The Bivalvia comprise a class of marine and freshwater molluscs that
have laterally compressed bodies enclosed by a shell consisting of two
hinged parts. Bivalves include clams, oysters, cockles, mussels,
scallops, and numerous other families that live in saltwater or in
freshwater. The majority are filter feeders. Most bivalves bury
themselves in sediment, where they are relatively safe from predation,
though some others lie on the sea floor or attach themselves to rocks or
other hard surfaces. A bivalve's shell (giant clam shell pictured) is
composed of calcium carbonate, and consists of two, usually similar,
parts called valves, which can open and close without becoming
disarticulated. Adult shell sizes of bivalves vary from fractions of a
millimetre to over a metre in length, but the majority of species do not
exceed 10 cm (4 in). Bivalves have long been a part of the diet of
coastal human populations, and pearl oysters are the most common source
of natural pearls. Bivalves first appear in the fossil record more than
500 million years ago. The total number of living species is
approximately 9,200.
Read more: <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bivalvia>
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Today's selected anniversaries:
1812:
French invasion of Russia: As Napoleon's Grande Armée began
its retreat, its rear guard was defeated at the Battle of Vyazma.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Vyazma>
1838:
The Times of India, the world's largest circulated English-
language daily broadsheet newspaper, was founded as the The Bombay Times
and Journal of Commerce.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Times_of_India>
1954:
The first film featuring the giant monster known as Godzilla,
was released.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Godzilla>
1969:
U.S. President Richard Nixon made a plea to the "silent
majority", referring to those Americans who did not join in the large
demonstrations against the Vietnam War at the time.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silent_majority>
2007:
Pakistani President and Chief of Army Staff Pervez Musharraf
declared a state of emergency across Pakistan, suspending the Pakistani
Constitution.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pakistani_state_of_emergency,_2007>
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Wiktionary's word of the day:
canine:
1. Of, or pertaining to, dogs.
2. Dog-like.
<https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/canine>
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Wikiquote quote of the day:
Natural work democracy is politically neither "left" nor
"right." It embraces anyone who does vital work; for this reason, its
orientation is only and alone forward. It has no inherent intention of
being against ideologies, including political ideologies. On the other
hand, if it is to function, it will be forced to take a firm stand, on a
factual basis, against any ideology or political party which puts
irrational obstacles in its path. Yet, basically, work democracy is not
"against," as is the rule with politics, but "for"; for the
formulation
and solution of concrete tasks.
--Wilhelm Reich
<https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Wilhelm_Reich>