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>
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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>
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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>
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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>
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