Tuesday, 5 December 2023

Freedom of Birds

Nature's Symphony

The melodious songs of birds contribute to the natural symphony of the world. This section explores the role of birdsong in nature and how freedom quotes capture the harmony embedded in their calls.

Birds in Nature's Orchestra

Birds, through their songs, create a harmonious background in natural settings. Their melodies evoke a sense of freedom, and quotes that highlight this aspect celebrate the contribution of birds to the earth's symphony.

Quotes Reflecting the Harmony of Birdsong

Freedom quotes that focus on the musicality of birdsong emphasize the connection between freedom and the beauty found in nature. Such quotes evoke a sensory experience, transporting readers to the heart of the bird's natural habitat.

Metaphors and Analogies

Metaphors and analogies play a crucial role in conveying the depth of meaning in freedom quotes. This section explores the use of bird-related metaphors and analogies that enhance the impact of these quotes.

Use of Bird-related Metaphors in Quotes

Metaphors involving birds often draw parallels between their actions and human experiences. These metaphors add layers of meaning to freedom quotes, making them relatable and thought-provoking.

Analogies Depicting Freedom through Birds

Analogies that use birds as symbols of freedom provide readers with tangible images that enhance their understanding of the concept. This section presents some compelling quotes that employ bird-related analogies to convey the essence of freedom.

The Language of Feathers

Feathers, symbolic in many cultures, add another layer of meaning to bird freedom quotes. This section explores the cultural significance of feathers and quotes that highlight their role in symbolizing freedom.

Cultural Significance of Feathers

Feathers have held cultural significance across civilizations, representing everything from spiritual connections to the freedom of flight. Quotes that delve into this symbolism offer readers a deeper understanding of the multifaceted nature of bird freedom quotes.

Quotes Highlighting Feathers as Symbols of Freedom

Incorporating feathers into freedom quotes elevates the imagery, emphasizing the delicate yet powerful nature of freedom. These quotes invite readers to contemplate the symbolic importance of feathers in the context of liberation.

Conservation Messages

Beyond symbolism, bird freedom quotes can also carry messages advocating for bird conservation. This section explores quotes that encourage awareness and action for the protection of these majestic creatures.

Quotes Encouraging Bird Conservation

As habitats shrink and species face threats, freedom quotes can become a powerful tool for raising awareness. Quotes in this section not only celebrate the freedom of birds but also urge readers to take an active role in preserving their habitats.

Raising Awareness through Freedom-Centric Quotes

By intertwining the concept of freedom with the urgency of conservation, these quotes serve as a call to action. They inspire individuals to consider the impact of their choices on the freedom of birds and the overall health of ecosystems.

Freedom Quotes in Art

Artists have long been inspired by the freedom and grace of birds. This section explores the depiction of birds in visual arts and the role of freedom quotes in inspiring artistic creations.

Depiction of Birds in Visual Arts

From paintings to sculptures, artists have sought to capture the essence of birds in their work. Quotes that complement these artistic representations offer a deeper understanding of the connection between freedom, art, and the natural world.

Quotes Inspiring Artistic Representations

Freedom quotes, when paired with visual art, create a synergy that resonates with audiences on a profound level. This section showcases quotes that have inspired artists to explore the theme of bird freedom in various mediums.

Capturing the Essence in Photography

Photography, as a visual medium, can also be a powerful carrier of bird freedom quotes. This section explores the impact of quotes on bird photography, enhancing the viewer's experience and connection with the subject.

Photography as a Medium for Freedom Quotes

In the digital age, images accompanied by poignant quotes have the power to evoke emotions and convey messages. Quotes that complement bird photography serve to deepen the viewer's appreciation for the beauty and freedom captured in each image.

Impactful Quotes Enhancing Bird Photography

A well-chosen quote has the ability to transform a photograph into a narrative, providing viewers with a context that extends beyond the visual. This section presents examples of freedom quotes that elevate the impact of bird photography.

Freedom Quotes in Social Movements

Birds have not only inspired artistic endeavors but have also become symbols in social justice movements. This section explores the role of birds in movements advocating for freedom and equality.

Birds as Symbols in Social Justice Movements

From civil rights to environmental activism, birds have been adopted as symbols of resilience and freedom. Quotes originating from these movements reflect the strength and determination associated with the fight for liberation.

Quotes Fueling Social Change

Freedom quotes born out of social movements resonate with a call for change. These quotes inspire individuals to stand up for justice, drawing parallels between the flight of birds and the collective striving for a better, more liberated world.

Famous Quotes and Their Impact

Certain quotes stand the test of time, becoming ingrained in popular culture. This section analyzes notable bird freedom quotes, exploring their impact on society and their enduring relevance.

Analyzing Notable Bird Freedom Quotes

Examining the words of influential figures and renowned authors, we unravel the layers of meaning within famous bird freedom quotes. These quotes have left an indelible mark on the collective consciousness, shaping perceptions of freedom and birds.

Influence on Popular Culture and Society

The reach of powerful quotes extends beyond literature and art, permeating popular culture. This section explores how famous bird freedom quotes have influenced societal perspectives on freedom, nature, and the interconnectedness of life.

Birds in Popular Culture

Birds have become fixtures in various forms of entertainment, contributing to their cultural significance. This section explores the incorporation of birds in movies, songs, and literature, accompanied by memorable quotes.

Incorporation of Birds in Entertainment

From animated characters to iconic songs, birds have left an indelible mark on entertainment. Quotes associated with these cultural representations provide insight into the enduring appeal of birds in popular culture.

Memorable Quotes from Movies, Songs, and Literature

Whether it's a classic novel or a blockbuster film, certain quotes featuring birds have become iconic. This section presents memorable quotes that have become intertwined with the cultural portrayal of birds in various media.

Expressing Freedom in Everyday Life

Freedom quotes need not remain confined to lofty ideals; they can become a part of everyday conversations and personal philosophies. This section explores ways to incorporate freedom quotes into daily life.

Incorporating Freedom Quotes in Daily Conversations

Casual conversations offer ample opportunities to infuse a touch of inspiration. Quotes that seamlessly integrate into everyday discussions can serve as reminders of the freedom we seek in our daily pursuits.

Making Freedom a Part of Personal Philosophy

Beyond casual conversations, freedom quotes can become guiding principles in shaping personal philosophies. This section encourages readers to reflect on the quotes that resonate with them and consider how these insights can influence their perspectives on freedom.

 

Thursday, 26 October 2023

Turbot (Rhombus maximus)

Turbot (Rhombus maximus). — Like the garfish, red mullet, dory and some others, the turbot is not a fish to the capture of which the amateur expressly applies himself, as he would, for instance, in the case of bass, conger, or mackerel. 

It 1s not improbable that, with increased information relating to the habits and whereabouts of our sea-fish, a future generation of amateurs may find themselves in a position to follow turbot-fishing by design. 

There is no reason indeed why, given the requisite knowledge, they should not do so; there is every reason why they should. The turbot is a powerful fish, giving great sport, and it makes, properly cooked (of in portions) a desirable dish. 

At present, however, it ranks among the “accidents”; and, beyond suggesting a small hook, lying on the sand, and baited with a two inch strip of sand-smelt or the half of a large sand-eel, the writer prefers offering no hints for its capture.

Friday, 13 October 2023

Ghosts Belief

Belief in the return of the dead in the visible form of wraiths has been common to many races from the earliest times. It has had a significant part in some so-called religious beliefs and has led to the development of various religious theories, such as ancestor worship, belief in immortality, witchcraft, nature worship, and totemism. Ghost belief is difficult to trace. The idea of the separation of the soul and the body may have developed through dreams, in which the mind, or soul, seems to leave the body and have independent experiences.

Ghosts, it is said, adopt a terrible character during their development. Unhindered by natural laws, they can determine the distance between places far apart. There are beliefs that eventually led to the notion that ghosts possess remarkable superhuman powers. Among the superstitious some care is exercised to gain the goodwill of departed spirits to prevent them from exerting a malignant influence upon the living. It is especially frightening to think of the spirits of one who died a violent death or was concerned with murder. This feeling still survives among primitive minds, as shown in wild stories of haunted houses. No intelligent person admits the possibility of such things.

Wednesday, 8 February 2023

Neodymium glass life span

Neodymium glass is a type of optical glass that contains neodymium ions. This special type of glass is used for several applications, including:

  1. Lasers: Neodymium glass is used as a gain medium in high-powered laser systems due to its strong absorption and emission of light in the infrared region.

  2. Light filtering: Neodymium glass is used in filters for controlling the spectral distribution of light in certain applications, such as color correction in photography.

  3. Fiber optics: Neodymium glass is used in fiber optic amplifiers to increase signal strength in optical communication systems.

  4. Illumination: Neodymium glass is used in the production of high-intensity lamps and floodlights due to its ability to absorb ultraviolet light and produce a bright white light.

  5. Welding: Neodymium glass is used in welding applications as a protective lens to filter out harmful infrared and ultraviolet light.

Neodymium glass does not naturally glow. It is a type of optical glass that absorbs light in the ultraviolet and infrared regions and is used to filter, amplify, or shape light in various applications.

However, when exposed to light of a certain wavelength, neodymium glass can appear to glow due to the strong absorption and emission of light in the infrared region. This property makes neodymium glass a useful component in high-powered laser systems and fiber optic amplifiers. Neodymium glass is made by adding neodymium ions to the glass composition during the manufacturing process. The process involves melting the glass components (silica, alumina, and other ingredients) at high temperatures and then adding a small amount of neodymium oxide (Nd2O3) to the melt. The mixture is then cooled and solidified to form a uniform, homogeneous glass.

The exact process for making neodymium glass may vary depending on the type of glass and the desired properties, but the addition of neodymium ions is a key step in the production of neodymium glass. The neodymium ions give the glass its unique optical properties, such as strong absorption and emission of light in the infrared region, which make it useful in various applications, including lasers, fiber optics, and illumination. Neodymium itself is not harmful to humans. It is a rare earth metal that is commonly used in various industries and products, such as electronics, magnets, and glasses.

However, neodymium compounds can be toxic if ingested or inhaled in large amounts. For example, neodymium oxide (Nd2O3) can cause respiratory irritation and other health problems if inhaled in high concentrations. Neodymium compounds can also be skin and eye irritants.

It is important to handle neodymium products and materials with care and to follow proper safety procedures to avoid exposure to harmful levels of neodymium compounds. If you suspect exposure to high levels of neodymium, seek medical attention immediately. The lifespan of neodymium products depends on several factors, including the type of product, the manufacturing quality, and the usage conditions.

In general, neodymium magnets have a long lifespan and can last for many years with proper usage and handling. They are known for their high resistance to demagnetization and corrosion, which helps to ensure their longevity.

However, the lifespan of neodymium products can be reduced if they are subjected to high temperatures, strong impacts, or corrosive environments. The performance of neodymium magnets can also decrease over time due to the gradual loss of magnetization.

Overall, the lifespan of neodymium products can range from several years to several decades, depending on the specific product and usage conditions. To extend the lifespan of neodymium products, it is important to handle and store them properly, and to avoid exposing them to harsh conditions that can cause damage.

Does neodymium magnet break easily?

Neodymium magnets, which are made of an alloy of neodymium, iron, and boron, can be brittle and prone to cracking or breaking under certain conditions. They are relatively fragile compared to other types of magnets and can be easily damaged by strong impacts or bending forces.

In addition, neodymium magnets can be sensitive to temperature changes and can lose their magnetization if exposed to high temperatures. This makes it important to handle neodymium magnets with care and to avoid exposing them to extreme temperatures or strong impacts.

However, neodymium magnets are widely used in many applications due to their high magnetic strength and are often coated with a protective layer to help prevent damage and extend their lifespan. With proper handling and usage, neodymium magnets can be durable and long-lasting.

Monday, 6 February 2023

Business expenses list excel

Here is a list of common business expenses that can be tracked in an Excel spreadsheet:

  1. Rent
  2. Employee salaries
  3. Marketing and advertising
  4. Insurance
  5. Utilities (electricity, water, internet, etc.)
  6. Inventory
  7. Equipment (computers, machinery, etc.)
  8. Supplies (stationery, office equipment, etc.)
  9. Taxes and permit fees
  10. Travel (flights, lodging, meals, etc.)
  11. Legal and professional fees
  12. Depreciation of assets
  13. Bank fees and charges
  14. Maintenance and repairs
  15. Raw materials

For each expense, you could create columns for the amount, date, vendor or supplier, and any relevant notes. By tracking these expenses in Excel, you can get a better understanding of your company's financial situation and make informed decisions about how to manage your finances.

Sunday, 2 October 2022

The Habitats of Birds of Paradise

 There are forty-two known species of birds of paradise, of which thirty-eight are found in New Guinea, two in Australia, and two in Maluku in eastern Indonesia. The climate in New Guinea is generally wet, though it is possible to distinguish between a ‘dry season’ from May to November, and a ‘wet season’ from October to April. Most of the native birds, including the birds of paradise, reach a peak of plumage display during the dry season and the beginning of the wet season, which marks the height of the nesting period. G.E. Rumphius, the Belgian naturalist in the employ of the Dutch East India Company (VOC) in the seventeenth century, was the first to document six species of the bird. Though the original manuscript is lost, his observations are repeated in François Valentijn’s monumental study, Oud en Nieuw Oost-Indiën, published in 1724.

Among the six species mentioned are the Lesser Bird of Paradise, which were the birds brought back to Europe by Magellan’s crew, and the Greater Bird of Paradise (which Linnaeus named the ‘Feetless Bird of Paradise’, to mock prevalent European views). The former species is found near the coast in the Bird’s Head Peninsula of West Papua Province and in the Jayapura region of Papua Province in Indonesia, while the latter is located in southwest Papua New Guinea as well as in the Trans Fly region which straddles both countries. While in Aru, Alfred Russel Wallace witnessed the mating dance of the Greater Bird of Paradise, although its habitat is in New Guinea.

Some of these birds fly to the nearby Aru Islands during the mating season, though such a journey can be treacherous because of the peculiar nature of their feathers. He noted that in September and October the silky feathers of the birds were in full perfection. It was then that they began their special mating dance on very large trees with extensive canopies but scattered foliage, allowing a space for the birds to strut in the sun to display their splendid feathers. In one tree he saw assembled between a dozen and twenty male birds in full plumage, raising their wings and stretching their necks all the while maintaining a continuous vibration which contributed to the brilliance of the display of the plumes. Flying from branch to branch, the birds presented a spectacle of colourful feathers in constant motion in all manner of poses.

Wallace writes:

The bird itself is nearly as large as a crow, and is of a rich coffee brown colour. The head and neck is of a purest yellow above, and rich metallic green beneath. The long plumy tufts of golden orange feathers spring from the sides beneath each wing, and when the bird is in repose are partly concealed by them. At the time of its excitement, however, the wings are raised vertically over the back, the head is bent down and stretched out, and the long plumes are raised up and expanded till they form two magnificent golden fans, striped with deep red at the base, and fading off into the pale brown tint of the finely divided and softly waving points.

The whole bird is then overshadowed by them, the crouching body, yellow head, and emerald green throat forming but the foundation and setting to the golden glory which waves above. When seen in this attitude, the Bird of Paradise really deserves its name, and must be ranked as one of the most beautiful and most wonderful of living things. Among the Papuans of New Guinea and neighbouring islands, the species that is most prized is the Raggiana Bird of Paradise (Paradisaea raggiana; cenderawasih in Indonesian), which appears in the national crest and the flag of Papua New Guinea.

They are found in southern and northeastern Papua New Guinea, and their feathers adorn the headdress of many Papuan dancers during special festivals. In Indonesia’s Papua Province, the cenderawasih’s popularity is reflected in the fact that its name has been given to a bay, a university, and to streets.

Sunday, 21 August 2022

Song repertoires of Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) populations in a neighboring sapling, pole, and saw-timber stands in eastern Texas were tape-recorded during the 1979 breeding season. Cardinals in each area used different syllable types and sang songs of varying duration and complexity. Cluster analysis and discriminant function analysis identified three distinct dialects, one for each of the three study areas. Cardinals in the sapling stand used a wider range of frequencies than did those in the saw-timber stand. 

Cardinals in the pole stand used a range of frequencies intermediate in size to that of either the sapling or saw-timber stands. For all three populations, the frequency with the greatest amplitude was about 2 100 Hz, a low frequency that carries better than high frequencies over long distances. 

In the stand that lacked a closed canopy, cardinals typically used syllables with considerable frequency modulation; however, in the two older stands cardinals seldom used extensive frequency modulation in their songs. 

Differential singing behavior of this nature probably enhances long-distance communication by minimizing excessive reverberation from canopy foliage. We suggest that some of the differences in syllable structure noted between the three cardinal dialects may be the result of selective pressures exerted by the acoustics of the environment.

Monday, 15 August 2022

Quebrada de Humahuaca - Remains of ancient cultures in a colorful Andes valley

 RUTA 9 SHOOTS NORTH of San Salvador de Jujuy in Argentina’s lonesome, northwestern reaches. This region evokes a beautiful last-frontier quality with its long, cactus-dotted valley carved over millennia by the Río Grande. It’s the coloring that stands out first, craggy rock walls banded in vibrant reds, yellows, oranges, pinks, and blues, as if a crazy artist went to work with a broad brush and a madcap vision.

The Cerro de los Siete Colores (Hill of Seven Colors), just outside Purmamarca, and Serranía de Hornocal, near Humahuaca, with vivid, wave-shaped rock formations, are two striking examples of this phenomenon. But arid natural beauty is not the foremost reason for this region’s fame. Remote as it seems, the valley was used as one of the world’s oldest trade routes, and people have lived and traveled and exchanged ideas in it for 10,000 years.

Stone-walled terraces, built by early agricultural societies and thought to be 1,500 years old, are still in use today at Coctaca. Later generations of indigenous people also learned the art of ceramics, and cultivated crops like corn, potatoes, and quinoa. In the 15th century, the Inca folded the region into their empire, and then the treasure-seeking Spaniards invaded it in the 16th century.

There are still traces of both occupiers: Among the Inca vestiges are three mummified children found in a perfect state of preservation 22,110 feet (6,739 m) up Llullaillaco Mountain, where they had been sacrificed in a religious ritual. They’re part of a poignant display at Salta’s excellent High Mountain Archaeological Museum. The Spanish left behind distinctive colonial architecture like neat adobe houses and squat Hispanic churches.

The golden altar at Capilla de San Francisco de Paula in Uquía is particularly stunning. Despite foreign invasions, the original cultures of this region were never obliterated. Just poke into the string of villages lining the Río Grande canyon—Purmamarca, Maimará, Tilcara, and Humahuaca—and you’ll discover traces of that indigenous heritage everywhere, in age-old festivals, spirituality, arts, healing practices, and language.

Even the cuisine reflects long-ago traditions. The best time to experience the legacy of the native people of Quebrada de Humahuaca is August 1, when Pachamama (Mother Earth) is celebrated for her year-round beneficence with gifts left on roadside altars. The best potatoes, corn, and meat are cooked in a stew that is buried in the ground, along with cigarettes, coca leaves, and alcohol. This is a gesture of feeding the earth, upon which the people rely for sustenance.

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE A STAR?

Does a star have less responsibility to the team than other players? Is it just their role to be great and win games? Or does a star have more responsibility than others? What does Michael Jordan think? “In our society sometimes it’s hard to come to grips with filling a role instead of trying to be a superstar,” says Jordan. A superstar’s talent can win games, but it’s teamwork that wins championships. Coach John Wooden claims he was tactically and strategically average. So how did he win ten national championships? 

One of the main reasons, he tells us, is because he was good at getting players to fill roles as part of a team. “I believe, for example, I could have made Kareem [Abdul-Jabbar] the greatest scorer in college history. I could have done that by developing the team around their ability of his. Would we have won three national championships while he was at UCLA? Never.” In the fixed mindset, athletes want to validate their talent. 

This means acting like a superstar, not “just” a team member. But, as with Pedro Martinez, this mindset works against the important victories they want to achieve. A telling tale is the story of Patrick Ewing, who could have been a basketball champion. The year Ewing was a draft pick—by far the most exciting pick of the year—the Knicks won the lottery and to their joy got to select Ewing for their team. 

They now had “twin towers,” the seven-foot Ewing, and the seven-foot Bill Cartwright, their high-scoring center. They had a chance to do it all. They just needed Ewing to be the power forward. He wasn’t happy with that. The Center is the star position. And maybe he wasn’t sure he could hit the outside shots that power forward has to hit. 

What if he had really given his all to learn that position? (Alex Rodriguez, the best shortstop in baseball, agreed to play third base when he joined the Yankees. He had to retrain himself and, for a while, he wasn’t all he had been.) Instead, Cartwright was sent to the Bulls, and Ewing’s Knicks never won a championship. 

Then there is the tale of the football player Keyshawn Johnson, another immensely talented player who was devoted to validating his own greatness. When asked before a game how he compared to a star player on the opposing team, he replied, “You’re trying to compare a flashlight to a star. Flashlights only last so long. 

A star is in the sky forever.” Was he a team player? “I am a team player, but I’m an individual first. I have to be the No. 1 guy with the football. Not No. 2 or No. 3. If I’m not the No. 1 guy, I’m no good to you. I can’t really help you.” What does that mean? For his definition of a team player, Johnson was traded by the Jets, and, after that, deactivated by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. I’ve noticed an interesting thing. 

When some star players are interviewed after a game, they say we. They are part of the team and they think of themselves that way. When others are interviewed, they say I, and they refer to their teammates as something apart from themselves—as people who are privileged to participate in their greatness.

Thursday, 4 August 2022

The life History of Ornithoptera Alexandrae Rothschild

During the years 1967 and 1968 some data were obtained on the life history and behavior of Ornithoptera alexandrae Rothschild, the largest known species of Rhopalocera. The geographic distribution of O. alexandrae is limited to a relatively small area in southeastern Papua New Guinea. However, within its range, there are many areas where the butterfly does not occur although the host plant grows prolifically.

The main habitat is a low and relatively flat region, but it has also been observed at altitudes up to 900 mete: O. alexandrae is monophagous. Its hostplant is Aristolochia schlechteri, a vine having rather large, thick leaves and stringy stems covered with a layer of strongly ribbed cork.

The flower is shaped like a starfish with three long arms and is dark purple-brown with a yellow heart. ‘The fruit is green, shaped like a small cucumber 20 to 30 cm long, strongly ribbed longitudinally and has a rough skin. It matures slowly and when fully rotten the seeds fall to the ground and are carried away by rainwater generally over short distances, resulting in a number of plants growing in a restricted area.

In primary forest the vine reaches the top of tall trees of over 40 meters high. When larvae were transferred to Aristolochia tagala, a plant more generally distributed, it was accepted readily and the larvae developed normally, although at a much faster rate than larvae feeding on their natural host. Data recorded show a rapid growth as v with larvae of Papilioaegeus when reared on parsley or carrot leaves instead of their natural food plants. 

When three larvae, obtained from eggs collected in the field, were reared on A. tagala they went through six instars instead of the usual five. It is not known whether this is hereditary or environ- as the case mental, The female butterfly does not oviposit on A. tagala. Oviposition. 

Generally a single egg is laid on the under surface of an old leaf of the hostplant. In secondary forest where this plant is not ver tall, the egg is laid from a few centimeters above the ground to about one meter above it. On several occasions a female was observed laying on other objects than the food plant such as a grass stem growing at a dis- tance of a few centimeters from one of the main stems of the Aristolochia vine. In primary forest, however, oviposition may take place at a con- siderable height above the ground. 

Egg. Large, light yellow, flattened at the base, Diameter 34% mm. Covered with a thick layer of a bright-orange sticky substance, which fixes it firmly to the surface ‘on which it is laid. Incubation period varying from 11 to 13 days. First-instar Larva. Ground colour dark wine red. All segments with long tubercles of same colour as body; tubercles fleshy for about one-fourth their length, remain- ing part stiff and black with numerous black spines. 

Two dorsal tubercles on the fourth abdominal segment light red as is dorsal saddle mark joining them on the same segment. Saddle mark divided mid-dorsally by a narrow black line. Head, prothoracie shield and legs black; prolegs dark, fleshy. Newly hatched larva seven to eight mm long. Osmaterium orange yellow. Second-instar Larva, Ground colour reddish black. Tubercles proportionately longer, all fleshy and without spines, latero-dorsal ones the longest. 

Dorsal and latero-dorsal tubercles on thoracic segments two and three, and dorsal ones on ab- dominal segments one, seven, eight and nine red; two dorsal tubercles on ab- dominal segment four creamy-white with pink tips; remaining tubercles of ground colour, First thoracic segment with four tubercles, following three segments with eight; abdominal segments two to eight with six; ninth abdominal with four and the last segment with two tubercles, Third- to final-instar Larvae, Ground colour unchanged, ‘Tubercles without spines, of nearly equal length except for the ventro-lateral ones which are very short, In ultimate instar, body tubercles proportionately smaller than in early instars, All bright red except two dorsal ones on fourth abdominal segment which remain creamy white with pink tips. 

Conspicuous saddle mark extending and narrowing down to spiracles. Some larvae with an additional creamy spot on third abdominal segment. Measurements of a large, mature larva: length 118 mm, greatest width 30 mm; headcapsule length, 12 mm, width 11 mm; longest tubercle, 13 mm. Some larvae have six instars instead of the usual five, and these producing the largest butterflies. 

Adult. The size of the butterfly varies considerably. The average length of the forewing in the male is 97 to 100 mm, in the female 118 to 126 mm. Many specimens are smaller, few are larger. One previously unrecorded feature is that some males have translucent, yellow discal spots on the hind wings, homologous to those of priamus and victoriae. 

In the higher altitudes of its range the total figure may reach 180 days depending on the locality. It was observed that larvae feeding on Aristolochia schlechteri spend much time in search of suitable leaves and stems. However, those feed- ing on the succulent and soft parts of Aristolochia tagala rarely move around and appear to have a longer average daily feeding time. Feeding habits. Shortly after hatching the larva devours its eggshell, which provides sufficient food for the next 24 hours.

It then commences. Later instars feed on older leaves and stems. Fifth and sixth instar larvae feed mainly on the stringy feeding on tender shoots and young leavi stems and shortly before pupation one or more stems of the host vine are severed, causing the upper parts to wither. If the plant is young, the lower part is eaten down to the ground. Pupation. The larva may wander for 24 hours or longer to locate a suitable site for pupation, which sometimes occurs at a considerable distance from where it was feeding last. 

The longest recorded distance was nearly 10 meters. It generally pupates under a leaf of any kind of shrub or tree other than the hostplant, rarely on stems, at an average height of one to two meters above the ground in secondary forest, but considerably higher in primary forest. Pupa. 

The ground color is light brown. Wing cases are yellow, with a broad light-brown streak along the lower margin. Abdomi its brown ventrally and yellow dorsally, with a yellow latero-ventral. streak. I saddle mark bright yellow, extending over segments one to five. Middorsally divided by a narrow dark brown line; a similar line running laterally below wing cases, ‘Thorax dark brown, tegulae bright yellow. Abdominal segments five to eight with two very short, sharp, black processes each. Pupa very closely resembles that of O. victoria. Duration of the pupal stage from forty to forty-five days. General observations. Female butterflies appear to follow a determined flight pattern when ovipositing. 

This is suggested by the fact that larvae in different stages of development, together with one or more pupae or exuviae, may always be located on or near the same foodplant, while other plants growing in the vicinity remain free of specimens the year round. It is possible that females, in their search for suitable conditions for oviposition, are stimulated by plants that already do support or have previously supported early stages. Single larvae are only found on small plants. Although it has not been possible to determine the longevity of the adults it is believed to be similar to that of O. priamus. Some males of Alexandria were clearly marked after they emerged from the pupa and then released in a garden. A few of these specimens established themselves for the duration of their adult life in the same garden, where both hostplants and flowers were prolific. After 11 weeks, one male was found caught in a large spiderweb. 

Another died in the same way after nearly 12 weeks. Predators and diseases. Several larvae have been found marked with numerous rust-brown dots, sitting motionless without feeding. They died after several weeks and may have been killed by a fungus disease. On one occasion a larva covered with eggs of a Tachinid was collected, but continued feeding pupated normally, and produced the adult. Apparently, the parasite eggs did not hatch or the resulting maggots did not survive. 

A native collector once had a pupa that produced a large number of small, black wasps, probably Chalcididae. Otherwise, larvae of O. alexandrae are rarely attacked by parasites. Prepupae and soft, fresh pupae are sometimes killed by ants and wasps and mature larvae and pupae are attacked by tree rats and small marsupials, When not mating both sexes may be seen, generally flying high (average 20 to 30 meters above the ground) and in a single direction. In the forest, males are seldom seen as they remain in the shade of the high canopy and avoid open or exposed areas. Fecundity. Two females were taken on the wing while ovipositing. Both specimens appeared in good condition, but it was impossible to make an accurate estimate of their age. They were kept alive and fed daily se and honey solution. 

After 12 days in captivity, both specimens were killed. One female had laid one egg; dissection of its abdomen produced another 16 mature eggs. On the basis that not more than 10 eggs had been laid before its capture, we can estimate a total capacity of 25 to 27 eggs. Dissection of the second female produced a total of 12 eggs of which two were immature. as

 

Wednesday, 11 May 2022

MYXOMYCETES (The Slime Moulds)

The myxomycetes are a strange and interesting group, apparently half plant and half animal. We see them as small dry fruiting bodies of various forms, from small puff-ball-like objects, on wood, to brightly colored little stalked balls or cylinders on stalks, less than 10mm tall. 

They are so strange and they are now classified in a totally different Kingdom, the Protozoa, neither fungi nor animals. They continue to be treated as ‘honorary fungi’ for the purposes of recording. They develop from spores into primitive animal forms, amoeba-like and swimming about in the water in their substrates, eating bacteria. They then change their form by coming together in huge numbers to form a sort of slime, which still feeds by engulfing food as it moves around, flowing slowly like a large Amoeba. 

The organism finally decides that it should reproduce, and the slime emerges from within the deadwood, or whatever substrate it was growing in, and climbs up to a dry spot where the final transformation takes place. It slowly changes into the fruiting body we see, containing thousands on more of dry spores borne on minute threads which expand and contract, contorting, and releasing the spores to the air.