a fossil genus of spiral chambered shell, containing numerous species approaching nearest to the living nautilus.—See Von Buch, Ann. de Sciences Nat.; Sowerby's Conchology; D'Orbigny, Palæont. Frane.

the descendants of the younger son of Lot (Gen. xix. 38). They originally occupied a tract of country east of the Amorites, and separated from the Moabites by the river Arnon. It was previously in the possession of a gigantic race called Zamzummins (Deut. ii. 20). The Israelites, on reaching the borders of the Promised Land, were commanded not to molest the children of Ammon, for the sake of their progenitor Lot. Nevertheless, frequent wars were carried on between Israel and the Ammonites up to the time of Judas Maccabeus (B.C. 164), who fought many battles with the Ammonites, and took Jazer, with the towns belonging to it. Justin Martyr affirms that in his time the Ammonites were numerous (Dial. cum Tryph. § 119). Origen speaks of their country under the general denomination of Arabia. Josephus says that the Moabites and Ammonites were inhabitants of Cœle-Syria (Antiq. i. 11, § 5).

Their national idol was Moloch or Milcom, whose worship was introduced among the Israelites by the Ammonitish wives of Solomon (1 Kings xi. 5, 7).