Pod - What Is a Pod Pod Pod Definition of the Term Pod, as Used in Marine Life A pod of orca (killer) whales come to the surface on a calm day in Lynn Canal, Inside Passage, Alaska, near Juneau.  John Hyde / Design Pics/First Light/Getty Images By Jennifer Kennedy Updated September 30, 2015. A pod is a group of animals, such as whales or dolphins.  This gathering of animals may also referred to as a group, school, herd, or (more traditionally) a gam. Uses of the Terms Pod, School and Group The terms pod and school are sometimes used interchangeably, but sometimes they are used to distinguish between groups of aquatic mammals and other organisms. Since the word school is traditionally used to refer to a group of fish, many people use the term pod to make the distinction that whales are mammals, not fish.  Then again, in some references, a school refers to a large group of whales or dolphins, while a pod is a smaller group of animals within that larger group.  According to the Encyclopedia of Marine Mammals, a pod refers to a group of whales in a specific species - the killer whale, or orca. The authors define a pod as a group of resident killer whales that are closely related matrilines (a line of individuals descended from a single female) that regularly associate with each other. continue reading below our video 10 Best Universities in the United States Examples of Marine Animals that Gather in Pods Assuming you use the term pod to refer to a group of cetaceans, several species regularly gather in pods. The term pod is most often used to refer to t oothed whales  ( odontocetes ), many of whom seem to live in a stronger social structure than baleen whales. Odontocete species with well-studied pod structures include: Sperm Whales Bottlenose Dolphins Pilot Whales Depending on the species, these groups may or may not include related individuals.Killer and pilot whales are a species in which the individuals in a pod are related.  Why Do Animals Gather in Pods? Defense  An advantage of being in a pod is that the animals can better defend themselves against predators such as sharks and killer whales. In the open ocean, there's nowhere to hide. But by gathering together with other whales, each individual has less of a chance of being selected for attack by a predator. Also, the presence of many whales can confuse a predator and make it difficult for the predator to single out any one animal. Animals in the center of a pod will also benefit from being shielded from predators by those on the outside of the pod. In some whales, like killer and sperm whales, weaker or younger animals may be protected inside the pod, while the stronger members of the pod defend them against predators. Sperm whales employ this strategy.  These animals can undertake long feeding dives. Calves, which are still nursing and can't hold their breath as long, are left at the surface, but the adults take turns diving so that the calves are never left wholly unprotected. If a calf is threatened, the adults may gather in a circle around it, with their heads facing the calf and their tails facing the predator. Feeding Animals may also form pods to better enable them to hunt prey. For example, when preying upon a large whale, a small group of killer whales would be more successful than a single individual. Dolphins hunting fish may work together to herd the fish toward the surface or into a shallow area. Once the fish are all gathered together, the whole pod can partake in the feast. Avoiding Harassment Female dolphins may gather together to avoid harassment from males seeking to mate with them. Mating Pods may come together for mating purposes, especially in cases where animals traditionally gather in smaller pods - these smaller pods may join up with other pods periodically so that animals don't have to mate with members of their own pod. Pod Sizes Pods may contain anywhere from a few animals up to several thousand. The size of the pod may be determined by how the individualsa related, or by feeding needs. If a pod gets too large, the animals in the pod may no


Oliver Mellors was the lover of which fictional character?

Oliver Mellors | fictional character | Britannica.com Oliver Mellors fictional character THIS ARTICLE IS A STUB. You can learn more about this topic in the related articles below. Similar Topics Oliver Mellors, title character of the novel Lady Chatterley’s Lover (privately published 1928) by English writer D.H. Lawrence . To Lawrence, Mellors symbolized raw animal passion, natural manhood, and untamed sexuality. Learn More in these related articles: Lady Chatterley’s Lover novel by D.H. Lawrence, published in a limited English-language edition in Florence (1928) and in Paris (1929). It was first published in England in an expurgated version in 1932. The full text was published only in 1959 in New York City and in 1960 in London, when it was the subject of a landmark... D.H. Lawrence September 11, 1885 Eastwood, Nottinghamshire, England March 2, 1930 Vence, France English author of novels, short stories, poems, plays, essays, travel books, and letters. His novels Sons and Lovers (1913), The Rainbow (1915), and Women in Love (1920) made him one of the most influential English... Corrections? Updates? Help us improve this article! Contact our editors with your feedback. MEDIA FOR: You have successfully emailed this. Error when sending the email. Try again later. Edit Mode Submit Tips For Editing We welcome suggested improvements to any of our articles. You can make it easier for us to review and, hopefully, publish your contribution by keeping a few points in mind. Encyclopædia Britannica articles are written in a neutral objective tone for a general audience. You may find it helpful to search within the site to see how similar or related subjects are covered. Any text you add should be original, not copied from other sources. At the bottom of the article, feel free to list any sources that support your changes, so that we can fully understand their context. (Internet URLs are the best.) Your contribution may be further edited by our staff, and its publication is subject to our final approval. Unfortunately, our editorial approach may not be able to accommodate all contributions. Submit Thank You for Your Contribution! Our editors will review what you've submitted, and if it meets our criteria, we'll add it to the article. Please note that our editors may make some formatting changes or correct spelling or grammatical errors, and may also contact you if any clarifications are needed. Uh Oh There was a problem with your submission. Please try again later. Close Date Published: February 11, 2011 URL: https://www.britannica.com/topic/Oliver-Mellors Access Date: January 19, 2017 Share


What are the first names of crime writer P D James?

Order of P.D. James Books - OrderOfBooks.com Home | Characters | Authors Order of P.D. James Books P.D. James is the pen name of Phyllis Dorothy James, Baroness James of Holland Park. P.D. James is an English novelist of crime fiction, thrillers and dystopian fiction. She is best known for her detective fiction novels featuring Adam Dalgliesh , a policeman and poet. She has also written a couple of novels featuring Cordelia Gray and a few standalone novels. P.D. James has been writing since 1962, when her first Adam Dalgliesh mystery entitled Cover Her Face was published. Below is a list of all of P.D. James’ books in order of publication and in chronological order (when necessary): Publication Order of Adam Dalgliesh Books Cover Her Face


Which confectionery items are named after Forrest Mars and Bruce Murrie?

What Do the Ms on M&M's Stand For, and How Do They Get Them on There? | Mental Floss What Do the Ms on M&M's Stand For, and How Do They Get Them on There? filed under: Big Questions Like us on Facebook In the early 1900s, Forrest Mars, Sr., the son of Chicago candy maker and Snickers bar creator Franklin Clarence Mars, worked his way through Europe learning the ins and outs of the candy business. He worked for Nestle. He worked for Tobler. He started his own little factory in England. He sold some of his father’s brands. Most importantly, he found inspiration. According to confectionery lore, Mars was in Spain during the Spanish Civil War and noticed treats frequently placed in soldiers’ rations. They were chocolate pellets coated with a hard candy shell that kept them from melting (these might have been, or been inspired by, the “chocolate beans” made by Rowntrees of York, England since 1882). Upon his return to the U.S. in 1940, Mars sought out another son of a famed candy man to put his own spin on the Spanish candies. Bruce Murrie’s partnership in the new venture was essential to the candy’s success during World War II. His father was William Murrie, president of the Hershey Company, which meant Bruce and Mars had access to Hershey’s sugar and chocolate stores at a time when the ingredients were in short supply. It also guaranteed customers - Hershey had struck a deal with the Army in 1937 to provide chocolate for U.S. soldiers’ ration packs. The partners Mars and Murrie dubbed their new candy with their initials, and M&M’s soon found their way around the world with U.S. servicemen (along with the 4-ounce, 600-calorie “Ration D” Hershey chocolate bar). The story didn’t end sweetly for Murrie, though. When chocolate rationing ended after the war, Mars bought out Murrie's 20% interest in the product and went on to become one of Hershey’s biggest competitors. Leaving Their Mark Even with their partnership dissolved, Mars and Murrie’s initials stuck as the candy’s name and, in 1950, was even printed on it. Today, the Ms are applied to M&M's in a process that Mars Inc. describes as “akin to offset printing .” Blank M&M's sit on a special conveyor belt that has a dimple for each candy to sit in, and roll through a machine where vegetable dye is transferred from a press to a rubber etch roller that gently prints the M on each piece. The printer can stamp some 2.5 million M&M's an hour. Some candies make it off the line M-less, but Mars doesn’t consider these rejects. Minor variations in the shapes of M&M's, especially the peanut ones, make uniform stamping difficult, and the machine is set up to let some blanks slip through rather than mark every one and break some candy shells in the process. This post originally appeared in 2012.


Which crime writer’s first published novel is entitled ‘The Mysterious Affair at Styles’?

The Mysterious Affair at Styles (Hercule Poirot Mysteries): Agatha Christie: 9781602067912: Amazon.com: Books The Mysterious Affair at Styles (Hercule Poirot Mysteries) Add all three to Cart Add all three to List One of these items ships sooner than the other. Show details Buy the selected items together This item:The Mysterious Affair at Styles (Hercule Poirot Mysteries) by Agatha Christie Paperback $4.49 Only 4 left in stock (more on the way). Ships from and sold by Amazon.com. FREE Shipping on orders over $25. Details Ships from and sold by Amazon.com. FREE Shipping on orders over $25. Details Ships from and sold by Amazon.com. FREE Shipping on orders over $25. Details 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 . A Scone To Die For (Oxford Tearoom Mysteries ~ Book 1) H.Y. Hanna "Scones, a tea shop in England, a kitty & a murder - yes, please!" A brilliant and funny British cozy mystery for Agatha Christie fans! Quinn Goes West: A gripping mystery thriller (Liam Quinn Mysteries Book 3) LH Thomson A shady businessman cooked in an Arizona sunbed? Quinn is a long way from his beloved Philadelphia. He's up to his neck in trouble. Sand, too. Quinn Plays Ball (Liam Quinn Mysteries Book 10) LH Thomson In the latest Quinn Mystery, a beloved baseball coach finds himself seventh-inning stretchered! Can Philly's favorite PI cope with the Florida heat? Quinn Checks In: A Gripping Thriller (Liam Quinn Mysteries Book 1) LH Thomson Philly ex-con Liam Quinn is back on the street to make amends. 'Wit, action and backstory. What more could you want?' - J. Michael Orenduff. The Ghost in Mr. Pepper's Bed Sigrid Vansandt Got Ghosts? Willow Valley does and one ghostly femme fatale needs Sonya, ghost whisperer, to find her killer before this good ghost goes dark. Two Birds With One Stone (A Helen & Martha Cozy Mystery Book 1) Sigrid Vansandt Two Southern Sleuths Solve a Murder at the Old Grange! Itâs a beautiful summer and the busy village of Marsden-Lacey, England, has murder on its mind. Pudding, Poison & Pie (A Helen & Martha Cozy Mystery Book 3) Sigrid Vansandt Helen and Martha enter the village's Pudding and Pie Bake-Off and quickly find themselves up to their elbows in meringue, marmalade and murder. "Future scholars of the simon-pure detective novel will hold that its greatest practitioner . . . has been Agatha Christie." --The New York Times Book Review " Future scholars of the simon-pure detective novel will hold that its greatest practitioner . . . has been Agatha Christie." -- The New York Times Book Review Read more From the Inside Flap Who poisoned the wealthy Emily Inglethorpe, and how did the murderer penetrate and escape from her locked bedroom? Sus-pects abound in the quaint village of Styles St. Mary--from the heiress's fawning new husband to her two stepsons, her volatile housekeeper, and a pretty nurse who works in a hospital dispensary. Making his unforgettable debut, the brilliant Belgian detective Hercule Poirot is on the case. "The key to the success of this style of detective novel," writes Elizabeth George in her Introduction, "lies in how the author deals with both the clues and the red herrings, and it has to be said that no one bettered Agatha Christie at this game."              --This text refers to the Kindle Edition edition. Don't have a Kindle? Get your Kindle here , or download a FREE Kindle Reading App . Ignite your imagination with these editor's picks from Kindle books. See more Product Details Publisher: Cosimo Classics (October 15, 2007) Language: English Shipping Weight: 6.4


In astronomy, how many stars make up The Plough?

Transit Date of principal star: 8 March Ursa Major is a large sprawling constellation, the third largest in fact. It's mainly known as the home of the Big Dipper (UK: the Plough), certainly the best known asterism in all the heavens. The constellation offers a number of objects, some well known, others rather obscure, and one star that has recently been in the news as having at least one "temperate" planet circling about it. The stars are fairly bright, and widely dispersed. The Big Dipper/Plough covers only half of the breadth, and the constellation extends much farther south, with its most southerly star, xi Ursae Majoris (Alula Australis), as far south as Leo and Cancer. The name "The Great Bear" seems to have been assigned to the constellation in antiquity, due to its northern latitudes. Only a prodigious bear could live in such a northerly clime. Interestingly, a number of North American tribes (Algonquin, Iroquois, Illinois, and Narragansett, among possibly others) also associated the constellation with a gigantic bear. In Greek mythology Callisto, daughter of King Lycaon, was chosen as a young child to be one of Artemis's companions. Now Artemis was Apollo's sister, patroness of childbirth and protector of babies and of suckling animals. The one thing she prized above all was her chastity; she even asked Zeus for eternal virginity, which he granted. Artemis gathered about her a number of young nymphs. Reflecting her own vows on chastity, she also required complete fidelity from these young women (girls actually, who would grow into womanhood). One of these was Callisto. Zeus had the habit of seducing young maidens, and eventually he got around to Callisto. When Artemis discovered that Callisto was pregnant, she took her revenge. Artemis loved to hunt; she would take her revenge in the chase. So she changed Callisto into a bear. (Remember that Artemis is the same goddess that caught Actaeon watching her bath. She turned him into a stag then set his own hounds on him. They ripped him to pieces.) So Artemis's plan was to have Callisto, as a bear, hunted down and killed. But Zeus took pity, and sent Callisto to the heavens, keeping the same form of a bear. Her son Arcas would grow up to be the ancestral founder of the Arcadians, before he too joined his mother in the heavens as Ursa Minor. The constellation itself doesn't have a particularly memorable shape to it; few of us bother to discover the form of a bear in the heavens. Rather it is the asterism known as the Big Dipper (or Plough if you live in the UK) that is most noticeable. The stars that make up the Big Dipper are seven in number, and follow the Greek alphabet, making them easy to remember. Thus, apart from alpha Ursae Majoris, the Dipper's bowl is made up of beta, gamma, and delta, then epsilon, zeta, and eta finish the asterism. This particular asterism has also a long history, seen in many cultures as a chariot or wagon. (Burnham, as one would expect, has a thorough discussion on this aspect of the constellation.) The seven are not moving in the same direction, and over time the asterism will dissolve. In fact, it is only the last 50,000 years or so that a discernible "dipper" has formed. As the stars move their separate ways, the shape will more and more become plough-like, with the pointer star (alpha Ursae Majoris) moving in front of the rest, and somewhat south of its present position. This star, alpha UMa (Dubhe: the Bear), is a yellow giant, about 25 times the size of the Sun, and 86 light years away. It is a close visual binary, discussed below. Beta Ursae Majoris is named Merak, or "loin"; gamma is Phecda: thigh, and delta is called Megrez: root (or base) of the tail. These three are similar stars, all white (A-type) stars, and all within 100 light years distance. When we go out onto the tail, we first encounter epsilon UMa, an alpha-CV type variable (see below), and another A-type white star. Called Alioth (which no one has adequately translated) the star is one of the brightest in the constellation, although one of the more distant stars (if we


Statues of Hans Christian Anderson, William Shakespeare, Christopher Columbus and Alice in Wonderland are located in which famous park?

Statues in Central Park, Sculptures in Central Park, Central Park Statue, Central Park Sculpture, Famous Statues in Central Park, Central Park Statues, Central Park Sculptures, Conservatory Water Sculptures, Delacorte Theater Sculptures, Central Park New York Statues, Alice in Wonderland sculpture in Central Park, Hans Christian Anderson statue in Central Park, Romeo and Juliet bronze figure in Central Park, The Tempest sculpture in Central Park, Balto sculpture in Central Park, Obelisk in Central Park, Pictures of Alice in Wonderland statue, Picture of Hans Christian Anderson statue, Picture of Romeo and Juliet statue, Picture of Prospero & Miranda from The Tempest sculpture, Pictures of Delacorte Theater and sculptures, Pictures of Conservatory Water and sculptures, TheNew York City, New York Central Park is home to beautiful fountains,         historical monuments and stunning bronze sculptures. Conservatory Water Statues Two of our favorite statues are located at Conservatory        Water — "Alice in Wonderland" and "Hans        Christain Anderson." "Alice in Wonderland" 76th Street & 5th Avenue Judging from          the crowds snapping pictures during our last visit to Central          Park, we're not the          only ones who find Alice in Wonderland and her Mad          Tea Party guests magical. This whimsical           bronze sculpture (photos above and below), depicting characters         from Lewis           Carroll's classic           book "Alice           in Wonderland," is one of the park's most popular         statues — with kids and adults alike. Alice in Wonderland is         located on 76th Street and 5th Avenue, near Central Park's Conservatory          Water. Hans Christian Anderson and "The Ugly Duckling" Located just a short distance from Alice in Wonderland sits another popular  Central Park statue — Hans Christian Anderson and "The Ugly Duckling." The bronze sculpture is located on        the west side of Conservatory Water, at East 74th Street and East        Drive. Conservatory Water — also known at the         Model Boat Pond — is a        popular place with kids and their parents racing model boats. Mid-Park at 80th Street Southwest corner of Great Lawn It seems fitting that two sculptures       depicting characters of Shakespeare's plays ("Romeo & Juliet" and "The       Tempest"), should be located outside       Delacorte       Theater — home       to New York City's annual productions of "Shakespeare       in the Park." "Romeo & Juliet" The romantic bronze figure of Shakespeare's         Romeo & Juliet (photo below) is located near the entrance of Delacorte Theater,  mid-Park at 80th  Street. "The Tempest" @ Delacorte Theater Mid-Park at 80th Street The bronze sculpture above depicts Prospero & Miranda — two of Shakespeare's main characters in his play "The Tempest." The Tempest is  located next to Romeo & Juliet, near  the front entrance of the Delacorte Theatre, mid-Park at 80th Street. More Fun Central Park Statues "Balto" Alaskan dog-sled hero "Balto" is        located at 67th Street near Fifth Avenue. Obelisk "Cleopatra's Needle" The 70+ foot Obelisk is located in Central Park's East Side drive, at 81st   Street. Other popular Central Park sculptures include: - Christopher Columbus


Shar-Pei Types Shar-Pei Types   Horsecoat Shar-Pei puppies can have a dramatic change in appearance as they mature to an adult dog. All Shar-Pei, but especially the horsecoat need early socialization with children, strangers, and other animals.They can be stubborn, strong willed and very territorial.Early training can help control these traits before they become problem behaviors.Some people may experience a sensitivity to the harshness of the coat of either length. This is a mild, short lived rash, that can develop on the skin that has been in contact with the coat, most commonly on the forearms.When adopting an adult horsecoat Shar-Pei, it is important to remember that they often lacking the cute expression and wrinkly appearance that was once so endearing as a puppy.And that they might come with a lack of socialization, training, and a history of mistreatment. But with love, patience, training classes and a tincture of time these dogs can become beloved, loyal companions. It is worth the effort, to bring a horsecoat Shar-Pei into your home, because they always give more to the family than they ask in return.   Brushcoat Shar-Pei puppies, are cute, cuddly, wrinkly balls, with a love me expression.  They often retain this puppyish look well into adulthood. Because of this cuteness, their owners can be reluctant to socialize and train them while they are young. What was cute as a 20-pound puppy is not so cute as a 50 pound adult. The brushcoat matures early to be a stocky strong dog, therefore earlysocialization and training are essential, in order to have a dog that is a good family member as well as a welcome member of society.  The brushcoat is not always as active as the horsecoat. And are often more content than the horsecoat to laze around the house. Like their horsecoat brothers, they are strong willed, stubborn and territorial, but these are often exhibited to a lessor degree.Both coat types, brush and horse are true Shar-Pei. Both make excellent companions. Each is similar and yet has their own uniqueness. Each of the two coat types has groups of fans that prefer one type to the other.If you are looking for an easily maintained, smart, active, loyal companion, that will challenge your intelligence, and keep your funny bone tickled with their clownish antics, the horsecoat is the Shar-Pei for you.If you are looking for an easily maintained, quick to learn, less active companion, to keep you company and enjoy activities with you the, brushcoat Shar-Pei just may be the dog you are looking for.Please look at both types and educate yourself before making a Shar-Pei a member of your family.Remember a dog is a life time commitment.   Bear Coat There is another length of coat that a Shar-Pei can have. When both the male and female carry the recessive gene for this coat type, it can occur. It is any coat that is longer than 1 inch at the withers. This coat length is commonly called a "Bear Coat." This coat length resembles the coat on a breed of dog called a "Chow Chow." The personality of the bear coat is very much like that of a brush coat.Bear coats make wonderful pets."This length of coat is a major fault therefore a dog with this coat can not be shown competitively in the conformation shows." They can be shown in obedience and agility.   Spotted Coat Spotted puppies (as well as bear coats) do pop up in litters now and then.  This is not a RARE or sought-after Shar-Pei.  This color pattern is a disqualification in the AKC standard,  making it a pet quality puppy.  Remember, you should never pay more money for a Shar-Pei because of its color or coat type, especially when the color or coat type is an AKC disqualification (see standard at the AKC  site)


In which European city is the famous Arch of Hadrian?

Greece: Hadrian's Athens - Europe Up Close Europe Up Close Travel Health and Safety Greece: Hadrian’s Athens Published/Revised May 13, 2016 By W. Ruth Kozak This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure for more info. Share The Roman Emperor Hadrian is best known for building Hadrian’s Wall, which marked the northern limit of Roman Britain. He also rebuilt the Parthenon and constructed the Temple of Venus in Rome. In addition to these contributions to Rome, Hadrian built several important structures in the city of Athens. Hadrian was an ardent philhellene and lived for several years in Greece. He was archon of Athens from 125 – 129 AD and during that time he adorned the city with several imperial buildings. You’ll pass by them when you are touring around Plaka. Hadrian loved literature, both Roman and Greek. He wrote poetry and was familiar with the Greek philosophers. And, he built a distinguished library in Athens that stands today. You’ll find it at the corner of Eolou and Adrianou Streets in Plaka. There was a large colonnaded court with semi-circular recesses in the walls. Part of the west entrance had Corinthian columns that still stand. The central room was the library with niches for bookshelves. The courtyard was laid out as a garden with a central pool. I love to stop by Hadrian’s Library whenever I’m strolling around Plaka, then sit in the tavern by the Eolou Street side and enjoy an ice-cold frappe under the shade trees before wandering over to the Roman Forum. Hadrian’s library Rome had occupied Greece from 146 BC and by the first century AD, Greece had become a favorite holiday destination for wealthy Romans and a place of exile for troublemakers. The Athenian agora had a new Roman odeon, a covered theatre that seated 1000 people. There’s a bust of Hadrian in the Greek agora, on the west side near the Temple of Hephaestion. It’s a headless torso, but don’t try posing with it or the agora guards will chase you off! Hadrian’s Torso Agora The entrance to the Roman Forum, which was built during the reign of Julius Caesar, is the Gate of Athena Archegetis. It marks the street leading from the Greek agora. On the side facing the Acropolis there is an engraved edict of Hadrian’s outlining rules and taxes for the sale of oil. I like to wander about in the Roman Forum. The most intriguing of the ruins is the Tower of the Winds which predates the forum, designed by the Syrian astronomer Andronikos of Kyrrhos in the 1st century BC. It served as a compass, sundial, weather vane and water clock. Each face of the tower is adorned with a relief of a figure floating through air personifying the eight winds. Just below the Tower of Winds are the public latrines which I always find amusing. At the east end of the forum is an Ionic propylea dating from the reign of Hadrian. It was surrounded by colonnades which opened to shops and offices. During the Turkish period, a mosque was built on the north side that now serves as an archaeological storage room. Tower of Winds Probably the most distinctive piece of Hadrian memorabilia is near the busy road junction of Amalias and Syngrou Streets just outside of Plaka where the majestic Arch of Hadrian stands. It was erected by Hadrian to mark the limits of the ancient city and the beginning of Novae Athenae or Hadrianopolis, as it was called. The inscription on the south east side, facing the Acropolis, reads “This is Athens, the ancient city of Theseus”. On the northwest side, toward the tall pillars of the Olympieion, it reads “This is the city of Hadrian and not of Theseus.” The arch was adorned with Corinthian columns but only the bases remain. Roman Forum with the Tower of Winds In the area that was Hadrianopolis there are still some Roman remains but the most significant sight are the towering pillars of what is left of the Temple of Olympian Zeus. Various rules had worked on the building over a span of more than five centuries but it was Hadrian who ensured the job was finished and it was he who had it dedicated. The Olympieion, as it is known, is the largest


How many matching numbers are required to win a prize in the UK National Lottery?

The UK National Lottery - a guide for beginners | plus.maths.org The UK National Lottery - a guide for beginners By  Submitted by plusadmin on March 1, 2004 March 2004 The UK National Lottery began in November 1994. Optimistic statisticians hoped that the surrounding publicity might increase interest in ideas of chance and probability, and perhaps even enhance the nation's numeracy. Hot tips In the early days of the Lottery, it was quite common to see newspaper articles that looked back on what numbers had recently been drawn, and attempted to identify certain numbers as "due" (they hadn't appeared for a dozen draws), other numbers as "hot" (having occurred several times in succession), much in the manner of racing tipsters studying form. The question of how these inanimate rubber spheres, whirling around a plastic tub, were supposed to be influenced by previous draws was never addressed. Few such articles appear now; without these words being specifically used, it does seem to be generally believed that the outcome of each draw is independent of the rest, and that each of the possible combinations has the same chance every time. The game has tightly drawn rules about the amount of prize money available, and how it shall be allocated. The mathematics of counting then allow you to work out your winning chances, and how much your prize might be. For the principal game, players must select six different numbers from the list {1,2,...,49}; in the Lottery draw, six of these numbers are selected at random as "main" numbers, and a seventh is also chosen (the Bonus number). Players win some prize if their selection matches at least three of the main numbers. If they match all six main numbers, they qualify for a share of the Jackpot prize, with an average value of £2 million - and, occasionally, ten times this amount! However, less than half the money staked is returned as prizes, so, on average, you lose more than 50p each time you buy a £1 ticket. To work out the winning chances, note that the number of different choices of six numbers from a list of 49 numbers is , say. And all these combinations are taken to have an equal chance of being the six main numbers. So if you buy one ticket, your chance of a Jackpot share is 1 in , or, in round figures, one in 14 million. It is hard to appreciate how small this figure is: for example, the chance of death within one year for a middle-aged healthy man might be one in 1,000. If so, the chance he dies within the next week is one in 52,000; within the next day about one in 365,000, within the next hour about one in nine million - still bigger than the chance of a jackpot share. Indeed, on these figures, he is about as likely to win a jackpot share with one ticket as he is to die in the next 40 minutes. All those who match all six main numbers share the amount in the Jackpot pool, which depends mainly on total sales. To win a gigantic prize, you hope to be the only person with a winning ticket. What can you do to bring this about? Really random Very little information has been disclosed about what combinations UK players have chosen. Apparently, at one stage, 10,000 people were selecting the numbers 1 to 6, while the most popular single choice is said to be those multiples of seven, {7,14,21,28,35,42}. Of course, after every draw, we learn how many players shared the jackpot, and hence exactly how many selected that particular combination that draw. Almost one time in six, no-one has won a jackpot share; and one time in five, one winner has scooped the entire jackpot pool. At the other extreme, 133 people selected the winning combination {7,17,23,32,38,42}, while on another occasion 57 chose {2,12,19,28,38,48}. But the Swiss Lottery permitted Hans Riedwyl complete knowledge of player choice for one particular week; on average, each combination was chosen about twice, but he identified types of combinations that attracted far, far more players: previous winning combinations, going back several years; winning combinations from Lotteries in neighbouring countries; combinations that, when ma


Who plays escaped convict Ulysses Everett McGill in the 2000 film ‘O Brother, Where Art Thou’?

Movie Review -  - FILM REVIEW; Hail, Ulysses, Escaped Convict - NYTimes.com FILM REVIEW; Hail, Ulysses, Escaped Convict By A. O. SCOTT Published: December 22, 2000 The opening credits of Joel and Ethan Coen's new film, ''O Brother, Where Art Thou?,'' announce rather grandly that the picture is ''based upon 'The Odyssey,' by Homer.'' The filmmakers even supply a ritual invocation of the muse, who is asked (via Robert Fitzgerald's translation of Homer's epic) to help them sing of ''the man skilled in all the ways of contending.'' It doesn't take a classics scholar to notice that the wily brothers have taken a few liberties with their source. Their hero, played with toothy glee by George Clooney, is a hyper-articulate escaped convict named Ulysses Everett McGill, who wanders the dusty byways of Depression-era Mississippi with a pair of dimwitted companions, searching for wealth, his wife and his favorite hair treatment, a gooey pomade called Dapper Dan. When McGill finally catches up with Penelope (Holly Hunter), she turns out not to be the embodiment of wifely constancy Homer rhapsodized but rather the harried, impatient mother of seven daughters who has thrown over her vagabond mate for a weaselly political operative named Waldrip (Ray McKinnon). (''He's a suitor,'' one of the girls explains to her baffled father. ''He's bona fide.'') While there are Homeric moments scattered through the ambling, shaggy-dog narrative -- a blind soothsayer, a one-eyed Bible salesman (John Goodman) in place of the Cyclops, a governor (Charles Durning) whose Christian name is Menelaus (though he prefers to be called Pappy) and a trio of honey-voiced sirens -- ''The Odyssey'' is just one ingredient in a feverish gumbo of borrowings and allusions. ''O Brother, Where Art Thou?'' is less a retelling of the founding epic of Western civilization than a portable anthology of Americana, a tinker's van festooned with scraps of ''Moby-Dick,'' ''The Wizard of Oz'' and Preston Sturges's ''Sullivan's Travels,'' the source of the film's title. The whole contraption lurches along to the rhythms of old-time gospel, blues and country music. It is, all in all, a rambunctious and inspired ride in which the Coen brothers' voracious fascination with the arcana of American popular culture and their whiz-kid inventiveness reach new heights of whimsy. This is one of their sillier movies; its pastiche of period style has more in common with the light-handed artifice of their ''Hudsucker Proxy'' than with the necrophilia of ''Miller's Crossing'' or ''Barton Fink.'' But like ''The Hudsucker Proxy,'' ''O Brother'' is a richer and more serious movie than it seems at first, and it risks being unfairly dismissed as an empty exercise in style. For one thing, this film has at its center an elusive, highly mannered performance that appears to belong, as much as the vintage roadsters and ice-cream suits, to a vanished era. Mr. Clooney not only looks like Clark Gable, with his hair slicked against his scalp and his carefully etched Art Deco mustache, but he also gives the kind of detached, matinee-idol performance that used to be Gable's trademark. Mr. Clooney's self-conscious line readings and leisurely double-takes are like a wink to the audience. We never forget that, whatever else the script may demand, we're watching a movie star. That we're watching a star of the present moment playing, in effect, a star of an earlier age only doubles the fun and adds to our sense of dislocation. As in many of the Coens' movies, the world on screen is one we intuitively recognize, even as its geography seems decidedly askew. With the help of the cinematographer Roger Deakins, who composes beige and ocher landscapes that look simultaneously lush and austere, the brothers have made the American South into a gauzy dreamland. Their approach is a kind of down-home magic realism and their hero an archetype of folklore -- Br'er Rabbit or Paul Bunyan -- whose doings amount to a collection of tall tales. After busting out of the chain gang, McGill and his companions, Delmar (Tim Blake Nelson)


1986 saw the 900th anniversary of which famous English book?

The holy grail of data: it's Domesday, online | Technology | The Guardian The holy grail of data: it's Domesday, online William the Conqueror's great census is made available free on the internet The holy grail of data: it's Domesday, online William the Conqueror's great census is made available free on the internet Share on Messenger Close 'Not even one ox, nor one cow, nor one pig was left out.' But what William the Conqueror didn't have in the Domesday Book was an easy way of searching its reams of data. It has taken more than 900 years, but at last the internet has provided a solution. An academic at Hull University has produced the world's first complete, freely available online version. Professor John Palmer, whose work on the Domesday Book stretches back 25 years, has transformed its handwritten parchment pages into a database with searchable indexes, a detailed commentary and the ability to organise all its statistics in a tabulated format. The Domesday Book, the oldest and most famous public record, was based on the 1086 great survey of England which investigated 'how the country was occupied, and with what sort of people... how much each had... and how much it was worth'. It covered 13,418 settlements south of the rivers Ribble and Tees. As with the Last Judgment, all were called to account - hence the name, Domesday, Day of Judgment. There would be nothing like it in England again until the censuses of the 19th century. But for nearly 1,000 years it has been inaccessible to most people and difficult to understand. There are costly CD-Rom translations, and the National Archives provides online searches, but Palmer set out to create a new format to bring the book into the digital age. Whereas the original has information listed under headings, Palmer has coded and tagged terms so they can be automatically retrieved and analysed. His software makes it possible to isolate certain variables and conduct several searches at once. The results can be displayed as a map, table or translated text, or as a combination of formats. The three-year project was funded by a £250,000 grant from the Arts and Humanities Research Council. Palmer, who worked on the project with his son, Matt, said: 'My interest in Domesday began in about 1980 as a teaching project. My son was getting interested in computing at the same time. It developed into a research <interest for the 900th anniversary in 1986, but computers weren't powerful enough then. In the mid-Nineties, the improvements in computers revived my interest and I managed to get some funding.' Written in Latin, the Domesday Book is the starting point of history for the majority of towns and villages in England. It lists places, landowners and tenants, tax assessments, cultivated land, numbers of oxen and plough teams, property values, legal claims, illegal activity and social classes such as freemen, villeins, smallholders, cottagers, slaves, priests and burgesses. The total value of all property in England in 1086 was calculated at £75,000 - which in today's money would be £1 trillion. The dozen wealthiest individuals were each richer than any later billionaires in English history, with fortunes ranging from the equivalent of £56bn to £104bn today. Palmer said: 'No English medieval historian can ignore the book because it's such an important source for social and economic medieval history. It's like a giant skyscraper surrounded by mud huts in terms of significance. If you want to know how many pigs there were in each county, the Domesday Book is the best record there is of who owned what, right down to people who owned a few shillings. 'Anyone who looks at it is stunned by the speed and coverage: it was completed within a year and Englishmen were generally in awe of it. All through the Middle Ages it was used as the permanent record: there were all sorts of appeals to it to resolve property disputes.' · The Domesday Book is available online via Essex University's Arts and Humanities Data Service at esds.ac.uk/findingdata


Which company manufactured the Tristar aircraft?

Lockheed L-1011 Tristar | Aircraft Wiki | Fandom powered by Wikia Share Ad blocker interference detected! Wikia is a free-to-use site that makes money from advertising. We have a modified experience for viewers using ad blockers Wikia is not accessible if you’ve made further modifications. Remove the custom ad blocker rule(s) and the page will load as expected. The Lockheed L-1011 Tristar, commonly referred to as just L-1011 (pronounced "ell-ten-eleven"), was the third widebody passenger jet airliner to enter operation, following the Boeing 747 and the  McDonnell Douglas DC-10 . Like the DC-10, the TriStar is a three-engine jet airliner . Between 1968 and 1984, Lockheed manufactured a total of 250 TriStars. After production ended, Lockheed withdrew from commercial aircraft business due to its below-target sales. [1] Contents In the 1960s, American Airlines approached Lockheed and competitor Douglas (later McDonnell Douglas) with the need for an airliner smaller than the 747, but still capable of carrying a large passenger load to distant locales such as Cutaway + key The Rolls Royce RB211 engine. London and Latin America from company hubs in Dallas/Ft Worth and New York. Lockheed had been largely absent from the civil airliner market since the late 1950s following problems with its L-188 Electra , which had suffered a number of crashes early in its career due to wing vibration. However, having experienced difficulties with some of its military programs, Lockheed was keen to re-enter the civil market, and its response was the L-1011 TriStar. The aircraft was originally conceived as a "jumbo twin", but a three-engine design was ultimately chosen to give the plane enough thrust to take off from existing runways. [2] The design featured a twin-aisle interior with a maximum of 400 passengers, a three-engine layout, low noise emissions (in the early 1970s, Eastern Air Lines nicknamed the L-1011 "The WhisperLiner"), improved reliability, and efficient operation. The main visible difference between the TriStar and the DC-10 that emerged at Douglas is in the middle/tail engine; the DC-10's engine is mounted above the fuselage for more power, while the TriStar's engine is integrated into the tail through an S-duct (similar to that of the Boeing 727 ) for improved quietness and stability. A major differentiator between the L-1011 and the DC-10 was Lockheed's selection of the Rolls-Royce RB211 engine for the L-1011. As originally designed, the RB211 turbofan was an advanced three-spool design with a carbon fibre fan, which would have better efficiency and power-to-weight ratio than any competing design. This would make the L-1011 more efficient, a major selling point. American Airlines opted for the Douglas DC-10, although it had shown considerable interest in the L-1011. American's intent in doing so was to convince Douglas to lower its price for the DC-10, which it did. [3] Without the support of American, the TriStar was launched on orders from TWA and Eastern Air Lines . Although the TriStar's design schedule closely followed that of its competitor, the DC-10, Douglas beat Lockheed to market by a year due to delays in power plant development. In February 1971, after massive development costs associated with the RB211, Rolls-Royce went into receivership. This halted L-1011 final assembly, but by then it was too late to change engine suppliers (to either General Electric or Pratt & Whitney ). The British government agreed to approve a large state subsidy to restart Rolls-Royce operations on condition the U.S. government guarantee the bank loans Lockheed needed to complete the L-1011 project. [4] Despite some opposition, not least from the then Governor of California Ronald Reagan, the U.S. government provided these guarantees. [5] For the rest of the RB211 project, Rolls remained a government-owned company. Manufactured in Lockheed facilities in Burbank and Palmdale, California, the TriStar faced brisk competition with the 747 and, even more directly, the DC-10, which it closely resembled. Trans World Airlines heralded the TriStar


Who was leader of the British Conservative Party between June 1997 and September 2001?

Conservative Party (UK) Conservative Party (UK) Movement for European Reform, European Democrat Union European Parliament Group Political parties Elections The Conservative and Unionist Party more commonly known as the Conservative Party is currently the second largest political party in the United Kingdom in terms of sitting Members of Parliament (MPs), the largest in terms of public membership, and the oldest political party in the United Kingdom. It is the most successful political party in British history in terms of election victories, and is considered by some to be the most successful political party in the world. The current leader is David Cameron , who as Her Majesty's Loyal Leader of the Opposition heads the Shadow Cabinet. The Conservative Party is descended from the Tory Party of the late eighteenth and early nineteenth Centuries. Its members are still commonly referred to as Tories and the party is still often referred to as the Tory Party. Although the Conservative Party was in government for two-thirds of the twentieth century, it has been in opposition in Parliament since losing the 1997 election to the Labour Party under Tony Blair . Name The Party's rarely used, more official name is The Conservative and Unionist Party. The name has its origins in the 1912 merger with the Liberal Unionist Party and is an echo of the party's 1886-1921 policy of maintaining the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, in opposition to Irish nationalist and republican aspirations. Scotland 's allied Unionist Party was independent of the Conservatives until 1965. Similarly the Ulster Unionist Party supported the Conservatives for many decades in the House of Commons and traditionally took the Conservative whip. In contrast to Scotland this arrangement broke down in the aftermath of the Ulster Unionists' opposition to the 1973 Sunningdale Agreement. The Conservative Party is now formally organised in Northern Ireland separately from the Ulster Unionist Party. Organisation and membership The internal organisation of the Conservative Party is a contrast between the grassroots groups who dominate in the election of party leaders and selection of local candidates, and the members of the Conservative Campaign Headquarters who lead in financing, the organising of elections, and drafting of policy. The leader of the Parliamentary party provides the core of daily political activity and forms policy in consultation with his cabinet and administration. This decentralised structure is unusual. As with the Labour Party, membership has long been declining and despite an initial boost shortly after Cameron's election as leader, membership resumed its fall in 2006 and is now actually lower than when David Cameron was elected in December 2005. However, the Conservative Party still has more members (about 290,000) than the Labour Party and the Liberal Democrats combined (around 200,000 and 70,000 respectively). But the party does not publicly provide verifiable membership figures, making this difficult to confirm. The membership fee for the Conservative party is £25, or £5 if the member is under the age of 23. According to accounts filed with the Electoral Commission it had income in the year ending 31 December 2004 of about £20 million and expenditure of about £26 million. The electoral symbol of the Conservative party is a stylised oak tree, replacing the freedom torch. The present motto, adopted by the Party on 6 October 2007, is "It's Time For Change". Before David Cameron, the official party colours were red, white and blue, though blue is most generally associated with the party, in contrast to the red of the Labour Party. The position has become more ambiguous since the logo change in 2006, and the party website is now blue and green. (In the Cumbrian constituencies of Penrith and the Border and Westmorland and Lonsdale the party adopts yellow as its colour after the coat of arms of the Earls of Lonsdale). History Benjamin Disraeli Prime Minister 1868, 1874-80 The Conservative Party traces its origins back to a political faction,


The city of Dubrovnik is in which European country?

About Croatia about Croatia! Area: 56 538 sq. km (about one quarter of         Britain) ATMs: Readily available in towns and transport         hubs Budget: 250Kn per day Currency: Croatian Kuna 1US$ = app. 6 HRK 1Euro = app. 7.4 HRK   Croatia Croatia       is a Central        European country located on the Mediterranean       or to be precise Adriatic Sea. ( map ) The whole country streches in the form of an arc from the Danube       in the northeast to Istria in the west and Dubrovnik Region in the       southeast. The capital of Croatia is Zagreb. The Croatia is known as the land of the thousand        islands because  of its Adriatic coast which is among the most indented in the world:       1185 islands and islets form a coastline of 4,058 km, the       total length of the mainland coast being 1777 km. If we would to divide Croatia geographically we could do it   into three major natural and geographic parts: The Pannonian and Peri-Pannonian area comprises  of lowlands and hilly parts located in the eastern and northwestern       Croatia; mountains higher than 500 m are rare and of an insular character. This is mostly farm area       especially Slavonija and Baranja in the east. Humid valleys and       the hills are richly afforested while the northwestern part, which       gravitates to Zagreb, is industrially developed. The hilly and mountainous area, separates Pannonian Croatia       from its coastal part. This region is charecterized by a intense       growth of the already existing wood and timber industry, and the       still underexploited potential for the production of healthy food,       and winter and rural tourism. The Adriatic Area includes       the narrow coastal belt separated from the hinterland by high mountains.       This area is the Croatia's touristic heaven as thousands and thousands       of tourists swarm to Croatia to bathe in its warm and crystal clear       Adriatic Sea thus the tourist slogan "The       Mediterranean as it once was" Climate of the coastal part is typically Mediterranean, which means,       mild winters with dry hot summers, winter temperatures range from       5 to 10ďż˝C and summer temperatures from 26 to 30ďż˝C. Continental part       is a bit on a colder side, a typical european continental climate,       winter temperatures from -1 to 3ďż˝C and summer temperatures from 22 to 26ďż˝C except in the       mountainous regions where temperatures range from -5 to 0ďż˝C in winter       time and 15 to 20ďż˝C in summer time. Being a country of many natural beauties Croatia has done a lot       in order to preserve its beauty and share it with the world so we       have many national parks and parks       of nature . Croatia is a parlamentary multyparty democracy with       a population of 4.437.460. The largest city is Zagreb with around       750 000 inhabitants. In       teritorial administrative structure there are   20 counties and the Town of Zagreb a standalone administrative unit. In the       whole country there are alltogether 121 towns and 416 communities. Larger cities are:   Dubrovnik, Gospic, Karlovac, Osijek, Pula, Rijeka, Slavonski Brod, Sisak, Split, Sibenik, Varazdin, Vukovar, Zadar The flag of the Republic of Croatia consists of three bands of       color red, white and blue with the Croatian coat-of-arms in the center.       ( flag ) ( coat       of arms )


Axel, Lutz and Salchow are all terms used in which sport?

What'z a lutz? A field guide to figure skating terms | HLNtv.com What'z a lutz? A field guide to figure skating terms By Wed February 12, 2014 getty images Watching figure skating the other night with my wife and preschooler, I heard a number of great questions. "Why don't any of the songs have words?" the little guy asked. Then it was, "Why does the boy always lift the girl? Why don't they have big girls lifting small boys?" And, "Did you just call it a 'sow cow'?!" That was directed at me, from my wife, who couldn't believe that as an avid Winter Olympics viewer, I could somehow completely butcher the name of such a common figure skating jump. "Did you mean salchow?" Um, yes? Almost as bad, I still had no idea what that actual jump entailed and how it differed from all the other moves Scott Hamilton keeps popping off as if the components are basic knowledge. Maybe they are. But I have a feeling lots of other fans don't totally know their axel from their lutz. So with the major figure skating events now upon us, here's what it all means. Salchow: The oft-cited jump is "taken off from the back inside edge of one foot and landed on the back outside edge of the opposite foot," according to the U.S. Figure Skating Association. Though how Hamilton can identify such a specifically launched-and-landed move so quickly is beyond me. The USFSA notes the move was created by Ulrich Salchow, whose name is not "sow cow". Axel: This is the easiest jump to ID, since it's the only one which is launched while skating forward. Regarded as one of the most difficult jumps, the skater takes off from the front outside edge and lands on the opposite skate's back, outer edge. A "single" axel is actually 1.5 revolutions. [video:"http://www.youtube. com/watch?v=XzFGzsn6Skg"] Lutz: A jump initiated with a toe pick and launched off the back outside edge. It's often preceded by a long, backward glide by the skater. Most lutzes are performed as doubles or triples. [video:"http://www.youtube. com/watch?v=cbeq_M8Lgtg"] Toe Loop: As advertised, it's a toe-assisted jump and is often seen in combination with one of the other jumps. The skater takes off and lands on the same outer edge, which sounds relatively simple and is why this is considered one of the more basic moves. See? "Simple", right? [video:"http://www.youtube. com/watch?v=dxZsB3QUU60"] Twizzle: How your brother said "twist" back in 2000 when we were all talking like Snoop Dogg. That actually might not be entirely correct. But this is: The popular and fun-to-say move is "a traveling turn on one foot with one or more rotations," according to the USFSA, and is often seen in ice dancing where it's performed in tandem with a partner. [video:"http://www.youtube.


Which British poet wrote ‘A Child’s Christmas in Wales’?

A Child's Christmas in Wales - Dylan Thomas A Child's Christmas in Wales - Dylan Thomas By Dylan Thomas Sign Up for Our Free Newsletters Thanks, You're in! What I Learned About Today You might also enjoy: Health Tip of the Day Recipe of the Day There was an error. Please try again. Please select a newsletter. Please enter a valid email address. Did you mean ? Updated October 30, 2015. "A Child's Christmas in Wales" is by Dylan Thomas. Take a look at this famous holiday work. A Child's Christmas in Wales One Christmas was so much like another, in those years around the sea-town corner now and out of all sound except the distant speaking of the voices I sometimes hear a moment before sleep, that I can never remember whether it snowed for six days and six nights when I was twelve or whether it snowed for twelve days and twelve nights when I was six. All the Christmases roll down toward the two-tongued sea, like a cold and headlong moon bundling down the sky that was our street; and they stop at the rim of the ice-edged fish-freezing waves, and I plunge my hands in the snow and bring out whatever I can find. In goes my hand into that wool-white bell-tongued ball of holidays resting at the rim of the carol-singing sea, and out come Mrs. Prothero and the firemen. continue reading below our video 4 Tips for Improving Test Performance It was on the afternoon of the Christmas Eve, and I was in Mrs. Prothero's garden, waiting for cats, with her son Jim. It was snowing. It was always snowing at Christmas. December, in my memory, is white as Lapland, though there were no reindeers. But there were cats. Patient, cold and callous, our hands wrapped in socks, we waited to snowball the cats. Sleek and long as jaguars and horrible-whiskered, spitting and snarling, they would slink and sidle over the white back-garden walls, and the lynx-eyed hunters, Jim and I, fur-capped and moccasined trappers from Hudson Bay, off Mumbles Road, would hurl our deadly snowballs at the green of their eyes. The wise cats never appeared. We were so still, Eskimo-footed arctic marksmen in the muffling silence of the eternal snows - eternal, ever since Wednesday - that we never heard Mrs. Prothero's first cry from her igloo at the bottom of the garden.     Or, if we heard it at all, it was, to us, like the far-off challenge of our enemy and prey, the neighbor's polar cat. But soon the voice grew louder. "Fire!" cried Mrs. Prothero, and she beat the dinner-gong. And we ran down the garden, with the snowballs in our arms, toward the house; and smoke, indeed, was pouring out of the dining-room, and the gong was bombilating, and Mrs. Prothero was announcing ruin like a town crier in Pompeii. This was better than all the cats in Wales standing on the wall in a row. We bounded into the house, laden with snowballs, and stopped at the open door of the smoke-filled room. Something was burning all right; perhaps it was Mr. Prothero, who always slept there after midday dinner with a newspaper over his face. But he was standing in the middle of the room, saying, "A fine Christmas!" and smacking at the smoke with a slipper. "Call the fire brigade," cried Mrs. Prothero as she beat the gong. "There won't be there," said Mr. Prothero, "it's Christmas." There was no fire to be seen, only clouds of smoke and Mr. Prothero standing in the middle of them, waving his slipper as though he were conducting. "Do something," he said. And we threw all our snowballs into the smoke - I think we missed Mr. Prothero - and ran out of the house to the telephone box. "Let's call the police as well," Jim said. "And the ambulance." "And Ernie Jenkins, he likes fires." But we only called the fire brigade, and soon the fire engine came and three tall men in helmets brought a hose into the house and Mr. Prothero got out just in time before they turned it on. Nobody could have had a noisier Christmas Eve. And when the firemen turned off the hose and were standing in the wet, smoky room, Jim's Aunt, Miss. Prothero, came downstairs and peered in at them. Jim and I waited, very quietly, to hear wha


Sancerre wine is produced in which country?

Sancerre Rouge: The Wine You Need to Know Sancerre Rouge: The Wine You Need to Know Sep 13, 2012 | 12:40 pm By Photo Sasabune Omakase Modified: Flickr/ erin / CC 4.0 Many of you know and love to drink Sancerre; it was something of a rage a decade ago. Sancerre is an appellation in the Centre region, on the eastern end of France’s Loire Valley wine country. Most of us are familiar with the whites that dominate the region, always made from sauvignon blanc. Crisp, clean, and refreshing, these wines have become very popular, and for good reason. In general they tend to be great quality for the price, with some of the best setting the bar for sauvignon blanc globally. What many don’t know is that this primarily white-wine appellation also produces a decent amount of red wine (about 20 percent of the region’s output). To be labeled Sancerre Rouge, wines must be 100 percent pinot noir. These pinots have been a hard sell for the region given the overwhelming popularity of its whites. Many producers sell most of their red locally and many take their lowest quality wine and chill it down to serve to their vineyard workers eating lunch in the summer time. (There is also some pinot noir rosé produced in Sancerre.) Because this style of pinot noir is less complex than that of its neighbors in Burgundy doesn’t mean that it’s not worth your attention. As a warm-weather wine, nicely chilled, it can be quite enjoyable. More and more of these wines are becoming available in the States and they belong here! Like the whites, most are unoaked, straightforward, and simply refreshing. They can drink like a full bodied rosé or a light-bodied red. They generally tend to have vibrant acidity making them perfect to drink with whatever is coming off the grill in these still-warm early days of fall. Matthew Conway is the creator of www.underripe.com , a wine-focused website geared towards the under ripe millennial generation. He serves as general manager / sommelier at Restaurant Marc Forgione. Conway is also a writer currently on the editorial advisory board for Boulder, Colo.-based Sommelier Journal. Share this article


The Conte Grading System was used by the makers of what?

Pencil Grades by Doug Martin November 3, 1997 Early pencils were made using cut pieces of raw graphite dug from the earth. The hardness or softness of these pencils was dependent on the quality or purity of the graphite, and so was difficult - or impossible - to control. Different methods of refining and mixing of graphite were experimented with over the years, but it was not until about 1795 that a Frenchman, Nicolas-Jacques Conté, developed a process for making pencil leads that is still in use today. The process, known as the Conté Process, involves the mixing of finely powdered graphite with finely ground clay particles and shaping and baking the mixture. By controlling the ratio of clay to graphite, varying degrees of hardness can be obtained, as well as fairly consistent and reproducible quality from batch to batch. The early Conté pencils were made in at least four grades, and a numerical grading designation was used to distinguish them - 1 being the hardest, 4 being the softest. As the Conté process became known and used by other pencil makers, similar grading systems were used by them as well. However, these grading systems were arbitrary and inconsistent from one pencil maker to another. In the early nineteenth century, English pencil makers began using a letter designation for varying hardnesses. Softer leads were designated with 'B' (for black), harder leads with 'H' (for hard). Different schemes were used to expand the range of grades, such as 'BB' and 'BBB' for successively softer leads, and 'HH' and 'HHH' for successively harder leads. By the beginning of the twentieth century, a combination letter-number system had been established and was in use by nearly all European pencil makers, and was also used for some American-made pencils. This system is still in use today, and provides for a wide range of grades, usually consisting of the series: 9H, 8H, ... , 2H, H, F, HB, B, 2B, ... , 8B, 9B where 9H is the hardest, 9B is the softest. At the same time, a number-only system was in use, particulary in the U.S., which is still in use. The table below indicates approximate equivalents between the two systems: #1 --- B #3 --- H #4 --- 2H The common #2, or HB grade pencil in the middle of the range, is considered to be the preferred grade for general purpose writing. Harder pencils are most often used for drafting purposes, while softer grades are usually preferred by artists. American-made pencils can often be found with numerically equivalent designations of 2-1/2, 2-4/8, 2-5/10, and 2.5, representing the same grade, but introduced by different manufacturers to distinguish their products and to avoid patent lawsuits. It should be noted that no 'official' standard for pencil grades has ever been adopted, and the designations are still somewhat arbitrary and not always consistent from one manufacturer to the next. dm


British comedians Katy, Joe and Russell all share which surname?

Katheryn Elizabeth Hudson - Genealogy Genealogy Join the world's largest family tree Gender Share your family tree and photos with the people you know and love Build your family tree online Share photos and videos Sister of <private> Hudson and <private> Hudson Occupation: Added 2013-08-01 17:01:39 -0700 by Private User Collection: Oct 25 1984 - Santa Barbara, California, USA Mother's maiden name: Added 2014-02-07 09:24:18 -0800 by Private User Collection: Oct 25 1984 - Santa Barbara, Kalifornia Parents: <Private> Hudson, <Private> Hudson (z d. Perry) Siblings: Added 2014-02-07 09:26:48 -0800 by Private User Collection: Oct 25 1984 - Santa Barbara, Kalifornia Parents: <Private> Hudson, <Private> Hudson (z d. Perry) Siblings: Maurice Keith Hudson, Mary Hudson (Perry) Siblings: Oct 25 1984 - Santa Barbara, CA, USA Parents: <Private> Hudson, <Private> Hudson (born Cox) Siblings: mother's ex-spouse About Katy Perry She is better known by her stage name Katy Perry, is an American singer-songwriter and musician. Perry was born in Santa Barbara, California, and raised by Christian pastor parents; she grew up listening to only gospel music and sang in church as a child. After earning a GED during her freshman year of high school, she began to pursue a music career. She released a self-titled gospel album in 2001 as Katy Hudson which failed with the closing of its record label that year. She recorded an album with production team The Matrix and completed most of a solo album from 2004–2005, neither of which were released. After signing on with Capitol Music Group in 2007, her fourth record label in seven years, she adopted the stage name Katy Perry and released her first Internet single, "Ur So Gay", that November, which garnered attention but did not chart. She rose to fame with her second single "I Kissed a Girl" in 2008, which topped international charts. Perry's first mainstream album, One of the Boys, followed later that year and was eventually announced to be the thirty-third best selling album of 2008 worldwide. It was accredited platinum certification by the Recording Industry Association of America; "I Kissed a Girl" and her second single "Hot n Cold" both received multi-platinum certifications. Perry was ranked the 97th Artist of the 2000–10 decade by Billboard. She became known for wearing unconventional style of dress, often combining bold colors and vintage fashion. Her next album, Teenage Dream, was released on August 24, 2010 in the United States. Perry had a long relationship with Travis McCoy; she is currently engaged to Russell Brand. Katy Perry was born Katheryn Elizabeth Hudson in Santa Barbara, California. The second child of two pastors, she has an older sister and younger brother.Her Evangelical mother, Mary Hudson (née Perry), grew up in Southern California and had "a tempestuous first marriage in Zimbabwe."Her father, Keith Hudson, was a West Coast scenester in the 1960s.Perry's maternal aunt and uncle were screenwriter Eleanor Perry and director Frank Perry, through whom she is also related to Charles M. Schwab, the founder of the Bethlehem Steel Corporation. Perry is of Portuguese and German ancestry on her mother's side. Perry was incorporated into her parents' ministry; she sang in their church from ages 9 to 17. She grew up listening to gospel music and was not allowed to listen to what her mother called secular music. Perry attended Christian schools and camps. As a child, Perry learned how to dance in a recreation building in Santa Barbara. She was taught by seasoned dancers and began with swing, Lindy Hop, and jitterbug. She took her GED after her freshman year of high school and decided to leave school to pursue a career in music. Perry initially started singing "because I was at that point in my childhood where I was copycatting my sister and everything she did."Her sister practiced with cassette tapes, and Perry took the tapes herself when her sister was not around. She rehearsed the songs and performed it to her parents, who suggested she should take voice lessons. She grabbed the opportunity


Other Spanish Fruits Manzana Reineta del Bierzo PDO Apples (from the Malus domestica Borkh species) from the Blanca or Reineta del Canadá and Reineta Gris varieties, destined for fresh human consumption. Tasting notes Great flavor with a mix of aromas and average intensity. Characteristic slightly acidic nasal and retro-nasal aromas, with notes of grass, ripe apples and vanilla. Crisp or very crisp apples, with no floury traces when bitten into. This is a very juicy fruit, sweet or very sweet and with a fairly intense acidic taste. Other notes Its external appearance shows a flattened fruit, symmetrical and more wide than tall, with a short stalk and a closed base cavity. When harvested the apple's color is green with no shine and displays typical surface russeting, which sets it apart from other reineta apples at first sight. The fruit’s flesh has a typically creamy color. Its particular physical and organoleptic characteristics are focused on the very sweet flesh, high sugar content and the balance between acidity and sweetness. This apple has five times more vitamin C than any other apple. The reineta is included in the list of large fruit varieties. It is a characteristically flat apple, with a height/width ratio of approximately 0.70. Other forms which may appear, with a lower ratio, are the round-flat and conical-round-flat forms. When sent to market, the apples must exhibit the following physical and chemical properties: flesh firmness measured with an 11-meter piston, superior to 7 kg (15.4 lbs), refractometric index superior to 14º brix, acidity superior to 7g (0.2 oz) of malic acid/l.   -  Regulatory Council, Manzana Reineta del Bierzo PDO   Production / Processing method Plantations suitable for production must be located at an altitude lower than 750 m (2,460 ft), on soils with pH higher than six and with a minimum age of six years. Maximum efficiency criteria are followed when working the vegetation layer, irrigation and pest and disease control. Adequate fertilization is used to ensure the balance and levels of nutrients in the plant, and thinning methods are used only when necessary to regulate production. Harvesting takes place when the physical, chemical and organoleptic characteristics of the fruit meet the parameters defined for the optimum harvesting period. The methodology used in harvesting, as well as the systems used for transport, ensure that the apples are not damaged in any way. The techniques and systems used for the preservation, treatment and packaging of the fruit allow the physical, chemical and organoleptic qualities of the apples protected by the Designation of Origin to be maintained.    Geography / Relief and climate The area is a tectonic groove surrounded by a mountainous belt. It is only via the Sil Valley that the groove can be exited without any great difficulty. The Bierzo region ranges from an altitude of 340 m (1,115 ft) to 2,117 m (6,945 ft), and the average altitude at the heart of the production area is approximately 600 m (1,968 ft) above sea level. The area’s climate is determined by the influence of both the Atlantic and the Mediterranean. The north-westerly winds reach the Bierzo area and explain its link to Spain's wetter areas. The mountainous barrier that surrounds the depression gives it a thermal system which is much more favorable than that of the Meseta plateau. Its latitude is located between 42° 20' and 42° 50', and has a direct influence on the distribution of hours of sunshine throughout the year, a highly important factor for the development of the reineta apple’s cycle. There is a direct correlation between the number of hours of sunshine, along with solar radiation and the area’s temperature, and the levels of soluble solids and sugars in the apple, and therefore its acidity-sweetness contrast and its flavor. The factor that determines the firmness of the flesh is climatic in origin - the combination of temperature and humidity at the moment when the apple ripens. Harvesting normally begins between the 8th and the 15th of September. The contrast between the


What was late actress Elizabeth Taylor’s middle name?

Elizabeth Taylor - Biography - IMDb Elizabeth Taylor Biography Showing all 204 items Jump to: Overview  (5) | Mini Bio  (1) | Spouse  (8) | Trade Mark  (4) | Trivia  (116) | Personal Quotes  (45) | Salary  (25) Overview (5) 5' 2" (1.57 m) Mini Bio (1) Elizabeth Rosemond Taylor was considered one of the last, if not the last, major star to have come out of the old Hollywood studio system. She was known internationally for her beauty, especially for her violet eyes, with which she captured audiences early on in her youth and kept the world hooked on with since. Taylor was born on February 27, 1932 in London, England. Although she was born an English subject, her parents, Sara Sothern (née Sara Viola Warmbrodt) and Francis Lenn Taylor, were Americans, art dealers from St. Louis, Missouri (her father had gone to London to set up a gallery). Her mother had been an actress on the stage, but gave up that vocation when she married. Elizabeth lived in London until the age of seven, when the family left for the US when the clouds of war began brewing in Europe in 1939. They sailed without her father, who stayed behind to wrap up the loose ends of the art business. The family relocated to Los Angeles, where Mrs. Taylor's own family had moved. Mr. Taylor followed not long afterward. A family friend noticed the strikingly beautiful little Elizabeth and suggested that she be taken for a screen test. Her test impressed executives at Universal Pictures enough to sign her to a contract. Her first foray onto the screen was in There's One Born Every Minute (1942), released when she was ten. Universal dropped her contract after that one film, but Elizabeth was soon picked up by MGM. The first production she made with that studio was Lassie Come Home (1943), and on the strength of that one film, MGM signed her for a full year. She had minuscule parts in her next two films, The White Cliffs of Dover (1944) and Jane Eyre (1943) (the former made while she was on loan to 20th Century-Fox). Then came the picture that made Elizabeth a star: MGM's National Velvet (1944). She played Velvet Brown opposite Mickey Rooney . The film was a smash hit, grossing over $4 million. Elizabeth now had a long-term contract with MGM and was its top child star. She made no films in 1945, but returned in 1946 in Courage of Lassie (1946), another success. In 1947, when she was 15, she starred in Life with Father (1947) with such heavyweights as William Powell , Irene Dunne and Zasu Pitts , which was one of the biggest box office hits of the year. She also co-starred in the ensemble film Little Women (1949), which was also a box office huge success. Throughout the 1950s, Elizabeth appeared in film after film with mostly good results, starting with her role in the George Stevens film A Place in the Sun (1951), co-starring her good friend Montgomery Clift . The following year, she co-starred in Ivanhoe (1952), one of the biggest box office hits of the year. Her busiest year was 1954. She had a supporting role in the box office flop Beau Brummell (1954), but later that year starred in the hits The Last Time I Saw Paris (1954) and Elephant Walk (1954). She was 22 now, and even at that young age was considered one of the world's great beauties. In 1955 she appeared in the hit Giant (1956) with James Dean . Sadly, Dean never saw the release of the film, as he died in a car accident in 1955. The next year saw Elizabeth co-star with Montgomery Clift in Raintree County (1957), an overblown epic made, partially, in Kentucky. Critics called it dry as dust. In addition, Clift was seriously injured during the film, with Taylor helping save his life. Despite the film's shortcomings and off-camera tragedy, Elizabeth was nominated for an Academy Award for her portrayal of Southern belle Susanna Drake. However, on Oscar night the honor went to Joanne Woodward for The Three Faces of Eve (1957). In 1958 Elizabeth starred as Maggie Pollitt in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (1958). The film received rave reviews from the critics and Elizabeth was nominated again for an Academy Award for best actre


The medical condition Tinea Pedis is better known by what name?

Athlete's foot: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia Over-the-counter antifungal powders or creams can help control the infection: These contain medicine such as miconazole, clotrimazole, terbinafine, or tolnaftate. Keep using the medicine for 1 to 2 weeks after the infection has cleared to prevent it from returning. In addition: Keep your feet clean and dry, especially between your toes. Wash your feet thoroughly with soap and water and dry the area carefully and completely. Try to do this at least twice a day. To widen and keep the web space (area between the toes) dry, use lamb's wool. This can be bought at a drugstore. Wear clean cotton socks. Change your socks and shoes as often as needed to keep your feet dry. Wear sandals or flip-flops at a public shower or pool. Use antifungal or drying powders to prevent athlete's foot if you tend to get it often, or you frequent places where athlete's foot fungus is common (like public showers). Wear shoes that are well-ventilated and made of natural material such as leather. It may help to alternate shoes each day, so they can completely dry between wearings. Do not wear plastic-lined shoes. If athlete's foot does not get better in 2 to 4 weeks with self-care, or frequently returns, see your health care provider. Your provider may prescribe: Antifungal medicines to take by mouth Antibiotics to treat bacterial infections that occur from scratching Prescription topical creams that kill fungus and yeast Outlook (Prognosis) Athlete's foot almost always responds well to self-care, although it may come back. Long-term medicine and preventive measures may be needed. The infection can spread to the toenails. When to Contact a Medical Professional Call your provider right away if: Your foot is swollen and warm to the touch, especially if there are red streaks. These are signs of a possible bacterial infection. Other signs include pus, drainage, and fever. You have diabetes or a weakened immune system and develop athlete's foot and the infection spreads up the leg. Athlete's foot symptoms do not go away within 2 to 4 weeks of self-care treatments. Alternative Names Tinea pedis; Fungal infection - feet; Tinea of the foot; Infection - fungal - feet; Ringworm - foot Images Athlete's foot, tinea pedis References Elewski BE, Hughey LC, Sobera JO, Hay R. Fungal diseases. In: Bolognia JL, Jorizzo JL, Schaffer JV, eds. Dermatology. 3rd ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2012:chap 77. Hay RJ. Dermatophytosis (ringworm) and other superficial mycoses. In: Bennett JE, Dolin R, Blaser MJ, eds. Mandell, Douglas, and Bennett's Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases. 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2015:chap 268. Read More


Oscar Wilde described which ‘sport’ as ‘The unspeakable in full pursuit of the uneatable’?

‘The unspeakable in full pursuit of the uneatable’ – Oscar Wilde / FRFI 182 Dec 2004 / Jan 2005 ‘The unspeakable in full pursuit of the uneatable’ – Oscar Wilde / FRFI 182 Dec 2004 / Jan 2005 Created: Thursday, 24 September 2009 13:30 FRFI 182 December 2004 / January 2005 ‘The unspeakable in full pursuit of the uneatable’ – Oscar Wilde After a merry chase through English parliamentary procedure, hunting with dogs was finally banned by Act of Parliament on 18 November. Prime Minister Blair tried a final decoy to delay the ban until after the general election (he will need their votes), but with no luck. The horn has been sounded Tally-ho! The hunters are pledged to disrupt the nation, the general election and all things foreign (ie urban) until they get their way and are able to pursue small animals across the countryside and tear them to pieces for pleasure once more (more endearing are their badges enscribed ‘Bollocks to Blair’). But contrary to Countryside Alliance and pro-hunting claims, according to a Mori Poll published in The Guardian on 18 December 2001, 83% of people in the UK think hunting is cruel, unnecessary or unacceptable. In a Gallup poll for the Daily Telegraph in 1997, 77% of rural dwellers disapproved of fox hunting. The Act will outlaw the cruel and barbaric killing of animals for pleasure. Other blood ‘sports’ which involve cruelty to animals, such as hare coursing, badger baiting, cock fighting and dog fighting, were outlawed long ago. The pro-hunters claim that their pastime is not cruel and helps to rid the countryside of predatory pests which kill farm animals like lambs and chickens. In fact foxes feed mainly on rabbits and rats – a benefit to farmers. There are estimated to be 250,000 adult foxes in the UK, producing about 400,000 cubs a year, most of which will die in their first year of life. Humans kill about 400,000 foxes a year so a ban on fox hunting, which kills about 20,000 a year at most, will have little impact on the numbers. Far worse than their disgusting pleasures, however, are the claims of the pro-hunting, landed elite that they are the guardians and custodians of the English landscape, who know best how to protect English heritage. The landowners have successfully harnessed a general feeling of grievance in rural areas as a result of a crisis in farming in order to defend their wealth, power and privilege. They shamelessly portray themselves as defenders of working people’s jobs, homes and futures. The United Kingdom consists of 60 million acres. 41 million of these are designated ‘agricultural land’. 15 million acres are considered ‘waste’ and consist of forests, rivers, mountains and are predominantly owned by the Forestry Commission and the Ministry of Defence. That leaves four million acres for ‘urban plot’. Of this total 60 million acres, 69% is owned by 0.6% of the population. That means that 158,000 families own 41 million acres and 24 million families live on four million acres. According to current figures, land is more fairly distributed in Brazil than in the Britain. English landowners have consistently damaged the English countryside in favour of profits and subsidies. They have persistently destroyed wildlife habitats like woodland and hedgerows. Their gamekeepers trap and poison birds of prey to protect their pheasants (for profitable shoots), and their sheep are dipped in noxious chemicals which poison farmworkers, rivers and fish. Conservators and guardians they are not! Estimates vary as to the number of people who are employed directly in hunting. The Campaign for Rural Rights, launched by the Countryside Alliance in 1997, claims that 160,000 full and part-time jobs will be lost as a result of the ban. Research by the Produce Studies Group showed that the ban would threaten at least 16,000 jobs in hunting and associated trades and activities – 70% of them in rural areas. Independent research by Dr Neil Ward of the University of Newcastle found that fewer than 1,000 full-time jobs are directly linked to hunting. If the hunting lobby were seriously concerned abou


What type of animal is fictional character Babar?

Babar | fictional character | Britannica.com fictional character Hardy Boys Babar, fictional character, a sartorially splendid elephant who is the hero of illustrated storybooks for young children by the French writer and illustrator Jean de Brunhoff (1899–1937) and his son Laurent. The first Babar book, L’Histoire de Babar, le petit éléphant (1931; The Story of Babar, the Little Elephant), describes how the young elephant runs away to town when his mother is shot by hunters; eventually he returns to the forest and is crowned king. Other books in the original series are Le Roi Babar (1933; Babar the King), ABC de Babar (1934; Babar’s ABC), Le Voyage de Babar (1932; The Travels of Babar), and Babar et le Père Noël (1941; Babar and Father Christmas), the last two published posthumously. Laurent de Brunhoff, who was 12 when his father died, continued the Babar series after his father’s death. Laurent de Brunhoff’s Babar books include Babar et ce coquin d’Arthur (1946; Babar and That Rascal Arthur) and Babar’s Celesteville Games (2011). The Babar books became the subject of controversy when Chilean writer Ariel Dorfman (in The Empire’s Old Clothes, 1983) and others decried what they saw as French colonialism as the central allegory of the series. Still other critics found the books sexist and elitist. Nevertheless, the Babar books have been translated into many languages, and their characters and charming drawings have remained popular throughout the world. Learn More in these related articles:


The Bonneville Salt Flats are in which US state?

Bonneville Salt Flats |                 Utah.com Top 5 Other Playgrounds 9 Bizarre Places Bonneville Salt Flats Imagine a place so flat you seem to see the curvature of the planet, so barren not even the simplest life forms can exist. Plan Your Trip Imagine the passing thunder of strange vehicles hurtling by on a vast dazzling white plain. This is not an alien world far from earth; it is Utah's famous Bonneville Salt Flats. Read more...   Salt Lake City, Utah 84101 801-534-4900 17.1" Avg. Snowfall (inches)   The Bonneville Salt Flats is one of the most unique natural features in Utah, stretching over 30,000 acres. It is located along I-80 near the Utah-Nevada border. Location The Bonneville Salt Flats are found west of the Great Salt Lake , in western Utah. They cover a large area and have a very unique environment. The flats can easily be seen as you drive I-80 between Salt Lake City and Wendover, NV. The famous Bonneville Speedway is located in the western portion of the flats, near Wendover. It is perfectly flat and has a thick crust of salty soil. It looks like a frozen lake bed covered with snow. No vegetation grows in that area. In other places, low mountains and hills break up the flat landscape. Sparse vegetation grows on hillsides and is pushing into the flat areas. On hot days, heat waves rise from the salty soil and create mirages that look amazingly real. If you believe your eyes, the dry desert looks like it is covered by water. Best Viewpoint Perhaps the most impressive spot to view the Salt Flats is along along I-80, about 10 miles east of Wendover. A rest stop has been established there (offering restrooms and water). The rest area is surrounded by perfectly flat land that looks like it is covered by snow. To the north and west, low mountains break the view. To the east and south, it looks like flat land extends virtually forever. At the rest stop you can walk out onto the salty soil. When you return, a water spray station has been set up so you can wash the salt from your shoes. Geology & Environment The Salt Flats were formed when ancient lake Lake Bonneville dried up. The lake was huge, filling much of the Great Basin. It eventually shrank below its outlet and so its water became salty. As water continued to evaporate, salt deposits were left in many areas. The Great Salt Lake is a remnant of Lake Bonneville. Several roads probe the Salt Flats from many directions. They often extend into very remote locations where conditions are harsh and there are no services. The flats include a variety of micro environments. In some spots the soil is so salty it prevents vegetation growth. These spots seem to be totally desolate. In other places you will find numerous kinds of plants and animals. Ponds and marshy areas can be found in spots near the edges of the flats and they provide critical habitat for plants and animals. The environment is fragile and needs to be treated with respect. When you drive, stay on established roads. If you camp or hike, do so in ways that are environmentally friendly. The federal government owns almost all of the land in this area and large portions are used by the military for storage depots, test areas and bombing ranges. These sections are fenced and marked, and public access is prohibited. A Barrier Of Salt- History Humans have lived in the Great Basin for thousands of years. Excavations at nearby Danger Cave have proven occupation of the area as early as 10,300 years ago. While Native Americans adapted to the desert environment, more recent arrivals found the area less hospitable. By 1824, Jim Bridger and other mountain men explored the Great Salt Lake desert region. The first recorded crossing of the desert was made in 1845 by Captain John C. Fremont's survey party, with scouts Kit Carson and Joe Walker. Early the next year, 23 year old Lansford Hastings retraced Fremont's trail across the salt plain. Joe Walker's writings warned emigrants not to attempt the untried route; however, Hastings convinced several emigrant parties to follow him. Despite Walker's warni


Lutraphobia is the fear of which animals?

Fear Of Otters - Fear of Stuff Fear of Stuff Comments The otter is a cute little creature. Watching an otter twist and turn in the water and poke its head up to the surface can be great fun. However, humans and otters are not a good match. Otters have certain behaviors that can cause aversions in men, women, and children. If you fear otters, you suffer from Lutraphobia. Some Common Reasons For Lutraphobia There are some pretty valid reasons to fear these furry little creatures, since they don’t mesh well with the human race. They may look sweet and harmless, but they exhibit some traits that can be off-putting. One thing that otters do that can be loathsome to some is spray. Animals spray to mark their territory and the musky, animal stench of otter spray is not generally appreciated by humans. Otters also have very sharp teeth, and they won’t hesitate to use them in defense. An otter bite can really hurt! If you observe an otter and the way it feeds, you’ll see that its sharp teeth can be threatening. Like all animals, otters must prey on other creatures to stay alive. While they appear cuddly and playful, they are efficient predators in their own way. Otters Are Night Creatures Otters are nocturnal. They are aquatic mammals from the mustelid (weasel) family. Their mustelid nature makes them clever, playful, and, when threatened, quite agressive. If an otter is startled while in the water, they may hiss and attempt to bite the one they fear. They are not timid animals. The otter is a solitary creature, who uses the cover of darkness to feed and take care of its needs. Otters are bright, and they fashion tools out of stones in order to open hard shells and eat. Otter Attacks In California, in 2004, a family went swimming in a seemingly peaceful stretch of river. The young boy who encountered an otter while out with his family was bitten and scratched by an otter he met in the water. The otter attacked the upper area of his body that was above the surface, then submerged and bit his trunk and legs. When his mother attempted to fight off the otter, she was likewise attacked. Eventually, the pair escaped the attack, and both required medical care at emergency. The cuts the boy received were quite serious. Rabies shots were also required, as the animal was uncharacteristically violent and agressive. While otters do bite, they do not generally continue their attacks so intensely for such a long time. The Sea Otter Has Been Preyed On By Humans In the early twentieth century, the otter’s soft, thick fur was prized by hunters, and fetched a good price in the marketplace. The otter was therefore aggressively hunted and killed in large numbers, for its pelt alone. In 1911, the killing of sea otters was outlawed, because the species had been decimated and was on the edge of extinction. Symptoms Of Lutraphobia If you fear otters, you will be unlikely to swim in rivers and other bodies of water where they congregate. You will be more comfortable in man-made swimming pools. You may fear dark water at night, where many creatures lurk beneath the still surface. You may also shun aquariums where otters play and twirl in special enclosures. Large numbers of otters in one place will make you stressed and avoidant. You may suffer from panic and terror when confronted with an otter. You will be terrified of its sharp little teeth, and fear being bitten or sprayed. The sounds the animal makes and its smell and appearance will be repulsive to you. You may feel nausea, lightheadedness, and a sense of doom when around the mammal. Treatment The best option for treatment is to seek out the care of a qualifi8ed therapist. Talking out your fears with someone who is sympathetic will allow you to release tension and move forward. Ant-depressants and alternative therapies such as hypnotherapy have also been used with success to treat all manner of phobias. The fear of otters is also referred to as: otter phobias fear of otters phobia name phobia of otters


What was the name given to a series of five yachts owned by former British Prime Minister Edward Heath?

Owen Parker: Edward Heath's sailing master | The Independent Owen Parker: Edward Heath's sailing master Tuesday 22 July 2008 23:00 BST Click to follow The Independent Online Owen Parker, best known as Sir Edward Heath's sailing master, was one of the best-known yachtsmen of his generation and managed all of Heath's Morning Cloud yachts and their crews. In 1969, this partnership became the first foreign entry to win the famous Sydney-Hobart Classic. They went on to represent Britain in the winning Admiral's Cup team with Morning Cloud II in 1971, won Burnham Week with Morning Cloud III in 1972, represented Britain with Morning Cloud IV in the 1973 Admiral's Cup and again in 1979 with Morning Cloud V. The team continued racing right through to that year's infamous Fastnet Race when 15 lives were lost. Morning Cloud V finished the race, but Heath took such a buffeting during the 605-mile race to the Fastnet Rock and back to Plymouth that he never raced again. Attending the recent relaunch of Morning Cloud II, now named Opposition, at the Clare Lallow yard in Cowes that had built the yacht, Parker recounted how Heath had woken him during the Sydney-Hobart yacht race saying that the boat was surrounded by killer whales. "What should I do?" he asked. Parker answered "Pray, sir, pray", then rolled over and went back to sleep. Parker wrote about his experiences sailing with Heath in his book Tack Now Skipper (1979). Ronald Cecil Maurice Victor Parker was born in 1932 in Netley, Southampton. His father, Owen Parker, was a fisherman, shipwright and professional sailor who crewed on Sir Thomas Sopwith's J Class America's Cup challenge yacht Endeavour. Ronald left school at 14 to follow in his father's footsteps, picked up the name "Young Owen", and when his father died playing football at the age of 42, the name "Owen" stuck with him. Owen got his first paid hand post in 1946 aboard the 96ft luxury yacht Leander, then jumped ship to Clover the following season "for better pay", earning the princely sum of £1 a week. His first racing experience came under the command of Mrs Drayfus in her 6m yacht Thistle, competing in the Solent and Cowes Week. During the 1950s, he became the paid hand aboard a yacht owned by John Miller, the aircraft component manufacturer, and spent time in America where he became an expert at varnishing. In the late Fifties, Miller became involved in a yacht fittings company on the South Coast and employed Parker. He went to work for the winch manufacturer Lewmar in 1960 and then moved to the Southampton-based chandlery Montague-Smith, where he graduated to managing director. Parker continued racing, acting as the paid hand aboard Guy Bowles' Camper & Nicholson yacht Gay Gauntlet. Bowles later commissioned a series of highly successful race yachts all named Sunmaid, which Parker oversaw and campaigned. In 1964, Owen Aisher, the Marley tile magnate, persuaded Parker to join his crew on the 12m Kurrewa, a British contender for the America's Cup. Shortly after, the skipper Stan Bishop died, and Parker took over the captaincy. They were beaten in the British trials by Sovereign. Parker rejoined Guy Bowles and commissioned Sunmaid V for the 1965 season, which proved the boat to beat for the next four seasons. At the tail end of the 1969 racing season, Parker was invited to join the crew of East Coast sailors that Ted Heath had pulled together to race his first Morning Cloud at Burnham Week. The yacht did well and Heath decided to have it shipped to Australia to take part in that year's Sydney-Hobart race, starting on Boxing Day. Parker remained as Heath's right-hand sailing man for the next 12 years, taking responsibility for his five Morning Cloud yachts and crews. When Heath became Prime Minister, Parker was given the task of liaising with the Security Services to work out a way of repatriating Heath should a government emergency arise. When a helicopter airlift was discussed, Parker asked: "What the hell are we supposed to do when all this is going on?" When told that the crew would be required to take down the sa