Sodium, n. One of the elements of common salt, and also found in the tissues of plants and animals.
Sorrel, n. A.-S. sūr, sour; a kind of plant with acid leaves.
Sphinx, n. In Greek mythology, a monster with the head of a woman, the wings of an eagle, and the claws of a lion; she sat on a rock and proposed a riddle to all who passed and killed those who could not guess it. The Egyptian sphinx has no wings and is not the same as the Greek monster; it is generally placed in rows in avenues leading to temples, and the largest and most famous Egyptian sphinx is the Great Sphinx near the great pyramids of Ghizeh; it held a temple between its paws.
Spring beauties, n. Pretty, delicate, and early spring flowers.
Spur, n. A pointed instrument worn on the heel to goad a horse; any sharp projection formed like a horseman’s spur.
Stamen, n. L. stamen, thread, string, fibre; the floral organ containing the fertilizing pollen. The stamen, like the pistil, is believed to be a modified leaf.
Starch, n. A substance composed of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen, forming one of the principal elements in plants and necessary as food to animals.
Stiffening cells, n. The woody cells and other tough-walled cells that serve to keep the shape of a plant.
Stigma, n. The structure at the top of the style where the pollen is received.
Stipules, n. L. stipula, a stalk, stem, blade; the small, leaf-like appendages at the base of the petiole of leaves.