palola

1 definition found

palola - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  Palolo \Pa*lo"lo\, n., or Palolo worm \Palolo worm\ . [From
     native name.] (Zool.)
     A polystome worm (Palolo viridis) that burrows in the coral
     reefs of certain of the Pacific Islands. A little before the
     last quarter of the moon in October and November, they swarm
     in vast numbers at the surface of the sea for breeding, and
     are gathered and highly esteemed as food by the natives. An
     allied species inhabits the tropical Atlantic and swarms in
     June or July.
  
     Note: In the 1890 Webster, called palola and Palola viridis
           . A misspelling?
           [Webster 1913 Suppl.]