Onycha
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
- For the town in Alabama, see Onycha, Alabama.
Onycha, or Blatta Byzantina, is the fingernail-like operculum, or closing flap, of certain snails, including Onyx marinus, Strombus lentiginosus, and Unguis odoratus. It is the upper part of a shell called by the Latins Conchylium.
These shells may be of different sizes, but their overall shape is that of a claw, which is the origin of the name Unguis odoratus. The name Blatta Byzantina is occasioned by its being usually brought from Constantinople, the ancient Byzantium.
In antiquity, onycha was used as a spice or fragrance. Rubbed with an alkali solution prepared from the bitter vetch to remove impurities, it was then soaked in the fermented berry juice of the Caper shrub, or a strong white wine, in order to enhance its fragrance. It is mentioned in the Book of Exodus 30:34.
[edit] References
- This article incorporates content from the 1728 Cyclopaedia, a publication in the public domain.
- "Onycha". Navigating the Bible II. World ORT. URL accessed 2006-05-20.
