Cyathus is a genus of bird's nest fungi in the family Nidulariaceae, so
named since they resemble tiny bird's nests filled with eggs. The
"eggs", or peridioles, are attached to the inner surface of the fruiting
body by a cord of mycelium. Both surfaces of the cup may be ridged
longitudinally, a taxonomic characteristic that has traditionally served
to distinguish between species. Cyathus species are widely distributed
across the globe, and some are found in most countries, although a few
are localized. C. stercoreus is considered endangered in a number of
European countries. Generally considered inedible, Cyathus species are
saprobic, obtaining nutrients from decomposing organic matter. They
usually grow on decaying woody material, on cow and horse dung, or
directly on humus-rich soil. The life cycle of this genus allows them to
reproduce both sexually via meiosis, and asexually via spores.
Phylogenetic analysis has provided insights into the relationships
between the various species. (Full article...).
Read more: <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cyathus>
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Today's selected anniversaries:
1632:
The Plymouth Company granted a land patent to Thomas Purchase,
who became the first permanent European settler of Pejepscot, Maine.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pejepscot,_Maine>
1936:
A Junkers Ju 52 aircraft of Norwegian Air Lines crashed into a
mountainside near Hyllestad, Norway, killing all seven people on board.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hav%C3%B8rn_Accident>
1963:
Aboard Vostok 6, Soviet cosmonaut Valentina Tereshkova became
the first woman in space.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valentina_Tereshkova>
2016:
Jo Cox, a British Member of Parliament, was murdered in her
constituency.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Murder_of_Jo_Cox>
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Wiktionary's word of the day:
wring:
1. (transitive)
2. Often followed by out: to squeeze or twist (something moist) tightly
so that liquid is forced out.
3. To squeeze water from (an item of wet clothing) by passing through a
wringer.
4. (also figuratively) Often followed by from or out: to extract (a
liquid) from something wet by squeezing, twisting, or otherwise putting
pressure on it.
5. To hold (someone or something) tightly and press or twist; to wrest.
6. To clasp and twist (hands) together due to distress, sorrow, etc.
7. To bend or strain (something) out of its position; to wrench, to
wrest.
8. To contort or screw up (the face or its features).
9. To twist or wind (something) into coils; to coil.
10. Of a thing (such as footwear): to pinch or press (a person or part
of their body), causing pain.
11. (archaic or Britain, dialectal, also figuratively) To cause (someone
or something) physical harm, injury, or pain; specifically, by applying
pressure or by twisting; to harm, to hurt, to injure.
12. (figuratively)
13. To cause (tears) to come out from a person or their eyes.
14. To cause distress or pain to (a person or their heart, soul, etc.);
to distress, to torment.
15. To obtain (something) from or out of a person or thing by extortion
or other force.
16. To use effort to draw (a response, words, etc.) from or out of
someone; to generate (something) as a response.
17. (obsolete) To afflict or oppress (someone) to enforce compliance; to
extort.
18. (obsolete) To cause (someone) to do something or to think a certain
way.
19. (obsolete) To change (something) into another thing.
20. (obsolete) To give (teachings, words, etc.) an incorrect meaning; to
twist, to wrest.
21. (obsolete, reflexive) To put (oneself) in a position by cunning or
subtle means; to insinuate.
22. (materials science) To slide (two ultraflat surfaces) together such
that their faces bond.
23. (intransitive)
24. To be engaged in clasping and twisting (especially the hands), or
exerting pressure.
25. To twist the body in or as if in pain; to writhe.
26. (figuratively)
27. To contend, to struggle; also, to strive, to toil.
28. To experience distress, pain, punishment, etc.
29. (mining) Of a lode: to be depleted of ore; to peter or peter out.
30. (obsolete) To make a way out with difficulty.
<https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/wring>
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Wikiquote quote of the day:
It is not from the benevolence of the butcher, the brewer, or the
baker that we expect our dinner, but from their regard to their own
interest. We address ourselves, not to their humanity, but to their
self-love, and never talk to them of our own necessities, but of their
advantages. Nobody but a beggar chooses to depend chiefly upon the
benevolence of his fellow-citizens. Even a beggar does not depend upon
it entirely.
--Adam Smith
<https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Adam_Smith>