Meet the Xenarthrans - Armadillos, Sloths, and Anteaters

Armadillos, sloths, and anteaters, also known as xenarthrans (Greek for strange joints), can be distinguished from other mammals by (among other things) the unique joints in their backbones that endow them with the strength and support they need to pursue their climbing or burrowing lifestyles. These mammals are also characterized by their extremely few (or even no teeth), their relatively small brains, and (in males) their internal testicles. As youll know if youve ever seen a sloth in action, xenarthrans are also some of the slowest mammals on earth; they are technically warm-blooded, like other mammals, but their physiologies arent nearly as robust as those of dogs, cats or cows. Xenarthrans are an ancient group of placental mammals that once roamed across the expanse of Gondwana, before this giant continent of the southern hemisphere split up to form South America, Africa, India, Arabia, New Zealand, and Australia. The ancestors of modern armadillos, sloths and anteaters were initially isolated on the newborn continent of South America, but in the ensuing millions of years spread northward into areas of Central America and southern parts of North America. Although xenarthrans didnt make it into Africa, Asia, and Australia, these regions are home to unrelated mammals (like aardvarks and pangolins) that evolved the same general body plans, a classic example of convergent evolution. One little-known fact about xenarthrans is that they were prone to gigantism during the Cenozoic Era, at a time when many mammals achieved dinosaur-like sizes thanks to temperate climates and an abundance of food. Glyptodon, also known as the Giant Anteater, could weigh up to two tons, and its hollowed-out shells were sometimes used by the early human inhabitants of South America to shelter from the rain, while the giant sloths Megatherium and Megalonyx were about the size of the largest bears on earth today! There are about 50 species of xenarthrans extant today, ranging from the screaming hairy armadillo of South America to the pygmy three-toed sloth of the Panamanian coast. Classification of Xenarthrans Armadillos, sloths, and anteaters are classified within the following taxonomic hierarchy: Animals Chordates Vertebrates Tetrapods Amniotes Mammals Armadillos, sloths and anteaters In addition, armadillos, sloths, and anteaters are divided into the following taxonomic groups: Anteaters and sloths (Pilosa)Armadillos (Cingulata)

A Night to Remember Decadence of The Titanic Essay

The Soap ad in the 1958 film A Night to Remember is one of the first implications of social class that is illustrated throughout the entire film. It begins by first introducing the viewer to the middle class hero, Lightoller and his view of the class system of 1912 where he mocks the discrepancy of class aboard the Titanic amongst the elites and the lower class passengers (Bruce). And despite this, the advertisement seems to better illustrate the idea of decadence that is found on the ship. As already noted, the scene seems to mock the elite class as Lightoller states that the soap is â€Å"for the first-class passengers, mark you. The rest don’t wash† (A Night to Remember). It is here, that class is clearly evident through the reaction of the†¦show more content†¦By advertising these social embellishments, it advertises the high class sophistications of the ship and is therefore attempting to attract the upper class with its promise of arriving to lavish desti nations on one of the most technologically advanced and its luxury living accommodations. The fact that Lightoller pokes fun at this single line demonstrates his social standing as a middle class citizen. The contrast the social classes in this film by this single scene is also evident through the reactions of the characters. As already noted the elite couple is stiff, uptight and are humorless towards Lightoller’s reaction to the Titanic’s embellishments. As opposed to Lightoller and his wife’s reaction whose is mocking and giggling at the elitist notion of luxury. And also makes a note saying â€Å"soap is no laughing matter† (A Night to Remember). As a means to not offend the upper class passengers, Lightoller remarks that he is not necessarily poking fun at the elite social class but he is only mocking â€Å"of the embellishments† (A Night to Remember). Although the viewer is given a clear distinction as it allows us to believe that he is inde ed making fun of the upper class treatment of the lower class. It is clear that even at the beginning of the film, the motif of decadence amongst the elite classes is evident throughout the entire film. Howell’s makes anShow MoreRelatedOne Significant Change That Has Occurred in the World Between 1900 and 2005. Explain the Impact This Change Has Made on Our Lives and Why It Is an Important Change.163893 Words   |  656 Pagesturned blank walls to the street, often had lovely gardens in interior courtyards. Shop fronts opened fully in the daytime but were completely shuttered at night. Artisans frequently practiced their crafts within their homes or on the street directly in front of them. Streets were crowded with people throughout the day and well into the night, especially after the arrival of electricity and street lighting, and many events that might have been considered private in the European enclave— IN

Madness Free Essays

By definition, ‘madness’ correlates to one or something which is mad. The Oxford English Dictionary defines ‘mad’ as: â€Å"1. mentally deranged; insane. We will write a custom essay sample on Madness or any similar topic only for you Order Now 2. senseless; foolish. 3. angry; resentful. 4. wildly enthusiastic (about) or fond (of). 5. extremely excited or confused; frantic. 6. wildly exuberant. 7. temporarily overpowered by violent reactions, emotions, etc.†[1] The word ‘mad’ has come to mean something as frivolous as over-excitement, or enthusiasm, to something as serious as a question of sanity. In today’s culture and society, madness has even been used as the moniker of a zany ska-pop band, and it is used in reference to a neurodegenerative disease in bovine – or Mad Cow Disease, but which came first: the emotion, or the level of sanity? When did it become readily acceptable that madness was not only a state of mind, but also a quantifier for enthusiasm? In order to understand the root of the term ‘madness’, we need to go back to its roots.   The word ‘mad’, according to dictionaries, is from before 900 A.D. and derives from Middle English vernacular for ‘madden’, and Old English ‘gemÇ £dan’, or to make mad; akin to mad, foolish.[2]   Even within the mid-centuries, the term signified a sense of foolhardy action, or senselessness. Perhaps it is this basis, and association with profound behavior which led the word to become synonymous with mental disorders. Literature often alludes to the cultural influences of an era. Many poets through the centuries have suggested that inspiration comes to them; that their works are often not their own, but those of a muse. According to Tracy K. Smith, one such poet, Federico Garcà ­a Lorca, believes that it is to the ‘duende’ which inspiration comes: â€Å"Unlike the Muse or Angel, which exist beyond or above the poet, the duende sleeps deep within the poet, and asks to be awakened and wrestled, often at great cost.†[3] This illusionary ‘demon’ is often how madness and mental disorders were diagnosed. In the early Middle Ages, possession and demonic pranksters were often considered the reason for madness, or early cases of schizophrenia. We have come along way, though, in learning and discovered that mental disorders may lead one into madness, but they are not caused by anger or emotion. The substitution of definition for ‘madness’ had become a readily acceptable practice by the 1300s; an era also known for the bubonic plague. Many medical doctors had come alongside playwrights and poets in the use of the term. Mental health asylums had become wide-spread institutions across Europe. This isn’t to say they didn’t exist prior, but in correlation to the use of language, it plays a strong significance that mental health and ‘going mad’ would be considered synonyms at this time. It is perhaps unsurprising that Dante’s Divine Comedy speaks of madness in similar ‘medical’ terms in Canto XXX: When vanish’d the two furious shades, on whom Mine eye was held, I turn’d it back to view The other cursed spirits[4] In this Canto, Dante witnesses ‘insanity’ as the punishment of those who chose to deceive throughout history and myth. Language is constantly changing and developing as the society which uses it continues to evolve and change. In this millennium, we have readily accepted the use of ‘madness’ to refer to foolish, excitable enthusiasm; as well as temporary insanity or related to anger. Originally, perhaps it is to be considered this was not always the case, with the term referring more to a senseless activity, or akin to a jester’s antics. In time, physical attributes of certain mental disorders have leaned the word towards references of questionable sanity. Coupled with the use for anger, it has developed into today’s known definition. BIBLIOGRAPHY _. Oxford English Dictionary Oxford UP., Standard Edition, 2000.    _. mad. Dictionary.com. Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1). Random House, Inc. http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/mad (accessed: September 15, 2007).    Alighieri, D., Canto XXX, The Divine Comedy. The Harvard Classics.   1909–14.   (available: http://www.bartleby.com/20/130.html )    Smith, Tracy, K., Survival in Two Worlds at Once: Federico Garcia Lorca and Duende The Academy of American Poets, 2007. (available at: http://www.poets.org/viewmedia.php/prmMID/5898 ) [1] Oxford English Dictionary, p.793-794 [2] mad. Dictionary.com. Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1). Random House, Inc. http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/mad (accessed: September 15, 2007). [3] The Spanish poet, Federico Garcà ­a Lorca, named the keeper of that space the duende—daemon (Tracy Smith, 2007). [4] Canto XXX, lines 47-49. How to cite Madness, Essay examples

Several Beautiful Sights in North Sumatra Essay Example For Students

Several Beautiful Sights in North Sumatra Essay I believe that every country has its own unique and beautiful sights for people to visit. For example, in my country, Indonesia has many popular destinations for visitors. For decades, tourism in my country has become an important sector in foreign exchange earner. A lot of significant progresses have been made to meet the demand in tourism sector. One of the most popular areas that provide visitors with the beautiful sights is North Sumatra. North Sumatra is one of the biggest provinces at Indonesia with many attractive and cultural spots for visitors. The first example is Medan, the place where I used to spend my childhood, is the capital city of North Sumatra. With its trading centers and important harbor, Medan also has developed into a metropolitan city with large populations. One of the most historical places is Mesjid Agung Grand mosque. It used to be a place of worship owned by the inheritance of Sultanate of Deli. Founded in 1960 by Sultan Maimun, this mosque has become the biggest and the most beautiful mosque at North Sumatra. Two hundreds meters from Grand mosque, there is Maimun palace which can be said as the combination of Islamic tradition and European culture. The architect of this Palace was an Italian and completed in 1888. Furthermore, this palace was used by Sultan Deli for coronation, custom ceremonies, ancient weapons, family pictures and furniture storages. Another example is Lake Toba. Lake Toba is the biggest lake in all of Southeast Asia. With the altitude of 800 meters, 100 kilometers length and 30 kilometers width, Lake Toba is a popular tourist resort. The lake is situated in the caldera of the huge Toba volcano which erupted 75,000 years ago. Prapat is the main town on Lake Toba which is mostly spoiled by tourism. Recreational activities such as swimming, motor boating, water skiing, cycling, canoeing and fishing are popular activities around that area. Either the Batak Toba or Batak Simalungun people live in that region. The climate there is cool and dry. Therefore, this location is a perfect place to relax. Batik clothes are also well known souvenirs in this place. Prapat can be reached in 4 hours by bus from Medan. North side of Lake Toba located Tongging. Tongging is a place to see a waterfall surrounded by calm beautiful sights. The 360 feet si piso-piso waterfall is visible from a gazebo from the top of the hill. If you want to look closely to the waterfall, you can go down to the hill by a path steps, stairs and ladder leads down. It almost takes half an hour to reach the bottom of the waterfall. However, near the bottom of the waterfall, it is slippery and very wet, so you must be very careful. Yet the blue water looks pure and swift. With so many places of interests in North Sumatra such as Medan, Lake Toba, si piso-piso waterfall and many more, Im sure that these can be the beautiful places where the tourists can enjoy the force of nature that bring a powerful effects. Indeed, maybe everyone should pick Indonesia as an enjoyable trip to visit.