The pineberry is a mutant form of strawberry, which has white flesh with red seeds. It was discovered by Dutch farmers in France. After six years of cultivation and selection, the commercial varieties were brought under production. Ever since commercial production began, the fruit became a food fad in Britain. However, now it has gone…
The banyan tree, or Indian fig tree (Ficus benghalensis), is considered a symbol of immortality and is mentioned in many Indian myths and legends. This self-renewing plant is India’s national tree. The tree can grow up to several hectares using its prop roots, which grow down from the tree trunk into woody structures.
The Japanese engineers found an ingenious way to make the best use of the available space when they built the exit of the Hanshin Highway through the Gate Tower building in Fukushima-ku, Osaka. The exit passes between the fifth and seventh floors of the building. The elevators pass through these floors without stopping. There is…
Ada Lovelace, the English mathematician and daughter of Lord Byron, was chiefly known for her work on Charles Babbage’s analytical machine, or the computer. She worked on the engine with notes of her own, which are recognized today as the world’s first computer programme.
A cryovolcano shoots up cold liquid instead of lava. This cold liquid known as cryomagma is a mixture of water and methane or ammonia. The cryomagma becomes solid as soon as it hits the surface. Cryovolcanoes are found on icy moons. The Sotra Facula volcano on Titan, the moon of Saturn, is a dormant cryovolcano.
The world’s only underwater post office is located in the Hideaway Island marine sanctuary in the Republic of Vanuatu. Situated in the South Pacific, the post office is 50 metres offshore and three metres below the water surface. Divers and snorkelers can post special ‘waterproof postcards’ from this post office. If snorkelers find it difficult…
