Crossword Centre - Organic Matter - August 2015

[Matakari]

Some help to get me off the ground will be appreciated, please:

3d Let blood ooze out from additional vessel over a short time(11):
????????E??
4d Perhaps restore home, with reformed pirate wearing cost(10):
????????I?
13d Removal of awful exit helping to protect public initially(11)
??????A????
14d Somewhat involved with rights for animals(10):
?????A????
16d Bright male in exile oddly not disheartened(9): ??L??????

Many thanks in advance!

[Captain2]

14d Earthworms (anag of somewhat + RR)

[Neveracrossword]

I don't know if help is normally sought - or given - for the Crossword Centre's puzzles?

This crossword obviously has something thematic going on as some clues have differing lengths given.

[Matakari]

Many thanks, Captain2! I am sorry, but I did not know that it was forbidden to seek help from the Answer Bank for this one! I guess I'll just have to battle through it on my own, then! Thanks again!

[ubasses]

4 Prescottia

[Matakari]

Thank you for this one,Ubasses!

[Matakari]

I am trying to understand the theme of organic matter! When once this becomes clearer, it should be pretty plain sailing! Any help from anyone else? Thanks!

[shaneystar2]

To do with the organs in your body and 4 down is not Prescottia .

[Matakari]

Aha, that changes everything now! Thanks, shaneystar2! I'll have another look at it now!

[Matakari]

Could anyone give me the answers to the other four requested (3d,13d,14d,16d) so that I may see how it works? Many thanks!

[Neveracrossword]

Those four clues are normal clues, not thematic. 14 D was answered earlier.

I didn't say it was 'forbidden' to seek help, I was merely observing that I didn't know if help was normally sought or given.

[Matakari]

Sorry about the way this was phrased,Neveracrossword!

[Matakari]

I am making some headway with the normal clues, though not easily.
Could someone give me answers or hints to the following so that I may understand what to do? These clue arrangements are new to me. Thanks!

10a Criticise relay races(8;10)
17a Opening chapter(7;7)
25a Theory wanting for final stretch ahead(6;10)

I would really like to get the hang of this type of puzzle!
Many thanks in advance!

[bibblebub]

13d: extirpation

anagram of 'exit', followed by 'ration' [helping], with P(ublic) inserted

p.s. for the last 3 clues with 2 numbers in brackets are we looking for a 2 word answer or 2 separate answers to each clue or what?

[bibblebub]

16d: EBULLIENT

male = BULL inside E(x)I(l)E, followed by N(o)T

[Neveracrossword]

Bibblebub, here's the preamble to this crossword...

Eight clues lack a definition. Their solutions, which have something in common, need to be replaced with a different word according to a rule before entry into the grid. For those clues, lengths of both solution and replacement word are indicated.

[bibblebub]

thanks

[bibblebub]

4d: REPATRIATE

anagram of 'pirate' inside 'rate'[cost]

[Matakari]

Thanks! When I first looked at the puzzle, there was no preamble as the setter had omitted to put it! That changes everything now! I am taking up the challenge!

[Matakari]

Seeking confirmation for the following,please!
11a British draftees unfortunately not given formula?(9): DIRECTION?
3d Let blood ooze out from additional vessel over a short time(11):
GLOMERULATE?
23d Speech baffling overseas nurses(5): RUNES?
26d Overly short warning sound(3): GRR?

And some help with parsing this one, please -
14d Somewhat involved with rights for animals(10): EARTHWORMS

Many thanks in advance!

[Neveracrossword]

I'm afraid all four answers are wrong.

14 D -As mentioned earlier, Earthworms, animals, is an anagram of 'spmewhat' and 'r'.