SPIRACLES
Noun
spiracles
plural of spiracle
Source: Wiktionary
SPIRACLE
Spir"a*cle, n.Etym: [L. spiraculum, fr. spirare to breathe: cf. F.
spiracule. See Spirit.]
1. (Anat.)
Definition: The nostril, or one of the nostrils, of whales, porpoises, and
allied animals.
2. (Zoöl.)
(a) One of the external openings communicating with the air tubes or
tracheæ of insects, myriapods, and arachnids. They are variable in
number, and are usually situated on the sides of the thorax and
abdomen, a pair to a segment. These openings are usually elliptical,
and capable of being closed. See Illust. under Coleoptera.
(a) A tubular orifice communicating with the gill cavity of certain
ganoid and all elasmobranch fishes. It is the modified first gill
cleft.
3. Any small aperture or vent for air or other fluid.
Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition