A nail is a fastening device usually made from round or oval wire, having a point at one end and a head at the other.
The nail is a unit of the imperial measurement of length equivalent to 1/16 yards (2.25 inches), formerly used for measuring cloth. Research Nail
Anatidae is the duck, geese and swan family of birds of the order Natatores. They are characterized by a thick, broad beak, high at the base, covered with a thin membranous skin and ending in a nail-like horny tip; the edges of the mandibles are cut into thin parallel ridges, or toothed; the wings are moderate; the legs placed not very far behind; the feet are four-toed and palmated; the hind toe is free, placed high on the tarsus. They feed on grass and aquatic weeds, worms, insects, molluscs and small fish. Research Anatidae
Equidae is the horse family, a family belonging to the order Ungulata, or hoofed mammals, and subdivision Perissodactyla, characterized by an undivided hoof formed of the third toe and its enlarged horny nail, a simple stomach, a mane on the neck, and by six incisor teeth on each jaw, seven molars on either side of both jaws, and by two small canine teeth in the upper jaw of the males, and sometimes in both jaws. It is divided into two groups - one including the asses and zebras, the other comprising the true horses (genus Equus). Research Equidae
The horse (Equus caballus) is a hoofed, odd toed grass eating mammal of the family Equidae subdivision Perissodactyla (odd-toed); characterized by an undivided hoof formed by the third toe and its enlarged horny nail, a simple stomach, a mane on the neck, and by six incisor teeth in each jaw, seven molars on either side of both jaws, and by two small canine teeth in the upper jaw of the male, rarely in the female.
There are a number of varieties of horse, popularly known as breeds. The adult male horse is called a stallion, the adult female a mare. A stallion used for breeding is known as a stud. A castrated stallion is popularly called a gelding. A young horse is called a foal, with a male foal being called a colt and a female foal being called a filly.
Horses are among the best adapted of the 'flight' mammals. They have very large eyes capable of seeing in two directions at once, ears which can rotate through 180 degrees and judge distance to a perceived sound, and can reach a speed of 30 mph from a standing still position in less than one second. The horse has a very large heart and enormous lungs powering very large rear leg muscles which allow it to run very fast to escape danger. The horse's long head allows it to graze and see over the top of the grass at the same time, keeping watch for approaching danger. The horse's tail is used as a rudder to help with stearing when running fast, and also as a fly-whisk to whip away flies and other irritations.
When bored or agitated, horses' paw the ground with their rear leags. Stallions fight with their front legs and also bite, trying to ham string their opponent. When a horse wants to harm an opponent, or person, they use their front legs. The rear legs may be used to brush away irritations, and while powerful and dangerous are not used with the intention of causing real harm. War horses, used by mounted soldiers in the Mediaeval period, were trained to attack the enemy and would bite the face off foot soldiers who got close. Research Horse
The marmot (Arctomys) is a rodent found in the northern parts of both hemispheres. They are heavily-built, rather clumsy-looking animals, living high up on mountains in the warmer part of their range, but coming down to sea-level in the extreme north. They feed on roots and leaves, and in many cases hibernate for the whole of the winter. They are social in their habits, they feed in companies and a number collect in the same burrow for the winter sleep. The ears and tail are short, as are the legs; cheek pouches are absent or rudimentary; on the fore limbs the first digit is rudimentary and bears a flat nail. Research Marmot
The orang utan (Simia satyrus) is an anthropoid ape found only in Borneo and Sumatra, where its popular name means 'man of the woods'. The orang utan has very long arms, which reach to the ankle when the animal stands upright, and short, thick, twisted legs with a feebly developed calf, and narrow flat heels. The hair is very long, and is reddish orange in colour. The skull is without the prominent superciliary ridges of the gorilla, and is produced at the vertex, so as to give the animal the appearance of possessing a much elongated forehead. The central bone of the carpus, absent in man, the chimpanzee and the gorilla, is present in the orang utan. The great toe is very small and devoid of a nail in the adult, and is often devoid of its terminal phalanx. The orang utan lives in thick forests and is adapted for arboreal life, living mainly on fruit but also leaves, buds and young shoots. The animals live in small family groups and build shelters high in the trees which they move between by careful and deliberate swinging by the arms,
never leaping or jumping. Research Orang Utan
A crucifix is a Christian image, often worn as an amulet, comprising an image of Christ on the cross. As an amulet the crucifix offers the wearer Christ's protection against evil. As a rule the figures on the most ancient crucifixes were not carved, but were engraved on gold, silver, or iron crosses. At a later period they were painted on wood, and it is only in the 9th century, in the pontificate of Leo III, that the figure of Christ appears carved upon the cross in bass-relief.
Originally the body was represented clothed in a tunic reaching to the feet; afterwards the clothing was removed with the exception of a cloth round the loins. Until the llth century Christ is represented alive; since that period he has been represented as dead. In the earlier crucifixes, also, the number of nails by which Christ is fixed to the cross is four, one through each hand and each foot, while in the more modern ones one foot is laid above the other and a single nail driven through both. Many crucifixes bear also the superscription in an abbreviated form, and accessory symbols and figures. Research Crucifix
Oedipus was the son of Laius. The Delphic oracle foretold that Laius would be killed by his son, so
Oedipus was abandoned on mountCithaeron with a nail through his feet. However, he was found by a shepherd and raised by Polybus. Hearing that he would kill his father, Oedipus left Corinth and met Laius on his travel. He killed him in an argument not knowing who he was. Research Oedipus
The Probert Encyclopaedia was designed, edited and programed by
Matt and Leela Probert
Abbreviations
Research Nail
