Onychopterella was a predatory aquatic arthropod of the order of eurypterids, often called sea scorpions. Fossils of the species O. kokomoensis (pictured) and O. pumilus have been found in the United States, and fossils of O. augusti in South Africa. Onychopterella (from Greek for 'claw wing') lived from the Late Ordovician to the Late Silurian, from 444 to 422 million years ago. The head was almost rectangular, with bean-shaped compound eyes. The limbs were generally long and narrow with a spine on the tip, and the body was ornamented with small, pointed scales. Lengths ranged from 16 cm (6.3 in) for O. kokomoensis to 4 cm (1.6 in) for O. pumilus. Onychopterella was able to swim, and probably able to walk on the seabed with its spines and dig with its head. The best-preserved specimens of O. augusti show similarities to modern scorpions in their alimentary canal, limb musculature and respiratory system.
Read more: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Onychopterella
_______________________________ Today's selected anniversaries:
1919:
The First Dáil convened at the Mansion House in Dublin and adopted a declaration of independence calling for the establishment of the Irish Republic. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_D%C3%A1il
1941:
World War II: Sparked by the murder of a German officer on the previous day in Bucharest, Romania, members of the Iron Guard began a rebellion and pogrom. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Legionnaires%27_rebellion_and_Bucharest_pogrom
1968:
Cold War: A B-52 bomber carrying four nuclear weapons crashed onto sea ice near Thule Air Base, Greenland, causing localized radioactive contamination. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1968_Thule_Air_Base_B-52_crash
1981:
The DeLorean Motor Company completed the first production car of the DMC DeLorean (example pictured). https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DMC_DeLorean
_____________________________ Wiktionary's word of the day:
pomander: 1. (countable, uncountable, historical) A mixture of aromatic substances, made into a ball and carried by a person to impart a sweet smell or as a protection against infection. 2. (countable, historical) A small case in which an aromatic ball was carried. 3. (countable) A perforated container filled with pot-pourri for placing in a drawer, wardrobe, room, etc., to provide a sweet smell. 4. (countable) An apple or orange studded with cloves used for the same purpose. https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/pomander
___________________________ Wikiquote quote of the day:
Reason spoiled, marred, or robbed of its perfection, ceaseth to be rational, and should not be called reason; inasmuch as it is premised to be depraved, or degenerated from a rational nature; and in consequence of the deprivation of its nature, should also be deprived of its name, and called subterfuge, or some such like name, which might better define its real character. Those who invalidate reason, ought seriously to consider, "whether they argue against reason, with or without reason; if with reason, then they establish the principle, that they are laboring to dethrone;" but if they argue without reason, (which, in order to be consistent with themselves, they must do,) they are out of the reach of rational conviction, nor do they deserve a rational argument. --Ethan Allen https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Ethan_Allen