Talk:Lissamphibia

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Why doesn't the etymology include the first element of the word? — This comment was unsigned.

We should have it. I suppose it's the Greek root for smooth, as in lissotrichous etc. I don't know how to write it in the Greek script, or I'd add it myself. Equinox 00:36, 20 November 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Yes, you are right.

Ernst Haeckel coined the name. After a discussion of a "sub-class of Mailed Batrachians (Phractamphibia)," at pages 298-300 of volume 2 of The history of creation, or, the development of the earth and its inhabitants by the action of natural causes: a popular exposition of the doctrine of evolution in general, and of that of Darwin, Goethe, and Lamarck in particular, he wrote, "All the other Amphibia known to us belong to the second sub-class, to the Naked Batrachians (Lissamphibia). They probably originated as early as the Palaeozoic period, although fossil remains of them are first found in the Chalk and Tertiary epochs. They are distinguished from Mailed Batrachians by possessing a naked, smooth, slimy skin, entirely without scales or coat of mail."

http://books.google.com/books?id=2L07AAAAMAAJ&pg=PA298&lpg=PA302&ots=CdMnmxW3_-&dq=haeckel+lissamphibia&output=text#c_top

Source for lissos is Lidell and Scott.

I added it following the form of the original etymology.

Thanks. Someone can add the Greek script another day. Equinox 01:57, 20 November 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Pasted the etymology of Amphibia and added Ancient Greek λισσός (lissós, smooth). To get Greek letters I clicked Special Characters and selected Greek. Requested creation of page for Ancient Greek λισσός (lissós, smooth).

Better way to get Greek characters: In edit mode click the drop-down list near the bottom of the page. Templates is the default selection. Select Greek.