Sails of Silver

(Brigid: thanks for posting Barrett's Privateers. Finally gave me an idea for something to write about.)

I've always had a fasination with sailing ships, ever since first sailing on Turtle Lake. However, a few years back, we found out I wasn't the only one in my family's history with an interest in ships: my great-great-great grandfather was the one who designed the Marco Polo, the first ship to circumnavigate the globe in under 6 months (she made it in 5 months, 21 days). That's why I've been following the Marco Polo II project with great interest. It looks to be an amazing project, building I believe a 1/2 scale recreation.
One of the reasons for the trip to the east this summer, at least for me, is just to get a chance to see some of the history behind this.
(also: the project webpage mentioned a NFB movie titled "Marco Polo: Queen of the Seas", and album called the Marco Polo Suite. If anyone has any ideas of where I could find either, it would be greatly appreciated.)

James Smith, builder of the Marco Polo

(ain't she amazing...)

Nature red in tooth and claw and... Mycorhyzae? Penis Fencing? Back Spines? That's it. I give up....

And now for the gripping conclusion to the list that I'm sure most people have forgotten was actually ever going on!
This final installment of the list of great animals of 2005. This week's stellar line includes: a whole mishmash of phyla, with no rhyme nor reason to it! With that caveat out of the way, let the games begin:


3. Flatworms! Phylum Platyhelminthes. Specifically, penis-fighting flatworms, Imogine lateotentare. These little guys are hermaphrodites (which really must make the dating scene somewhat less stressful..) but with a twist: to mate, they first engage in a lengthy fight, in which they try to pierce
the body of the other with their penis. The loser gets impregnated, and has to produce the eggs. The winner, presumably, continues on to try and repeat the victory. Here's a link to the video: http://www.ifilm.com/ifilmdetail/2458366?htv=12. (note: This image isn't from wikipedia. Instead, it seems to be from a press release by the discovers of these guys. The link leads to the article where I found the image.)


2. Fictional creatures! My personal favorite: drop-bears. These things apparently first originated in Australia, but I've got reliable reports from my uncle about there occurrence in the northern end of Saskatchewan, where their primary occupation seems to be scaring gullible surveyors (my uncle having a similar sense of humour as me....) so they must be a very quick-spreading species. Since this really isn't a trait normally associated with koalas (the animals which Australians normally consider the drop-bear's closest relative) I figure they must actually be a relative of the Rodents of Unusual Size.
Other fun fictional animals: Giant Prairie Land Squid, hoopsnakes, and marmosets (they must be too evil to exist!) Unfortunately, there are very few non-vertebrate made up animals. (Come on, urban-legend people! We need abominable roundworms too!)

1. And the number one animal of the year is..... Hallucigenia! (what, you thought I just made the name up?) These prehistoric critters have always been a puzzle. They were first given the name due to the unbelievable appearance. In fact, at first early investigators didn't know which side to put up on the damned thing, and there's still some question that we have the right orientation now. Even classification is almost impossible, since it bears almost no resemblance to any modern species. You all really need to read the wikipedia article linked to here to get the full appreciation of these bizarre, wonderful animals.







An honorary mention: LICHENS!!! Glorious, wondrous fungus/algae pair-bonds! Now, I know what you're all thinking (or not): "but Eric, lichen aren't animals, ye daft bugger!" To this I reply: go get your own damned list! Also, since all creatures used to be classed as either animals or plants, and fungi are more closely related to animals than plants, they get included (hell, if people get away with counting sponges as animals, these guys can get it too).

I shall just let you all bask a few select images of these prefect examples of symbiosis:

This is to announce the likely plan for the Darwin Day festivities:

8:00 PM, Saturday, Feb 11
The Yard and Flagon.

As per usual, I'll likely be there early, so for any other annoyingly punctual people, don't fear showing up at 8:00. I'll try and stake out a decent-sized space. Feel free to dress up (although I'm told it's difficult to get finch costumes on short notice).

Happy Holidays!

Well, I'm off to be destroyed by my zoology test, but before I head out, I'd like to wish you all a happy World Wetlands Day.

Wetlands are amazing areas of land, valuable far out of proportion to their area. This is true here on the prairies more than anywhere. Here, they act as flood control, water purifiers, habitats, bio-diversity preserves, and recreation areas.

So, remember, next time you see a wetland, be sure to thank it for doing a bang-up job. I wouldn't, however, advise trying to hug one.

Also, on a slightly related note: next Saturday, February 12th, is Darwin Day, the annual celebration of Darwin's birth. I'd like to propose a gathering at the Yard next Saturday evening. Is anyone up for?