Moo-ving on up . . .
QUESTION
Why do cows get up from the ground hind legs first and horses forelegs first? This has to do with the animals’ differing anatomy. Cows don’t only use their back legs — they get on to their knees before using their back legs to lunge forwards and up.
horses’ compact anatomy enables movement across the open plains. They have powerful front limbs, facilitating agility and speed. Even so, getting up is not a simple process for an animal that can weigh more than half-a-ton — it requires strength and co-ordination.
A horse rises by rolling on to its breastbone with its legs tucked below. it then raises its head high, lifting the chest and freeing the legs.
straightening the forelegs, the horse adopts a sitting position. Finally, it swiftly and forcefully throws its head down and forward. The weight of its forequarters acts as a counterbalance to lift its hindquarters into a standing position.
in cattle, much of the body is designed around protecting the digestive system. The rumen — one of four stomach chambers — can hold 50 gallons of fluid and partly digested plant matter.
Cows typically force themselves up on to their front knees so they can release their back legs. in fact, they often rest on their front knees. The cow then lunges forward using her brisket (breastbone) as a fulcrum. The momentum from the weight of her large head will help lift her hindquarters off the ground.
When a cow lies down, it is with the breastbone against the ground. if a cow lies flat on its side, it will be unable to burp. As the rumen produces an incredible amount of gas, the inability to burp can result in a dangerous case of bloat.
Because this is all so difficult, cows are able to sleep while standing up. Luke Pederson, East Bergholt, Suffolk.
QUESTION
What is the story of Vantablack, the darkest shade ever created? VAnTABlACk is a light- consuming material that can absorb 99.97 per cent of the visible light that reaches its surface. Conventional black paint or fabric absorbs around 96 per cent. looking at an object coated in it can warp your perceptions — it has been described as being akin to ‘looking into a black hole’.
Vantablack was developed by British company surrey nanosystems. its name gives a clue as to how it works: Vanta stands for vertically aligned carbon nanotube array. it is not a paint, but a ‘forest’ of equally spaced carbon nanotubes. Particles of light (photons) enter the array, then bounce around within it, dissipating their energy as heat.
Vantablack may prove an important resource for military applications, such as enhancing stealth aircraft or providing thermal camouflage. however, as yet, the nanotubes are so delicate that exposing them to touch or gentle impact will damage the material.
it is well suited to enclosed, protected environments, particularly in telescopes, providing higher-definition images.
A more durable form, Vantablack s-Vis, absorbs 99.8 per cent of incoming light and is cheaper and sprayable. it has been released under licence to the British sculptor sir Anish kapoor, who has used it in some stunning artworks. Dave Bishop, Birmingham.
QUESTION
Was there a ban on ringing church bells during World War II? If so, was an exception made for St Paul’s Cathedral on New Year’s Eve 1941? AS THE ringing of church bells was to be used to signal an invasion, the Defence of the Realm Act was passed at the outbreak of World War i in 1914, to prevent the ringing not just of church bells, but bells on public buildings, such as Big Ben.
This was a precaution against false alarms. There were also restrictions on the use of bonfires and other naked lights that might aid an enemy.
During World War ii, the same measures were enacted, as well as more stringent blackout precautions.
With the exception of remote areas, churches are within the sound of each other’s bells, so if a phone call to raise the alarm wasn’t received in one parish, the sound of the bells in a neighbouring one would trigger a chain reaction.
This would alert civilians to the danger, and volunteer groups, such as the home Guard, Air Raid Precautions (ARP) wardens and Auxiliary Fire service could report for duty.
st Paul’s Cathedral was struck by bombs several times in The Blitz. During the intense bombing between December 29 and 30, 1940, known as the second Great Fire of london, it was hit by at least 29 incendiary bombs, suffering significant damage.
Churchill gave the order that ‘st Paul’s must be saved at all costs’.
There is no record of its bells being rung in 1941 and, given the threat of invasion from across the Channel, an exception would not have been made at this stage of the war.
The bells of st Paul’s were rung on August 25, 1944, to celebrate the liberation of Paris and, along with the bells of all other churches, to mark the end of the war in Europe on VE Day, May 8, 1945. Bob Cubitt, Northampton.
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