Nostoc
Pronunciation : Nos"toc
Part of Speech : n.
Etymology : [F.] (Bot.)
Definition : Defn: A genus of alg?. The plants are composed of moniliform cells imbedded in a gelatinous substance.
Note: Nostoc commune is found on the ground, and is ordinarily not seen; but after a rain it swells up into a conspicuous jellylike mass, whish was formerly supposed to have fallen from the sky, whence the popular names, fallen star and star jelly. Also called witches' butter.
Source : Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, 1913