The octopus is a soft-bodied, eight-armed mollusc of the order Octopoda,
with around 300 known species. Along with squids, cuttlefish and
nautiloids, they are classed as cephalopods. The mouth with its hard
beak is at the base of the arms, which trail behind the animal as it
swims. A siphon is used both for respiration and for locomotion, by
expelling a jet of water. Octopuses have a complex nervous system and
excellent sight, and are among the most intelligent and behaviourally
diverse of all invertebrates. They inhabit all parts of the ocean, from
the intertidal zone and coral reefs to the abyssal depths. They can
escape from predators by hiding in a cloud of ink, camouflaging
themselves, or contorting their bodies to squeeze through narrow gaps.
They are all venomous, but only the blue-ringed octopus is known to be
deadly to humans. Octopus is sold as food around the world, especially
in the Mediterranean and along the coasts of Asia.
Read more: <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Octopus>
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Today's selected anniversaries:
1865:
Off the coast of Crescent City, California, U.S., the steamship
Brother Jonathan struck an uncharted rock and sank, killing 225 people;
its cargo of a large number of gold coins was not retrieved until 1996.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brother_Jonathan_%28steamer%29>
1930:
Uruguay defeated Argentina at Estadio Centenario in Montevideo
to win the first Football World Cup.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1930_FIFA_World_Cup>
1981:
Amid widespread economic crisis and food shortages in Poland,
up to 50,000 people, mostly women and children, took part in the largest
of the hunger demonstrations in Łódź.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Summer_1981_hunger_demonstrations_in_Poland>
2014:
At least 151 people were killed when heavy rains triggered a
landslide in Pune district, Maharashtra, India.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2014_Malin_landslide>
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Wiktionary's word of the day:
memory lane:
(idiomatic, sometimes capitalized) A set of recollections available to
be reviewed, especially accompanied by a feeling of nostalgia.
<https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/memory_lane>
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Wikiquote quote of the day:
The great thing about art on any level is that it can speak to
all people if it’s achieved properly. When I’ve heard a piece of
music or seen a painting that moves me, it gives me something. That’s
such an incredibly special experience. I have intentions as a writer,
but people — when they’re listening to a track — will take from it
what they interpret. Sometimes people mishear my lyrics and think a
song’s about something it isn’t. That doesn’t matter. If it speaks
to them and they get something positive from it, it’s great.
--Kate Bush
<https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Kate_Bush>