In the Bible, which son of Cush and grandson of Ham is described as 'a mighty hunter before the Lord'?

NETBible: Nimrod NIMROD, son of Cush. "A mighty hunter before the Lord,'' Gen. 10:8 , 9 ; 1 Chr. 1:10 . Founder of Babylon. See: Babylon . NIMROD [SMITH] (rebellion; or the valiant), a son of Cush and grandson of Ham. The events of his life are recorded in ( Genesis 10:8 ) ff., from which we learn (1) that he was a Cushite; (2) that he established an empire in Shinar (the classical Babylonia) the chief towns being Babel, Erech, Accad and Calneh; and (3) that he extended this empire northward along the course of the Tigris over Assyria, where he founded a second group of capitals, Nineveh, Rehoboth, Calah and Resen. NIMROD [ISBE] NIMROD - nim'-rod (nimrodh; Nebrod): A descendant of Ham, mentioned in "the generations of the sons of Noah" ( Gen 10 ; compare 1 Ch 1:10 ) as a son of Cush. He established his kingdom "in the land of Shinar," including the cities "Babel, and Erech, and Accad, and Calneh" ( Gen 10:10 ), of which only Babel, or Babylon, and Erech, or Uruk, have been identified with certainty. "The land of Shinar" is the old name for Southern Babylonia, afterward called Chaldea ('erets kasdim), and was probably more extensive in territory than the Sumer of the inscriptions in the ancient royal title, "King of Shumer and Accad," since Accad is included here in Shinar. Nimrod, like other great kings of Mesopotamian lands, was a mighty hunter, possibly the mightiest and the prototype of them all, since to his name had attached itself the proverb: "Like Nimrod a mighty hunter before Yahweh" ( Gen 10:9 ). In the primitive days of Mesopotamia, as also in Palestine, wild animals were so numerous that they became a menace to life and property ( Ex 23:29 ; Lev 26:22 ); therefore the king as benefactor and protector of his people hunted these wild beasts. The early conquest of the cities of Babylonia, or their federation into one great kingdom, is here ascribed to Nimrod. Whether the founding and colonization of Assyria ( Gen 10:11 ) are to be ascribed to Nimrod will be determined by the exegesis of the text. English Versions of the Bible reads: "Out of that land he (i.e. Nimrod) went forth into Assyria, and builded Nineveh," etc., this translation assigning the rise of Assyria to Nimrod, and apparently being sustained by Mic 5:5,6 (compare J. M. P. Smith, "Micah," ICC, in the place cited.); but American Revised Version, margin renders: "Out of that land went forth Asshur, and builded Nineveh," which translation is more accurate exegetically and not in conflict with Mic 5:6 , if in the latter "land of Nimrod" be understood, not as parallel with, but as supplemental to, Assyria, and therefore as Babylon (compare commentaries of Cheyne, Pusey, S. Clark, in the place cited.). Nimrod has not been identified with any mythical hero or historic king of the inscriptions. Some have sought identification with Gilgamesh, the flood hero of Babylonia (Skinner, Driver, Delitzsch); others with a later Kassite king (Haupt, Hilprecht), which is quite unlikely; but the most admissible correspondence is with Marduk, chief god of Babylon, probably its historic founder, just as Asshur, the god of Assyria, appears in verse 11 as the founder of the Assyrian empire (Wellhausen, Price, Sayce). Lack of identification, however, does not necessarily indicate mythical origin of the name. See ASTRONOMY, sec . II, 11; BABYLONIA AND ASSYRIA, RELIGION OF, IV, 7; MERODACH; ORION. Edward Mack


In the NATO phonetic alphabet, which word represents the letter H ?

NATO phonetic alphabet | Military Wiki | Fandom powered by Wikia Not to be confused with International Phonetic Alphabet . FAA radiotelephony alphabet and Morse code chart The NATO phonetic alphabet, more accurately known as the International Radiotelephony Spelling Alphabet and also called the ICAO phonetic or ICAO spelling alphabet, as well as the ITU phonetic alphabet, is the most widely used spelling alphabet. Although often called "phonetic alphabets", spelling alphabets do not have any association with phonetic transcription systems, such as the International Phonetic Alphabet . Instead, the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) alphabet assigned code words acrophonically to the letters of the English alphabet so that critical combinations of letters and numbers can be pronounced and understood by those who transmit and receive voice messages by radio or telephone regardless of their native language or the presence of transmission static. The 26 code words in the NATO phonetic alphabet are assigned to the 26 letters of the English alphabet in alphabetical order as follows: Alfa, Bravo, Charlie, Delta, Echo, Foxtrot, Golf, Hotel, India, Juliett, Kilo, Lima, Mike, November, Oscar, Papa, Quebec, Romeo, Sierra, Tango, Uniform, Victor, Whiskey, X-ray, Yankee, Zulu. Some of the 26 words have altered pronunciations: Charlie can be either "char-lee" or "shar-lee", and Uniform is either "you-nee-form" or "oo-nee-form", neither of which is the English pronunciation of the word. Oscar is pronounced "oss-cah" and Victor as "vik-tah" without the 'r', even by people who would normally pronounce it. Papa is pronounced "Pa-PAH" with the accent on the second syllable instead of the first. The code word Quebec is pronounced as French "keh-beck". The ICAO and FAA use the standard number words of English (zero, one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine) with four altered pronunciations (tree, fower, fife, niner), whereas the ITU and IMO use ten code words for numbers (nadazero, unaone, bissotwo, terrathree, kartefour, pantafive, soxisix, setteseven, octoeight, novenine). Contents Edit After the phonetic alphabet was developed by the International Civil Aviation Organization ( ICAO ) (see history below) it was adopted by many other international and national organizations, including the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), the International Maritime Organization (IMO), the American Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the Alliance for Telecommunications Industry Solutions (ATIS), and the American Radio Relay League (ARRL). It is a subset of the much older International Code of Signals (INTERCO), which originally included visual signals by flags or flashing light, sound signals by whistle, siren, foghorn, or bell, as well as one, two, or three letter codes for many phrases. [1] The same alphabetic code words are used by all agencies, but each agency chooses one of two different sets of numeric code words. NATO uses the regular English numeric words (Zero, One, with some alternative pronunciations), whereas the IMO provides for compound numeric words (Nadazero, Unaone, Bissotwo...). In practice these are used very rarely, as they frequently result in confusion between speakers of different languages. NATO Edit A common name for this spelling alphabet, "NATO phonetic alphabet," exists because it appears in Allied Tactical Publication ATP-1, Volume II: Allied Maritime Signal and Maneuvering Book used by all allied navies of NATO, which adopted a modified form of the International Code of Signals. Because the latter allows messages to be spelled via flags or Morse code , it naturally named the code words used to spell out messages by voice its "phonetic alphabet". The name NATO phonetic alphabet became widespread because the signals used to facilitate the naval communications and tactics of NATO have become global. [2] However, ATP-1 is marked NATO Confidential (or the lower NATO Restricted) so it is not available publicly. Nevertheless, a NATO unclassified ve


Who on radio had the catchphrase 'Right Monkey'?

The Al Read Show The Al Read Show The immortal Al Read, sausage maker from Salford, made his radio debut in 1950. His humorous 'pictures of life' were based on his working-class Lancashire experiences. His catchphrase was "Right Monkey!".


Which car manufacturer produced models including the XJS and the E-type?

Jaguar XJS - Wikicars Jaguar XJS {{{aka (Type here, not up there)}}} Production {{{Weight - you get the point}}} Transmission Malcolm Sayer The Jaguar XJ-S (later the XJS) is a luxury grand tourer produced by the British automaker Jaguar Cars . The XJ-S replaced the legendary Jaguar E-Type (or XK-E) in September 1975, and was based on the XJ saloon . It had been developed as the XK-F, though it was very different in character from its predecessor. Although it never had quite the same sporting image, the XJ-S was a competent grand tourer and, in fact, more aerodynamic than the E-type. The last XJS was produced on April 4, 1996, with the XK8 taking its place. Contents 8 External links 1976 The first XJ-S appeared in 1975 as a 1976 model. Power came from the V12 version with a choice of a manual or automatic transmission (but the manual was soon dropped). The XJ-S was one of only three V-12 automobiles at the time, the other two coming from Italy, with the Lamborghini and the Ferrari. Both of which the XJ-S could hold its own with. It could reach 60 mph (100 km/h) in 7.5 seconds and accelerate to 150 mph (240 km/h). The Group 44 racing team built a successful Trans Am race car based on the XJ-S, and the car won the series' 1977 manufacturers' championship cup. Jaguar's timing was not good: the car was launched in the wake of the first fuel crisis and the market for a 5.3-litre V12 grand tourer was very small. The styling was also the subject of much criticism, including the "flying buttresses" behind the windows. Jaguar did seize promotional opportunities with the television series The New Avengers and Return of the Saint. The New Avengers featured Mike Gambit (Gareth Hunt) who drove an XJ-S. Reliability issues meant that two XJ-S cars were used. Return of the Saint saw Simon Templar (played by Ian Ogilvy) driving an early XJ-S with the number plate "ST 1". Miniature versions were made by Corgi and proved popular. A decade and a half before, Jaguar had turned down the producers of the earlier Saint series when approached about the E-type. Responding to criticisms that the XJ-S was not a worthy E-type successor, Pininfarina revealed a sporty show car in 1979 based on XJ-S mechanicals. The car never went into production. The 1980s The 1981 XJ-S received the new High-Efficiency engine for much better economy. The XJ-S was also now the fastest automatic-transmission car in the world at 155 mph. In 1982, the new V12 XJ-S won first and second at the Tourist Trophy race at Silverstone . In 1983 a new cabriolet version débuted with a new 3.6-litre Jaguar AJ6 engine , the XJ-SC. In the XJ-SC, the rear jump seats were eliminated making it only a 2-seat car. The XJ-SC was not a full convertable but had a non-removable center targa-type structure and fixed cant rails above the doors. The rear quarter windows remained as well. With the introduction of the AJ6 engine in the XJS chassis came the availability of a 5-speed manual transmission for the 6 cylinder cars. This model with a Getrag manual transmission was not imported by Jaguar into the United states until 1994 (and then only in extremely limited numbers). A limited number of earlier 5-speed AJ6 cars did enter the US as grey market personal imports however. A V12 XJ-SC did not emerge until 1985. The two-seat XJ-SC targa-type model was replaced with a two-seat full convertible in 1988. Prior to that there was a special full convertable version called a Hess & Eisenhardt XJS offered through dealers starting in 1986. The Hess & Eisenhardt coachbuilding firm was located in Ohio and built approximately 2100 of these cars under contract from Jaguar before the official Jaguar built XJS convertible appeared in 1988 to be offered as a 1989 model. The Hess & Eisenhardt convertible differed from the later Jaguar convertible XJS as its unpadded top folded down deeper into the body structure of the car resulting in a cleaner rear profile when the roof was lowered. The later Jaguar full convertible had a heavier padded top that did not fold into as small of a bundle when in the lowered posi


Dragonfly - CreationWiki, the encyclopedia of creation science Dragonfly Petaluridae Unidentified Dragonflies are species of predatory insects belonging to the taxonomic suborder Epiprocta. It is characterized by large multifaceted eyes, two pairs of strong transparent wings, and an elongated body. Dragonflies typically eat mosquitoes , midges and other small insects like flies , bees , and butterflies . They are usually found around lakes, ponds, streams and wetlands because their larvae , known as "nymphs", are aquatic. Dragonflies do not normally bite or sting humans, though they will bite in order to escape, if grasped by the abdomen. They are valued as predators that help control populations of harmful insects. [1] Contents Anatomy Dragonfly anatomy Immature dragonflies have six spindly legs, and a body that is only a few times longer than it is wide. They have two fairly big eyes. Some of their mouthparts are modified to shoot forward and grab prey. They breathe water through gills in their abdomen, and can squirt this water out fast to give themselves a quick jet-propelled movement. Adult dragonflies are easy to recognize. They have long thin bodies, very large eyes, and they hold their 2 pairs of wings out flat on either side. Their legs sometimes have many long stiff hairs. Immature dragonflies are usually brown or greenish, and sometimes have algae growing on them. Adult dragonflies can be very colorful, some are red, blue, yellow, or green. [2] Reproduction Dragonflies undergo incomplete metamorphosis with the female dragonfly typically laying eggs water. They mate in a circular or "wheel" position. The male dragonfly transfers sperm from its primary set of genitalia at the tip of its abdomen to the secondary set at the base of its abdomen. When the male finds a female it grasps it by the top of its head. The female then reaches the tip of her abdomen around to male's penis. Sperm is transferred to the female's ovipositor and the eggs are fertilized. This can be a long process. Because the female can mate more than once, part of the time is spent while the male removes the sperm of other males with specialized organs called hamules. Only then can it be sure that it is his sperm that has fertilized the eggs. Many species remain linked together until the female is finished laying her eggs. In others, the male hovers nearby to guard the female until she is finished. Dragonflies always perch with their wings flat and spread apart, while Damselflies (close relatives) usually hold their wings together over the body when they are at rest. The exceptions to this rule are the Damselflies known as spreadwings, which keep their wings angled away from their bodies at rest. Dragonflies regulate body temperature by assuming different postures, its a way of holding their bodies, and selecting specific perching sites. In cool weather they land on sun-facing perches. In hot weather they avoid overheating by sticking the abdomen almost straight up in the air to expose the least possible body surface area to the hot sun. [3] Ecology Dragonflies specialize in different kinds of hunting techniques. The larva stage is characterized by three basic strategies. Some stalk their prey in vegetation (climbers). Others lie in the mud and debris at the bottom of a pond and wait for prey (sprawlers). One species burrows itself completely in the mud (burrower). While the prey of the larvae is mostly other aquatic insects, some of the larger nymphs attack tadpoles and small fish. The adult dragonfly is a formidable hunting insect. Incredibly agile, it uses the basket formed by its legs to catch insects on the fly. It eats mainly mosquitoes, midges, and other small flying insects. Dragonflies eat several different kinds of insects. They catch their prey with their six legs. Their favorite prey are flies and mosquitoes. They are high in protein and very good for the dragonfly. The dragonfly will most likely be hunting on sunny days. If there is a day that the dragonfly needs food, and is not sunny, then it may eat a dead fly or mosquito. [4] Co


What item of marine equipment may comprise a stock, a shank and a fluke?

Amazon.com : SeaSense #13 16lb, Penetrating Galvanized Fluke Style Anchor : Boating Anchors : Sports & Outdoors SeaSense #13 16lb, Penetrating Galvanized Fluke Style Anchor Enter your model number to make sure this fits. A = 28-1/4" B = 14-1/4" C = 21-1/2" Boat Size: 20 - 25 Customers Who Bought This Item Also Bought Page 1 of 1 Start over Page 1 of 1 This shopping feature will continue to load items. In order to navigate out of this carousel please use your heading shortcut key to navigate to the next or previous heading. Page 1 of 1 Start over Sponsored Products are advertisements for products sold by merchants on Amazon.com. When you click on a Sponsored Product ad, you will be taken to an Amazon detail page where you can learn more about the product and purchase it. To learn more about Amazon Sponsored Products, click here . Ad feedback Special Offers and Product Promotions #13 16lb. Penetrating Fluke Style Anchor Product Details Shipping Weight: 11.5 pounds Domestic Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S. and to APO/FPO addresses. For APO/FPO shipments, please check with the manufacturer regarding warranty and support issues. International Shipping: This item is not eligible for international shipping. Learn More ASIN: B0019M3JQA Product Warranty: For warranty information about this product, please click here Related Video Shorts Page 1 of 1 Start over Sponsored Products are advertisements for products sold by merchants on Amazon.com. When you click on a Sponsored Product ad, you will be taken to an Amazon detail page where you can learn more about the product and purchase it. To learn more about Amazon Sponsored Products, click here . By Fixer on June 23, 2016 Verified Purchase The anchor that I was sent does NOT have the retrieval ring at its base as is clearly shown in the picture. Also, it does NOT weigh 16 pounds. It weighs less than 14 pounds - 13% less than it's supposed to. A customer even asked the question if it actually had the retrieval ring at the bottom and if it did indeed weigh 16 pounds and both were answered affirmatively. Either the person(s) who answered that received a different anchor than the one I did, or they were an idiot. This is my second time with this problem with SeaSense. Besides the above, the welds are very sloppy. One near the swivel point sticks out and actually interferes with the swiveling of the shank. I can't grind it down because that would remove the galvanized coating. I also feel the flukes, although they are the dimensions given, are slightly shorter than they should be for this anchor (based on other Danforth-style anchors I've used). Although the price is right, if the item isn't as described, it is unacceptable. Notice the attached label even says it has the "anchor saver retrieval ring" though it actually doesn't. The label also says it weighs 16 lbs though it doesn't.


How frequently does the photograph on your driving licence need to be renewed?

Renew your driving licence | nidirect Apply for a new or updated licence Renew your driving licence Your ordinary driving licence entitlement will expire every 10 years, unless your driving licence has been medically restricted. There are also exceptions for drivers over 60, and for drivers with lorry and bus entitlements. Find out about these exceptions and how to renew you licence on this page. Changes made to the format of the Great Britain driving licences effective from 8 June 2015 have no effect on licences issued by the Driver & Vehicle Agency in NI. Northern Ireland licences continue to be composed of two parts, a plastic photocard and paper counterpart. Applying to DVA The Driver & Vehicle Agency (DVA) will send you a form entitled DL1R ‘Application for Renewal of a Driving Licence' approximately two months before your licence expires. This will be sent to the address held in their records, so it is important that you tell DVA when you change address. You will need to: complete the DL1R form and enclose the appropriate fee return your photocard driving licence and counterpart (for lorry or bus licences only) include a new passport type certified colour photograph send it to DVA Driver Licensing Your photograph must be signed and dated on the back by one of the following: MP Lay Magistrate or Justice of the Peace minister of religion professionally qualified person - for example an engineer, lawyer, teacher librarian local business person or shopkeeper local councillor bank official or building society officer established civil servant police officer someone of similar standing to the above who has known you for at least two years, and must not be related to you in any way, and must hold a Northern Ireland driving licence You will also need to enclose original identity documentation if your name has changed since your last licence was issued. Please remember to be alert to unofficial websites offering online driver licensing. You cannot apply for a Northern Ireland driving licence online. Renewing without a DL1R form If, for any reason, you don’t receive the reminder application form, you can use the DL1 Driving Licence Application form. This form is available from Post Offices or test centres. You’ll also need to include a new passport type certified photograph. Test centre locations Return of supporting documents The driving licence fee includes return of your supporting documents (where applicable) by second class post. If you would like your supporting documents returned by secure delivery, please supply an appropriate pre-paid Royal Mail Special delivery envelope. Please note - DVA will not provide compensation for any loss or delay resulting from the use of second class post. DVA cannot guarantee to return your documents by a specified date, for example, a holiday. When to expect your licence DVA aims to deliver your licence within three weeks of receiving a completed application but this turnaround time may be longer during the busy summer period or if your health or personal details have to be checked. Driver Licensing will accept applications for renewal licences up to two months before they are due to expire, giving you time to plan ahead and ensure that your licence is ready in good time for your holiday. If your licence has been lost, stolen, defaced, or damaged you can make an application for a replacement at any time.  Driving on holiday? Thinking about going on holiday and hiring a car? If so, check that your driving licence will be valid well before you are due to travel. If you do not receive your licence If your driving licence has not been delivered within four weeks you should contact DVA Driver Licensing . If you do not inform DVA within eight weeks that your licence has not arrived, you must apply for a duplicate licence and pay the relevant fee. Driving before your licence is returned Once DVA has received your valid application, you can drive before you receive your licence as long as you: have held a Northern Ireland or Great Britain licence issued since 1 January 1976 or another exchange


What is the maximum number of characters or spaces permitted in the name of a racehorse?

What's in a (Horse) Name? No More Than 18 Characters | Mental Floss What's in a (Horse) Name? No More Than 18 Characters Getty Images Like us on Facebook Picking a name for a newborn can be an agonizing process for parents, but it's a whole lot easier than naming a racehorse. While Thoroughbred owners may not have to worry about the risk of subjecting their foals to ridicule on the playground, they must select names that sound good when shouted but that also meet strict guidelines. Here's an overview of the naming process and an explanation behind the names of some of the horses in Saturday's Kentucky Derby. The Jockey Club Since 1894, the Jockey Club has been charged with maintaining The American Stud Book, a registry of all Thoroughbreds foaled in the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico, as well as Thoroughbreds imported into those countries. North American breeders register approximately 37,000 Thoroughbreds each year and the Jockey Club has an online database of more than 430,000 names in active use, all of which must first be approved by the organization's censors. One of the most common naming conventions is to combine the names of the foal's sire and dam. For instance, 1995 Kentucky Derby winner Thunder Gulch was the son of Gulch and Line of Thunder. A cleverer example of this sort is the name Inside Information, which was derived from Private Account and Pure Profit. Of the roughly 60,000 name requests submitted annually, about one-third are rejected because they fall into one or more of the Jockey Club's 15 classes of names that are strictly forbidden. The Guidelines The first rule of naming a horse is that a name may consist of no more than 18 letters, and spaces and punctuation marks count as letters. Eighteencharacters is acceptable (and is, in fact, a registered horse name) but Eighteen Characters is not. Other ineligible submissions include names consisting entirely of initials; names clearly having commercial, artistic, or creative significance; names that are suggestive or have a vulgar or obscene meaning; names considered in poor taste or names that may be offensive to religious, political or ethnic groups; and names of living persons unless written permission to use their name is on file with The Jockey Club. In an interview with NPR, Jockey Club registrar Rick Bailey said he once received written permission on White House letterhead granting permission for an owner to register a horse named Barbara Bush. In 2005, the Jockey Club rejected an owner's request to name his horse Sally Hemmings after Thomas Jefferson's slave and reputed mistress. The owner claimed the name was meant to honor Hemmings and filed suit, but the Jockey Club's decision was upheld by the 6th Circuit Court of Appeals in Cincinnati. Today, there's no shortage of political statements being made on the tracks, with registered horses named Obama's Promises, George Dubya, Palin Power, and McCain. Names of horses that win major races are retired permanently, while all other names may be recycled over time. Slipping Through the Cracks With as many names as the Jockey Club reviews, it's no surprise that some questionable names have found their way onto racing forms. Slate took an amusing look at some of the racier names that slipped past the Jockey Club's reviewers. Among them: Blow Me (1945), Spank It (1985), Date More Minors (1998), Bodacious Tatas (1985), Sexual Harassment (1997), and "“ say it aloud "“ Hardawn (1937). "It's difficult with the use of some words that meant something 20 years ago may mean something totally different with the MTV generation," Bailey told NPR. There's also Hoochiecoochiemama (1989), Panty Raid (2004), Thong Thong Thong (1989), Thong or Panties (2004), and, because the Jockey Club is an equal opportunity registry, Boxers or Briefs (2007). While it's hardly dirty, a horse named Mental Floss was registered in 2001. Fusaichi Who? The Jockey Club requires an explanation for names with meanings that are not self-evident. In the case of 2000 Kentucky Derby winner Fusaichi Pegasus, they could've also used a pron


Which highly alcoholic spirit, historically referred to as 'the green fairy' was linked with Bohemian culture?

ABSINTHE, The Drink of some Famous Creatives. - YouTube ABSINTHE, The Drink of some Famous Creatives. Want to watch this again later? Sign in to add this video to a playlist. Need to report the video? Sign in to report inappropriate content. Rating is available when the video has been rented. This feature is not available right now. Please try again later. Published on Nov 22, 2014 Absinthe (i/ˈæbsɪnθ/ or /ˈæbsænθ/; French: [apsɛ̃t]) is historically described as a distilled, highly alcoholic (45–74% ABV / 90–148 U.S. proof) beverage.[1][2][3][4] It is an anise-flavoured spirit derived from botanicals, including the flowers and leaves of Artemisia absinthium ("grand wormwood"), together with green anise, sweet fennel, and other medicinal and culinary herbs.[5] Absinthe traditionally has a natural green colour but may also be colourless. It is commonly referred to in historical literature as "la fée verte" (the green fairy). Although it is sometimes mistakenly referred to as a liqueur, absinthe is not traditionally bottled with added sugar; it is therefore classified as a spirit.[6] Absinthe is traditionally bottled at a high level of alcohol by volume, but it is normally diluted with water prior to being consumed. Absinthe originated in the canton of Neuchâtel in Switzerland in the late 18th century. It rose to great popularity as an alcoholic drink in late 19th- and early 20th-century France, particularly among Parisian artists and writers. Owing in part to its association with bohemian culture, the consumption of absinthe was opposed by social conservatives and prohibitionists. Ernest Hemingway, Charles Baudelaire, Paul Verlaine, Arthur Rimbaud, Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, Amedeo Modigliani, Pablo Picasso, Vincent van Gogh, Oscar Wilde, Aleister Crowley, Erik Satie and Alfred Jarry were all known absinthe drinkers.[7] Absinthe has often been portrayed as a dangerously addictive psychoactive drug.[8] The chemical compound thujone, although present in the spirit in only trace amounts, was blamed for its alleged harmful effects. By 1915, absinthe had been banned in the United States and in much of Europe, including France, the Netherlands, Belgium, Switzerland and Austria-Hungary. Although absinthe was vilified, it has not been demonstrated to be any more dangerous than ordinary spirits. Recent studies have shown that the absinthe's psychoactive properties (apart from that of the alcohol) have been exaggerated.[8] A revival of absinthe began in the 1990s, following the adoption of modern European Union food and beverage laws that removed longstanding barriers to its production and sale. By the early 21st century, nearly 200 brands of absinthe were being produced in a dozen countries, most notably in France, Switzerland, Australia, United States, Spain, and the Czech Republic. Category


Who is creditied with coining the phrase 'lateral thinking'?

Lateral Thinking Dance Richard Powers I once heard this theory: East Coast dancers focus on definitions and rules, categorizing then standardizing the categorization.  Does it belong in this box or that box?  Which style is correct?  So there is understandably an emphasis on technique, more specifically on defining and enforcing one correct technique. West Coast dancers focus more on the way dance feels — the subjective experience of dancing.  How does it impact us?  How can we enhance the experience for our partners?  West Coast thinking therefore embraces more creativity and flexibility, to adapt to partners who are different from our own style. Is this theory true? No.  There are too many exceptions — many rule-based dancers living on the West Coast, and many adaptive, experienced-based dancers living on the East Coast, like the history of the Savoy Ballroom in Harlem for example.  And the theory ignores the dancers between the coasts. The geographical division is an oversimplification.  It's more accurate to think of it as a difference between vertical thinking versus lateral thinking, which can happen anywhere.              Vertical and Lateral Thinking These terms were coined by the theoretician Edward deBono who wrote: Vertical thinking is selective, lateral thinking is generative—generating new possibilities. Vertical thinking selects a pathway by excluding other pathways (leading to the jokes about "illegal moves" in strictly ballroom dance).  Lateral thinking does not restrict, but seeks to open up new pathways. Correctness is what matters in vertical thinking.  Richness is what matters in lateral thinking. Vertical thinking moves only if there are directions on how to move.  Lateral thinking moves in order to generate directions. Vertical thinking depends heavily on the rigidity of definitions.  It often depends on identifying something as a member of some class or excluding it from that class.  If something is given a label or put into a class, it is supposed to stay there.  With lateral thinking, classifications and categories are not fixed pigeonholes, but signposts to help navigation. Lateral thinking welcomes chance intrusions.  With lateral thinking one welcomes outside influences for their provocative action.  And a key word here is to welcome—not merely tolerate—chance intrusions into what you're expecting.  The most innovative minds respond with enhanced curiosity—even delight— when something unexpected happens. Welcoming chance intrusions is a fundamental component of creative thinking, and of social dancing.  Lateral-thinking dancers see differences from what they expected to happen as opportunities, not mistakes.              Are there two opposing camps on this issue? I haven't found a conflict between vertical and lateral thinking mindsets because the camp of "anti-vertical thinkers" doesn't exist.  We all use vertical thinking.  It's impossible not to.  But I have met a few "anti-lateral thinkers."  If there are two opposing camps, perhaps there is an opposition between those who are comfortable with using both types of thinking, versus those who only recognize vertical thinking as valid. The psychologist Carl Gustav Jung believed that we are all born with the capability to integrate both kinds of thought.  Jung would argue that using all of our mind is natural, and that denying half of its capabilities is unnatural.  But Jung and others recognized that Teutonic-influenced cultures (including German, Swiss and English) have attempted to breed a bias toward vertical, or linear thinking, and against lateral, cognitive and intuitive thinking.  There are other cultures which do not contain this vertical-thinking bias, including some which have been assimilated into American culture, most notably African and Latin (including Italian, Spanish and Latin American) cultures.  Perhaps it is the melting pot nature of the United States, with its fusion of vertical and lateral thinking traditions, which has enabled Americans to be especially creative and innovative. The opening statement of deBono's


What name did the alchemists give to the hypothetical substance that would convert all base metals into gold?

Alchemy - definition of alchemy by The Free Dictionary Alchemy - definition of alchemy by The Free Dictionary http://www.thefreedictionary.com/alchemy  (ăl′kə-mē) n. 1. A medieval chemical philosophy having as its asserted aims the transmutation of base metals into gold, the discovery of the panacea, and the preparation of the elixir of longevity. 2. A seemingly magical power or process of transmuting: "He wondered by what alchemy it was changed, so that what sickened him one hour, maddened him with hunger the next" (Marjorie K. Rawlings). [Middle English alkamie, from Old French alquemie, from Medieval Latin alchymia, from Arabic al-kīmiyā' : al-, the + kīmiyā', chemistry (from Late Greek khēmeia, probably alteration of khumeia, from Greek khein, khu-, to pour; see gheu- in the Appendix of Indo-European roots (influenced, owing to the reputation of Egyptian alchemists, by Greek Khēmiā, Egypt, from Egyptian kmt, Egypt, from feminine of km, black, in reference to the black soil of the Nile valley)).] al·chem′i·cal (ăl-kĕm′ĭ-kəl), al·chem′ic adj. al·chem′i·cal·ly adv. alchemy (ˈælkəmɪ) n, pl -mies 1. (Alchemy) the pseudoscientific predecessor of chemistry that sought a method of transmuting base metals into gold, an elixir to prolong life indefinitely, a panacea or universal remedy, and an alkahest or universal solvent 2. a power like that of alchemy: her beauty had a potent alchemy. [C14 alkamye, via Old French from Medieval Latin alchimia, from Arabic al-kīmiyā', from al the + kīmiyā' transmutation, from Late Greek khēmeia the art of transmutation] alchemic, alˈchemical, ˌalchemˈistic adj (ˈæl kə mi) n., pl. -mies. 1. a form of chemistry and speculative philosophy of the Middle Ages that attempted to discover an elixir of life and a method for transmuting base metals into gold. 2. any seemingly magical process of transmuting ordinary materials into something of true merit. [1325–1375; Middle English alkamye < Old French alquemie < Medieval Latin alchymia < Arabic al the + kīmiyā' < Late Greek chēmeía,chymeía alchemy] al•chem′ic (-ˈkɛm ɪk) al•chem′i•cal, al`che•mis′tic, al`che•mis′ti•cal, adj. al•chem′i•cal•ly, adv. al·che·my (ăl′kə-mē) A medieval philosophy and early form of chemistry whose aims were the changing of common metals into gold, the discovery of a cure for all diseases, and the preparation of a potion that gives eternal youth. The imagined substance capable of turning other metals into gold was called the philosopher's stone. Did You Know? Because their goals were so unrealistic, and because they had so little success in achieving them, the practitioners of alchemy in the Middle Ages got a reputation as fakers and con artists. But this reputation is not fully deserved. While they never succeeded in turning lead into gold (one of their main goals), they did make discoveries that helped to shape modern chemistry. Alchemists discovered and purified a number of chemical elements, including mercury, sulfur, and arsenic. They invented early forms of some of the laboratory equipment used today, including beakers, crucibles, filters, and stirring rods. And they developed methods to separate mixtures and purify compounds by distillation and extraction that are still important. Alchemy


"Which singer won the TV contest ""How Do You Solve a Problem Like Maria""?"

Ill Fisher Out Of Sound Of Music | Contactmusic.com Ill Fisher Out Of Sound Of Music Ill Fisher Out Of Sound Of Music The Sound Of Music Connie Fisher The singer who wowed theatre fans in London after winning a TV talent contest has been forced to sit out of musical The Sound Of Music due to illness. Connie Fisher won British TV show HOW DO YOU SOLVE A PROBLEM LIKE MARIA? last year (06) and has been playing MARIA in the revival ever since. But her run of good luck has ended - she has been advised to take a full rest this week after struggling with illness. Fisher recently extended her run in the show until next February (08). Contactmusic


In films, which actress was the object of the original King Kong's affections?

King Kong: The women in his life - LA Times King Kong: The women in his life Fay Wray in the 1933 'King Kong' Warner Bros. Entertainment The famed actress, who began working in the silent era, played unemployed actress Ann Darrow in the 1933 original. The famed actress, who began working in the silent era, played unemployed actress Ann Darrow in the 1933 original. (Warner Bros. Entertainment)


Which band member is organising this year's Diamond Jubilee concert at Buckingham Palace?

Buckingham Palace rocks in queen's honor - CNN.com Buckingham Palace rocks in queen's honor By Barry Neild, CNN Updated 8:38 AM ET, Tue June 5, 2012 Chat with us in Facebook Messenger. Find out what's happening in the world as it unfolds. Photos: Music stars honor the queen Jubilee concert – Queen Elizabeth II appears on stage at the climax of the diamond jubilee concert at Buckingham Palace in London, England. Hide Caption Photos: Music stars honor the queen Jubilee concert – Fireworks light up the stage at the climax of the concert. Hide Caption 2 of 11 Photos: Music stars honor the queen Jubilee concert – Former Beatles singer Paul McCartney headlines at the queen's diamond jubilee concert. McCartney kicked off his set with "Magical Mystery Tour." Hide Caption 3 of 11 Photos: Music stars honor the queen Jubilee concert – Singers Will.i.am and Stevie Wonder perform on stage. Wonder altered the lyrics to some of his songs to pay tribute to the queen. Hide Caption 4 of 11 Photos: Music stars honor the queen Jubilee concert – Elton John began his set with "I'm Still Standing," perhaps also in homage to the queen's long reign. Hide Caption 5 of 11 Photos: Music stars honor the queen Jubilee concert – Singer Grace Jones sings her hit "Slave to the Rhythm" while spinning a hula hoop on her hips. Hide Caption Photos: Music stars honor the queen jubilee 4 – Singer Annie Lennox performs performs her hit "Must Be Talking to an Angel." Hide Caption 7 of 11 Photos: Music stars honor the queen Jubilee concert – Gary Barlow and the Commonwealth band perform a song specially written for the event. Hide Caption 8 of 11 Photos: Music stars honor the queen Jubilee concert – Australian singer Kylie Minogue performs a medley of her hits on stage during the diamond jubilee concert. Hide Caption 9 of 11 Photos: Music stars honor the queen Jubilee concert – British singer-songwriter Robbie Williams performs on stage at the opening of the concert at Buckingham Palace. Hide Caption 10 of 11 Photos: Music stars honor the queen Jubilee concert – A military band from the British Army's Scots Guard play as the concert honoring the queen gets underway at Buckingham Palace. Hide Caption Buckingham Palace hosts a star-studded diamond jubilee concert in honor of the queen Elton John, Tom Jones, Paul McCartney among big names playing Queen's husband, Prince Philip, unable to attend after being checked into hospital Queen uses laser beam to light last in a global sequence of 4,200 beacons With a military band, a string orchestra and electric guitars on full blast, London's Buckingham Palace was transformed into a rock venue on Monday as some of the biggest names in music celebrated Queen Elizabeth II's diamond jubilee. Former Beatle Paul McCartney headlined a colorful evening of flag-waving entertainment that also saw Stevie Wonder, Elton John and Tom Jones take the stage alongside younger acts. The event was one of the highlights of four days of festivities that have united millions to honor the long-serving British monarch. As psychedelic illuminations and the reds, whites and blues of the Union Jack lit up the facade of the palace, McCartney played some of his greatest hits to an audience that included Prince Charles and his wife Camilla, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Prince Harry, Prince Andrew and Princess Anne. The queen was also there having joined her family at the concert's midway point. Her husband, 90-year-old Prince Philip, did not attend the show as he had been hospitalized earlier in the day with a bladder infection. Photos: Photos: Lady Gaga – Queen Elizabeth II meets American singer Lady Gaga following the Royal Variety Performance in Blackpool, England on December 7, 2009. Returning to the British seaside town for the first time since 1955, the Royal Variety Performance is an annual event which showcases popular music and entertainment. Hide Caption 1 of 8 Photos: Ozzy Osbourne – During 'Party at the Palace' in honor of the Queen's 2002 Golden Jubilee celebrations, the queen meets bat-eating Black Sabbath frontman Ozzy Osbourne and


What was the fifth classical element after earth, fire, water and air?

SYMBOLISM: The 4 ELEMENTS. Earth,water,air,fire | INKSPIRATION Following the Black line. All things inky for death heads & leather lovers SYMBOLISM: The 4 ELEMENTS. Earth,water,air,fire May 20, 2013 The 4 elements refer to ancient beliefs inspired by natural observation of the phases of matter; with the classical elements: earth is equivalent to solid, water is equivalent to liquid, air is equivalent to gas and fire is equivalent to plasma. The 4 elements are physical components, of which the entire world is made up from http://www.puncturedartefact.com/flash/4580382563 Sometimes they may include a fifth element or quintessence (after “quint” meaning “fifth”) called Aether or spirit, which describes that which was beyond the material world. The symbol for either is a circle The 4 elements can also be found as decorative motifs… but I prefer the simplicity of the geometric traingles and lines     Heres a version of the 4 elements I have created for my .ready.to.wear.collection. of inky art Click here to go to the website ! I have also done a post on triangles in my ‘Wear your ink’ section called ‘triangulated’. Its here if anyone wants to take a look


How many aircrew formed the complement of a Lancaster Bomber in World War II ?

Crew Positions Lancaster and Manchester: Crew Positions   General Facts About The Air Crews   Each crew member volunteered for aircrew duties. None were conscripted into their jobs   A crew was formed by the pilot picking out each crew member from those available and the Operational Training Unit (OTU) they were posted too. OTU;s were one of the final steps in an aircrews' training period before they reached an operational squadron.   An Operational tour for a bomber crew consisted of thirty (30), non-aborted, operational sorties. Upon completion of their tour, the crew would normally be broken up and rested by being assigned to various Conversion or other non-operational units as instructors. It was not uncommon for a rested crew member to volunteer for a second bomber tour.   The exception to the thirty (30) operations tour applied to the crews of Pathfinder Force (No. 8 Group) Squadron's. These crew were required to complete forty-five (45) operations before being rested. The additional fifteen (15) operations being required due to the high rate of training and practise that was required in order to become proficient in target marking. More than not Pathfinder crews continued on; in the hopes of reaching the magic sixty (60) operations, or the equivalent of two full bomber tours.   Generally speaking the standard Lancaster crew was seven (7) however, some crews were increased to eight (8) members. Although this was generally due to one of the following reasons:   a) The crew was attached to the Pathfinder's. These crews often had an extra Navigator/Radar Operator on board, who operated the H2S blind bombing radar.   b) The crew was attached to a Radio Counter Measure (No. 100 Group) Squadron and/or was operating an aircraft equipped with Airborne Cigar (ABC). In either case a German speaking radio operator was added, whose job it was to scan for German night-fighter radio frequencies. Once he located one, he would tune one of serval jamming transmitters on board the aircraft to the frequency and there by present further information being transmitted by German ground controllers to the night-fighter pilots.   c) All new pilots were required to fly one of two familiarisation or "second dickey" trips with a veteran crew in order to expose them to operational hazards and the German defences. Although, the new pilots did not take did not take his crew with him on these trips, these trips usually counted towards the pilot's tour of operations. Most pilot's however, continued to fly with their crews until all members of the crew had completed the required thirty (3) trips.


Which U.S. actor has recently criticised Britain for it's 'colonial' ownership of the Falkland Islands?

'Sean Penn's an idiot and a fool': Falklands hero Simon Weston hits back | Daily Mail Online comments Falklands hero Simon Weston yesterday branded Sean Penn an 'idiot' and a 'fool' over his comments about Britain's ownership of the islands. Former Welsh Guardsman Weston, 50, hit back at the Hollywood actor's criticism of Prince William's deployment to the Falklands. The father-of-three, who was terribly injured in an Argentine bomb attack that killed 48 people in 1982, said: 'Sean Penn is living, breathing proof that just because you are famous doesn't mean you know what you are talking about. War of words: Simon Weston, left, today came out fighting in support Britain in the row involving Sean Penn, right, over the Falklands Making a point: Actor Sean Penn wears a poncho as he shakes hands with Evo Morales, the president of Bolivia, during a meeting yesterday He told The Sun: 'Penn is an idiot. It's bad for people to think you're a fool. You don't need to open your mouth to prove it. By opening his mouth on this, Sean Penn proves he is a fool.' The attack by Penn was the second time in two days he has criticised the UK's involvement in the islands. RELATED ARTICLES Share this article Share Meanwhile TV adventurer Ben Fogle - who is a close friend of Prince William - also attacked Penn for criticising the Royal's deployment to the Falklands. Fogle, who - with his wife Marina - was a guest at William and the Duchess of Cambridge's wedding, said he wanted to place Penn in the mouth of crocodiles over his comments. Brave: Fogle (pictured) has recently dived with crocodiles for a new television series - describing it as the 'scariest, most terrifying thing' he has ever done Fogle told followers on Twitter: 'I would like to take Sean Penn and place him in the jaws of one of those crocodiles.' He also challenged Penn to a public debate on the Falklands Fogle has recently dived with crocodiles for a new television series - describing it as the 'scariest, most terrifying thing' he has ever done. But he told followers on Twitter: 'I would like to take Sean Penn and place him in the jaws of one of those crocodiles.' He also challenged Penn to a public debate on the Falklands. WAR OF WORDS - PENN V WESTON Sean Penn: 'My oh my, aren't people sensitive to the world colonialism, particularly those who implement colonialism 'It's unthinkable that the United Kingdom can make a conscious decision to deploy a prince within the military to the Malvinas, knowing the great emotional sensitivity both of mothers and fathers in the United Kingdom and in Argentina who lost sons and daughters in a war of islands with a population of so few. 'There are many places to deploy the prince. It's not necessary, when the deployment of a prince is generally accompanied by warships, to send them into the seas of such shared blood.' Simon Weston: 'Sean Penn is living, breathing proof that just because you are famous doesn't mean you know what you are talking about. 'Penn is an idiot. It's bad for people to think you're a fool. You don't need to open your mouth to prove it. By opening his mouth on this, Sean Penn proves he is a fool. 'His views are irrelevant and it only serves to fuel the ire of the Argentinians and get them more pumped up.' 'Let us not forget that 253 airmen, soldiers and sailors lost their lives protecting the Falklands,' wrote Fogle on Twitter. 'We are all entitled to our own political opinion on the Falklands but it's up to the islanders not actors to decide their future.' Penn, Madonna's ex-husband, was condemned as 'moronic' by Tory MP and former Army officer Patrick Mercer for claiming Britain's continuing hold on the Falklands was 'colonialist, ludicrous and archaic'. But the left-leaning actor showed he cannot keep his mouth shut over the islands by accusing the UK of 'insensitivity' for posting William to the disputed South Atlantic territory and labelling Britain a colonial dinosaur for the second day running. The double Oscar winner went on the attack again after a meeting with Uruguayan president Jose Mujica in Mont


The adjective 'Punic' refers to which ancient city?

The Punic Wars Essay Examples | Kibin The Punic Wars Essay Examples 529 total results A History of the Punic Wars The modern world was profoundly shaped by the events of ancient Europe. A very notable event, the Punic Wars, signified the demise of a civilization. Motivated by economic and cultural tensions in the Mediterranean, Rome ended the last reign of Phoenician culture by defeating Carthage in the Punic Wars. Although Rome won th... 2,177 words A History of the Punic Wars Between Rome and Carthage The Punic Wars was a series of three wars fought between Rome and Carthage for a period of 118 years. Rome, one of the sides of these wars, was a immense empire whose influence covered much of the known world at the time. Carthage, the other player in the Punic Wars, was a city state on the North Coast of Africa which had p... 514 words A Biography of Hannibal of Carthage, a Punic Carthaginian Military Commander Hannibal of Carthage: The Father of Strategy Through out history there have been many great military leaders, Alexander the Great, Napoleon, Generals Washington, Grant and Charles Lewis Puller. The one however that sticks out the most is General Hannibal of Carthage. Often called the Father of Strategy his march over the Al... 809 words A Report and Criticism of the Star Wars Trilogy We live in a society, which relies on fairy tales and mythology to entertain and take us off to a far away place where we can identify with our imagination. The Star Wars trilogy is a classic example of the hero cycle. A young man is brought up believing the light side of the force is his destiny. It has an old warrior,... 657 words Star Wars' Heroes and Villans Star Wars Hero's and Villain's In todays world there are many Heroes, but most of todays heroes are fictional characters, such as Superman, or The Power Rangers. It seems like there are more real life villains than there are heroes. Probably cause the media tends to cover all the bad stuff that happens, and stories o... 494 words The Benefits and Importance of Media During Wars Over different wars, media has progressed in its technology to show viewers more coverage. It has given us a chance to see a war thousands of miles a way on their living room television. It shows us things that are going on around the world, that at one time took months and know only take seconds. Coverage has changed... 404 words A Paper on Three Punic Wars The Punic Wars was a series of three wars fought between Rome and Carthage for a period of 118 years. Rome, one of the sides of these wars, was a immense empire whose influence covered much of the known world at the time. Carthage, the other player in the Punic Wars, was a city state on the North Coast of Africa which had p... 508 words The History and Consequences of the Punic Wars "Were the Punic Wars a phyrric victory for the Roman Republic?" The term "Punic Wars" refers to the series of wars fought between Rome and Carthage between 264 and 146 BCE. The Romans called the Carthaginians Poeni (Phoenicians), from which is derived the adjective "Punic." There were three... 885 words The Fall of the Roman Empire Everything is nothing in the End: Why Rome Fell Rome was a great empire at one time. It stretched across the world, and has no doubt Shaped the world as we see it now. However, it eventually started to weaken and fall. There was not one sole reason that Rome to fall, but rather many varied ones. These reasons i... 1,013 words The Expansion of Rome During the 200s and 100s B.C. During the 200s and 100s B.C., Rome expanded overseas. First they conflicted with the sea power and trading center on the coast of northern Africa, Carthage. They fought over the Mediterranean Sea in the Punic Wars. In the first war, Rome conquered Sicily, and made it the first Roman province, and also conquered Sardinia an... 678 words


Who played both Flash Gordon and Buck Rogers on film in the 1930s?

Flash Gordon and the 1930s and 40s Science Fiction Serial Flash Gordon and the 1930s and 40s Science Fiction Serial Wheeler Winston Dixon Motion picture serials, the forerunner of today’s serialized television dramas, have been around since the earliest days of the narrative cinema. Exhibitors rapidly realized that in order to assure continued audience attendance, open ended “cliff hangers” were sure to keep viewers returning week after week, to find out the latest plot twists, character developments, and of course, how the hero or heroine had escaped from the previous week’s peril. The first real serial, with multiple episodes and a running weekly continuity, was Charles Brabin’s What Happened to Mary? (1912), starring Mary Fuller as an innocent young woman who inherits a fortune, while the villain of the piece tries to separate her from her newfound wealth. There was even a sequel to the serial, Who Will Mary Marry? (1913), as proof of the new format’s success. But the real breakthrough came in 1914, with Louis Gasnier’s The Perils of Pauline, starring Pearl White. Pauline established the hectic, action-packed formula that would persist until the production of the very last serial, Spencer Gordon Bennet’s Blazing the Overland Trail in 1956. Fistfights, non-stop action, minimal character exposition and a sense of constant, frenetic danger permeated The Perils of Pauline, and it generated a host of imitators. Soon the “damsel in distress” format used in Perils of Pauline was being employed by a number of other serials, including Francis J. Grandon’s The Adventures of Kathlyn (1913), starring an equally athletic Kathlyn Williams, and Louis Feuillade’s epic mystery Fantômas (1913). Early serials were shown in weekly installments, a practice that continued throughout the lifetime of the genre, but early serial chapters could run as long as an hour, particularly in the case of Feuillade’s Les Vampires (1915), one of the most popular of the silent serials. These weekly screenings usually took place as a major part of the cinema program, and early serials were aimed at both adults and children. Occasionally, an enterprising entrepreneur would run a serial chapter throughout the week, to maximize attendance. But by the late teens and early 20s, a fairly rigid structure had been defined through trial and error. Serials ran 12 to 15 episodes, with the first episode usually running a half hour, to set up the situation, and introduce the protagonists (and their adversaries) to viewers. Subsequent episodes clocked in at roughly 20 minutes. Each episode ended with what the industry termed a “take-out” – a scene of violent peril from which the hero or heroine could not possibly escape. The next chapter would pick up the action at the same point, but offer a “way out” for the lead character; a trap door offering a convenient escape, jumping from a moving car, or breaking free from some sort of fiendish device created by the serial’s chief villain. The central characters in serials were more often types, rather than fully fleshed-out characters. In the early silent days, women were the protagonists of many of the action serials, thrown into situations of continual danger until the final reel unspooled. With the advent of women’s voting rights in 1920, the lead character became, more often than not, a heroic male; blindingly handsome, often endowed with above average mental acuity (as an investigator, adventurer, or soldier of fortune). A female companion was then introduced to support the hero’s efforts, with the possible addition of a young boy or girl “sidekick” to encourage adolescent identification with the serial’s characters. The hero was aided by a number of associates, who usually worked as a team to support the lead’s efforts. Lastly, and most importantly (for the leads in serials were usually rather bland), there was the chief villain, often masked, whose identity was not disclosed until the final moments of the last chapter. Known in the trade as the “brains” heavy, the villain, in turn, would be aided by a variety of henchme


Covering some 30 acres, which is the largest castle in Wales?

Caerphilly Castle - Cadw, Castle/Fort, Mid Glamorgan, Caerphilly, Wales View website Caerphilly, covering 30 acres (12.2ha), is one of the greatest surviving castles in the medieval Western world. It was a highpoint in medieval defensive architecture with its massive gatehouses and water features. It was built by Earl Gilbert de Clare, beginning in 1268, to frighten Llwelyn, the last native Prince of Wales, from fighting the Normans in the southern part of Wales. It was then used as a model for Edward I's castles in North Wales. Crafty Llwelyn seized it when it was half finished, but it was soon back in Norman hands. After Llwelyn's defeat and death, the Welsh threat substantially ended, and the castle became the administrative centre for de Clare's estates. Edward II spent time here. Caerphilly, being uncomfortable for a family residence, eventually decayed, and stone was taken to build a nearby country house. The Victorian Bute family coal money rescued and restored the castle. An informative Castles of Wales exhibition is located in one tower. Working replicas of siege engines are on the grounds. There is an AV tour available. Facilities Special provision for disabled visitors Caerphilly Castle - Cadw


In Devonshire and Cornwall, what items are traditionally made at harvest-time from the last sheaf of corn?

Glossary of Ancient and Traditional Weights and Measures - and Money - Hemyock Castle 2.72 feet. Proposed by some archaeologists. Yard: 3 feet. Length of man's pace. Man's reach from nose to finger tip. Ell: 3 feet 9 inches. Measurement of cloth. Double forearm. Roman pace (passus): 5 Roman feet (pedes). 58 inches (approx). Double step. Geometric pace: 5 feet. 60 inches. Modern version of Roman pace. Reed: 9½ feet (approx). 6 Hebrew cubits, possibly a measurement tool rather than a unit. Rod, pole, or perch: 5½ yards. Anglo-Saxon. Approx. 20 "natural" feet. Acre (width): 22 yards. 4 rods. Width of a strip in the strip field farming system. See also Acre (area), 22 by 220 yards, now simply 4840 square yards. Chain (Gunter's or Surveyor's): 22 yards. 100 links. Length of cricket pitch. Each tenth link is a brass tag. Chain (Ramden's or Engineer's): 100 feet. 100 links. Less common. Bolt: 40 yards. 32 ells. Measurement of cloth. Roman stadia: 125 passus. Approx 608 modern feet. Similar to cable and furlong. Furlong: 220 yards. 40 rods. 10 chains. Length of an Ox plough furrow; length of a medieval strip field. Roman mile (milia): 5000 Roman feet. 1000 Roman passus. 8 Roman stadia. Approx 4860 modern feet. English & USA mile: 5280 feet. 1760 yards. 8 furlongs. 80 chains. Changed from 5000 feet during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I. Scottish mile: 5952 feet. 1984 yards. Old measure. Irish mile: 6720 feet. 2240 yards. Old measure. Beware when told that an Irish distance is "a mile and a bit." The bit may be longer than the mile! Country mile: A vague, long distance — often much longer than a measured mile. Roman league leuga gallica, also leuca Gallica, (the league of Gaul.): 7500 Roman feet. 1½ Roman milia. 12 Roman stadia. Approx. 7290 modern feet. League (Devonshire Domesday Book): 1½ miles. As used in the Devonshire Domesday Book. League: 3 miles (usually). Many different definitions; often approx. the distance a person or horse can walk in one hour. Swedish mile: Traditional decorative item or figure constructed after harvest using cut straw, usually from cereal crops. Ridge Finial: Traditional decorative item or figure made using cut straw, fixed to a thatched roof or thatched hayrick. Often (loosely) called a Corn Dolly. Wisp: A few straws, a handful, used to tie around the centre of a bundle. A wisp is cheaper and more effective than string. It also causes less damage to the straws. Bale: A modern bound bundle of hay or straw from a cereal crop, often produced using a combine harvester. Until recently, most bales were rectangular. Many large modern machines now produce large round bales. Material in bales is normally used for purposes such as animal bedding, rather than for decorative or thatching purposes. Bundle or Sheaf: A bundle of cut straw, hay or reeds, tied together, often using a wisp. Circumference commonly approx. 24 inches in UK, or 1 metre in Europe, depending on local materials and traditions. Greener or damper material would normally be put into smaller sheaves, to let it dry more easily. A UK sheaf would contain approx. 400 to 500 un-damaged straws which are good enough for decorative work such as weaving into corn-dollies. In UK thatching practice, when good bundles are placed alongside each other and pressed together, 7 bundles should cover one fathom. This measure of quality is performed using a fathom of rope. Stook or Shock: Sheaves of cut straw, hay or reeds placed on end to dry. 8, 10 or sometimes up to 16 sheaves are grouped into each self-supporting stook. If the ears of grain are still on the crop, sheaves are arranged with the ears at the top. Reaping: Harvesting the cereal crop, hay or reeds. Reaper and Binder: A measure of land roughly equal to a modern acre. Bovate: A measure of land: The area that could be cultivated by a plough drawn by one ox in one year, or rather during the annual ploughing season. Varied in different regions and different soil types. Approx. 15 acres. Similar to the Dane law term: Oxgang. Bushel: Volume. A dry measure of 8 gallons, or 4 pecks. Cart-load (also called


Which singer and actress first performed the role of Christine in Phantom of the Opera in the West End in 1986?

The Phantom of the Opera (1986 Musical) | Phantompedia Wiki | Fandom powered by Wikia The Phantom of the Opera (1986 Musical) The Phantom of the Opera (1986 Musical) 13pages on Share The musical's iconic logo. The Phantom of the Opera is a musical/opera by Andrew Lloyd Webber , based on the French novel Le Fantôme de l'Opéra by Gaston Leroux . The music was composed by Lloyd Webber, and most lyrics were written by Charles Hart. Additional lyrics were written by Richard Stilgoe. Alan Jay Lerner was an early collaborator, but he withdrew after completing work on a single song, Masquerade, and died shortly thereafter. The central plot revolves around a beautiful soprano, Christine Daaé , who becomes the obsession of a mysterious, disfigured musical genius. The Phantom of the Opera opened in the West End in 1986, and on Broadway in 1988. It is the longest-running musical in Broadway history, the second-longest-running West End musical, and arguably the world's most financially successful single entertainment project to date. Phantom won the 1986 Olivier Award and the 1988 Tony Award for Best Musical, and Michael Crawford (as the phantom) won the 1986 Olivier and 1988 Tony for Best Performance by an Actor in a Musical. The show has been seen in 149 cities in 25 countries, and has played to over 100 million people. With total worldwide box office receipts of over £3.5bn ($5.1bn), Phantom is the highest-grossing entertainment event of all time. The New York production alone has grossed US $715 million, making it the most financially successful Broadway show in history. Contents Edit Inspired by an earlier musical version of the same story by Ken Hill, Phantom began previews at Her Majesty's Theatre in London's West End on 27 September, 1986 and opened on 9 October under the direction of Hal Prince. It was choreographed by Gillian Lynne and the sets were designed by Maria Björnson, with lighting by Andrew Bridge.[10] Michael Crawford starred as the titular character, Sarah Brightman as Christine, and Steve Barton as Raoul . The show is still playing at Her Majesty's, celebrating its 24th anniversary in October 2010, and celebrated its 10,000th performance at the matinée on 23rd October, 2010; both Andrew Lloyd Webber and the original Phantom, Michael Crawford, were in attendance. It is the second longest-running West End musical in history behind Les Miserables. Broadway Edit Phantom began Broadway previews at the Majestic Theatre on 9 January, 1988 and opened on 26 January. Crawford, Brightman and Barton reprised their respective roles from the London production. In 2009 the Broadway production marked its nine thousandth performance and is currently the longest-running musical in Broadway history celebrating 23 years in January of 2011. Development of the Musical Edit In the northern hemisphere winter of 1984, Cameron Mackintosh, the co-producer of Cats and Song and Dance received a phone call. Andrew Lloyd Webber was looking to create a new musical. He was aiming for a romantic piece, but having trouble reining in a worthwhile idea, and, hitting upon the idea of using Gaston Leroux's The Phantom of the Opera as a base, he pitched the idea. Mackintosh and Lloyd Webber screened both the 1925 Lon Chaney and the 1943 Claude Rains versions but neither were able to gain any material that might be useful in making the leap from book to stage. While in New York, Lloyd Webber tracked down a second hand copy of the long out-of-print original Leroux novel, from which his attitude to the material was transformed; “ I was actually writing something else at the time, and I realized that the reason I was hung up was because I was trying to write a major romantic story, and I had been trying to do that ever since I started my career. Then with the Phantom, it was there!" ” From there, Lloyd Webber began work developing Phantom of the Opera to fit into musical form. Lyricists and Lyrics Edit Lloyd Webber approached Jim Steinman to write the lyrics because of his "dark obsessive side", but the writer/producer declined in order to fulfil his com


Which writer coined the phrase 'Serendipity' to denote the faculty of making lucky and unexpected finds by accident?

Wordwizard • View topic - serendipity serendipity serendipity by Archived Topic Archived Topic » Sat Oct 23, 2004 1:27 pm The etymology was easy to find and delightful it was. My awareness of this word takes me back to the 70's or 80's when it burst into full blossom. In the event my recollection is correct, who or what caused this benign word to bust out? Submitted by C L Case (toronto - Canada) Topic imported and archived Joined: Fri Dec 10, 2004 8:38 pm Location: , serendipity by Archived Reply Archived Reply » Sat Oct 23, 2004 1:41 pm C L, Funny you should ask this since I just read the review of and ordered a book that just came out on this very subject – now that’s serendipity! The book is The Travels and Adventures of Serendipity: A Study in Historical Semantics and the Sociology of Science by Robert Merton and Elinor Barber. (February 2004) __________________________________________________ SERENDIPITY: A desirable discovery made by accident or the faculty of making lucky and unexpected finds by accident. English novelist Horace Walpole coined the word in 1754, basing it upon a lucky propensity enjoyed by the three heroes of the old Persian tale ‘The three princes of Serendip’ who were always making discoveries of things they were not in quest of. Serendip is an ancient name for Ceylon (modern Sri Lanka) and is a corruption of the Sanskrit ‘Sinhaladvipa,’ Lion Island. (Brewer’s Dictionary of Phrase and Fable, Facts on File Encyclopedia of Word and Phrase Origins) __________________________________________________ The word was largely forgotten after it was coined in 1754, until scholars rediscovered it in the mid-19th century. The reason Merton gives for the word being ignored for about a 100 years is that the intellectual temperament of that century was dominated by notions of usefulness and seriousness based on utilitarian philosophy and evangelical religion. Walpole was considered by many Victorians of his day to be wasting his time on trivia and his many coinages were said to be symptomatic of an ‘unhealthy and disorganized mind.’ As for the scientific research itself, the ‘unamused age’ generally agreed with its foremost science writer, William Whewell, who declared, “No scientific discovery can, with any justice, be considered due to accident.” In the late 19th century, in spite of Whewell’s belief, the word began to be used more and more by scientists who were raising new questions of what scientific discovery is and how it should be pursued. And in the early 20th century with the accidental discovery of X-rays, penicillin, and even the atomic nucleus the word ‘serendipity’ gained more and more popularity and in the world of scientific and industrial research came to describe the element of chance in scientific discovery. And paradoxically the scientific community actually began to try to plan for serendipity! By 1950s the word was being widely used in scientific publications and was finding its way into the popular press. Over the last 50 years with its use in the title of 57 books and one recent film and as the name of countless weekend pleasure boats, it has become, as Merton notes, “merely an attractive label designating ever more diverse pleasant phenomena and sensations.” So you’re right C L, the emergence of ‘serendipity’ was rather gradual, starting in the second half of the 19th century (after being born in the mid-18th), and slowly accelerating during the first have of the 20th when it finally reached critical mass in the 1950s and went exponential. (U.S. News and World Report, February 2, 2004) ____________________ <1754 “This discovery, indeed, is almost of that kind which I call SERENDIPITY.”—‘Letter to Horace Mann’ from H. Walpole, 28 January> <1880 “The inquirer was at fault, and it was not till some weeks later, when by the aid of ‘SERENDIPITY,’ as Horace Walpole called it—that is, looking for one thing and finding another–that the explanation was accidentally found.”—‘Index Titles of Honour’ by E. Solly, Preface page 5> <1926 “To the SERENDIPITY Shop—the venture of a friend in West


In which U.S. state is Yosemite National Park?

Yosemite National Park | national park, California, United States | Britannica.com Yosemite National Park national park, California, United States Written By: conservation Yosemite National Park, scenic mountain region in east-central California , U.S. It is situated about 140 miles (225 km) east of the city of San Francisco and some 100 miles (160 km) southeast of Sacramento . Devils Postpile National Monument lies about 15 miles (25 km) to the east, and Kings Canyon National Park is about 40 miles (65 km) to the southeast. The park, surrounded on all sides by national forest lands, encompasses 1,189 square miles (3,080 square km). It was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1984. Park headquarters are located at Yosemite Village in Yosemite Valley, in the west-central part of the park. El Capitan (left) and Bridalveil Fall (right) in Yosemite National Park, California. © Index Open Yosemite National Park, California, designated a World Heritage site in 1984. Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc. Overview of Yosemite National Park, east-central California, with a discussion of the park’s black … Contunico © ZDF Enterprises GmbH, Mainz Natural history The park is situated in the heart of the Sierra Nevada range, and most of it lies within the basins of the Merced and Tuolumne rivers. The land rises from west to east, the eastern boundary forming a drainage divide. Most of the tallest peaks are in the southeastern area of the park, many exceeding 10,000 feet (3,050 metres); Mount Lyell , at 13,114 feet (3,997 metres), is the highest summit. Glaciation has sculpted a number of deep U-shaped valleys, notably the Yosemite Valley of the Merced River. The valley—which curves in a gentle arc about 7 miles (11 km) long and between 0.5 and 1 mile (0.8 and 1.6 km) wide—features a number of attractions, such as sheer rock walls that rise 3,000 to 4,000 feet (900 to 1,200 metres) above the valley floor, Yosemite Falls , and huge domes and peaks. The greatest of these domes is El Capitan , a granite buttress near the western end of the valley that rises to 7,569 feet (2,307 metres) above sea level and towers some 3,600 feet (1,100 metres) above the valley. Overlooking the head of the valley is Half Dome, which reaches an elevation of 8,836 feet (2,693 metres) and provides a commanding view from its top. The renowned Yosemite Falls consists of Upper Yosemite Fall , Lower Yosemite Fall, and the cascades between them; their combined drop of 2,425 feet (740 metres) is one of the highest cataracts in the world. Other notable waterfalls in the valley include Bridalveil , Nevada , Ribbon , and Vernal falls. El Capitan in Yosemite National Park, California. © Index Open Bryce Canyon National Park Yosemite’s climate is strongly influenced by elevation and by the mountainous terrain. Summers are warm, with many hot days when high temperatures often reach or exceed 90 °F (32 °C) in the valley, and afternoon thunderstorms can occur, especially at higher elevations. Winters are cold and snowy. Although winter daytime highs are often mild in the valley, temperatures at higher elevations typically remain below freezing. Precipitation is moderately high and falls mostly as snow during the winter; annual total precipitation in the valley averages about 36 inches (910 mm), and snowfall averages about 65 inches (1,650 mm). Winter in Yosemite National Park, California. © Index Open Plant life in the park changes markedly with elevation. Lower elevations are characterized by scattered trees (both deciduous and coniferous), shrubs, and meadows that fill with wildflowers in the spring. At the level of Yosemite Valley grow larger stands of conifers that include groves of big trees (the giant sequoias), notably at the Mariposa Grove in the southern part of the park; higher up, closer to the timberline, are mountain hemlocks and lodgepole pines; and still higher are rocky alpine areas that support only cold-tolerant species such as lichens. A giant sequoia (Sequoiadendron giganteum) estimated to be between 1,900 and 2,400 … © Kenneth Sponsler/Fotolia Ringling B


Number of Karats in Pure Gold | Number Of | How Many Number of Karats in Pure Gold • | How many karats are there in pure gold? 24. The term karat (or carat) was coined to designate the quantity of gold in gold alloys. A 24-karat piece is made of 99.9% gold (which is considered pure gold), whereas in 18-karat there is 75% gold, and 50% in 12-karat. Another way of measuring gold purity is through the millesimal fineness, with values of decimal figures from 0 to 1, where 999 (or three nines fine) means pure gold. This fact is verified on : May 7, 2010.


"What did U.S. inventor Thomas Edison describe as ""1 percent inspiration and 99 percent perspiration""?"

Thomas Edison - Wikiquote Thomas Edison Jump to: navigation , search Genius is one percent inspiration , ninety nine percent perspiration. Thomas Alva Edison ( 11 February 1847 – 18 October 1931 ) was an American inventor and businessman who developed many devices which greatly influenced life worldwide into the twenty-first century. Contents Quotes[ edit ] Everything comes to him who hustles while he waits. Many of life's failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up I'd put my money on the sun and solar energy. What a source of power ! Discontent is the first necessity of progress. Show me a thoroughly satisfied man and I'll show you a failure. Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work. I find out what the world needs. Then, I go ahead and invent it. We don't know a millionth of one percent about anything. Hell, there are no rules here — we're trying to accomplish something. Just because something doesn't do what you planned it to do doesn't mean it's useless. To Monsieur Eiffel the Engineer, the brave builder of so gigantic and original a specimen of modern Engineering from one who has the greatest respect and admiration for all Engineers including the Great Engineer the Bon Dieu. When Thomas Edison visited The Eiffel Tower, he signed the guestbook with this message, as quoted in The Tallest Tower by Joseph Harris, p. 95. Many of life's failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up. This is presented as a statement of 1877, as quoted in From Telegraph to Light Bulb with Thomas Edison (2007) by Deborah Headstrom-Page, p. 22. During all those years of experimentation and research, I never once made a discovery. All my work was deductive, and the results I achieved were those of invention, pure and simple. I would construct a theory and work on its lines until I found it was untenable. Then it would be discarded at once and another theory evolved. This was the only possible way for me to work out the problem. … I speak without exaggeration when I say that I have constructed 3,000 different theories in connection with the electric light, each one of them reasonable and apparently likely to be true. Yet only in two cases did my experiments prove the truth of my theory. My chief difficulty was in constructing the carbon filament. . . . Every quarter of the globe was ransacked by my agents, and all sorts of the queerest materials used, until finally the shred of bamboo, now utilized by us, was settled upon. On his years of research in developing the electric light bulb, as quoted in "Talks with Edison" by [[w:George Parsons Lathrop|George Parsons Lathrop] in Harper's magazine, Vol. 80 (February 1890), p. 425. The doctor of the future will give no medicine, but will instruct his patient in the care of the human frame, in diet and in the cause and prevention of disease. This has been reprinted many times with slight variations on the wording; it is part of a much larger quote directly from Edison published in 1903: Nineteen hundred and three will bring great advances in surgery, in the study of bacteria, in the knowledge of the cause and prevention of disease. Medicine is played out. Every new discovery of bacteria shows us all the more convincingly that we have been wrong and that the million tons of stuff we have taken was all useless. The doctor of the future will give no medicine, but will instruct his patient in the care of the human frame, in diet and in the cause and prevention of disease. They may even discover the germ of old age. I don't predict it, but it might be by the sacrifice of animal life human life could be prolonged. Surgery, diet, antiseptics — these three are the vital things of the future in preserving the health of humanity. There were never so many able, active minds at work on the problems of diseases as now, and all their discoveries are tending to the simple truth — that you can't improve on nature. As quoted in "Wizard Edison" in The Newark Advocate (2 January 1903)


What service did both Iris and Hermes perform for the Gods of Olympus?

IRIS - Greek Goddess of the Rainbow, Messenger of the Gods Iris Iris, Athenian red-figure lekythos C5th B.C., Rhode Island School of Design Museum IRIS was the goddess of the rainbow and the messenger of the Olympian gods. She was often described as the handmaiden and personal messenger of Hera . Iris was a goddess of sea and sky--her father Thaumas "the wondrous" was a marine-god, and her mother Elektra "the amber" a cloud-nymph. For the coastal-dwelling Greeks, the rainbow's arc was most often seen spanning the distance beteween cloud and sea, and so the goddess was believed to replenish the rain-clouds with water from the sea. Iris had no distinctive mythology of her own. In myth she appears only as an errand-running messenger and was usually described as a virgin goddess. Her name contains a double meaning, being connected with both the Greek word iris "the rainbow" and eiris "messenger." Iris is depicted in ancient Greek vase painting as a beautiful young woman with golden wings, a herald's rod (kerykeion), and sometimes a water-pitcher (oinochoe) in her hand. She was usually depicted standing beside Zeus or Hera, sometimes serving nectar from her jug. As cup-bearer of the gods Iris is often indistinguishable from Hebe in art. FAMILY OF IRIS PARENTS [1.1] THAUMAS & ELEKTRA (Hesiod Theogony 265, Apollodorus 1.10, Hyginus Pref, Nonnus Dionysiaca 26.350) [1.2] THAUMAS (Plato Theatetus 155d, Callimachus Hymn 5, Ptolemy Hephaestion 6, Ovid Met. 4.479, Vergil Aeneid 9.2, Cicero De Natura Deorum 3.20) [1.3] THAUMAS & OZOMENE (Hyginus Fabulae 14) OFFSPRING [1.1] POTHOS (by Zephryos ) (Alcaeus Frag 257; Eustathius on Homer 555, Nonnus Dionysiaca 47.340) ENCYCLOPEDIA IRIS (Iris), a daughter of Thaumas (whence she is called Thaumantias, Virg. Aen. ix. 5) and Electra, and sister of the Harpies. (Hes. Theog. 266, 780; Apollod. i. 2. § 6; Plat. Theaet. p. 155. d; Plut. de Plac. Philos. iii. 5.) In the Homeric poems she appears as the minister of the Olympian gods, who carries messages from Ida to Olympus, from gods to gods, and from gods to men. (Il. xv. 144, xxiv. 78, 95, ii. 787, xviii. 168, Hymn. in Apoll. Del. 102, &c.) In accordance with these functions of Iris, her name is commonly derived from erô eirô; so that Iris would mean "the speaker or messenger:" but it is not impossible that it may be connected with eirô, "I join," whence eirênê ; so that Iris, the goddess of the rainbow, would be the joiner or conciliator, or the messenger of heaven, who restores peace in nature. In the Homeric poems, it is true, Iris does not appear as the goddess of the rainbow, but the rainbow itself is called iris (Il xi. 27, xvii. 547): and this brilliant phenomenon in tile skies, which vanishes as quickly as it appears, was regarded as the swift minister of the gods. Her genealogy too supports the opinion that Iris was originally the personification of the rainbow. In the earlier poets, and even in Theocritus (xvii. 134) and Virgil (Aen. v. 610) Iris appears as a virgin goddess; but according to later writers, she was married to Zephyrus, and became by him the mother of Eros. (Eustath. ad Hom. pp. 391, 555; Plut. Amat. 20.) With regard to her functions, which we have above briefly described, we may further observe, that the Odyssey never mentions Iris, but only Hermes as the messenger of the gods: in the Iliad, on the other hand, she appears most frequently, and on the most different occasions. She is principally engaged in the service of Zeus, but also in that of Hera, and even serves Achilles in calling the winds to his assistance. (Il. xxiii. 199.) She further performs her services not only when commanded, but she sometimes advises and assists of her own accord (iii. 122, xv. 201. xviii. 197. xxiv. 74, &c.). In later poets she appears on the whole in the same capacity as in the Iliad, but she occurs gradually more and more exclusively in the service of Hera, both in the later Greek and Latin poets. (Callim. Hymn. in Del. 232; Virg. Aen. v. 606; Apollon. Rhod. ii. 288, 432; Ov. Met. xiv. 830, &c.) Some poets describe Iris actually as t


If an animal uses thanatosis as self-protection, what does it do?

Why do some animals play dead? | How It Works Magazine Why do some animals play dead? By How It Works Team · 4 years ago Perhaps one of the most peculiar behaviours witnessed in the animal kingdom, tonic immobility is an involuntary reflex where a creature experiences total paralysis and, essentially, appears dead. Often demonstrated by sharks and some bony fish when turned on their backs, the animal enters a cataleptic state – much like the proverbial ‘rabbit caught in the headlights’. Whether it’s your world being flipped 180 degrees or a car hurtling towards you, it’s believed this condition is the result of some form of sensory overload. Left to their own devices, most fish will ‘come to’ within 15 minutes and return to normal, however certain chemicals can be used to speed up the process. Although an animal might look dead when in a tonic state, there’s a distinction to be made between tonic immobility – which is outside a creature’s control – and thanatosis, which is an instinctual behaviour where death is actively feigned. This is seen across mammals (eg opossum – hence ‘playing possum’) to reptiles (eg grass snake) and insects (eg pselaphid beetle). Most use the technique as a defence to deceive predators, or members of their own species, into thinking they’re already dead, but a few actually use it as a means of predation. For example, the pselaphid beetle tricks ants into carrying it back to their nest, where it will dine on the colony’s eggs and larvae. There has been some research into whether humans can experience tonic immobility and recent studies suggest we can in extremely traumatic situations, where we essentially ‘switch off’ from a life-threatening situation. Most likely our brains trigger this response to try and reduce psychological damage.


Of the eight British kings called Edward, which one had the longest reign?

Frequently Asked Questions | Britroyals Frequently Asked Questions When did the last British King fight in         a battle? George II was the last         British King to lead his army in person, during the War of the         Austrian Succession, at the Battle of Dettingen in Bavaria, 27th         June, 1743. The last English King to die in battle was Richard         III at the Battle of Bosworth Field in Leicestershire on 22         August 1485 defeated by Henry Tudor who became Henry VII ending         the Wars of the Roses between the Houses of York and Lancaster         and starting the Tudor dynasty. The last British King to die in         battle was James IV of Scotland killed at the Battle of Flodden Field in Northumberland on 9 September         1513 when the Scots invaded England hoping to take advantage of         Henry VIII's absence in France, but were defeated by English forces         under Thomas Howard, Earl of Surrey. How far back can the British Royal Family         trace their roots? Is Queen Elizabeth II really directly descended         from Alfred the Great? She is the 32nd great granddaughter of King         Alfred who 1,140 years ago was the first effective King of         England. He ruled from 871 to 899. I thought that American Independence was         in 1776. Why is it quoted as 1783? The Continental Congress of the 13 American colonies declared         independence in 1776. However, the war continued and independence         from Britain was not achieved until the Treaty of Paris in 1783. Was George III really mad? For most of his reign King         George III was an astute king and politician with a strong         sense of duty. Later in his reign he suffered from recurrent and         eventually permanent mental illness. This baffled medical science         at the time, although it is now generally thought that he suffered         from the inherited blood disease porphyria. He suffered his first         attack in 1788 and by 1810 was unfit to rule. In 1811 his son         George, Prince of Wales, became Regent for 9 years until his father         died in 1820. Who would now be King or Queen if Edward         VIII had not abdicated? Edward VIII abdicated         in 1936 less than a year after becoming King to marry Wallis Simpson.         His younger brother Bertie became King         George VI and was the father of the present Queen         Elizabeth II . He died in 1952, and Edward who had no children         died in 1972. So even if Edward had not abdicated Elizabeth would         now be Queen. She would have come to the throne in 1972 instead         of 1952. Why did Edward VIII have to give up the throne         to marry a divorcee but Prince Charles is still in line to the         throne? Royals who are divorced or marry divorcees do not lose         their position in the line of succession. Edward VIII had a number         of affairs with married women including Wallis Simpson who was         already divorced and still married to her second husband. His         parents King George V and Queen Mary did not approve and refused         to meet her. When George V died Prime Minister Baldwin made it         clear that the Government, popular opinion in the country and the oversees Dominions (now the Commonwealth nations) did not         approve of his plans to marry Wallis. Social attitudes towards         divorce and a women looking for a third marriage were considered         scandalous at the time, and if Edward married against the advice         of his Ministers it would have caused the Government to resign         and a constitutional crisis. Edward chose to


Which mineral, whose principal use is for tobacco pipes, takes its popular name from the German for 'Sea Foam'?

Encyclopaedia of Meerschaum Pipes and Briar Pipes | Meerschaum Store What is       Meerschaum ? ‘Meerschaum’ is a a german word       describing a soft mineral ,       which literally means ‘sea       foam’.alluding to the belief       that it was the compressed       whitecaps of waves, just as it       is said in mythology for the goddess of beauty - Aphrodite.       It is of an opaque white or       cr’am color and when first       extracted is soft and easily       marked,but it hardens on       exporuse to the sun or when       dried in a warm room or in a       furnace. To polish the pipes is       very important. The polish must       be good quality.             Most of the Meerschaum for commercial       use is obtained from asia Minor,chiefly from the plains of Eskisehir , Turkey , where it occurs in a       small rounded lumps , in       alluvial deposits which are       extensively worked for its       extraction. The exracted lumps       are first scraped then       dried,again scraped and then       polished with wax. The rudely       shaped Meerschaum is then taken       into workshops,where it is       skilfully carved by hand into       beautiful pipes,or turned and       carved into cigarette and cigar       holders and articles of       adornment Meerschaum       is one of the major reasons for       the fame of Eskisehir . A hydrous magnesium silicate       H4Mg2Si3O10 and used for  tobacco pipes.Its high       porosity  acts  as  "natural       filter"  allows  to  absorb  the  nicotin that is       why it takes a rich brown       color as used It contains       Magnesium(Mg) and Hydrosilicade       in it’s structure.Magnesium       doesn't make it strong and the       hydrogen and oxygen don't make       it cool. It is the crystalline       structure; the arrangement of       the magnesium, silicon, oxygen,       and hydrogen atoms in a rigid       crystalline structure that makes       sepiolite (the clay mineral that       is identified by pipe smokers as       meerschaum) so good for smoking .Eskisehir has the purest and whitest ,most       easy to engrave Meerschaum in       the world. Meerschaum       deposits of the highest quality       are found only in one place in       the world - in the small city of Eskisehir in central Turkey.And       here the deposits are confined       to an area of only 4 square       miles.It comes in other masses       in various sizes and round.       Because it is less dense that       the water, it floats on the       water.It is soft when newly –extracted and feels like soap       but, it hardens overtime. It is       also called ‘white gold’ because       of it’s color. Mined with       hand tools, and by men trained       in this singular family       tradition, meerschaum is       excavated at depths ranging from       200 to 300 feet. The miners wash       the raw meerschaum lumps and       sort them into 5 categories       according to quality. Each of       these 5 categories is further       divided into 12 qualities       according to size, color       porosity and homogeneity of the       mineral. Nearly 300 years ago, the first       meerschaum pipe was carved by       hand. And today, these unique       pipes are still carved by hand.       The carver, a craftsman of       unique ability and long       experience, examines each piece       of meerschaum, calculating the       lines of cleavage along which it       should be split. The spli