Rain tree, also called monkeypod tree, is a shade tree that grows in tropical climates. Rain trees have short, stout trunks and long spreading branches. Some trees measure more than 100 feet across. The trees are called rain trees because moisture that looks like rain often drips from them. However, scientists believe the liquid is really a discharge from insects feeding on the trees.
Rain trees have pink and white flowers. The seeds of the trees grow in thin, black pods that are often eaten by monkeys. A freshly cut tree has moist wood that can easily be carved, and it keeps is shape as it dries. Rain tree has a golden to dark brown color and is used to make bowls, trays, and other articles. The tree is native to Central America, South America, and the West Indies. In the United States, it is grown in Hawaii and Florida.
Other Interesting Finds
Halloween Inflatables
burn fat build muscle
lego mindstorms nxt sale
full body puppets
Indy 500
bakersfield movers
The IM Advantage
woodwick candles
AZ refi
TV stands furniture
Thursday, August 26, 2010
How Rainbows Are Formed
Raindrops act as tiny prisms and mirrors to break up sunlight into colors of the spectrum and send colored light back to our eyes. Each drop forms many colors. But the color that reaches our eyes from a particular drop depends on the angle between it and the line formed by the sun's rays. Many raindrops, each sending colored light at certain angles, form a rainbow.
The reflection, refraction, and diffraction of the sun's rays as they fall on drops of rain cause this interesting phenomenon. These processes produce all the colors of the color spectrum - violet, indigo blue, green, yellow, orange, and red. However, the colors of a rainbow blend into each other so that an observer rarely sees more than four or five clearly. The width of each color band varies, and depends chiefly on the size of the raindrops in which a rainbow forms. Narrow bands are caused by larger drops.
Sunlight is a combination of all colors. Different wave lengths of light exhibit different colors. You see the rainbow when the sun is behind you and the rain is in front of you. As a ray passes into a drop of rain, the water acts as a prism.
The ray is refracted as it enters the drop, and is diffracted into different colors. As it strikes the inner surface of the drop, it is reflected. On leaving the drop, it is further refracted and dispersed. Many drops produce a rainbow.
Other Interesting Finds
Buy One Way Links
TV stands furniture
woodwick candles
Locksmith in Phoenix
dog puppet
Autographed Baseball
bass guitar tips
ME mortgage
AZ refi
kids table
The reflection, refraction, and diffraction of the sun's rays as they fall on drops of rain cause this interesting phenomenon. These processes produce all the colors of the color spectrum - violet, indigo blue, green, yellow, orange, and red. However, the colors of a rainbow blend into each other so that an observer rarely sees more than four or five clearly. The width of each color band varies, and depends chiefly on the size of the raindrops in which a rainbow forms. Narrow bands are caused by larger drops.
Sunlight is a combination of all colors. Different wave lengths of light exhibit different colors. You see the rainbow when the sun is behind you and the rain is in front of you. As a ray passes into a drop of rain, the water acts as a prism.
The ray is refracted as it enters the drop, and is diffracted into different colors. As it strikes the inner surface of the drop, it is reflected. On leaving the drop, it is further refracted and dispersed. Many drops produce a rainbow.
Other Interesting Finds
Buy One Way Links
TV stands furniture
woodwick candles
Locksmith in Phoenix
dog puppet
Autographed Baseball
bass guitar tips
ME mortgage
AZ refi
kids table
Rape Herbs
Rape is a flowering herb of the mustard family. Farmers raise rape as a pasture crop and for processing into livestock feed. One variety of rape is grown for its oil-bearing seeds. Rape oil is used as a cooking and salad oil and in manufacture of such products as margarine, soap, and industrial lubricants.
Rape is raised chiefly in Asia, Europe, and New Zealand. It grows about 3 feet tall. It has slender branches covered with whitish-green leaves. The plant grows pale yellow flowers that are about 1/2 inch long. Depending on the variety, a rape plant may be an annual or biennial. Annual rapes grow and die within one year. Biennial rapes live for two growing seasons.
Other Interesting Finds
mid west girls hockey
trains o scale
RV Washington
Indianapolis Marketing
bass guitar secrets
fsbo mls listing
kids beds
AZ refinance
television stands
Table Saw
Rape is raised chiefly in Asia, Europe, and New Zealand. It grows about 3 feet tall. It has slender branches covered with whitish-green leaves. The plant grows pale yellow flowers that are about 1/2 inch long. Depending on the variety, a rape plant may be an annual or biennial. Annual rapes grow and die within one year. Biennial rapes live for two growing seasons.
Other Interesting Finds
mid west girls hockey
trains o scale
RV Washington
Indianapolis Marketing
bass guitar secrets
fsbo mls listing
kids beds
AZ refinance
television stands
Table Saw
Chief Red Cloud
Red Cloud was one of the greatest warriors and chiefs of the Oglala, a band of Teton Sioux Indians. During the 1860's, Red Cloud and his followers fought to keep the whites our of Sioux territory in what are now Montana, South Dakota, and Wyoming. Some historians have called this struggle Red Cloud's War.
During the 1860's, white settlers began to travel to Bozeman Trail to gold fields in Montana. This trail crossed northeastern Wyoming, a main hunting area of the Sioux. Red Cloud's band continually attacked travelers on the trail. In 1866, to keep the route open, the U.S. Army built Fort Phil Kearny and Fort Reno in Wyoming and Fort C.F. Smith in Montana. Red Cloud and his allies kept these forts under siege for almost two years.
In 1868, the United States government agreed to abandon the three forts and not build any more roads through Sioux territory. Because of this victory, Red Cloud has been called the only Indian who ever won a war against the U.S. government. He lived at peace with the whites after 1868.
Other Interesting Finds
TV stands furniture
AZ refi
Silver Rosaries
hot water systems manly
Infant Bedding Set
Indianapolis SEO
crate training
fl first time home buyer
office file cabinets
jazz songs
During the 1860's, white settlers began to travel to Bozeman Trail to gold fields in Montana. This trail crossed northeastern Wyoming, a main hunting area of the Sioux. Red Cloud's band continually attacked travelers on the trail. In 1866, to keep the route open, the U.S. Army built Fort Phil Kearny and Fort Reno in Wyoming and Fort C.F. Smith in Montana. Red Cloud and his allies kept these forts under siege for almost two years.
In 1868, the United States government agreed to abandon the three forts and not build any more roads through Sioux territory. Because of this victory, Red Cloud has been called the only Indian who ever won a war against the U.S. government. He lived at peace with the whites after 1868.
Other Interesting Finds
TV stands furniture
AZ refi
Silver Rosaries
hot water systems manly
Infant Bedding Set
Indianapolis SEO
crate training
fl first time home buyer
office file cabinets
jazz songs
Redbud aka Judas Tree
Redbud, also called Judas tree, is any one of a group of small trees and shrubs native to North America, southern Europe, Asia, and Japan. Redbuds are particularly beautiful early in spring when the whole tree is covered with pink, delicate blossoms, each about 1 inch long. The flowers emerge from both the old wood and the new twigs. They reach full bloom before the leaves appear. Some redbud trees grow 40 feet high. The reddish-brown bark is smooth, and the wood is hard and close-grained. The simple leaves are heart-shaped. Redbud trees bear many seeds in flat, thin pods. The seeds are a valuable source of food for wild game.
Redbuds are valued as ornamentals. These trees grow best in fertile, sandy soil. They are grown from seeds or from cuttings. The redbud is also called the Judas tree because of the belief that Judas Iscariot, the betrayer of Jesus Christ, hanged himself on a redbud tree.
Other Interesting Finds
Tamarindo Hotels
chicken coop plans
cellulite treatment now
Bodybuilding Workouts
computer laptops
organic fashion
ways to make money from home
AZ mortgage
Rebuild Credit
TV stand furniture
Redbuds are valued as ornamentals. These trees grow best in fertile, sandy soil. They are grown from seeds or from cuttings. The redbud is also called the Judas tree because of the belief that Judas Iscariot, the betrayer of Jesus Christ, hanged himself on a redbud tree.
Other Interesting Finds
Tamarindo Hotels
chicken coop plans
cellulite treatment now
Bodybuilding Workouts
computer laptops
organic fashion
ways to make money from home
AZ mortgage
Rebuild Credit
TV stand furniture
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Redpoll
Redpoll is a small bird related to the finches and sparrows. Both male and female have a red crown, black chin, and whitish under parts, with dark streaks on the sides. In addition, the adult male has a rosy-pink breast. Redpolls breed in the northern part of North America and migrate south as far as California, Kansas, and South Carolina. These birds build their nests in bushes or small trees. Redpolls construct their nests chiefly of grass stems and line them with feathers. The females lay from five to seven blue eggs speckled with reddish-brown. Redpolls eat plant buds in addition to some insects. In winter, these birds commonly travel in flocks.
Other Interesting Finds
make solar panels
Silver Rosaries
Improve Credit
Christening Gift Ideas
female hair transplant
television stands
AZ refinance
Bodybuilding Workouts
ipod car adapter
www.factorydirectsecurityseals.com
Other Interesting Finds
make solar panels
Silver Rosaries
Improve Credit
Christening Gift Ideas
female hair transplant
television stands
AZ refinance
Bodybuilding Workouts
ipod car adapter
www.factorydirectsecurityseals.com
The Resurrection Plant
Resurrection plant is the name of several different plants that can be dried, but turn green when they are watered. The dried stems curl into a tight ball, but they spread out when the plant is put into water. A common plant of this type called rose of Jericho, belongs to the mustard family. It grows from seeds and is native to northern Africa and many regions of the Middle East. The mature plant loses its leaves, curls up like a ball with is seed pods inside, and blows across the land. Another resurrection plant, also called rose of Jericho, is an the selaginella family. It reproduces by means of microscopic cells called spores.
Other Interesting Finds
AZ refi
arthritis neck pain
send flowers in USA
bunk beds for sale
Bodybuilding Workouts
Fix Credit
about fanny packs
TV stands furniture
ipod car adapter
Indianapolis Divorce Lawyer
Other Interesting Finds
AZ refi
arthritis neck pain
send flowers in USA
bunk beds for sale
Bodybuilding Workouts
Fix Credit
about fanny packs
TV stands furniture
ipod car adapter
Indianapolis Divorce Lawyer
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
River Dolphins
River dolphin is a small toothed whale that lives in fresh water. It inhabits warm rivers and lakes of Asia and South America.
Like all whales, both river dolphins and marine dolphins belong to a group of mammals called cetaceans. But the two types of dolphins differ somewhat in appearance. For example, the snout of a river dolphin measures about 1 foot long, approximately four times as long as that of most marine dolphins, and their long vision is poorly developed because they live in dark, muddy water. River dolphins are also less active than marine dolphins. River dolphins feed primarily on fish.
The largest dolphins grow up to 9 feet long, but most are smaller. The animals may be white, pink, yellow, brown, gray, or black in color. There are four kinds of river dolphins. The Amazon dolphin lives in rivers of northern South America. The Chinese dolphin is found in Dongting Lake in China. The blind Ganges dolphin inhabits rivers of northern India and Pakistan. The La Plata dolphin lives in rivers an coastal waters of eastern South America.
Other Interesting Finds
TV stands furniture
solar power system
ipod car adapter
well l96
parking heathrow
AZ refi
trains o scale
www.dankennedydownloads.com
find CO foreclosure
RV Washington
Like all whales, both river dolphins and marine dolphins belong to a group of mammals called cetaceans. But the two types of dolphins differ somewhat in appearance. For example, the snout of a river dolphin measures about 1 foot long, approximately four times as long as that of most marine dolphins, and their long vision is poorly developed because they live in dark, muddy water. River dolphins are also less active than marine dolphins. River dolphins feed primarily on fish.
The largest dolphins grow up to 9 feet long, but most are smaller. The animals may be white, pink, yellow, brown, gray, or black in color. There are four kinds of river dolphins. The Amazon dolphin lives in rivers of northern South America. The Chinese dolphin is found in Dongting Lake in China. The blind Ganges dolphin inhabits rivers of northern India and Pakistan. The La Plata dolphin lives in rivers an coastal waters of eastern South America.
Other Interesting Finds
TV stands furniture
solar power system
ipod car adapter
well l96
parking heathrow
AZ refi
trains o scale
www.dankennedydownloads.com
find CO foreclosure
RV Washington
Roaches, Not Bugs
Roach is a fish of the carp and minnow family that lives in slightly salty lowland rivers and lakes in Europe. It is caught both for sport and for food. It usually grows 6 to 8 inches long, but it may reach a length of 14 inches. The roach is silvery, with a greenish back. The iris of the eye is bright red. The name roach is also given to a large American minnow called the golden shiner.
Other Interesting Finds
AZ refinance
granite minnesota
television stands
ipod car adapter
www.dankennedydownloads.com
flowers on line
3 day addiction cure
fannypacks
ct refi
Strong Appetite Suppressant
Other Interesting Finds
AZ refinance
granite minnesota
television stands
ipod car adapter
www.dankennedydownloads.com
flowers on line
3 day addiction cure
fannypacks
ct refi
Strong Appetite Suppressant
Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever
Rocky Mountain spotted fever is a serious disease that is often fatal. One of the rickettsias, which are germs slightly larger than viruses, causes the disease. The germ infects the Rock Mountain wood tick and the American dog tick. The ticks become infected when they bite small mammals, such as field mice and dogs, that are infected with the germ. When the tick bites a person, it transfers rickettsia to the person's bloodstream. Doctors first discovered the fever in the Rocky Mountain area of the United States, but it occurs throughout the country. It is most common in the southeastern and Middle Atlantic States. About 600 cases are reported every year, usually in late spring or early summer. It begins with chills and fever, and severe pains in the leg muscles and joints. Then a rash develops. Rocky Mountain spotted fever resembles many of the typhus diseases.
Tetracyclines, chloramphenicol, and other antibiotics are effective in treatment. Vaccines against the disease have proved relatively ineffective. Recovery from the fever gives complete immunity.
Other Interesting Finds
TV stands furniture
AZ refi
Roberto Cavalli sunglasses
forex cyborg robot
quick easy diets that work
0 Balance Transfer Credit Cards
flowers on line
Catholic Rosary Beads
Overcoming Anxiety
granite countertops mn
Tetracyclines, chloramphenicol, and other antibiotics are effective in treatment. Vaccines against the disease have proved relatively ineffective. Recovery from the fever gives complete immunity.
Other Interesting Finds
TV stands furniture
AZ refi
Roberto Cavalli sunglasses
forex cyborg robot
quick easy diets that work
0 Balance Transfer Credit Cards
flowers on line
Catholic Rosary Beads
Overcoming Anxiety
granite countertops mn
Rose Chafer
Rose chafer, often called rose bug, is a beetle about 1/3 inch long. It is light brown, and has long, spiny legs. It feeds on many plants and is often found on roses, ornamental plants, grapes, and various fruit trees. The beetles eat blossoms of grapes and roses, and often apples. They also attack many fruits. The rose chafer is particularly destructive in localities where there are large areas of grassland. It lives throughout the eastern and central regions of the United States.
After feeding three of four weeks, the beetles disappear. The females deposit eggs in the soil. These eggs hatch, and the larvae feed upon the roots of grass. Nearly full grown by fall, they go below the frost line for the winter. The larva, which looks like a white grub, comes near the surface in the spring and becomes a pupa. There is only one generation each year.
When the beetles are numerous, the best means of preventing injury is to cover small plants with cloth, or to pick the beetles off by hand. Large numbers can be collected in a pan containing water and kerosene. Commercial plantings of apples, grapes, and other fruit may be protected by cultivating all nearby areas during May and June to destroy any eggs that may have been laid. Insecticides may also be used on the plants.
Other Interesting Finds
AZ mortgage
TV stand furniture
Coffee Table Furniture
www.factorydirectsecurityseals.com
Overcoming Anxiety
0 Balance Transfer Credit Cards
personalised baby gifts
Dolce and Gabbana sunglasses
fat loss diets
Baptism Gifts
After feeding three of four weeks, the beetles disappear. The females deposit eggs in the soil. These eggs hatch, and the larvae feed upon the roots of grass. Nearly full grown by fall, they go below the frost line for the winter. The larva, which looks like a white grub, comes near the surface in the spring and becomes a pupa. There is only one generation each year.
When the beetles are numerous, the best means of preventing injury is to cover small plants with cloth, or to pick the beetles off by hand. Large numbers can be collected in a pan containing water and kerosene. Commercial plantings of apples, grapes, and other fruit may be protected by cultivating all nearby areas during May and June to destroy any eggs that may have been laid. Insecticides may also be used on the plants.
Other Interesting Finds
AZ mortgage
TV stand furniture
Coffee Table Furniture
www.factorydirectsecurityseals.com
Overcoming Anxiety
0 Balance Transfer Credit Cards
personalised baby gifts
Dolce and Gabbana sunglasses
fat loss diets
Baptism Gifts
Rose of Sharon
Rose of Sharon, also called Althaea, is a large hibiscus shrub with lovely rose, purple, white, or blue flowers about 3 inches wide. The flowers appear in September, when few other shrubs are in bloom. The rose of Sharon grows about 12 feet high and has large, three-loped leaves. It is hardy and does well under unfavorable conditions, either in the city or in the country. The shrub is native to Eastern Asia and grows in many North America gardens. Gardeners have developed several forms of the shrub. The rose of Sharon may be grown in pots and later transplanted outdoors.
Other Interesting Finds
television stands
best electric razor
forex foreign exchange
flowers on line
AZ refinance
chicken coop plans
abdominal muscles
Discounts
interstate car transport
www.dankennedydownloads.com
Other Interesting Finds
television stands
best electric razor
forex foreign exchange
flowers on line
AZ refinance
chicken coop plans
abdominal muscles
Discounts
interstate car transport
www.dankennedydownloads.com
Rubber Plants
Rubber plant is the common name for a house plant that is really a kind of fig. The rubber plant can grow well in the heat and low humidity of houses. It grows tall rapidly and lives a long time. The leaves of the rubber plant are large and broad and may grow from 2 to 12 inches long. The upper surface of the leaf is a shiny, dark green, and the underside is dull and lighter green.
The rubber plant requires little care. It will grow well if the soil in the pot is rich in minerals and the plant is given enough sunlight, water, and room. The plant
should be place outdoors during the summer so that it will get enough sunlight to last the winter. A rubber plant may grow so tall that it may be necessary to cut it back to make it branch. Sometimes a new plant can be grown from the tip of the stem that is cut off.
Rubber plants are often attacked by scale insects. These pests can be destroyed by spraying the plants with nicotine. Commercial rubber does not come from these rubber plants, but from a tropical tree that belongs to the castor-bean family.
Other Interesting Finds
AZ refi
TV stands furniture
Patio Furniture Dining Sets
hid kits
Sales meeting
best electric razor
Discounts
graphic design school
unsecured credit card
fat loss diets
The rubber plant requires little care. It will grow well if the soil in the pot is rich in minerals and the plant is given enough sunlight, water, and room. The plant
should be place outdoors during the summer so that it will get enough sunlight to last the winter. A rubber plant may grow so tall that it may be necessary to cut it back to make it branch. Sometimes a new plant can be grown from the tip of the stem that is cut off.
Rubber plants are often attacked by scale insects. These pests can be destroyed by spraying the plants with nicotine. Commercial rubber does not come from these rubber plants, but from a tropical tree that belongs to the castor-bean family.
Other Interesting Finds
AZ refi
TV stands furniture
Patio Furniture Dining Sets
hid kits
Sales meeting
best electric razor
Discounts
graphic design school
unsecured credit card
fat loss diets
Rubies
Ruby is the red gem variety of the mineral corundum. Varieties of corundum are called sapphires if they are blue and fancy sapphires if they are any color other than red or blue. Chemically, corundum is an aluminum oxide. Rubies get their red color from traces of chromium in the aluminum oxide. The red of most rubies has a brownish or yellowish tint. But the most highly valued rubies have a bluish tint called pigeon's blood red.
Rubies and sapphires are second only to diamonds in hardness, and fine-quality rubies are among the costliest of all gems. The finest rubies come from Burma. Today, commercially important deposits are mined in Thailand. India produces many rubies of lesser quality, but its star rubies are excellent. A star ruby appears to have a six-rayed star within it when seen in a bright light. Rubies from Sri Lanka are generally pale in color.
Millions of carats of inexpensive synthetic rubies are produced each year. However, a demand of real gems has allowed the natural stones to maintain their high value. It can be difficult to distinguish between natural and synthetic rubies, even for experts. Red garnets are sometimes substitutes for ruby, and they may appear under such misleading names as Arizona ruby or Cape ruby. The ruby is the birthstone for July.
Other Interesting Finds
TV stands furniture
AZ refi
tiffany lamps
air horn
Indianapolis Lawyers
baby girls clothes
paralegal work
fat loss diets
antivirus firewall software
Save Money on Groceries
Rubies and sapphires are second only to diamonds in hardness, and fine-quality rubies are among the costliest of all gems. The finest rubies come from Burma. Today, commercially important deposits are mined in Thailand. India produces many rubies of lesser quality, but its star rubies are excellent. A star ruby appears to have a six-rayed star within it when seen in a bright light. Rubies from Sri Lanka are generally pale in color.
Millions of carats of inexpensive synthetic rubies are produced each year. However, a demand of real gems has allowed the natural stones to maintain their high value. It can be difficult to distinguish between natural and synthetic rubies, even for experts. Red garnets are sometimes substitutes for ruby, and they may appear under such misleading names as Arizona ruby or Cape ruby. The ruby is the birthstone for July.
Other Interesting Finds
TV stands furniture
AZ refi
tiffany lamps
air horn
Indianapolis Lawyers
baby girls clothes
paralegal work
fat loss diets
antivirus firewall software
Save Money on Groceries
Ruminant Mammals
Ruminant is the name given to a grazing animal that chews its cud and has split hoofs. Such animals as the ox, sheep, cow, camel, llama, deer, goat, antelope, and giraffe are ruminants. The ruminant has an odd way of digesting food. It swallows its food, usually grass, after chewing it only slightly. The food then goes down the animal's esophagus and into the stomach.
Except for camels and some others, most ruminants have a stomach that has four separate cavities. Each cavity helps digest food. The first cavity is called the rumen or paunch. Most of the food collects there after being swallowed. Some food passes directly into the second cavity, called the reticulum. The reticulum has tiny pockets in its walls that look like a honeycomb. Food stored in the rumen passes into the reticulum, where it is softened and formed into soft masses called cuds. As the animal rests, the muscles of the reticulum send the food back to the mouth to be chewed and mixed with saliva. The animal chews with a roundish motion of the jaw and swallows again. The cud passes through the rumen and reticulum to the third cavity, the omasum, and finally into the fourth cavity, the abomasums. In the abomasums, the food mixes with the stomach juice. From the stomach, the food passes into the intestine, where digestion is completed. The digested food is absorbed through the lining of the intestine and passes to all parts of the body through the bloodstream.
The ruminant chews its food with its molars. It does not have any biting teeth, or incisors, in the upper jaw. The lower teeth bite against the hard upper gum.
Other Interesting Finds
AZ refinance
television stands
American auto ins
spyware blockers
container seal
personalized story books
paralegal work
fast weight loss diet
sewing machines
tiffany lamps
Except for camels and some others, most ruminants have a stomach that has four separate cavities. Each cavity helps digest food. The first cavity is called the rumen or paunch. Most of the food collects there after being swallowed. Some food passes directly into the second cavity, called the reticulum. The reticulum has tiny pockets in its walls that look like a honeycomb. Food stored in the rumen passes into the reticulum, where it is softened and formed into soft masses called cuds. As the animal rests, the muscles of the reticulum send the food back to the mouth to be chewed and mixed with saliva. The animal chews with a roundish motion of the jaw and swallows again. The cud passes through the rumen and reticulum to the third cavity, the omasum, and finally into the fourth cavity, the abomasums. In the abomasums, the food mixes with the stomach juice. From the stomach, the food passes into the intestine, where digestion is completed. The digested food is absorbed through the lining of the intestine and passes to all parts of the body through the bloodstream.
The ruminant chews its food with its molars. It does not have any biting teeth, or incisors, in the upper jaw. The lower teeth bite against the hard upper gum.
Other Interesting Finds
AZ refinance
television stands
American auto ins
spyware blockers
container seal
personalized story books
paralegal work
fast weight loss diet
sewing machines
tiffany lamps
Thursday, August 5, 2010
Live Forever Plants
Houseleek, also called live-forever, is a group of succulent plants related to sedums. Their fleshy leaves tend to form thick rosettes. Their star-shaped flowers grow on stems up to 1 foot tall and are greenish-white, rose, yellow, or purple. The common houseleek grows wild on Alpine rocks. This plant also thrives around houses throughout Europe, where it is used as a cover for walls and roofs.
The cut or bruised leaves of the houseleek are said to relieve pain of burns or bee stings. People once thought that the houseleek protected against lightning, and called it thunder plant.
Other Interesting Finds
AZ refi
TV stands furniture
anti bark collar
Avatar Costume
Tudor Costumes
eden prairie chiropractors
natural fertility
Firefighter Costume
maple grove chiropractors
plymouth mn chiropractor
The cut or bruised leaves of the houseleek are said to relieve pain of burns or bee stings. People once thought that the houseleek protected against lightning, and called it thunder plant.
Other Interesting Finds
AZ refi
TV stands furniture
anti bark collar
Avatar Costume
Tudor Costumes
eden prairie chiropractors
natural fertility
Firefighter Costume
maple grove chiropractors
plymouth mn chiropractor
Beer Making Plants - Hop
Hop is a vine grown for its papery, yellowish-green flowers, which are used in brewing beer. The flowers, also called hops, grow in cone-like clusters that measure 1 to 4 inches in length. The petals have tiny glands that contain various oils and resins. These materials prevent growth of bacteria in beer and give the beverage its bitter taste.
Hop vines may grow as long as 25 feet in a single growing season. The vines die in the fall. But the rhizomes of the plants continue to live, and they produce new vines the next spring.
Hops grow in wide range of climates and soils. The leading hop-growing state in the United States is Washington. Oregon ranks second, followed by Idaho and California. The plant is also grown in Australia, Germany, Great Britain, Japan, New Zealand, South Africa, and South America.
Growers plant hop rhizomes in mounds of 6 to 8 feet apart. The vines are supported with poles or trellises to keep them from spreading on the ground. Such supports allow the plants to be placed closer together, thus increasing yield of each unit of land.
Hops are harvested in late summer or early autumn. Workers cut the vines by hand and place them in picking machines that separate the hops from the vines. The hops are then cleaned, dried in ovens, and pressed into bales for shipment or storage.
Other Interesting Finds
AZ mortgage
TV stand furniture
dog cage
Mothers Day Flowers
minneapolis chiropractor
1 Cup Coffeemaker
automated affiliate formula
Dog Paintings
Sport Memorabilia
Deals Italy
Hop vines may grow as long as 25 feet in a single growing season. The vines die in the fall. But the rhizomes of the plants continue to live, and they produce new vines the next spring.
Hops grow in wide range of climates and soils. The leading hop-growing state in the United States is Washington. Oregon ranks second, followed by Idaho and California. The plant is also grown in Australia, Germany, Great Britain, Japan, New Zealand, South Africa, and South America.
Growers plant hop rhizomes in mounds of 6 to 8 feet apart. The vines are supported with poles or trellises to keep them from spreading on the ground. Such supports allow the plants to be placed closer together, thus increasing yield of each unit of land.
Hops are harvested in late summer or early autumn. Workers cut the vines by hand and place them in picking machines that separate the hops from the vines. The hops are then cleaned, dried in ovens, and pressed into bales for shipment or storage.
Other Interesting Finds
AZ mortgage
TV stand furniture
dog cage
Mothers Day Flowers
minneapolis chiropractor
1 Cup Coffeemaker
automated affiliate formula
Dog Paintings
Sport Memorabilia
Deals Italy
The Hoopoe Bird
Hoopoe is a rose-buff colored bird with a showy crest of feathers on its head and black and white bars on its wing and tail. The hoopoe is slightly larger than an American robin. It lives in the warmer regions of Europe, Asia, and Africa.
Hoopoes nest is holes in trees, walls, and rocks. The female lays five to seven white eggs. The male feeds the female while she incubates the eggs. Hoopoes eat insects and spend much time on the ground searching for food. When threatened by other animals, such as hawks, hoopoes flatten themselves on the ground with their wings and tail spread and bill pointed upward.
Other Interesting Finds
Television Stands
AZ refinance
anti bark collar
Avatar Halloween Costume
acid reflux symptoms
Used Furniture For Sale
maple grove chiropractic
Bar Counter Stools
Single Serve Coffeemakers
studder
Hoopoes nest is holes in trees, walls, and rocks. The female lays five to seven white eggs. The male feeds the female while she incubates the eggs. Hoopoes eat insects and spend much time on the ground searching for food. When threatened by other animals, such as hawks, hoopoes flatten themselves on the ground with their wings and tail spread and bill pointed upward.
Other Interesting Finds
Television Stands
AZ refinance
anti bark collar
Avatar Halloween Costume
acid reflux symptoms
Used Furniture For Sale
maple grove chiropractic
Bar Counter Stools
Single Serve Coffeemakers
studder
Hollyhock Flowers
Hollyhock is a tall, hardy plant grown for its large spires of colorful flowers. It is native to Asia, but is grown widely in the United States. Its large, fuzzy, heart-shaped leaves start as low rosettes. Tall, heavy stems rise to bear the flowers spires. Hollyhocks bloom from July to early September. They are used as background borders or along fences. The flowers are round and open wide. Their colors range from white, through yellow, salmon, and red, to purple.
Most hollyhocks are perennials that usually bloom the second year. They can be started outdoors, but some gardeners start hollyhocks in a frame in July and transplant them to their garden the following spring. Annual hollyhocks bloom the same year that the seeds are planted.
Hollyhocks thrive in well-drained soil and full sunlight. When the flowers fade, the plant stalks lose their attractiveness, and can be cut down. A few stalks can be left standing if seed is desired. A fungal disease called rust sometimes attacks hollyhocks.
Other Interesting Finds
Used Furniture For Sale
TV stands furniture
AZ refin
Indianapolis Lawyer
Darth Vader Costume
maple grove mn chiropractic
Kids Beds
Swivel Bar Stool
Indy 500
Superbowl Tickets
Most hollyhocks are perennials that usually bloom the second year. They can be started outdoors, but some gardeners start hollyhocks in a frame in July and transplant them to their garden the following spring. Annual hollyhocks bloom the same year that the seeds are planted.
Hollyhocks thrive in well-drained soil and full sunlight. When the flowers fade, the plant stalks lose their attractiveness, and can be cut down. A few stalks can be left standing if seed is desired. A fungal disease called rust sometimes attacks hollyhocks.
Other Interesting Finds
Used Furniture For Sale
TV stands furniture
AZ refin
Indianapolis Lawyer
Darth Vader Costume
maple grove mn chiropractic
Kids Beds
Swivel Bar Stool
Indy 500
Superbowl Tickets
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
Hoatzin Birds
Hoatzin is a strange looking bird that lives in marshy areas by waterways in northern South America. Hoatzins are born with claws on their wings. The young birds use the claws to climb on tree branches until they learn to fly. The claws fall off as the birds mature.
The hoatzin has short, rounded wings and a long tail. Loose yellow plumes on part of its head give it a ruffled look. Its upper body is dark brown, and its underparts are buff colored. The hoatzin grows a bit larger than a pigeon and usually eats leaves and fruit. It usually lives in tree branches that hang over marshy waters.
Hoatzins have no close relatives. However, they may be remotely related to domestic poultry.
Other Interesting Finds
iphone car kit
tv stands furniture
az refi
www.designersunnies.com.au
best spyware removal
caveman diet
ct refi
www.usaflowersonline.com
online flower shop
hair growth vitamins
The hoatzin has short, rounded wings and a long tail. Loose yellow plumes on part of its head give it a ruffled look. Its upper body is dark brown, and its underparts are buff colored. The hoatzin grows a bit larger than a pigeon and usually eats leaves and fruit. It usually lives in tree branches that hang over marshy waters.
Hoatzins have no close relatives. However, they may be remotely related to domestic poultry.
Other Interesting Finds
iphone car kit
tv stands furniture
az refi
www.designersunnies.com.au
best spyware removal
caveman diet
ct refi
www.usaflowersonline.com
online flower shop
hair growth vitamins
Hercules Beetle
Hercules beetle is the name of several large, strong beetles that live in North America. Male Hercules beetles have long horns that project from the head and front upper part of the body. The horns are curved to meet each other and look like pincers. Males of one species found in the West Indies grow 5 to 6 inches long. The horns may make up more than half of the beetle's length. The eastern Hercules beetle is found from New Jersey to Pennsylvania and west to Indiana, Oklahoma, and Texas. It is greenish with dark spots. The southwestern Hercules beetle is darker in color and has longer horns. It lives in the southwestern part of the United States.
Other Interesting Finds
designer sunglasses
warrior diet
www.usaflowersonline.com
hair growth vitamins
tv stands furniture
az refi
Guess watch
better homes and gardens magazine
pop up gazebo
miles rewards
Other Interesting Finds
designer sunglasses
warrior diet
www.usaflowersonline.com
hair growth vitamins
tv stands furniture
az refi
Guess watch
better homes and gardens magazine
pop up gazebo
miles rewards
Hedgehogs
Hedgehog is a small animal that looks somewhat like a porcupine. The common hedgehog lives in northern Europe and Asia, Asia Minor, southern and eastern Africa, and New Zealand. It is about 9 inches long. It has short ears and legs, a short tail, and a long nose. Stiff needlelike growths called spines cover its back and protect the animal from its enemies. When it is in danger, the hedgehog rolls itself into a spiny ball.
Hedgehogs hunt for food at night. They eat insects, snakes, small mammals, and birds, and birds' eggs. When cold weather comes, hedgehogs settle down to hibernate. Hedgehogs are easily tamed. Some people keep them as pets to get rid of insects and other house pests.
Other Interesting Finds
http://www.pocketrocketsforsale.com
solar power kits
flower deliveries
beginner guitar lessons
better homes and gardens magazine
Kids Beds
best spyware removal
www.usaflowersonline.com
tv stands furniture
az refi
Hedgehogs hunt for food at night. They eat insects, snakes, small mammals, and birds, and birds' eggs. When cold weather comes, hedgehogs settle down to hibernate. Hedgehogs are easily tamed. Some people keep them as pets to get rid of insects and other house pests.
Other Interesting Finds
http://www.pocketrocketsforsale.com
solar power kits
flower deliveries
beginner guitar lessons
better homes and gardens magazine
Kids Beds
best spyware removal
www.usaflowersonline.com
tv stands furniture
az refi
Hawk Moths
Hawk moth is a member of a worldwide family of large, brightly colored moths that are also called sphinx moths. These moths have powerful, streamlined bodies; long, slender front wings; and small hind wings. They fly quickly and skillfully, hovering in front of flowers and sucking nectar through its proboscis, a coiled tube extending from the mouth. The proboscis of one species reaches 10 inches in length.
The caterpillars often have a sharp horn at the rear end, and are called hornworms. When these creatures rest they raise the front part of the body. In profile, they look like the Egyptian sphinx. They spend their pupal stage in the soil, and do no spin cocoons.
Other Interesting Finds
RV Washington
CO foreclosure
video sales letter formula
home decor rugs
3 day addiction cure
divisas forex
ipod car kit
software forex
Kids Beds
ipod vehicle integration
The caterpillars often have a sharp horn at the rear end, and are called hornworms. When these creatures rest they raise the front part of the body. In profile, they look like the Egyptian sphinx. They spend their pupal stage in the soil, and do no spin cocoons.
Other Interesting Finds
RV Washington
CO foreclosure
video sales letter formula
home decor rugs
3 day addiction cure
divisas forex
ipod car kit
software forex
Kids Beds
ipod vehicle integration
Hawaiian Honeycreepers
Hawaiian honeycreeper is any member of a family of about 20 species of sparrow-sized birds that live only in Hawaii. They get their name from the way honeycreepers creep, or flutter, about when searching in flowers for insects or nectar.
Originally, there was one species of honeycreeper. The birds wandered to Hawaii or were blown there by a storm. Over time, this species evolved into many species, each with its own feeding habits. Some honeycreepers have a long curved bill that helps them find food in flowers. Others have a heavy bill for crushing seeds. A third type feeds like a woodpecker, using its strong bill to chisel away tree bark in search of insects.
When Europeans settled to Hawaii in the late 1700's and early 1800's, they brought cats, rats, mosquitoes, and other animals. Some of these animal hunted honeycreepers, and others destroyed much of the forested areas where honeycreepers lived. The mosquitoes carried bird malaria that killed many honeycreepers. About a third of the species of honeycreepers became extinct.
In 1973, two students from the University of Hawaii found a previously unknown species of honeycreeper. This small brown and beige bird was the first bird species discovered in the Hawaiian Islands since 1893.
Other Interesting Finds
ipod car kit
Indianapolis Divorce Lawyer
cellulite treatment
home decor rugs
automated affiliate formula
Spokane Storage
pop up canopy
San Antonio car insurance
Best Hair Loss Treatment
Internet Marketing Tools
Originally, there was one species of honeycreeper. The birds wandered to Hawaii or were blown there by a storm. Over time, this species evolved into many species, each with its own feeding habits. Some honeycreepers have a long curved bill that helps them find food in flowers. Others have a heavy bill for crushing seeds. A third type feeds like a woodpecker, using its strong bill to chisel away tree bark in search of insects.
When Europeans settled to Hawaii in the late 1700's and early 1800's, they brought cats, rats, mosquitoes, and other animals. Some of these animal hunted honeycreepers, and others destroyed much of the forested areas where honeycreepers lived. The mosquitoes carried bird malaria that killed many honeycreepers. About a third of the species of honeycreepers became extinct.
In 1973, two students from the University of Hawaii found a previously unknown species of honeycreeper. This small brown and beige bird was the first bird species discovered in the Hawaiian Islands since 1893.
Other Interesting Finds
ipod car kit
Indianapolis Divorce Lawyer
cellulite treatment
home decor rugs
automated affiliate formula
Spokane Storage
pop up canopy
San Antonio car insurance
Best Hair Loss Treatment
Internet Marketing Tools
Hartebeest
Hartebeest is a large African antelope. There are two main kinds, the red hartebeest and Lichtenstein's hartebeest. The red hartebeest is found in central and southwest Africa. Lichtenstein's hartebeest lives in Southern Africa, especially Mozambique and Zambia.
Hartebeests grow from 3 1/2 to 5 feet high and weigh from 220 to 500 pounds. The females are smaller than the males. Both the females and the males have curved horns. Hartebeests have a brown or reddish-brown coat. The red hartebeest is more reddish and slightly smaller than Lichtenstein's hartebeest.
Hartebeests live in open or lightly wooded areas, where they feed on many kinds of grasses. They run rapidly and can easily outrun a lion or a horse. They travel in herds of 10 or 20 or more. Hartebeests were once found throughout the grassy plains of Africa, but some populations have now become scarce.
Other Interesting Finds
PMO Project
Automated Affiliate Formula
Rent PS2 Games
Silver Rosaries
gun cabinet
Jillian Michaels Diet
Avatar Costume
triple threat muscle
dui lawyer
mortgage business
Hartebeests grow from 3 1/2 to 5 feet high and weigh from 220 to 500 pounds. The females are smaller than the males. Both the females and the males have curved horns. Hartebeests have a brown or reddish-brown coat. The red hartebeest is more reddish and slightly smaller than Lichtenstein's hartebeest.
Hartebeests live in open or lightly wooded areas, where they feed on many kinds of grasses. They run rapidly and can easily outrun a lion or a horse. They travel in herds of 10 or 20 or more. Hartebeests were once found throughout the grassy plains of Africa, but some populations have now become scarce.
Other Interesting Finds
PMO Project
Automated Affiliate Formula
Rent PS2 Games
Silver Rosaries
gun cabinet
Jillian Michaels Diet
Avatar Costume
triple threat muscle
dui lawyer
mortgage business
The Harpy Eagle
Harpy eagle is a large bird of prey that lives in lowland tropical forests. Harpy eagles inhabit southern Mexico, eastern Bolivia, southern Brazil, and northern Argentina. Harpies weigh more than 10 pounds and stand 3 feet tall. Their wingspread reaches 7 feet. The harpy eagle's head and neck are gray, its chest is black, and its underparts are white. A long black crest covers the back of the head. A large black beak and massive yellow feet distinguish the bird.
This powerful eagle uses its strength to capture monkeys, sloths, opossums, and porcupines. Harpies build large stick nests in tall trees. Mating pairs only breed every other year and the female lays one or two eggs. Harpy eagles are named after the "flying monsters" in ancient Greek and Roman mythology.
Other Interesting Finds
alcohol tester
Computer Backpack
search engine ranking optimization
Rent PS2 Games
Silver Rosaries
Bean Bag
Infant Halloween Costumes
Home Insurance Comparison
Indianapolis Lawyer
Jillian Michaels Diet
This powerful eagle uses its strength to capture monkeys, sloths, opossums, and porcupines. Harpies build large stick nests in tall trees. Mating pairs only breed every other year and the female lays one or two eggs. Harpy eagles are named after the "flying monsters" in ancient Greek and Roman mythology.
Other Interesting Finds
alcohol tester
Computer Backpack
search engine ranking optimization
Rent PS2 Games
Silver Rosaries
Bean Bag
Infant Halloween Costumes
Home Insurance Comparison
Indianapolis Lawyer
Jillian Michaels Diet
Greek and Roman Harpies
Harpy, in Greek and Roman mythology, was a frightful monster that was half woman and half bird. Harpy comes from a Greek word meaning to snatch. Harpies stole food from their victims and left a dreadful smell behind them. They tormented the blind king Phineus until the sons of the north wind, who were traveling with the Argonauts, drove the Harpies away. Phineus then told the Argonauts how to pass through the Clashing Rocks. According to vigil, Aeneas also met the Harpies in his wanderings.
Other Interesting Finds
Dog Paintings
Computer Backpack Bag
search engine ranking optimization
Rent PS2 Games
Diamond Eternity Rings
Indianapolis Lawyers
best texas refi
Infant Halloween Costumes
arthritis neck pain
Childrens Beds
Other Interesting Finds
Dog Paintings
Computer Backpack Bag
search engine ranking optimization
Rent PS2 Games
Diamond Eternity Rings
Indianapolis Lawyers
best texas refi
Infant Halloween Costumes
arthritis neck pain
Childrens Beds
The Holy Halibut
Halibut is one of the largest and most important of the flatfishes. Its name comes from the word holy, and refers to the fact that it was once widely used as food on Christian holy days. A cold-water fish, the halibut belongs to the flounder group, and has the characteristic flat body, with both eyes on the same side of the head. Its eyes lie on the right side, which is dark brown. The left side is white. Halibut can be found in all northern seas. They are among the largest of the world's true bony fishes. Some female halibut weight as much as 400 pounds.
Halibut are caught with strong hooks tied a short distance apart on long lines. The hooks are baited and then dropped to the ocean bottom. The most important fishing grounds in North America are the waters from Puget Sound to Alaska, the Grand Banks off Newfoundland, and the waters of Greenland. Halibut has a mild, pleasant flavor.
Other Interesting Finds
saving a relationship
self cleaning litter box
free 0845 numbers
kids beds
Silver Rosaries
Bean Bag
arthritis neck pain
Bumble Bee Costume
commercial second mortgage
dui lawyer
Halibut are caught with strong hooks tied a short distance apart on long lines. The hooks are baited and then dropped to the ocean bottom. The most important fishing grounds in North America are the waters from Puget Sound to Alaska, the Grand Banks off Newfoundland, and the waters of Greenland. Halibut has a mild, pleasant flavor.
Other Interesting Finds
saving a relationship
self cleaning litter box
free 0845 numbers
kids beds
Silver Rosaries
Bean Bag
arthritis neck pain
Bumble Bee Costume
commercial second mortgage
dui lawyer
Hake Fishes
Hake is the name of a group of food fish closely related to the cod. Hakes live in shallow to deep waters in most coastal areas of the Atlantic Ocean and the eastern Pacific Ocean.
Commercial fishing crews use a variety of techniques to catch hakes. One of the most efficient ways include a trawl, a large cone-shaped fish net. Some hakes are sold either fresh or frozen. Others are used as animal feed.
True hakes have two fins on the back with a notch in the second fin, and a long fin on the underside. These fish vary in color. Many are brown to gray on top and silver to white on the belly and sides. Some true hakes reach about 4 feet in length and weigh up to 50 pounds. But most weigh less than 8 pounds. Some species of fish that are commonly called hakes belong to the codfish family. These fish may have fins on the back or underside that extend into long, narrow feelers.
Hakes feed on a variety of prey, such as shrimp, squid, and even other hakes. They swim in schools when hunting.
Other Interesting Finds
commercial Locksmith Gilbert
saving a relationship
Caribbean online advertising
Childrens Table
Diamond Eternity Rings
home solar panel
arthritis neck pain
Star Wars Costumes
commercial second mortgage
dui lawyer
Commercial fishing crews use a variety of techniques to catch hakes. One of the most efficient ways include a trawl, a large cone-shaped fish net. Some hakes are sold either fresh or frozen. Others are used as animal feed.
True hakes have two fins on the back with a notch in the second fin, and a long fin on the underside. These fish vary in color. Many are brown to gray on top and silver to white on the belly and sides. Some true hakes reach about 4 feet in length and weigh up to 50 pounds. But most weigh less than 8 pounds. Some species of fish that are commonly called hakes belong to the codfish family. These fish may have fins on the back or underside that extend into long, narrow feelers.
Hakes feed on a variety of prey, such as shrimp, squid, and even other hakes. They swim in schools when hunting.
Other Interesting Finds
commercial Locksmith Gilbert
saving a relationship
Caribbean online advertising
Childrens Table
Diamond Eternity Rings
home solar panel
arthritis neck pain
Star Wars Costumes
commercial second mortgage
dui lawyer
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
The Great Marlin
Marlin is the name of a group of large game fishes that live in the ocean. They are related to the spearfishes and sailfishes. Most marlins weigh from 50 to 400 pounds, but some weigh much more. The largest ever caught, a black marlin, weighed about 1,560 pounds. The marlin has a pointed spear that may measure 2 feet long. The marlin's dorsal fin looks like a sickle, and its tail is crescent shaped. White marlins live in the Atlantic Ocean and striped marlins live in the Pacific. Black marlins and blue marlins live in both the Atlantic and Pacific. Marlins often leap high in the air.
Other Interesting Finds
Marmoset Monkeys
Marmoset is one of the world's smallest kinds of monkey. Most marmosets are less than 1 foot long, not including the tail, and weight from 10 to 12 ounces. The thick, soft coats or marmosets range in color from silvery-white to dark gray or brown. Patches of hair stick out from the head and ears of some marmosets. Unlike most other monkeys, marmosets have claws instead of nails. The live in trees and walk on all four legs, much like squirrels. Marmosets feed mainly on insects and fruit. They also chew holes in certain trees to eat gum or sap. Most marmosets live in groups of 3 to 8 in the tropical forests and woodland plains of Central and South America.
There are 10 types of marmosets. The pygmy marmoset is 5 1/2 to 6 1/2 inches long and weighs between 5 to 7 ounces. Pygmy marmosets are found from southern Colombia to southeastern Peru, and in parts of Ecuador and Brazil. Other marmosets live in Brazil and Bolivia.
Marmosets are kept as pets and are used in medical research. They are threatened by the increasing destruction of their tropical forest habitat.
Other Interesting Finds
Marsh Mallow
Marsh mallow is a plant that grows in meadows and marshes of eastern Europe. It is now grown in the United States. The marsh mallow has woody stalks, which grows to 2 to 4 feet high, and large leaves. Downy hair covers both stalks and leaves. The plant has bluish to pink flowers. Its root is white and shaped like a carrot. People have eaten the roots and leaves of this plant during famines. These parts also are sometimes used for medicinal purposes.
Other Interesting Finds
Marten Mammals
Marten is a slim, fur-covered mammal that looks like an oversized weasel. It lives in mountainous and forested areas of Asia, Europe, and North America.
The best known North American species is the American marten. It is fairly common in the Rocky Mountains and the Far North from Newfoundland and Quebec to Alaska. This marten has thick, golden-brown fur with darker feet and a paler face. It usually has an orange path on the throat and chest. It grows to 26 inches long, including its tail. Martens weigh 2 to 3 pounds. The males are slightly larger than the females. The American marten eats mice, rabbits, squirrels and birds. It lives in hollow trees and rock crevices. About nine months after mating, the female gives birth, usually to two or three young.
From November to March, when the American marten's coat is thick and soft, trappers in Canada and the United States kill about 50,000 to 130,000 animals. The fur is used in coats, hats, and muffs.
The fisher is related to the American marten. A male fisher weighs up to 20 pounds. It has dark brown or grayish-brown fur. Now rare, the fisher is found in nearly the same areas as the American marten. It lives on the ground or in trees. It eats mostly small rodents. It also feeds on porcupines and snowshoe hares. Well-known European martens include the beech marten, which has white fur on its throat and chest, and the pine marten, with yellowish fur on these parts.
Other Interesting Finds
Martin Birds
Martin is the name of several birds in the swallow family. The purple martin is the best known martin in North America. It is about 8 inches long. The male is a dark purplish-blue color. The birds migrate to Central and South America in the winter. They have been seen in summer as far north as the Saskatchewan Valley in Canada. Purple martins nest in colonies. They originally built their nests in holes in dead trees, but they now nest primarily in large, multi-roomed birdhouses built for them. Martins will return to the same birdhouse year after year. The female lays from three to eight white eggs.
Martins help people by eating ants, flies, beetles, mosquitoes, and other winged insect pests. In New England, English sparrows and starlings have driven most of the martins from their homes.
Other Interesting Finds
Chief Massasoit
Massasoit was a chief of the Wampanoag tribe of Indians that lived in what is now southern Massachusetts and Rhode Island. He made a treaty with Governor John Carver of Plymouth Colony in the spring of 1621, shortly after the Pilgrims landed in America.
He agreed that his people would not harm the Pilgrims as long as he lived. In turn, the Pilgrims guaranteed to protect the Indians and their rights. Massasoit kept the peace all his life.
As a reward for the Indian's friendship, Massasoit and a number of his braves are said to have been invited to join the feast in Plymouth Colony on the first Thanksgiving Day. Afterward, the chief told the English: "The Great Spirit surely must love his white children best."
When Massasoit died, he was succeeded by his elder son, Wamsutta, known as Alexander. Massasoit's younger son, Metacomet, known as King Phillip, succeeded Alexander.
Other Interesting Finds
Ancient Mastodons
Mastodon was an animal much like the elephant. It is now extinct. Mastodons first lived in North Africa about 40 million years ago. They spread to Asia, Europe, and the rest of Africa. Mastodons reached America about 14 million years ago and lived there until about 10,000 years ago.
Mastodons were related to another group of prehistoric elephant-like animals called four-tuskers. Mastodons and four-tuskers were stockier than and not as tall as elephants or mammoths. Early species had tusks in both jaws. Some of the later species lost the lower tusks. Others developed great, flat, lower tusks. These species are called shovel-tuskers. The mastodon's teeth were up to 3 inches wide and 6 inches long. Each tooth had four to six cross-rows of heavy enamel cones which the mastodon used to grind plants it ate.
Other Interesting Finds
Mate Plants
Mate, also called Paraguay tea, is a drink made from the dried leaves and shoots of a holly tree which grows in South America. People make the tea by pouring boiling water over the leaves and stems. Mate has a large amount of caffeine and produces a stimulating effect. The plant had dark-green leaves 3 to 6 inches long. Its greenish-white flowers and small, dark-red fruits grow at the base of the leaf stems. Mate growing is a large industry in Paraguay, Argentina, and southern Brazil. Exporters ship large amounts to other countries in South America. Mate is sometimes called yerba mate.
Other Interesting Finds
The Matterhorn
Matterhorn is a famous mountain peak in the Pennine Alps. It rises 14,692 feet on the boundary between Valais, Switzerland, and the Piedmont region of Italy. It is about 40 miles east of Mont Blanc.
The Matterhorn rises like a pyramid from the mountains around it. Snow always covers the upper slopes of this peak. Many climbers have scaled its steep sides. The first person to make the dangerous climb to the top of the Matterhorn was Edward Whymper in 1865.
Other Interesting Finds
May Apples
May apple is an American plant that belongs to the barberry family. It grows wild in wooded areas of the eastern half of the United States. People often call the May apple mandrake.
The May apple grows in large groups or colonies. Its large leaves have 5 to 7 lobes. The leaves look somewhat like small umbrellas. They usually grow in pairs, on a stem about 1 foot high. A white flower grows on a short stalk in a fork of the stem. It is about 2 inches wide.
The May apple produces a small, round fruit about the size of a golf ball. Before it ripens, the fruit is green in color and has a bitter taste. If eaten, it can cause severe stomach pain. The ripe fruit is yellow and can be eaten. Podophyllum resin, a drug used to remove warts, comes from the root of the May apple.
Other Interesting Finds
Mayflies
Mayfly is a dainty insect with lacy wings and a slender, forked tail that trails behind it in flight. Mayflies are commonly called dayflies because of their short lives. Adult mayflies live only a few hours or a few days. They do not eat and usually have undeveloped mouthparts. Mayflies actually are not true flies. A true fly has two wings. However, mayflies have four wings. Mayflies are also known as shad flies or duns. Imitation mayflies are used as fishing lures.
Young mayflies are called nymphs or naiads. They hatch from eggs laid in streams and ponds. A nymph breathes through gills and feeds on water plants. It lives for a few months to two years in the water. It then leaves the water, sheds its skin and becomes winged subimago, or subadult. Mayflies are the only insects that go through this stage. After a few hours, the subimago sheds its skin and becomes a full grown adult. Mayflies are most common in early spring, but may occur until late fall. The nymphs serve as a source of food for fish.
Other Interesting Finds
Thursday, July 15, 2010
A Glimpse at Canvasbacks
Canvasback is a large duck that lives in North America. The duck is named for the male's grayish-white body, which resembles the color of canvas. The male also has a reddish-brown head and neck and a black breast. The female is gray and brown. Canvasbacks measure about 21 inches in length and weigh 2 to 3 pounds. They dive underwater to feed on wild celery, small clams, and other plants and animals that live on the bottom of lakes and marshes.
Canvasbacks breed in marshes on the Canadian prairies and in Alaska. The birds usually build nests in clumps of cattails or bulrushes. The female lays seven to nine greenish eggs. Another species of duck, called redhead, often lays its eggs in canvasback nests.
Canvasbacks spend the winter in Chesapeake Bay, San Francisco Bay, and other areas on the Atlantic and Pacific coasts of the United States and Mexico. Many hunters prize the duck as a game bird.
Other Interesting Finds
Tunes of a Harp
Harp is one of the oldest known stringed instruments. The chief instrument in the harp family is the large concert harp. Smaller harps are often used in folk music.
The modern concert harp is a large, triangular wooden instrument about 70 inches tall. The wood is often gilded and decoratively carved. The harp rests on a base called the pedestal. A perpendicular column called the pillar rises from the front of the pedestal. A hollow soundbox, which amplifies the sound, projects at an angle from the rear of the pedestal. The pillar and the soundbox are joined at the top by a gracefully curved neck.
Forty-seven strings of different lengths and thicknesses are stretched between the neck and the soundbox. Tuning pins in the neck set the strings to the notes of the scale over a range of 6 1/2 octaves. Seven foot-pedestals extend from the pedestal. When a pedal is depressed, it raises the pitch of its corresponding strings a half-tone or whole-tone, depending on the distance the pedal is depressed. This mechanism, called double action, enables the performer to play in any key or sequence of keys.
The performer sits with the harp between the knees, tilting it so it rests against the right shoulder. The player plucks the strings with the thumb and the first three fingers of each hand and operates the pedals with the feet.
Early forms of the harp existed in several ancient Near Eastern civilizations. In Europe, the first harps appeared in the 700's in Ireland, where the harp is now a national symbol.
Other Interesting Finds
Heliotrope - A Flower
Heliotrope is a popular plant with beautiful, fragrant flowers. These flowers always face toward teh sun. Another name for heliotrope is turnsole. Both names mean turning to the sun.
The species of heliotrope grown in most places is native to Peru. It grows easily from cuttings or from seed. The plant is shrubby, has many branches, and grows from 1 to 2 feet high. The oval leaves have veins and wrinkles. The tiny, sweet heliotrope blossoms form huge clusters that range from lilac to dark blue in color. Each flower is shaped like a slender tube that broadens into a five pointed star. The fragrance of the Peruvian heliotrope is like vanilla. Another kind smells like narcissus. Heliotrope perfumes imitate this scent.
Other Interesting Finds
Volcano Vesuvius
Vesuvius is the only active volcano on the mainland of Europe. It is probably the most famous volcano in the world. It rises on the Bay of Naples, about 7 miles southeast of the city of Naples. Vesuvius has been studied by scientist more than any other volcano because it erupts frequently and is easy to reach.
Vesuvius is a cone within the rim of Mount Somma, a big crater formed when the top of the mountain collapsed in the eruption of A.D. 79. The height of Vesuvius changes with each eruption. In 1900, the cone was 4,275 feet high. But after several eruptions since then, its height has dropped to 4,190 feet. The top of the active cone is a cup-shaped crater, ranging from 50 to 400 feet across. Vesuvius spouts columns of steam, cinders, and sometimes small amounts of lava into the air.
Many people live on the lower slopes of the mountain and on the plains at its foot, in spite of Vesuvius' history of eruptions. The volcanic soil is extremely fertile and the area is famous for its vineyard of wine grapes.
Other Interesting Finds
Triticale Grains
Triticale is a grain produced by crossbreeding wheat and rye. It has a high nutritional content because it contains more usable protein that either wheat or rye. The plant stands from 18 to 41 inches tall and has 6 to 10 long, narrow leaves. The head consists of many spikelets, each of which holds three to five kernels of grain.
Botanists first crossbred wheat and rye in 1876. This process yielded a hybrid plant that could not produce seeds. In 1937, scientists discovered that treating seedlings of wheat-rye crosses with a chemical called colchicines made the plants fertile.
The first triticale breeding program was set up in Sweden in the mid-1930's. By the 1950's, many countries, including the United States and Canada, has such programs. These programs have developed many varieties of the grain. Someday, triticale may become an important food in countries not suited for wheat production. Some varieties can grow in cold climates and in sandy or acid soils. Other resist rust better than wheat does and produce a higher yield than rye. At higher latitudes, triticale grain yields increase at a greater rate than do wheat yields.
Triticale will probably be used in many countries mainly as an animal feed. It can also serve as a pasture crop. Food companies may use triticale to make four for bread and cake. Other potential uses for the grain include cereal products and beermaking.
Other Interesting Finds
Lightning Forms
Lightning occurs in a variety of forms. A single flash of lightning often varies in appearance, depending on the position of an observer in relation to it.
The major forms of lightning include forked lightning, streak lightning, ribbon lightning, and bead, or chain, lightning. Forked lightning refers to a flash in which multiple branches of a stroke are visible. Streak lightning is a flash that seems to illuminate a single jagged line. Ribbon lightning appears as parallel streaks of light. It is formed when wind separates the strokes of a flash. Bead, or chain, lightning is a flash that breaks up into a dotted line as it fades.
Some electrical flashes in the sky - such as heat lightning and sheet lightning - are not really separate forms of lightning, though they appear different in some ways. Heat lightning, often seen on summer nights, seems to occur without thunder. Actually, it is lightning that occurs too far away from the observer for its accompanying thunder to be heard. The people underneath what looks from a distance like heat lightning experiencing a normal thunderstorm. Sheet lightning appears as an illumination of a portion of the sky. But it is lightning whose distinct flashes either are too far away to be seen or are hidden from view by clouds.
A form of lightning called ball lightning differs greatly from ordinary lightning. Ball lightning appears as a glowing, fiery ball that floats for several seconds before disappearing. It has reportedly been seen during thunderstorms, usually after ordinary lightning has occurred. It is described as a red, yellow, or orange ball that may be as large as a grapefruit. It has been reported floating along the ground and inside houses, barns and airplanes. No one knows how or why ball lightning occurs, or what it consists of.
A glowing light called St. Elmo's fire may resemble ball lightning in some ways. St. Elmo's fire is caused by electrical discharges from a sharp object during a thunderstorm. It sometimes appears around airplanes, the masts of sailing ships, towers, and treetops.
Other Interesting Finds
Saturnalia
Saturnalia was an ancient Roman festival that honored Saturn, the god of agriculture. The Saturnalia began on December 17. It lasted two days at first, but eventually was extended to a week. The Saturnalia may have originated as a thanksgiving celebration to commemorate the winter planting. However, it later lost its agricultural significance and became a time of general merriment. Even slaves were given temporary freedom to do as they pleased. The Saturnalia featured feasting, visiting, and gift giving. The most popular gifts of this festival were wax candles and small clay figurines.
The festival resembled celebrations in other parts of the ancient world that took place during December. Some features of Saturnalia may have influenced the way people celebrate Christmas today.
Other Interesting Finds
The Rhododendron Bush
Rhododendron is the name of a group of trees and shrubs that belong to the heath family. The name means rose tree. The group includes several species which are known for the beauty of their flowers and for their evergreen leaves. One of the best known is the great rhododendron which is also called great laurel and rosebay. It grows widely in the Allegheny Mountains. There, the interlocking branches form almost impassable thickets. This rhododendron rarely grows higher than 35 feet. Its white or rose-colored flowers grow in a large cluster.
Another species, the mountain rosebay, is a common shrub in Virginia. It produces brilliant, lilac-purple flowers. Other species are found in the Pacific Coast region. Some magnificent rhododendrons grow in the mountain regions of Indian. The leaves of most rhododendrons are poisonous.
Other Interesting Finds
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
The Rhesus Monkey
Rhesus monkey is a monkey noted for its usefulness in medical and behavioral research. It is also one of the most popular monkeys exhibited in zoos. Research on the rhesus monkey led to the discovery of the RH factor, a substance in the red blood cells of most human beings. Scientists named the substance for the animal.
The rhesus monkey lives in many regions of southern and southeastern Asia, from Afghanistan in the west to Thailand and southern China in the east. It measures from 18 to 25 inches tall. Rhesus monkeys weigh from 9 to 22 pounds and have dull yellow to brown fur. They live both on the ground and in trees in groups of about 5 to more than 100 animals. Rhesus monkeys inhabit a variety of surroundings, including deserts, farm areas, forests, mountains, and swamps. These monkeys also live in villages and in crowded bazaars of large cities. Their food includes buds, fruit, insects, leaves, roots, and various crops.
Many Hindus once regarded rhesus monkeys as sacred. But religious tolerance of the animals has declined because rhesus monkeys destroy crops and other property. Many scientists have called for conservation effort to protect rhesus monkeys. Large numbers have been trapped for use in research and in zoos, and people are occupying more and more land inhabited by the monkeys.
Until 1978, India was the chief exporter of rhesus monkeys. However, India stopped exporting them that year. As a result, there is a growing need in the United States for rhesus monkey breeding colonies
Other Interesting Finds
The South American Rhea
Rhea is a large South American bird that cannot fly. It looks like a small ostrich, and it is often called the South American ostrich. However, it has three toes on each foot, while the ostrich has two. The rhea also has larger wings and more feathers on its neck and head than the ostrich. The common rhea stands about 5 feet tall and weighs about 50 pounds.
Rheas live on the plains of southern Brazil, Uruguay, Paraguay, and Argentina. They usually live in flocks of from 5 to 30 birds, generally in brush-covered land near water where they can bathe and swim. They eat leaves, roots, and insects. Rheas have unusual nesting habits. The male scrapes a shallow hole in the ground and lines it with dry grass. Then he leads several hens to the nest, and each hen lays an egg. This process may be repeated several times, and a nest may contain up to 30 eggs. The male rhea sits on the eggs until they hatch. He also cares for the young birds.
Other Interesting Finds
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Triggerfishes
Triggerfish is a type of colorful fish that lives in coastal waters of warm and tropical seas. Most triggerfish are less than 1 1/2 feet long and have a roundish body with flattened sides.
The first three spines of a triggerfish's dorsal fin are specialized. The fish uses these spines to enlarge its body when threatened. The first spine is long and strong. It can be locked in place by the second, smaller spine, which lifts up and acts as a "trigger." When frightened, the fish hides in a crack or crevice and locks its spine. The fish then cannot be removed by predators. It returns to its normal size by releasing its second spine.
Triggerfish are closely related to filefish. There are about 120 species of triggerfish and filefish that live along the Atlantic Coast of the United States. Three species of triggerfish live along the mainland Pacific Coast. The state fish of Hawaii, the Humuhumunkunukuapuaa, is a triggerfish.
Other Interesting Finds
Hawthorn Plants
Hawthorn, also called thorn apple, is the name of more than 600 species of thorny shrubs or small trees that bear fragrant flowers. Hawthorns are native to North America, Europe, and northern Africa. Their blossoms are white or rarely, pink or red. The English hawthorn is noted for its beauty in May, when it blooms. The English countryside then becomes white with hawthorn blossoms. Hawthorns are deciduous - that is, they lose their leaves each autumn. The leaves change to scarlet, bronze-red, or yellow before they are shed. The fruit, called a haw, is fleshy with a paper like core. It is red to red-orange and looks like a small apple. For this reason, the hawthorn is sometimes called red haw or scarlet haw. The fruit ripens from September to October.
The downy hawthorn is a type of hawthorn found in the United States. This small tree has crooked, spreading branches and white blossoms. The orange-scarlet haws ripen late in the summer but fall soon after they mature. Another American hawthorn, the cockspur, sometimes grows 25 feet tall. Its red fruit remains on the tree from fall through winter.
Other Interesting Finds
The Ocelot
Ocelot is a medium-sized animal of the cat family. It is known as the leopard cat or tiger cat of America. It is 3 1/2 to 4 feet long including the tail, which is 15 inches long. The ocelot stands 16 to 18 inches high at the shoulder. The ocelot lives in an area ranging from southeastern Arizona and southern Texas to Paraguay in South America. It spends most of its life on the ground, but often hunts in forest trees and is an agile climber. It eats mice, wood rats, rabbits, snakes, lizards, birds, young deer, and monkeys. In the tropics a favorite food is agoutis. If taken young, the ocelot can be tamed and makes an excellent pet.
The ground tint of the ocelot fur varies greatly in different animals, from reddish-yellow to smoky-pearl. Black spots vary in size from dots of the legs and feet to large shell-shaped spots on other parts of the body. The ocelot has a pink nose and large translucent eyes.
Ocelots have been widely hunted for their fur, and their number has decreased sharply. Laws that prohibit the hunting of ocelots have been hard to enforce.
Other Interesting Finds
Chickasaw Indians
Chickasaw Indians are a tribe that originally lived in the Southern United States. Their territory included northern Mississippi, northwestern Alabama, and western Tennessee and Kentucky. In the 1830's the US government relocated the tribe in what is now Oklahoma.
The Chickasaw lived in several villages of small, one-room log cabins. Each village was headed by a chief. The people supported themselves by farming, fishing, hunting, and trading with neighboring tribes.
The Spanish explorer Hernando De Soto was th first white person to come into contact with the Chickasaw. He and his group spent the winter of 1540 - 1541 in one of their villages while searching for gold. Before leaving, de Soto demanded that some of the Chickasaw join him to help carry supplies. The Indians became angry and attacked de Soto's expedition, killing about 12 of his men.
The Chickasaw were fierce warriors. They helped Great Britain fight France and Spain for control of what is now the Southeastern United States. They also supported the British during the Revolutionary War. During the civil war, the tribe fought for the Confederacy.
In 1837, the government moved the Chickasaw west to the Indian Territory to make room for additional white settlement in the South. The forced march of the Indians to their new territory became known as the Trail of Tears because thousands of Indians died on the way. In 1907, the Chickasaw Territory became part of the new state of Oklahoma.
Today, about 5,300 people of the Chickasaw descent make their homes in Oklahoma. A tribal government elected by the Chickasaw helps provide for the general welfare of the tribe.
Other Interesting Finds
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
