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From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.44 [gcide]:
Lamellibranchia \La*mel'li*bran"chi*a\, Lamellibranchiata \La*mel'li*bran'chi*a"ta\, noun pl. [NL. See {lamella}, and {Branchia}, {Branchiate}.] (Zo["o]l.) An earlier name for the class of Mollusca including all those that have bivalve shells, as the clams, oysters, mussels, etc., now called {Pelecypoda} or {Bivalvia}. [1913 Webster +PJC]
Note: They usually have two (rarely but one) flat, lamelliform gills on each side of the body. They have an imperfectly developed head, concealed within the shell, whence they are called {{Acephala}}. Called also {Conchifera}, and {Pelecypoda}. See {Bivalve}.
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