Monthly Archives: January, 2009
What is Pollen?
The tiny yellow grains that are found in flowers are pollen. The flowers use it in making the seeds that will grow into new plants. The dusty yellow grains that are found in flowers are pollen. Plants make the pollen in the saclike anthers of their flowers. Pollen grains are so small that they look …
How did England get its name?
“England” is short for “Angle Land” so-called because the land was once ruled by people known as angles. England is one of the four counties that make up Great Britain. Long ages ago England was inhabited by people known as Britons. It is from them that the island of Britain got its name. Britain was …
Why does the leaning Tower of Pisa lean?
The Leaning Tower of Pisa is a famous bell tower at Pisa, Italy. The tower tips so far to one side that it looks as though it would fall over. But it has been leaning for over 600 years! Why does it lean? Of course, it wasn’t supposed to lean when it was built. Yet …
What is the Parthenon?
The Parthenon is an ancient Greek temple that stands on the acropolis in Athens. In the city of Athens, Greece, stands a small plateau called the Acropolis, or hilltop city. Long ago, the ancient Greeks built magnificent temples on top of the Acropolis to honor their gods and goddesses. The most famous Acropolis temple is …
Why does Venice have canals?
The City of Venice Italy was build on many small islands in the Arciatic Sea. The canals that separate the islands are the streets of the city. Perhaps there is no other city like Venice. In Venice that streets are canals filled with water. Venice is an old and beautiful Italian city built on the …
Why do we have two sets of teeth?
Our second set of teeth are stronger replacements for the smaller baby teeth as the jaws change and crow bigger. Everyone grows two sets of teeth: a first (primary), or baby teeth, and a second, or permanent set. Nature has given us two sets. Teeth small enough for a child would be too little for …
When did the liberty bell become cracked?
The liberty bell cracked in 1835, while ringing for the funeral of chief Justice Hon Marshall. The most famous bell in America is the Liberty Bell. It hangs in Independence Hall in Philadelphia, PA. The historic bell stands 3 feet tall. It weighs more than a ton. Originally cast in England, it was brought to …
What is hieroglyphic writing?
HIEROGLYPHIC WRITING IS A KIND OF ANCIENT EGYPTIAN WRITING IN WHICH PICTURE CHARACTERS STAND FOR OBJECTS, WORDS, AND SOUNDS. Several thousand years ago the Egyptians wrote a kind of writing called “hieroglyphic” (pronounced hy er oh GLIF ik), from two Greek words meaning “sacred carving.” At first glance hieroglyphic writing looks like picture writing. There …
How many bones do I have in my body?
THE HUMAN SKELETON IS MADE UP OF ABOUT 200 SEPARATE BONES. Like a building, your body, your body is supported by a firm framework. This framework is made of bone and is called a skeleton. It is made up of about 206 separate bones. Sixty-four of these bones are in your hands and arms alone. …
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