Hydroidea n. pl. (Written also Hydroida) (Zool.) An extensive order of Hydrozoa or Acalephae. Note: This order includes the hydras and the free-swimming hydromedusae, together with a great variety of marine attached hydroids, many of which grow up into large, elegantly branched forms, consisting of a vast number of zooids (hydranths, gonophores, etc.), united by hollow stems. All the zooids of a colony are produced from one primary zooid, by successive buddings. The Siphonophora have also been included in this order by some writers. See Gymnoblastea, Hydromedusa, Gonosome, Gonotheca.
