bivalvia

Bivalvia
    n 1: oysters; clams; scallops; mussels [syn: {Bivalvia}, {class
         Bivalvia}, {Lamellibranchia}, {class Lamellibranchia},
         {class Pelecypoda}]
    

Lamellibranchia \La*mel`li*bran"chi*a\, Lamellibranchiata
\La*mel`li*bran`chi*a"ta\, n. pl. [NL. See {lamella}, and
   {Branchia}, {Branchiate}.] (Zool.)
   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}.
         [1913 Webster]