxons called it Banwort or Banewort. It receives its alternative names of Love-Lies-Bleeding and Love-in-Idleness from the former belief in the plant as a potent love-charm, and is mentioned in Shakespeare's Midsummer Night's Dream as such.
Research Heart's Ease

HEATH FRITILLARY

Picture of Heath Fritillary

The Heath Fritillary (Mellicta athalia) is a species of brush-footed butterfly (Nymphalidae) found in Europe and milder parts of Asia as far as Japan. Generally one generation occurs which flies from May to August.
Research Heath Fritillary

HEATHER

Picture of Heather

Heather is a low growing evergreen shrub that is common on sandy and acid soil. Heather has tiny, arrow-head shaped leaves pressed against and clasping the stem. Narrow spikes of flowers are borne which are often crowded to form large branched inflorescences. The flowers have four pinkish- purple, petal-like sepals and a deeply lobed corolla, similar to but shorter than the sepals. There are six to eight small bracts below each flower, the upper four resembling sepals.
Research Heather

HEAVY HORSE

The term heavy horse describes draft breeds of horse, adapted for heavy draft and farm work. They are generally large, with a dense skeletal frame, comparatively short legs, a very thick muscular neck, a broad chest and a short wide back. Most, but not all, also have feathering.
Research Heavy Horse

HEBREW CHARACTER

Picture of Hebrew Character

The Hebrew Character (Orthosia gothica) is a moth of the family Noctuidae with a wing span of between 30 and 35 mm found in the mild regions of the Palaearctic flying from March to May.
Research Hebrew Character

HEDERA

Hedera is the genus of plants to which ivy belongs.
Research Hedera

HEDGE-MUSTARD

Hedge-mustard (Sisymbrium officinale) is a cruciferous plant once used as a remedy for catarrh.
Research Hedge-mustard

HEDGE-WARBLER

The hedge-warbler (hedge-sparrow, Accentor modularis) is a bird of the family Sylvidae, common in Britain and the temperate parts of Europe. It feeds on insects, worms and seeds. It grows to about 14 centimetres long and has reddish-brown plumage streaked with dark-brown.
Research Hedge-warbler

HEDGEHOG

Picture of Hedgehog

The hedgehog is various genera of small prickly carnivorous mammals of the order Insectivora, family Erinaceidae. They are solitary, nocturnal animals feeding on caterpillars, beetles, slugs, worms, young mice, eggs and fruit. Hedgehogs grow to about 30 centimetres long and can live up to six years. Hedgehogs are so called on account of their cooked flesh closely resembling that of the hog or pig.
Research Hedgehog

HEDGEPIG

Hedgepig is the name given to a young hedgehog.
Research Hedgepig

HEDOBIA

Picture of Hedobia

Hedobia is a genus of beetle of the family Anobiidae, ranging from five to eight millimetres in length and living in dead wood, particularly the thin branches of deciduous trees.
Research Hedobia

HEIDELBERG MAN

Heidelberg man (Homo heidelbergensis) was an early type of primitive man occurring in Europe during the middle Palaeolithic age. He is known only from a single fossil lower jaw found at Mauer, near Heidelberg, Germany in 1907.
Research Heidelberg Man

HELAMYS

Helamys is a genus of rodents allied to the jerboas. They are the jumping- hare or jumping-rat.
Research Helamys

HELIANTHEMUM

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Helianthemum is a genus of herbaceous under-shrubs and shrubby or creeping plants, also known as the rock-rose genus.
Research Helianthemum

HELICIDAE

Helicidae is the name by which the land shell-snails are distinguished.
Research Helicidae

HELICTIS

Helictis is a genus of carnivorous quadrupeds allied to the skunk. They are found in China and Nepal.
Research Helictis

HELIOTROPE

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Heliotrope (Heliotropium) is a genus of plants of the family Boraginaceae. The species are herbs or under-shrubs mostly native of the warmer parts of the world and have alternate leaves and small flowers usually disposed in scorpioid cymes.
Research Heliotrope

HELIOTROPIC

Heliotropic is a biological term for plants which turn their stems so as to expose as much leaf surface to the sunlight as possible.
Research Heliotropic

HELIOZOA

The Heliozoa are an order of Rhizopoda. The body is radially symmetrical and the pseudopodia are thin and stiff. Reproduction is by fission and sexually by the fusion of gametes.
Research Heliozoa

HELIX

Helix is a genus of gastropodous molluscs comprising the land shell-snails.
Research Helix

HELLEBORE

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Black Hellebore (Helleborus) or Christmas Rose is a genus of plants of the family Ranunculaceae, consisting of perennial low-growing plants with palmate or pedate leathery leaves, yellowish, greenish or white flowers having five conspicuous persistent sepals and eight to ten small tubular petals.
Research Hellebore

HELMET-SHELL

Helmet-shell is a common name for molluscs of the genus Cassis, gastropods of the family Buccinidae found mainly on tropical shores.
Research Helmet-shell

HELMINTHOLOGY

Helminthology is the study of worms, or helminths.
Research Helminthology

HELMINTHS

Helminths are multi-cellular, often macroscopic worms having both rudimentary organs and organ systems.
Research Helminths

HELOCHARES

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Helochares is a genus of water scavenger beetles of the family Hydrophilidae.
Research Helochares

HELODERMA

Picture of Heloderma

Heloderma is a genus of two species of poisonous lizards, the only poisonous lizards known in the world currently, of the family Helodermatidae. Heloderma suspectum (the Gila monster) is a species of lizard found in northern Mexico and the south-west USA. They are about 56 cm long and venomous, the salivary glands of the lower jaw being converted into poison sacs. They have a thick, squat body covered with rough yellow, pink and black scales and form burrows under the roots of trees, &c. A related species, the beaded lizard (Heloderma horridum) occurs in western Mexico and southern Guatemala.
Research Heloderma

HELODERMATIDAE

Helodermatidae is the venomous lizards family of reptiles of the super family Varanoidea, suborder Anguinomorpha, order Squamata. The family is represented by a single genus, Heloderma (the Gila Monster and Beaded Lizard), and two species found in North America, mainly Mexico.
Research Helodermatidae

HELOPHORUS

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Helophorus is a genus of 31 species of beetles of the family Hydraenidae, twenty species living in Britain. They have a distinctive pronotum with five long grooves separated by swollen ridges.
Research Helophorus

HELVELLA

Helvella is a genus of large terrestrial fungi belonging to the family of the Ascomycetes. They are characterised by the sporidia being contained in small cases or asci, by the hymenium being even and exposed, and by the pileus having free margins.
Research Helvella

HEMEROBIIDAE

Hemerobiidae are the lace-wing flies, a family of neuropterous insects.
Research Hemerobiidae

HEMEROCALLIS

Hemerocallis is a genus of Liliaceae.
Research Hemerocallis

HEMICHORDATA

Hemichordata is a class of sub-Phylum acrania. They are peculiar marine worm-like creatures.
Research Hemichordata

HEMIDESMUS

Hemidesmus is a genus of twining plants of the family Asclepiadaceae, having opposite leaves, and cymes of small greenish flowers. Sarasparilla is derived from them.
Research Hemidesmus

HEMIMETABOLA

Hemimetabola is the subdivision of the Pterygota class of insects which undergo a slight and incomplete metamorphosis.
Research Hemimetabola

HEMIPODIUS

Hemipodius is a genus of rasorial birds allied to the quail.
Research Hemipodius

HEMIPTERA

Hemiptera is an order of four-winged insects, having a suctorial proboscis, the outer wings, or wing-covers, are leathery at the base and transparent towards the tips.
Research Hemiptera

HEMLOCK

Picture of Hemlock

Hemlock (Conium maculatum) is a poisonous biennial herb of the family Umbelliferae. It is a tall, erect, branching biennial, with a smooth, shining, hollow stem usually marked with purple spots. It has elegant, much divided leaves which when bruised emit a nauseous odour. The flowers are white in compound umbels of ten or more rays surrounded by a general involucre of three to seven leaflets.
Research Hemlock

HEMP

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Hemp is an annual herb of the genus Cannabis, with an erect, hairy stem and palmately divided, long-stalked leaves with serrate edges, formerly cultivated for its fibres that are used to make rope. The plant is dioecious: the male flowers are arranged in panicles and produce large quantities of pollen; the female flowers grow in leafy spikes in the leaf axils and are pollinated by the wind. The fruit is a shiny, greyish-green achene. The oil and leaves of hemp contain tetrahydrocannabinol, cannabinol and cannabidol, which have sedative, analgesic and antispasmodic properties. The derivatives of hemp (hashish and cannabis being the oil and dried leaves respectively) are widely smoked for their narcotic effects and are also effective in the treatment of many illnesses including multiple- sclerosis, though their use is banned in the UK, where it is an offence to grow, possess or sell hemp without a government license.
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HEMP-PALM

Hemp-palm (Chamoerops excelsa) is a Chinese and Japanese species of palm. Rope is made from the fibres of its leaves.
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HENBANE

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Henbane (Hyoscyamus niger) is a highly poisonous biennial or annual herb of the family Solanaceae. It is a coarse, erect plant with soft, clammy, hairy foliage of a disagreeable odour and pale yellowish-brown flowers streaked with purple veins.
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HENNA

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Henna (Lawsonia inermis) is a shrub of the family Lythraceae, bearing opposite entire leaves and numerous small white fragrant flowers disposed in terminal panicles. In swampy parts of India, the henna leaves are ground into a paste which is then applied to the skin of the feet in order to harden the skin and reduce rotting which would otherwise occur in the wet conditions, and to offer some defence against leeches.
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HEPATICA

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Hepatica (Hepatica nobilis) or American Liverwort as it is also known is a perennial herb with a short, scaly rhizome. The leaves are trifoliate, liver-shaped and almost leathery. The flowers are usually light-blue and sometimes white or pink in colour.
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HEPIALIDAE

Hepialidae is the ghost and swift moths family of insects of the order Lepidoptera.
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HERACLEUM

Heracleum is a genus of large umbelliferous herbs, the cow-parsnips.
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HERALD MOTH

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The herald Moth (Scoliopteryx libatrix) is a moth of the family Noctuidae with a wing span of between 40 and 45 mm found throughout the Palaearctic and in North America.
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HERB

A herb is a non-woody, soft and leafy plant whose aerial parts do not remain above ground following the growing season.
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HERB-BENNET

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Herb-Bennet (Geum urbanum) or Benedict's herb or Avens as it is also known, is an aromatic perennial herb of the family Rosaceae with a thickened rhizome and erect branched stem used as a tonic and astringent. The basal leaves are slaked and odd-pinnate, with two or three pairs of unequal-sized leaflets and a large, lobed, terminal leaflet. The smaller stem leaves are alternate, trifoliate and have paired, leaf-like stipules. The flowers are erect, solitary and terminal with recurved sepals and spreading yellow petals.
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HERB-PARIS

Herb-Paris or true love (Paris polyphylla) is a native British plant bearing yellowish-green, four-petaloid flowers in early summer.
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HERB-ROBERT

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Herb-Robert (Geranium Robertianum) is a common British annual or biennial herb of the Geranium family with an unpleasant scent and thin, reddish glandular stems that branch stiffly. The leaves are alternate, long-stemmed and are palmately divided into between three and five lobes, which are in turn divided twice over. The flowers are reddish-violet in colour, long-stalked and usually grow in pairs. It is astringent, diuretic and aromatic and is used in medicine externally to treat skin disorders and septic cuts, and internally for diarrhoea, kidney and bladder disorders.
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HERBACEOUS

A plant said to be herbaceous is a perennial plant of which the stem perishes annually, while the roots remain permanent and send forth a new stem in the following season.
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HERBIVORE

A herbivore is an animal that eats plants.
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HERCULES-BEETLE

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The Hercules-beetle (Scaraboeus) is a very large Brazilian lamellicorn beetle. An enormous horn projects from the head, and a smaller one from the thorax. The beetle grows to 12cm long.
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HERD

Herd is the collective noun for a group of deer.
Herd is the collective noun for a group of goats.
Herd is the collective noun for a group of cattle.
Herd is the collective noun for a group of antelopes.
Herd is the collective noun for a group of seals.
Herd is the collective noun for a group of swans.
Herd is the collective noun for a group of curlews.
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HEREFORD

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The Hereford (whiteface) is a red and white, low-set and compact breed of domestic beef cattle.
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HERMAPHRODITE

An hermaphrodite animal is one in which both male and female gametes are present.
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HERMIT BEETLE

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The Hermit-Beetle (Osmoderma eremita) is a beetle of the family Scarabaeidae.
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HERMIT BUTTERFLY

The Hermit Butterfly (Chazara briseis) is a butterfly of the family Satyridae found in northern Africa, and southern and central Europe and in Asia.
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HERMIT-CRAB

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Hermit-crab is the popular name of the Paguridae family of decapod crustaceans. They take possession of and occupy cast-off univalve shells of various molluscs, carrying this habitation about with them, and changing it for a larger one as they increase in size.
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HERNANDIA

Hernandia is a genus of large Indian trees of the family Hernandiaceae. They have alternate entire leaves and flowers arranged in axillary or terminal spikes or corymbs.
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HERON

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Heron is a popular name for birds of the genus Ardea, constituting with the bitterns the family Ardeidae.
Herons are spread over almost all the world. They are distinguished by having a long bill cleft beneath the eyes, a compressed body, long slender legs naked above the tarsal joint, three toes in front, the two outer united by a membrane, and by moderate wings. The tail is short, rounded, and composed of ten or twelve feathers. The common Heron is about one metre in length.
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HERRING

The herring (Clupea harengus) is an edible fish found in the north Atlantic. It comes close to the shore in large shoals to spawn.
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HESPERIIDAE

Hesperiidae is the 'skippers' family of butterflies.
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HESSIAN FLY

The Hessian Fly (Cecidomyia destructor) is a fly of the family Tipulidae, of the order Diptera, the larva of which is very destructive to wheat, barley and rye crops.
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HETAERIUS

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Hetaerius is a genus of small beetles of the family Histeridae. One European species, Hetaerius ferrugineus, is a rust-red colour and lives in the nests of various ants, mostly Formica fusca and Formica sabguinea, where they eat dead and sickly ants.
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HETERHELUS

Heterhelus is a genus of sap-beetle (Nitidulidae).
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HETEROBOSTRYCHUS

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Heterobostrychus is a genus of False Powder-post Beetles (Bostrychidae).
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HETEROCERIDAE

Heteroceridae is a family of beetles comprised of two genera of the order Coleoptera. The members live together in burrows they excavate in the ground beside water.
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HETEROCERUS

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Heterocerus is a genus of beetle of the family Heteroceridae. The genus contains fourteen of the fifteen species which comprise the family.
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HETERODONTOSAURUS

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Heterodontosaurus was a dinosaur of the Jurassic period. It was a tiny dinosaur, about 120 cm long, walking on its hind legs and probably extending its tail behind it to help it balance when running. Heterodontosaurus was a herbivore and had sharp teeth at the front of its mouth followed by fangs and finally broad-ridged cheek teeth.
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HETEROPODA

Heteropoda is an order of marine molluscs, the most highly organized of the Gastropoda. In this order the foot is compressed into a vertical muscular lamina, serving for a fin, and the gills, when present, are collected into a mass on the hinder part of the back.
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HETEROPTERA

Heteroptera is a section of hemipterous insects comprising those in which the two pairs of wings are of different consistence, the anterior part being horny or leathery, but generally tipped with membrane. They comprise the land and water bugs.
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HETEROTHOPS

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Heterothops is a genus of rove beetles, Staphylinidae with a large head found living in damp places under leaves and plant debris.
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HETEROTRICHA

Heterotricha is an order of Ciliata vera. They are covered in cilia, and have a spiral band of tough cilia leading towards the cytostome.
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HEXACTINELLIDA

Hexactinellida is a class of sponge with a skeleton built of six-rayed spicules made of silica.
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HEXARTHRUM

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Hexarthrum is a genus of Snout Beetles (Curculionidae).
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HIBISCUS

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Hibiscus is an extensive genus of plants, family Malvaceae chiefly natives of tropical climates. They have large showy flowers, borne singularly on stalks towards the ends of the branches, these flowers having an outer calyx of numerous leaves in addition to the true five-lobed persistent calyx.
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HICKORY

Hickory is several species of timber trees of the genus Carya of the family Juglandeae. They are natives to North America. The wood is heavy, strong and tenacious.
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HIGH BROWN FRITILLARY

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The High Brown Fritillary (Fabriciana adippe) is a species of brush-footed butterfly (Nymphalidae) with a wing span of about 50 mm.
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HIGHLAND

The highland is a small, heavy dewlap, wide horned breed of domestic beef cattle.
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HIGHLAND PONY

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The Highland Pony is a Scottish breed of pony which has developed over the years. They are placid and gentle, standing 14 hands high and are dun, grey, bay, brown, chestnut or black in colour. They are versatile ponies, used for riding, as pack animals for carrying deer and stag carcasses.
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HILL

Hill is the collective noun for a group of ruffs.
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HIND

Hind is the name of a female stag or deer.
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HINNY

A Hinny is a hybrid, the product of a stallion mating with a she-ass. It is smaller and weaker than the mule.
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HIP

The hip or hep is the fruit of the rose, particularly the wild rose. Hips are more popularly referred to as rose-hips, but strictly this is a tautology.
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HIPPOCAMPUS

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Hippocampus (the Sea-Horse) is a genus of fish closely allied to the pipe- fish, of singular construction and peculiar habits. The upper parts look rather like a horse's head and neck in miniature. When swimming they maintain a vertical position. They are generally about 15 centimetres to 25 centimetres long and are found mainly in the Mediterranean and Atlantic.
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HIPPODAMIA

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Hippodamia is the Thirteen Spot Ladybird genus of ladybird (Coccinellidae), so named from the numerous black spots on its red elytra, although colouration varies from red with no spots to black.
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HIPPOMANE

Hippomane are a genus of plants belonging to the Euphorbiaceae.
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HIPPOPOTAMIDAE

Hippopotamidae is the hippopotamus family of animals of the order Artiodactyla.
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HIPPOPOTAMUS

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Hippopotamus (also known as Behemoth) is the popular name of the two remaining species of herbivorous mammal of the family Hippopotamidae now only found in Africa, but formally found across Britain, Europe and Asia. The common Hippopotamus (Hippopotamus amphibious) is a large, semi-aquatic herbivorous mammal found in tropical Africa that spends most of its time in rivers. The Pygmy Hippopotamus (Choeropsis liberiensis) is smaller, about the size of a domestic pig, and is found only in lowland forests in west Africa. The Pygmy Hippopotamus is more terrestrial than the Common Hippopotamus, but spends a lot of time in swamps. While the Common Hippopotamus is a social animal, the Pygmy Hippopotamus is solitary, feeding at night on aquatic plants, grass, algae and bushes.
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HIPPURIPHILA

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Hippuriphila is a genus of leaf beetles (Chrysomelidae).
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HIRUDINEA

The hirudinea are the leeches. They are an ectoparasitic class of annelids with few true segments but each segment shows numerous annuli. Suckers are present at both ends of the body. They lay eggs in cocoons secreted by the clitellum.
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HIRUDO

The hirudo are hirudinea.
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HIRUNDINIDAE

Hirundinidae is the Swallow family of Fissirostal birds. They are characterized by broad beaks, opening almost to the eyes, small, weak feet, and a long, forked tail. The wings are long and powerful, adapted for sustaining a protracted flight in pursuit of winged insects which form their sole source of food. They are migratory birds, spending the summer in temperate climates, but disliking the cold withdraw in winter to equatorial regions.
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HISPANO

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The Hispano or Spanish Anglo-Arab is a Spanish breed of fast, agile, courageous horse used for working with bulls, in and out of the bull-ring. The Hispano was developed from a cross of Arab and Andalusian mares with an English Thoroughbred stallion. The Hispano stands between 14.3 and 16 hands high and is bay, grey or chestnut in colour.
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HISPELLA

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Hispella is a genus of leaf beetles (Chrysomelidae).
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HISTER

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Hister is a genus of beetles of the family Histeridae. They live chiefly in animal excrement where they hunt other insects, but are also to be found in decaying fungi, and on escaping sap.
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HISTERIDAE

Histeridae is a family of beetles, with fifty genera occurring in Britain. The members have a hard body, geniculate antennae with a thick, button-like club, the elytra leaves the last two abdominal tergites exposed, they are able to retract their head underneath the pronotum, and both the larvae and the adults hunt the larvae of other insects in decaying plant and animal matter. They are chiefly found in carrion, dung, rotting fungi and under bark.
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HIVE

Hive is the collective noun for a group of bees.
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HOATZIN

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The hoatzin (Opisthocomus cristatus) is a curious bird found only in the dense undergrowth which fringes the margins of rivers and lagoons around the Amazon. It is pheasant-like, with a long, thin body, a strong, serrated beak, an erectile crest on the head and long claws. The breast-bone is curiously modified, the keel being much reduced, having its anterior portion aborted and its posterior flattened out. Over this flattened region is a thickened patch of skin on which the bird rests. The crop is enormous, and the bird consumes large quantities of leaves and fruit. The young are remarkable in having claws both on the thumb and the index finger, and in using these, together with the bill and feet in scrambling about among the branches.
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HOG

Hog is an alternative term for a boar or pig. The term is mainly applied in the USA to domestic pigs.
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HOG-FISH

The Hog-fish are teleostean fish of the genus Scorpoena, family Scorpaenidae.
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HOG-PLUM

The Hog-plum are plants of the genus Spondias, family Anacardiaceae. Some of them yield pleasant fruit. The name Hog-plum comes from the West Indies where the fruit was once fed to pigs (hogs).
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HOG-RAT

The Hog-rat (Capromys) is a genus of rodent animals of the family Muridae.
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HOGGET

A hogget is a two-year-old sheep.
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HOLCUS

Holcus is the soft grass genus of grasses of the family Gramineae. The members are native to Europe, temperate Asia and Africa.
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HOLLY

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Holly (Ilex) is a genus of plants of the family Aquifoliaceae, embracing a number of evergreen trees or shrubs. The common holly is a conical evergreen tree growing to a height of ten metres in Britain. It's leaves are dark- green, shiny and leathery, abundantly armed with prickles on the lower branches but free from them on the higher branches.
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HOLLY BLUE

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The Holly Blue (Celastrina argiolus) is a butterfly of the family Lycaenidae found in North Africa, Europe, Palaearctic Asia and North America south as far as New Mexico. The caterpillar lives on various shrubs including holly, ivy and buckthorn.
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HOLLYHOCK

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Hollyhock is a biennial or perennial herb with tall, erect, leafy stems. It is native to central Europe and China. It is an important plant in medicine providing a dark pigment which is also used in cooking.
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HOLM-OAK

Holm-oak (Quercus Ilex) is a shrub-like tree native to Mediterranean countries with holly-like leaves.
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HOLOLEPTA

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Hololepta is a genus of beetles of the family Histeridae. They are black with long, sickle-shaped mandibles and a flattened body. Hololepta plana lives under the bark of deciduous trees, particularly poplar trees.
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HOLOMETABOLA

Holometabola is the subdivision of the Pterygota class of insects which undergo a pronounced and complete metamorphosis, typified by butterflies.
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HOLOTHURIA

Holothuria is a type of holothuroidea.
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HOLOTHUROIDEA

The holothuroidea are the sea cucumbers order of Echinoderms. The body is elongated and appears worm-like. Skeletal plates are minute and imbedded in the fleshy body wall. There are no spines. The mouth is at one end of the body, the anus at the other. Feeding is carried out by tube feet near the mouth.
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HOLOTRICHA

Holotricha are an order of ciliata vera. They are covered in alike cilia.
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HOLSTEIN HORSE

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The Holstein is a German breed of horse originating prior to the 13th century and used as a warhorse during the Middle Ages and also as an agricultural horse. the modern Holstein is lighter, and is used more for competition riding, dressage and show jumping. The Holstein stands between 16 and 17 hands high and is any solid colour.
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HOLY GRASS

Holy Grass (Hierochloe) is an odoriferous genus of grass belonging to the Phalarideae.
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HOMALOCEPHALE

Homalocephale was a dinosaur of the Cretaceous period. It was about three metres long, walked on its hind legs standing about 130 cm tall and had a flat head with a thickened roof to the skull covered with pits and bony knobs. Broad hip bones, loosely attached to the vertebrae suggest that Homalocephale may have given birth to live young, rather than to eggs.
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HOMALOPSINAE

Homalopsinae is a subfamily of reptiles of the family Colubridae (the Typical Snakes) of the sub-order Serpentes (Snakes). The subfamily contains eleven genera and about 35 species found in India through the far East to northern Australia. The members are aquatic, found in fresh water, brackish water and in the sea. All the members are opisthoglyphic with well-formed, grooved venom fangs at the rear of the upper jaw.
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HOMINIDAE

Hominidae is a family of primates which includes the genus Homo (man).
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HONDURAN MILK SNAKE

The Honduran Milk Snake (Lampropeltis triangulum hondurensis) is an American species of Milk snake occurring in Honduras, Nicaragua and Costa Rica and first described in 1978 and reaching about 108 cm in length. The Honduran Milk Snake often occurs in a brilliant orange colour with black and yellow bands, leading to its alternative name of the 'Tangerine Milk Snake'.
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HONEY-ANT

The honey-ant (Myrmecocyctus mexicnus) is a Mexican ant. They live in subterranean galleries and in summer some secrete a kind of honey from their abdomen.
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HONEY-EATER

Honey-eater is a name given to a number of insessorial birds forming the family Meliphagidae, of the tribe Tenuirostres. They form a large group, feeding mainly on honey and the nectar of flowers. These birds are found in Australia and surrounding islands. They have long curved sharp bills, with a tongue terminating in a pencil of delicate filaments.
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HONEY-GUIDE

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The honey-guide is a South African cuckoo of the genus Indicator, which by its cries and motions directs people to the nests of wild honey bees.
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HONEY-LOCUST

The Honey-locust (Gleditschia triacanthos) is an American forest tree belonging to the family Leguminosae. The leaves are pinnated, divided into small leaflets and the foliage has a light and elegant appearance.
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HONEYSUCKLE

Honeysuckle (Woodbine) is the Lonicera genus of Linnaeus of the family Caprifoliaceae. It is a twining shrub with distinct leaves and red berries found in Britain.
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HONEYSUCKLE MOTH

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The Honeysuckle Moth (Ypsolopha dentella) is a moth of the family Plutellidae with a wing span of between 18 and 22 mm found in Europe and western Asia in damp deciduous forests and urban parks with honeysuckle, which the caterpillar feeds on. The adult moths fly from June to August.
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HOODED CROW

The hooded crow, Royston crow, or grey-backed crow (Corvus cornix) is a British bird somewhat larger than the rook. Its head, wings, and tail are black, but less bright than in the rook; the rest of the body is a dull smoke-gray. Its food is similar to that of the carrion crow, and it builds a similar nest. Indeed, the distinctness of the species Corvus corone and Corvus cornix has been called in question, as they interbreed freely together, and the young of the same nest present more or less resemblance to the one or the other parent. The hooded crow is less common in England than in Scotland and Ireland.
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HOODED SEAL

The hooded seal (Cystophora cristata) is a species of seal, the male of which has a movable, inflatable muscular bag stretching from the muzzle to behind the eyes. The prevailing colour is black.
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HOODED TERN

Hooded tern is a popular name for the Euoropean little tern (Sterna minuta).
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HOOF

A hoof is the horny casing of the foot of a ruminant, horse, swine or similar animals.
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HOOFED

Hoofed is the term applied to animals with hooves.
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HOOPOE

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The hoopoe (Upupa) is a bird about 30cm long with a fine crest of pale cinnamon-red feathers tipped with black. It is a ground feeder eating mainly insects.
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HOOVES

Hooves is the plural of hoof.
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HOP

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The hop (Humulus Lupulus) is a native British plant of the family cannabiaceae, family Urticaceae. The root is perennial giving out several herbaceous, rough, twining stems with large lobed leaves. The catkins are added to beer to give it flavour.
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HOP-CLOVER

Hop-clover (Trifolium procumbens) is a plant of the family Leguminosae, distinguished from other species of clover by its bunch of yellow flowers which wither to brown.
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HOPLIA

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Hoplia is a genus of beetle of the family Scarabaeidae. They have a short and generally flat-topped body that is covered with coloured or metallic scales. They also have strong legs used for burrowing.
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HOPS

Hops are the dried flowers of the hop plant.
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HORMIPHORA

The hormiphora is a member of the Sub-Phylum Ctenophora family.
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HORN OF PLENTY

The Horn of Plenty or Black Trumpet (Craterellus cornucopioides) is a mushroom of the order Cantharellales found growing among leaf litter of the oak and beech. It is dried and cooked in stews.
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HORNBILLS

The Hornbills (Bucerotidoe) are a remarkable group of birds found in southern Asia and Africa. They are akin to the Toucans and Kingfishers. The
hornbills are remarkable for the size of their bill and a horny protuberance which surmounts the bill.
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HORNED DUNG BEETLE

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The Horned Dung Beetle (Copris lunaris) is a large dung beetle of the family Scarabaeidae characterised by a long sharp horn on its head. They are found chiefly under fresh cow dung.
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HORNED GREBE

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The horned grebe or Slavonian grebe (Podiceps auritus) is a dumpy, compact, small diving bird of the order Podicipediformes, family Podicipedidae. In the summer its plumage is mainly a brick-red colour with a black face with golden-yellow ear tufts and plumes. In winter the plumage is more black and white with red eyes.
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HORNED-SCREAMER

The horned-screamer (Palamedea cornuta) is a South American grallatorial bird having a long, slender, movable horn projecting from its forehead. It has a loud and shrill voice.
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HORNED-TOAD

Horned-toad is a popular name for the Phrynosoma genus of lizards. They are found in America and look rather like toads and are covered with spine-like scales.
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HORNET

The hornet is an insect of the genus Vespa, much larger and stronger than the ordinary wasp. Hornets are voracious, feeding on fruit and honey and preying on other insects. The nest is formed in hollow-trees and walls. The
hornet sting is very painful and usually causes considerable swelling.
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HORNET MOTH

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The Hornet Moth (Sesia apiformis) is a diurnal moth of the clearwing family (Sesiidae) with a wing span of between 30 and 40 mm found in warmer parts of Europe, Asia, Siberia and North America flying from May to August. The caterpillar bores into the roots of poplars and lives for two years.
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HORSE

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The horse (Equus caballus) is a hoofed, odd toed grass eating mammal of the family Equidae. There are a number of varieties of horse, popularly known as breeds. The adult male horse is called a stallion, the adult female a mare. A stallion used for breeding is known as a stud. A castrated stallion is popularly called a gelding. A young horse is called a foal, with a male foal being called a colt and a female foal being called a filly.

Horses are among the best adapted of the 'flight' mammals. They have very large eyes capable of seeing in two directions at once, ears which can rotate through 180 degrees and judge distance to a perceived sound, and can reach a speed of 30 mph from a standing still position in less than one second. The horse has a very large heart and enormous lungs powering very large rear leg muscles which allow it to run very fast to escape danger. The horse's long head allows it to graze and see over the top of the grass at the same time, keeping watch for approaching danger. The horse's tail is used as a rudder to help with stearing when running fast, and also as a fly-whisk to whip away flies and other irritations.

When bored or agitated, horses' paw the ground with their rear leags. Stallions fight with their front legs and also bite, trying to ham string their opponent. When a horse wants to harm an opponent, or person, they use their front legs. The rear legs may be used to brush away irritations, and while powerful and dangerous are not used with the intention of causing real harm.
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HORSE CHESTNUT

Horse Chestnut (Aesculus hippocastanum) is a tall deciduous tree of the family Hippocastanaceae native to south-eastern Europe, and introduced into Britain in the middle of the 16th century. The large, sticky brown buds open into large palmate leaves with five to seven leaflets. The flowers are yellowish white and are clustered in dense, erect panicles. The fruit is a green spiny capsule containing one or more hard brown seeds known as 'conkers'.
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HORSE-FLY

The Horse-fly is a winged insect of the family Hippoboscidae which is parasitic on the horse.
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HORSE-RADISH

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Horse-radish (Cochlearia armoracia or Armoracia rusticana) is a cruciferous plant native to Russia, and found in the temperate parts of Europe in moist locations. The root is cylindrical, whitish in colour and forms a popular condiment. It is a pungent tasting and smelling root, excellent with roast beef. The large, stalked leaves are rectangular to ovate in shape and glossy dark green in colour with indented margins.
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HORSE-TAIL

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Horse-tail is a popular name for plants of the genus Equisetum of the family Equisetaceae. The cuticle abounds in siliceous cells, a property which allows the horse-tail to be used for polishing wood.
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HORSERADISH

Horseradish (Cochlearia Armoracia) is a Cruciferae native to south east Europe. The root is used in cookery as a condiment of beef, and has been since the Middle Ages. It was known as Red Cole in England in the 16th century.
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HOUDAN

The Houdan is a breed of chicken.
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HOUND

A hound is a hunting dog which hunts by scent. There are several varieties including the bloodhound, staghound, foxhound, harrier and beagle.
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HOUSE LONGHORN

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The House Longhorn (Hylotrupes bajulus) is a longhorn beetle (Cerambycidae). Its larvae can virtually destroy structural timbers.
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HOUSE SPIDER

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The House Spider (Tegenaria domestica) is a large, long-legged British spider with a body about ten millimetres long, often found in the bath.
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HOUSELEEK

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The Houseleek (Sempervivum tectorum) is a succulent perennial herb of the family Crassulaceae. It grows on old walls and roofs. The stem reaches about 20 cm in length in older plants and has a dense basal rosette of fleshy obovate to rectangular, sharp-tipped, bluish-green or often reddish coloured leaves that persist for several years. The stem bears a few purplish flowers arranged in terminal cymes, each flower having twelve or fifteen petals.
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HOVER

Hover is the collective noun for a group of trout.
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HOWGATE WONDER

Howgate Wonder is an English species of apple bearing one of the largest cooking apples which also stores well and cooks to a smooth yellow puree. The tree is regular cropping and very hardy.
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HOWLER MONKEY

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The Howler Monkey (Mycetes) is a genus of South American monkey characterized by a remarkable loudness of voice. They are prehensile, tailed, large and heavy of body with a high pyramidal head flattened on the summit.
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HOYA

Hoya is a genus of Asclepiadaceae common in tropical Asia.
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HUACHUCA MOUNTAIN KINGSNAKE

The Huachuca Mountain Kingsnake (Lampropeltis pyromelana woodini) is a subspecies of the Utah Mountain Kingsnake found only in the Huachuca mountains of Arizona and Mexico. The Huachuca Mountain Kingsnake is similar in appearance to the Arizona Mountain Kingsnake but has less than forty narrow white rings encircling the body.
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HUANACO

The huanaco is a grey faced species of wild llama.
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HUCUL

The Hucul is an ancient native breed of Pony from the Carpathian Mountains in Poland. They grow to between 12 and 13 hands high, are bay, black, chestnut or dun in colour, docile and willing, and with strong feet that rarely require shoeing.
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HUIA-BIRD

Huia-bird is a Maori name for New Zealand's starlings.
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HUMAN

A human is an animal of the genus homo.
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HUMMING-BIRD

Humming-bird is the popular name for the Trochilidae family of mute and beautiful birds, so called from the sound of their wings in flight. The beak is slender, generally long, sometimes straight and sometimes curved. The tongue is long and filiform. They feed by hovering by a plant and use their tongue to catch insects.
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HUMMINGBIRD HAWKMOTH

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The Hummingbird Hawkmoth (Macroglossum stellatarum) is a moth of the family Sphingidae with a wing span of between 40 and 50 mm found in warmer parts of the Palaearctic and recently North America flying from August to Autumn.
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HUNGARIAN GLIDER

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The Hungarian Glider (Neptis rivularis) is a species of butterfly of the brush-footed butterflies (Nymphalidae) family, found across Europe from France eastwards to Japan in woodland margins and damp localities where it feeds on Spiraea. There is one generation a year, and the butterflies fly from May until August.
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HUNGARIAN VIZSLA

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The Hungarian Vizsla is a Hungarian breed of gundog introduced to the west during the 1930s when emigres left Hungary taking their dogs with them. The Vizsla is an even-tempered and affectionate breed that settles well into a home environment.
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HUON PINE

The Huon Pine is a tree of the Yew family found in Tasmania and yielding a useful timber.
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HURA

Hura is a genus of tropical American plants of the family Euphorbiaceae.
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HUSK

Husk is the collective noun for a group of hares.
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HYACINTH

Hyacinth is a genus of liliaceous bulbous plants including about thirty species.
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HYAENIDAE

Hyaenidae is a family of mammals consisting of the hyenas and the aardwolf.
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HYALONEMA

The hyalonema is a member of the hexactinellida class.
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HYDATICUS

Hydaticus is a genus of predacious diving beetles of the family Dytiscidae represented by two species in Britain. They live primarily in stagnant water with plenty of mud.
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HYDATINA

Hydatina is a Phylum Rotifera.
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HYDNOBIUS

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Hydnobius is a genus of beetles of the family Leiodidae. Four species occur in Britain, but are rare.
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HYDNUM

Hydnum is a genus of fungi containing both terrestrial and parasitic species. They are characterised by the hymenium, or fructifying surface, being spread over awl-shaped prickles or tubercles, which are distinct at the base. They have fleshy bodies, which in several species are edible, and in none poisonous.
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HYDRA

The hydra is of the order Hydrida.
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HYDRAENA

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Hydraena is a genus of beetles of the family Hydraenidae with ten species found in Britain. They are small, narrow beetles whose extremely long maxillary palps are considerably longer than their antennae which have a small, three-jointed club. They live in flowing water, under stones, in moss, under wood, on aquatic plants and sometimes in stagnant water.
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HYDRAENIDAE

Hydraenidae is a family of five genera of beetles ranging from one to seven millimetres in length, and living in or near water.
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HYDRANGEA

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Hydrangea is a genus of shrubs or herbs of the family Saxifragaceae, containing about eighty species native to Asia and America. The British garden hydrangea was introduced from China in 1790 by Sir J. Banks.
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HYDRIDA

Hydrida is an order of Hydrozoa. They are solitary hydroid freshwater forms which reproduce by budding and sexual reproduction.
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HYDROBIUS

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Hydrobius is a genus of water scavenger beetles of the family Hydrophilidae.
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HYDROMYS

Hydromys is a genus of Australian water-rats peculiar to that continent and Tasmania and New Guinea. The single species, Hydromyschrysogaster is blackish above and golden below, and reaches a length of about sixty centimetres.
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HYDRONOMUS

Hydronomus is a genus of Snout Beetles (Curculionidae) that live near stagnant water, pools and ditches.
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HYDROPHIIDAE

Hydrophiidae is the 'Sea Snakes' family of reptiles of the sub-order Serpentes (Snakes). The family is comprised of two sub-families, sixteen genera and about 56 species native to the Pacific and Indian Ocean regions. Most of the members are highly adapted to a marine existence with laterally compressed bodies and rudder-like tails which help them swim. The eyes are relatively small and the nostrils are valved, being kept closed while swimming. Sea Snakes have adapted to living in salt water and have a gland which extracts excess salt from the blood system, and passes it to the tongue for expulsion when the tongue is extended. The members have short proteroglyphic venom fangs at the front of the upper jaw. Sea Snakes feed largely on fish, particularly eels.
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HYDROPHIINAE

Hydrophiidae is a sub-family of ovoviviparous reptiles of the Sea Snake family (Hydrophiidae) containing fifteen genera and some fifty-one species found mainly in coastal areas and estuaries. Members have their nostrils set high back on the snout.
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HYDROPHILIDAE

Hydrophilidae is the water scavenger family of beetles. They are mostly round or oval bodied and have a three to five jointed club on the antennae.
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HYDROPHILUS

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Hydrophilus is a genus of water scavenger beetles of the family Hydrophilidae. They are among the largest of the beetles, measuring up to 50 mm long. Hydrophilus piceus is known as the Great Silver Water-beetle and occurs in Britain, though its becoming very rare. The larvae are predacious, but the adults herbivorous, and the beetles are found in pools with plenty of vegetation.
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HYDROPORUS

Hydroporus is a genus of predacious diving beetles of the family Dytiscidae with 29 species living in Britain.
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HYDROSMECTA

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Hydrosmecta is a genus of rove beetles, Staphylinidae.
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HYDROTHASSA

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Hydrothassa is a genus of leaf beetles (Chrysomelidae) that live in damp localities often on buttercups and similar plants.
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HYDROUS

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Hydrous is a genus of large water scavenger beetles of the family Hydrophilidae.
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HYDROZOA

Hydrozoa is a class of Sub-Phylum Cnidaria. They are mainly marine colonial forms which during the life-history have both hydroid and medusoid stages.
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HYENA

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The Hyena is an African carnivore, of the family Hyaenidae. It has a large head and neck, long, well-developed forelegs, and powerful jaws and premolars adapted for crushing bones. Each foot has four toes with non-retractable claws, well suited for running on the open plains where hyenas feed on hoofed animals. Of the three hyena species, the best known is the spotted, or laughing, hyena (Crocuta crocuta) , the only member of its genus. Ranging south of the Sahara, it is the largest and most robust of the hyenas, with a length of 1.8 m and a height of 90 centimetres at the shoulder. Adults are brown-grey with dark brown or black spots. Named for their cry, which has been compared to hysterical human laughter, they also emit a striking howl that rises in pitch. Spotted hyenas were long thought to be only scavengers (warring African tribes abandoned their dead to the animal). Recently, hyenas have been found to be among the chief predators of herbivores, especially zebra and wildebeest. The hyenas attack in packs at
night, ripping open the flanks of their prey and carrying off the carcasses.
Hyenas associate in clans cantered around communal dens occupied by batches of young at varying stages of growth. Females conceive throughout the year, giving birth after 110 days to one or two cubs, which dig their own tunnels. Pair bonding is not evident; the female, larger than the male, selects her mating partners. The female sexual organs have an external resemblance to the male's, a phenomenon probably related to scent identification, which plays a large part when clan members encounter one another. A clan may consist of ten or twelve females, twenty cubs, and a number of males on the fringe; hyenas are very territorial. Little is known about the genus Hyaena , which comprises the striped hyena, Hyaena Hyaena , and the brown hyena, Hyena brunnea. Both bear manes of coarse, erectile hair and are smaller and far less aggressive than the spotted hyena. The striped hyena, grey-tan with vertical stripes, ranges from East Africa north into Asia. It is largely a scavenger, often eating vulture-picked bones. The brown hyena, found in southern Africa, is
dark brown with a grey head and striped legs. It feeds mainly on fish and crabs.
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HYGRONOMA

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Hygronoma is a genus of rove beetles, Staphylinidae, capable of walking on water due to the special hairs on their tarsi.
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HYGROTUS

Hygrotus is a genus of predacious diving beetles of the family Dytiscidae which lives in stagnant water.
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HYLAEOSAURUS

Hylaeosaurus was a dinosaur of the Cretaceous period, remains of which were first discovered in the early 19th century at Tilgate Forest, Sussex, England.
Hylaeosaurus was about six metres long, walked on all fours and had armour with spines that stuck out upwards and also sideways along the back and tail.
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HYLASTES

Hylastes is a genus of beetle of the family Scolytidae that breed beneath the bark of various coniferous trees.
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HYLECOETUS

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Hylecoetus is a genus of beetle of the family Lymexylidae ranging from six to eighteen millimetres long, the males black in colour and the females usually, but not always, light brown. The larvae bore tunnels in felled wood and then eat the fungi which grow in them.
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HYLESINUS

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Hylesinus is a genus of beetle of the family Scolytidae, that live mainly on ash trees.
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HYLIS

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Hylis is a genus of false click beetle (Eucnemidae).
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HYLURGUS

Hylurgus is a genus of beetle of the family Scolytidae that breed in pine bark.
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HYMENOPTERA

The hymenoptera is an order of insects which includes the bees, wasps and ants. Most of the members have two pairs of membranous wings, and all members show a marked division of the body into head, thorax and abdomen. The order is divided into two sub-orders, distinguished by the manner in which the thorax is joined to the abdomen.
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HYPACROSAURUS

Hypacrosaurus was a dinosaur of the Cretaceous period. Hypacrosaurus was a large, duck-billed dinosaur about nine metres long that walked on all fours, with a short, high skull with a rounded crest on top. Hypacrosaurus was a herbivore and had dozens of strong teeth which were replaced when they wore away.
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HYPEBAEUS

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Hypebaeus is a genus of tiny beetle of the family Malachiidae.
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HYPERA

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Hypera (formerly known as Phytonomus) is a genus of Snout Beetles (Curculionidae) represented by fifteen British species. The larvae pupate in a transparent cocoon attached to the leaves or stem of their food plant.
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HYPERICACEAE

Hypericaceae is a family of plants. They are herbs, shrubs or rarely trees with simple opposite leaves. They have terminal or axillary, solitary, cymose or paniculate flowers which are usually yellow or white.
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HYPERMASTIGINA

Hypermastigina are an order of Zoomastigina. They are small flagellates with numerous flagella. They live in the gut of insects. Hypermastigina in the gut of termites assist in the digestion of wood.
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HYPHYDRUS

Hyphydrus is a genus of predacious diving beetles of the family Dytiscidae living in chiefly stagnant water. One species, Hyphydrus ovatus, is found in Britain.
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HYPNOIDUS

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Hypnoidus is a genus of small click beetle (Elateridae), about six millimetres in length, with a thickset, domed body.
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HYPOCACCUS

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Hypocaccus is a genus of small beetles of the family Histeridae.
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HYPOMEDON

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Hypomedon is a genus of rove beetles, Staphylinidae.
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HYPOTRICHA

Hypotricha is an order of ciliata vera. They are flattened ciliates with large stiff ciliates on the lower surface which act similarly to legs.
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HYPSELOSAURUS

Hypselosaurus was a dinosaur of the Cretaceous period. Hypselosaurus was about 12 metres long, walked on all-fours and had a long neck and tail. Eggs have been found with the bones of Hypselosaurus and these eggs were about 30 cm long and 25 cm across.
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HYPSILOPHODON

Hypsilophodon was a small dinosaur of the Cretaceous period. Hypsilophodon was about two metres long, walked on its long hind legs, each furnished with four toes, and had short arms each furnished with five fingers. Hypsilophodon was a herbivore and had short chopping teeth at the back of the mouth and no teeth at the front, but possibly a bony beak. The first remains of a Hypsilophodon were found in 1849 and was first thought to be the remains of a young Iguanodon, but in the middle of the 20th century it was identified as a distinct species of dinosaur.
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HYRACOIDEA

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The Hyracoidea or Hyrax as they are commonly known, are an order of Eutheria. They are small rabbit-like creatures. Also called rock hyrax or cony, they are found in Africa and parts of the Middle East. Some species are tree dwellers, while others live on the ground; they feed on vegetation. They are about 50 centimetres in length. The head is thick and pointed, with short, rounded ears and a short neck. The body is squat, with short thin legs and a rudimentary tail. The feet, which are equipped with soft, elastic pads for climbing, have hoof like claws; each forefoot has four toes, and each hind foot has three. The inner toe on each foot is much reduced in size.
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HYSSOP

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Hyssop (Hyssopus) is a genus of small aromatic perennial herbs of the family Labiatae. They are native to Europe and Asia. The leaves were once used as a medicinal herb tea for pulmonary or catarrhal disorders. The aromatic oil extracted from the leaves is sometimes used in liqueurs.
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HYSTIRCO MORPHA

Hystirco Morpha is the porcupine-like suborder of the order Rodentia.
Research Hystirco Morpha

 
 
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