a. Zool. [f. mod. L. Toxoglossa (Troschel, 1848), f. Gr. τόξα arrows, darts + γλῶσσα tongue (not from τοξικόν poison): see -ATE2 2.] Having the characters of the Toxoglossa of Troschel, a group of gastropod mollusks; the same as Gray’s Toxifera.
[1848. Troschel, in Wilfmann & Ruthe’s Handbch. d. Zoologie (ed. 3).]
1853. J. E. Gray, in Anm. & Mag. Nat. Hist., Ser. II. XI. 230. [following Troschel] Sub-order Rostrifera.… Section 2. Toxoglossa, lingual membrane with two series of subulate, elongate, often barbed lateral teeth.
1891. Cent. Dict., s.v., A toxoglossate gastropod.
[1913. Prof. G. C. Bourne, in Lett. I am pretty sure that Troschel compared the teeth to arrows … when he described and classified 3 families as Toxoglossa.… As a matter of fact all the Toxoglossa have a poison-gland, but this was a later discovery.]
