Centaurea is a genus of over 700 species of herbaceous thistle-like flowering plants in the family Asteraceae. Members of the genus are found only north of the equator, mostly in the Eastern Hemisphere; the Middle East and surrounding regions are particularly species-rich. In the western United States, yellow starthistles are an invasive species. Around the year 1850, seeds from the plant had arrived to the state of California. It is believed that those seeds came from South America.

Common names

Common names for this genus are centaury, centory, starthistles, knapweeds, centaureas and the more ambiguous "bluets"; a vernacular name used for these plants in parts of England is "loggerheads" (common knapweed). The Plectocephalus group – possibly a distinct genus – is known as basketflowers. "Cornflower" is used for a few species, but that term more often specifically means either C. cyanus (the annual cornflower) or Centaurea montana (the perennial cornflower). The common name "centaury" is sometimes used, although this also refers to the unrelated plant genus Centaurium.

The name is said to be in reference to Chiron, the centaur of Greek mythology who discovered medicinal uses of a plant eventually called "centaury".

Description

Knapweeds are robust weedy plants. Their leaves, spiny in some species, are usually deeply divided into elongated lobes at least in the plants' lower part, becoming entire towards the top. The "flowers" (actually pseudanthium inflorescences) are diverse in colour, ranging from intense blues, reds and yellows to any mixture of these and lighter shades towards white. Often, the disk flowers are much darker or lighter than the ray flowers, which also differ in morphology and are sterile. Each pseudanthium sits atop a cup- or basket-like cluster of scaly bracts, hence the name "basketflowers". Many species, in particular those inhabiting more arid regions, have a long and strong taproot.

Certain knapweeds have a tendency to dominate large stretches of landscape together with a few other plants, typically one or two grasses and as many other large herbaceous plants. The common knapweed (C. nigra) for example is plentiful in the mesotrophic grasslands of England and nearby regions. It is most prominently found in pastures or meadows dominated by cock's-foot (Dactylis glomerata) as well as either of crested dog's-tail (Cynosurus cristatus) and false oat-grass (Arrhenatherum elatius). It is also often found in mesotrophic grassland on rendzinas and similar calcareous soils in association with glaucous sedge (Carex flacca), sheep's fescue (Festuca ovina), and either tor-grass (Brachypodium pinnatum) and rough hawkbit (Leontodon hispidus), or upright brome (Bromus erectus). In these grasslands, greater knapweed (C. scabiosa) is found much more rarely by comparison, often in association with red fescue (Festuca rubra) in addition to cock's-foot and false oat-grass.

Due to their habit of dominating ecosystems under good conditions, many Centaurea species can become invasive weeds in regions where they are not native. In parts of North America, diffuse knapweed (C. diffusa), spotted knapweed (C. maculosa) and yellow starthistle (C. solstitialis) cause severe problems in agriculture due to their uncontrolled spread. The seeds are typically transported by human traffic, in particular the tires of all-terrain vehicles. The two knapweeds are harmful mainly because they are strongly allelopathic, producing powerful toxins in their roots that stunt the growth of plants around them not adapted to this. Yellow starthistle, meanwhile, is inedible to most livestock due to its spines and apparently outright poisonous to horses and other equines. However, efficient methods of biological control by insect pests of these weeds have been developed; the knapweeds can also exploited to their detriment by targeted grazing. Controlled burning may also be used, though the timing is important to avoid the plants having seeded already, and neither allowing sufficient time for them to regrow from the rootstock.

Yet other species of Centaurea – mostly ones that occur between Italy and the Caucasus – are endemics of a single island or valley, and some of these are endangered. The Akamas Centaurea (Centaurea akamantis) of Cyprus is almost extinct, while the western Caucasus endemics C. leptophylla and C. straminicephala are at least very rare and C. hedgei and C. pecho from the same region are certainly not abundant either. The last four species would be adversely affected by the proposed Yusufeli Dam, which might actually destroy enough habitat to push the two rarer ones over the brink of extinction.

Centaurea are copious nectar producers, especially on high-lime soils. The high nectar yield of the genus makes it very attractive to insects such as butterflies – including the endangered Karner blue (Plebejus melissa samuelis) which visits introduced spotted knapweed – and day-flying moths – typically Zygaenidae, such as Zygaena loti or the six-spot burnet (Z. filipendulae). The larvae of some other Lepidoptera species use Centaurea species as food plants; see List of Lepidoptera that feed on Centaurea. Several of these are used in biological control of invasive knapweeds and starthistles.

Larvae of several true weevils (Curculionidae) of the subfamily Lixinae also feed on Centaurea. Some genera – such as Larinus whose larval food is flowerheads – have many species especially adapted to particular knapweeds or starthistle and are used in biological control too. These include the yellow starthistle flower weevil (L. curtus) for yellow starthistle, lesser knapweed flower weevil (L. minutus) for diffuse knapweed and blunt knapweed flower weevil (L. obtusus) for spotted knapweed. Broad-nosed seedhead weevil (Bangasternus fausti) larvae eat diffuse, spotted and squarrose knapweed (C. virgata ssp. squarrosa), while those of the yellow starthistle bud weevil (B. orientalis) do not seem to live on anything other than yellow starthistle and occasionally purple starthistle (C. calcitrapa). But perhaps most efficient in destroying developing yellow starthistle seedheads is the larva of the yellow starthistle hairy weevil (Eustenopus villosus). Knapweed root weevil (Cyphocleonus achates) larvae bore into the roots of spotted and to a lesser extentely diffuse knapweed, sometimes killing off the entire plant.

Also used in biological control are Tephritidae (peacock flies) whose larvae feed on Centaurea. Knapweed peacock fly (Chaetorellia acrolophi) larvae eat spotted knapweed and some other species. The yellow starthistle peacock fly (C. australis) has an initial generation each year which often uses cornflower (C. cyanus) as larval food; later generations switch to yellow starthistle. The flies are generally considered less efficient in destroying the growing seedheads than the weevils, but may be superior under certain conditions; employing flies and weevils in combination is expensive and does not noticeably increase their effect.

Use by humans

Although the genus may be considered by a quite significant number of relatively informed individuals to have an overall negative impact on human interests, particularly agricultural interests, the situation is not straightforward enough to simply declare the genus, or, at least, its most aggressively-spreading species, altogether negative. For instance, due to their moderate to high nectar production, which can occur over a comparatively long duration, many species of Centaurea are popular food sources for insects that may otherwise attack certain crops.[citation needed] It may be advisable for some types of farms to allow certain species in this genus, such as cornflower (C. cyanus) in a European setting, to grow adjacent to fields. Although they support and attract many types of beneficial life (not just beetles), these areas are known as beetle banks. When they are present, some pests may be drawn away from crops to them and predatory insects and arachnids that feed upon pest insects will be better-supported by these more naturalized areas. They additionally have the beneficial aspect of supporting pollinators, unlike many field crops such as maize. Moreover, being untreated with pesticides and providing more diversity, plants growing in more wild areas adjacent to farms produce more insects that attract and support birds which can also feed on pests that would harm crops. Insect production is especially high for beetle banks that have enough plants that serve in the role of host plant for immature insects, rather than just in the roles of adult food and/or shelter provision.

Some plants which are considered invasive or problematic in certain areas can have beneficial qualities that outweigh their negative qualities from a human and/or human agricultural point of view, although this sometimes requires some human management – particularly if adequate biological control has not been established for the more aggressive species. An example is wild parsnip, Pastinaca sativa, which produces florets that feed predatory (and other beneficial) insects as well as large tubular stems that provide winter shelter for native bees, wasps, and other organisms that can be beneficial for agriculture. The plant is considered invasive in some areas of the United States and is also often considered undesirable due to its ability to cause contact skin irritation. However, it also serves as a host plant for the black swallowtail butterfly, helps to bring nutrients up from soils with its deep taproot, and possesses evergreen foliage even in climate zones such as US zone 6. This foliage increases soil warmth and moisture which can be beneficial for certain types of life. Perhaps the most dramatic example of a generally disliked plant's beneficial qualities being usually overlooked is the often-despised ragwort, Jacobaea vulgaris, which topped the list by a large amount for nectar production in a UK study, with a production per floral unit of (2921 ± 448μg). This very high nectar production, coupled with its early blooming period, makes the plant helpful for the establishment of bee colonies in spring — a period that is often not well-served by commercial flower meadow seed mixes. It also has the situationally-beneficial quality of being a spring ephemeral, as well as an annual that lacks difficult-to-combat roots. Plants that provide necessary structural supports for invertebrate and small vertebrate predators can help to keep overall pest populations low.

The abundant nectar produced by C. solstitialis flowers attracts many pollinators. This is another reason for the success of the (situationally) highly invasive species. Due to genetic differences related to evolutionary adaption, not all members of Centaurea produce the same amount of nectar. Growing conditions, such as climate and soil, can have a very strong impact, even if the plants grow and flower. For instance, cornflower plants, Centaurea cyanus, produced 33% less seasonal nectar than Centaurea nigra in a UK study. C. nigra also ranked higher than ragwort in another UK study, although ragwort was still in the top 10 for yearly nectar production. The strong nectar production of certain members of the genus can be exploited to the farmer's advantage, possibly in combination with biological control. In particular, the yellow starthistle (C. solstitialis) as well as spotted knapweed (C. maculosa) are major honey plants for beekeepers. Monofloral honey from these plants is light and slightly tangy, and one of the finest honeys produced in the United States – due to its better availability, it is even fraudulently relabeled and sold as the scarce and expensive sourwood honey of the Appalachian Mountains. Placing beehives near stands of Centaurea will cause increased pollination. As most seedheads fail however when biocontrol pests have established themselves, the plants will bloom ever more abundantly in an attempt to replace the destroyed seedheads, to the point where they exhaust their resources in providing food for the pests (seeds), bees (pollen) and humans (honey). Output of allelopathic compounds is also liable to be reduced under such conditions – the plant has to compromise between allocating energy to reproduction and defense. This renders the weeds more likely to be suppressed by native vegetation or crops in the following years, especially if properly timed controlled burning[5] and/or targeted grazing by suitable livestock are also employed. While yellow starthistle and perhaps other species are toxic to equines, some other livestock may eat the non-spiny knapweeds with relish. In Europe, common knapweed (C. nigra) and globe knapweed (C. macrocephala) are locally important pollen sources for honeybees in mid-late summer.

8-Hydroxyquinoline has been identified as a main allelopathic compound produced by diffuse knapweed (C. diffusa); native North American plants are typically sensitive to it, while those of Eastern Europe and Asia Minor usually have coevolved with the knapweed and are little harmed if at all, aided by native microorganisms that break down or even feed on the abundantly secreted compound. Thus, 8-hydroxyquinoline is potentially useful to control American plants that have become invasive weeds in the diffuse knapweed's native range.

Arctiin, found in C. imperialis, has shown anticancer activity in laboratory studies. The roots of the long-lost C. foliosa, an endemic of Hatay Province (Turkey), are used in folk medicine, and other species are presumably too. A South Italian variety[verification needed] of the purple starthistle (C. calcitrapa) is traditionally consumed by ethnic Albanians (Arbëreshë people) in the Vulture area (southern Italy); e.g. in the Arbëreshë communities in Lucania the young whorls of C. calcitrapa are boiled and fried in mixtures with other weedy non-cultivated greens. According to research by the Michael Heinrich group at the Centre for Pharmacognosy and Phytotherapy (School of Pharmacy, University of London) "the antioxidant activity [...] of the young whorls of Centaurea calcitrapa, both in the DPPH and in the lipid peroxidation inhibition assays, [is] very interesting and [the] species should be investigated phytochemically and biochemically focusing on these properties". Extracts from C. calcitrapa were furthermore found to have significant xanthine oxidase (XO)-inhibiting activity.

Spotted knapweed as well as other species are rich in cnicin, a bitter compound found mainly in the leaves and often used to flavor the digestif amaro. In western Crete, Greece a local variety[verification needed] of C. calcitrapa called gourounaki (γουρουνάκι "little pig") also has its leaves eaten boiled by the locals. In the same island an endemic local species, C. idaea called katsoula (κατσούλα), tsita (τσίτα) or aspragatha (ασπραγκάθα), has its leaves eaten boiled by the locals too.

Some species are cultivated as ornamental plants in gardens. As regards other aspects of popular culture, cornflower (C. cyanus) is the floral emblem of Östergötland province (Sweden) – where is it called blåklint, literally "blue mountain" – and of Päijänne Tavastia region in Finland, where it is known as ruiskaunokki ("rye-beaks") or ruiskukka ("rye-flower"). It is also the national flower of Estonia where its local name rukkilill means "rye-lily", Belarus where it is called vałoška (Belarusian: валошка), and one of those of Germany where it is called Kornblume ("cornflower"). The origin of the name "caltrop" for the ancient low-tech area denial weapon is probably in some way connected with C. calcitrapa and its spiny seeds. This plant is attested to by the colloquial name "caltrop" at a time when the weapons were still called by their Roman name tribulus. Lastly, the color cornflower blue is named after C. cyanus. Cornflower is also used as a cut flower.

As namesake member of the subtribe Centaureinae of tribe Cardueae, the knapweeds are probably most closely related to genera such as Carthamus (distaff thistles), Cnicus (blessed thistle), Crupina (crupinas) or Notobasis (Syrian thistle), and somewhat less closely to most other thistles. The monotypic Cnicus seems in fact to properly belong in Centaurea.

Research in the late 20th century shows that Centaurea as traditionally defined is polyphyletic. A number of 19th- and 20th-century efforts to reorganize the genus were not successful, and it is not yet clear what the consequences of the recent research will be for classification of this genus and other related genera. The type species C. centaurium stands somewhat apart from the main lineage of knapweeds and thus the taxonomic consequences of a rearrangement might be severe, with hundreds of species needing to be moved to new genera. It has thus been proposed to change the type species to one of the main lineages to avoid this problem. What seems certain however is that the basketflowers – presently treated as a section Plectocephalus – will be reinstated as a distinct genus in the near future. The rock-centauries (Cheirolophus), formerly usually included in Centaurea, are now already treated as separate genus.

Better-known Centaurea species include:

Centaurea acaulis

Centaurea adpressa

Centaurea aegyptiaca

Centaurea aeolica

Centaurea aggregata

Centaurea akamantis – Akamas centaurea

Centaurea alba

Centaurea albonitens Turrill

Centaurea alpestris

Centaurea alpina

Centaurea ambigua

Centaurea amblyolepis

Centaurea americana – American basketflower, American starthistle

Centaurea ammocyanus

Centaurea antennata Dufour

Centaurea antiochia Boiss.

Centaurea aplolepa

Centaurea aplolepa subsp. carueliana

Centaurea appendicigera C.Koch

Centaurea argentea

Centaurea ascalonica

Centaurea aspera L. – rough starthistle

Centaurea atacamensis (Reiche) I.M.Johnst.

Centaurea atropurpurea

Centaurea ×aurata

Centaurea babylonica L.

Centaurea balsamita

Centaurea behen L. – ak behmen (Turkish)

Centaurea bella

Centaurea benedicta – Cnicus

Centaurea bieberseinii

Centaurea borjae

Centaurea bovina

Centaurea bracteata

Centaurea brevifimbriata Hub.-Mor.

Centaurea bulbosa

Centaurea busambarensis Guss.

Centaurea cachinalensis

Centaurea calcitrapa – purple starthistle, red starthistle, "caltrop"

Centaurea calcitrapoides

Centaurea cariensis Boiss.

Centaurea cariensiformis Hub.-Mor.

Centaurea caroli-henrici Gabrieljan & Dittrich

Centaurea centaurium L.

Centaurea chilensis

Centaurea cineraria – velvet centaurea, dusty miller

Centaurea clementei

Centaurea collina L.

Centaurea corymbosa

Centaurea crithmifolia

Centaurea crocodylium

Centaurea cyanoides J.Berggr. & Wahlenb.

Centaurea cyanus – cornflower, bachelor's button, boutonniere flower, hurtsickle, bluebottle, basketflower

Centaurea damascena

Centaurea debeauxii Gren. & Godr.

Centaurea demirizii Wagenitz

Centaurea depressa – low cornflower

Centaurea deusta

Centaurea diffusa – diffuse knapweed, white knapweed, tumble knapweed

Centaurea diluta – North African knapweed

Centaurea drabifolia Sm.

Centaurea drabifolioides Hub.-Mor.

Centaurea dschungarica

Centaurea emilae Hüseynova et Qaraxani[13]

Centaurea eriophora

Centaurea eryngioides

Centaurea filiformis

Centaurea fischeri Willd.

Centaurea floccosa

Centaurea foliosa Boiss. & Kotschy

Centaurea forojuliensis

Centaurea friderici Vis. – palagruška zečina (Croatian)

Centaurea gayana

Centaurea glaberrima Tausch

Centaurea glastifolia

Centaurea grinensis

Centaurea gymnocarpa

Centaurea haradjianii Wagenitz

Centaurea hedgei

Centaurea helenioides Boiss.

Centaurea hermannii F.Hermann

Centaurea horrida Badarò – fiordaliso spinoso (Italian)

Centaurea hyalolepis

Centaurea hypoleuca

Centaurea iberica – Iberian starthistle, Iberian knapweed

Centaurea idaea – katsoula, tsita (Cretan Greek)

Centaurea imperialis Hausskn. ex Bornm.

Centaurea jabukensis

Centaurea jacea – brown knapweed, brownray knapweed

Centaurea kasakorum

Centaurea kopetaghensis

Centaurea kotschyana Heuff.

Centaurea lanulata

Centaurea leptophylla

Centaurea leucophylla

Centaurea limbata

Centaurea lydia Boiss.

Centaurea macrocephala Puschk. ex Willd. – globe knapweed, Armenian basketflower

Centaurea maculosa – spotted knapweed (might belong in C. stoebe subsp. micranthos)

Centaurea mannagettae

Centaurea margaritalba Klok.

Centaurea marschalliana

Centaurea melitensis – Maltese starthistle; tocalote, tocolote (California)

Centaurea minor

Centaurea moschata – sweet sultan

Centaurea ×moncktonii C.E.Britton – meadow knapweed, protean knapweed (= C. ×pratensis Thuill non Salisb.)

Centaurea monocephala

Centaurea montana – montane knapweed, perennial cornflower, mountain cornflower, mountain bluet

Centaurea napifolia L. – fiordaliso romano (Italian)

Centaurea nervosa Rchb. ex Steud.

Centaurea nigra – common knapweed, black knapweed, lesser knapweed, hardheads

Centaurea nigrescens – Tyrol knapweed, short-fringed knapweed, Tyrol thistle

Centaurea nigrifimbria (C.Koch) Sosn.

Centaurea nivea (Bornm.) Wagenitz

Centaurea onopordifolia

Centaurea orientalis L.

Centaurea ornata Willd.

Centaurea ovina

Centaurea pallescens Delile

Centaurea paniculata L.

Centaurea parlatoris

Centaurea pecho

Centaurea phrygia – wig knapweed

Centaurea pindicola

Centaurea polypodiifolia

Centaurea ×pratensis Salisb. (C. jacea × C. nigra) – meadow knapweed

Centaurea procurrens

Centaurea ×psammogena G.Gayer. (C. diffusa × C. stoebe subsp. micranthos)

Centaurea pseudocaerulescens

Centaurea pseudophrygia C.A.Mey.

Centaurea pulcherrima Willd.

Centaurea pullata L.

Centaurea pumilio

Centaurea ragusina L.

Centaurea rigida

Centaurea rothrockii Greenm. – Mexican basketflower, Rothrock's basketflower, Rothrock's knapweed

Centaurea ruthenica

Centaurea rutifolia Sm.

Centaurea sadleriana – Pannonian knapweed

Centaurea salicifolia Bieb. ex Willd.

Centaurea scabiosa – greater knapweed

Centaurea scannensis

Centaurea scoparia

Centaurea scopulorum Boiss. & Heldr.

Centaurea seguenzae

Centaurea seridis L.

Centaurea sibirica

Centaurea simplicicaulis

Centaurea sinaica

Centaurea solstitialis – yellow starthistle, golden starthistle, yellow cockspur, St. Barnaby's thistle, Barnaby thistle

Centaurea speciosa

Centaurea sphaerocephala L.

Centaurea stenolepis

Centaurea stoebe L.

Centaurea stoebe subsp. micranthos (Gugler) Hayek

Centaurea straminicephala

Centaurea sulphurea – Sicilian starthistle

Centaurea tauromenitana Guss.

Centaurea tenoreana

Centaurea tommasinii

Centaurea transalpina Schleich. ex DC.

Centaurea tchihatcheffii — yanardöner (Turkish)

Centaurea trichocephala Bieb. ex Willd. – featherhead knapweed

Centaurea triniifolia

Centaurea triumfettii All.

Centaurea ucriae Lacaita

Centaurea uniflora Turra

Centaurea verbascifolia Vahl

Centaurea verutum L.

Centaurea virgata

Centaurea virgata subsp. squarrosa – squarrose knapweed

Centaurea wiedemanniana Fisch. & Mey.

Centaurea yozgatensis Wagenitz

Formerly placed here

Plant species placed in Centaurea in former times include:

Acroptilon repens – Russian knapweed (as C. repens)

Cheirolophus crassifolius – Maltese rock-centaury (as C. crassifolia, C. spathulata)

Femeniasia balearica (as C. balearica)

Volutaria muricata (as C. muricata)

Hamburg, Germany. 2008 to 2016.

Taken on 135, color negative film.

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Technical Notes: Minolta XD7. The film emulsion was probably Rossmann's house brand of a ASA400 film, made in Japan, likely relabeled Fuji film sold under the Rossmann brand. This film does not exist anymore. Scanned on a PrimeFilm XAs in RAW with VueScan Pro, then processed in Lightroom with Negative Lab Pro.

Centaurea is a genus of over 700 species of herbaceous thistle-like flowering plants in the family Asteraceae. Members of the genus are found only north of the equator, mostly in the Eastern Hemisphere; the Middle East and surrounding regions are particularly species-rich. In the western United States, yellow starthistles are an invasive species. Around the year 1850, seeds from the plant had arrived to the state of California. It is believed that those seeds came from South America.

Common names

Common names for this genus are centaury, centory, starthistles, knapweeds, centaureas and the more ambiguous "bluets"; a vernacular name used for these plants in parts of England is "loggerheads" (common knapweed). The Plectocephalus group – possibly a distinct genus – is known as basketflowers. "Cornflower" is used for a few species, but that term more often specifically means either C. cyanus (the annual cornflower) or Centaurea montana (the perennial cornflower). The common name "centaury" is sometimes used, although this also refers to the unrelated plant genus Centaurium.

The name is said to be in reference to Chiron, the centaur of Greek mythology who discovered medicinal uses of a plant eventually called "centaury".

Description

Knapweeds are robust weedy plants. Their leaves, spiny in some species, are usually deeply divided into elongated lobes at least in the plants' lower part, becoming entire towards the top. The "flowers" (actually pseudanthium inflorescences) are diverse in colour, ranging from intense blues, reds and yellows to any mixture of these and lighter shades towards white. Often, the disk flowers are much darker or lighter than the ray flowers, which also differ in morphology and are sterile. Each pseudanthium sits atop a cup- or basket-like cluster of scaly bracts, hence the name "basketflowers". Many species, in particular those inhabiting more arid regions, have a long and strong taproot.

Certain knapweeds have a tendency to dominate large stretches of landscape together with a few other plants, typically one or two grasses and as many other large herbaceous plants. The common knapweed (C. nigra) for example is plentiful in the mesotrophic grasslands of England and nearby regions. It is most prominently found in pastures or meadows dominated by cock's-foot (Dactylis glomerata) as well as either of crested dog's-tail (Cynosurus cristatus) and false oat-grass (Arrhenatherum elatius). It is also often found in mesotrophic grassland on rendzinas and similar calcareous soils in association with glaucous sedge (Carex flacca), sheep's fescue (Festuca ovina), and either tor-grass (Brachypodium pinnatum) and rough hawkbit (Leontodon hispidus), or upright brome (Bromus erectus). In these grasslands, greater knapweed (C. scabiosa) is found much more rarely by comparison, often in association with red fescue (Festuca rubra) in addition to cock's-foot and false oat-grass.

Due to their habit of dominating ecosystems under good conditions, many Centaurea species can become invasive weeds in regions where they are not native. In parts of North America, diffuse knapweed (C. diffusa), spotted knapweed (C. maculosa) and yellow starthistle (C. solstitialis) cause severe problems in agriculture due to their uncontrolled spread. The seeds are typically transported by human traffic, in particular the tires of all-terrain vehicles. The two knapweeds are harmful mainly because they are strongly allelopathic, producing powerful toxins in their roots that stunt the growth of plants around them not adapted to this. Yellow starthistle, meanwhile, is inedible to most livestock due to its spines and apparently outright poisonous to horses and other equines. However, efficient methods of biological control by insect pests of these weeds have been developed; the knapweeds can also exploited to their detriment by targeted grazing. Controlled burning may also be used, though the timing is important to avoid the plants having seeded already, and neither allowing sufficient time for them to regrow from the rootstock.

Yet other species of Centaurea – mostly ones that occur between Italy and the Caucasus – are endemics of a single island or valley, and some of these are endangered. The Akamas Centaurea (Centaurea akamantis) of Cyprus is almost extinct, while the western Caucasus endemics C. leptophylla and C. straminicephala are at least very rare and C. hedgei and C. pecho from the same region are certainly not abundant either. The last four species would be adversely affected by the proposed Yusufeli Dam, which might actually destroy enough habitat to push the two rarer ones over the brink of extinction.

Centaurea are copious nectar producers, especially on high-lime soils. The high nectar yield of the genus makes it very attractive to insects such as butterflies – including the endangered Karner blue (Plebejus melissa samuelis) which visits introduced spotted knapweed – and day-flying moths – typically Zygaenidae, such as Zygaena loti or the six-spot burnet (Z. filipendulae). The larvae of some other Lepidoptera species use Centaurea species as food plants; see List of Lepidoptera that feed on Centaurea. Several of these are used in biological control of invasive knapweeds and starthistles.

Larvae of several true weevils (Curculionidae) of the subfamily Lixinae also feed on Centaurea. Some genera – such as Larinus whose larval food is flowerheads – have many species especially adapted to particular knapweeds or starthistle and are used in biological control too. These include the yellow starthistle flower weevil (L. curtus) for yellow starthistle, lesser knapweed flower weevil (L. minutus) for diffuse knapweed and blunt knapweed flower weevil (L. obtusus) for spotted knapweed. Broad-nosed seedhead weevil (Bangasternus fausti) larvae eat diffuse, spotted and squarrose knapweed (C. virgata ssp. squarrosa), while those of the yellow starthistle bud weevil (B. orientalis) do not seem to live on anything other than yellow starthistle and occasionally purple starthistle (C. calcitrapa). But perhaps most efficient in destroying developing yellow starthistle seedheads is the larva of the yellow starthistle hairy weevil (Eustenopus villosus). Knapweed root weevil (Cyphocleonus achates) larvae bore into the roots of spotted and to a lesser extentely diffuse knapweed, sometimes killing off the entire plant.

Also used in biological control are Tephritidae (peacock flies) whose larvae feed on Centaurea. Knapweed peacock fly (Chaetorellia acrolophi) larvae eat spotted knapweed and some other species. The yellow starthistle peacock fly (C. australis) has an initial generation each year which often uses cornflower (C. cyanus) as larval food; later generations switch to yellow starthistle. The flies are generally considered less efficient in destroying the growing seedheads than the weevils, but may be superior under certain conditions; employing flies and weevils in combination is expensive and does not noticeably increase their effect.

Use by humans

Although the genus may be considered by a quite significant number of relatively informed individuals to have an overall negative impact on human interests, particularly agricultural interests, the situation is not straightforward enough to simply declare the genus, or, at least, its most aggressively-spreading species, altogether negative. For instance, due to their moderate to high nectar production, which can occur over a comparatively long duration, many species of Centaurea are popular food sources for insects that may otherwise attack certain crops.[citation needed] It may be advisable for some types of farms to allow certain species in this genus, such as cornflower (C. cyanus) in a European setting, to grow adjacent to fields. Although they support and attract many types of beneficial life (not just beetles), these areas are known as beetle banks. When they are present, some pests may be drawn away from crops to them and predatory insects and arachnids that feed upon pest insects will be better-supported by these more naturalized areas. They additionally have the beneficial aspect of supporting pollinators, unlike many field crops such as maize. Moreover, being untreated with pesticides and providing more diversity, plants growing in more wild areas adjacent to farms produce more insects that attract and support birds which can also feed on pests that would harm crops. Insect production is especially high for beetle banks that have enough plants that serve in the role of host plant for immature insects, rather than just in the roles of adult food and/or shelter provision.

Some plants which are considered invasive or problematic in certain areas can have beneficial qualities that outweigh their negative qualities from a human and/or human agricultural point of view, although this sometimes requires some human management – particularly if adequate biological control has not been established for the more aggressive species. An example is wild parsnip, Pastinaca sativa, which produces florets that feed predatory (and other beneficial) insects as well as large tubular stems that provide winter shelter for native bees, wasps, and other organisms that can be beneficial for agriculture. The plant is considered invasive in some areas of the United States and is also often considered undesirable due to its ability to cause contact skin irritation. However, it also serves as a host plant for the black swallowtail butterfly, helps to bring nutrients up from soils with its deep taproot, and possesses evergreen foliage even in climate zones such as US zone 6. This foliage increases soil warmth and moisture which can be beneficial for certain types of life. Perhaps the most dramatic example of a generally disliked plant's beneficial qualities being usually overlooked is the often-despised ragwort, Jacobaea vulgaris, which topped the list by a large amount for nectar production in a UK study, with a production per floral unit of (2921 ± 448μg). This very high nectar production, coupled with its early blooming period, makes the plant helpful for the establishment of bee colonies in spring — a period that is often not well-served by commercial flower meadow seed mixes. It also has the situationally-beneficial quality of being a spring ephemeral, as well as an annual that lacks difficult-to-combat roots. Plants that provide necessary structural supports for invertebrate and small vertebrate predators can help to keep overall pest populations low.

The abundant nectar produced by C. solstitialis flowers attracts many pollinators. This is another reason for the success of the (situationally) highly invasive species. Due to genetic differences related to evolutionary adaption, not all members of Centaurea produce the same amount of nectar. Growing conditions, such as climate and soil, can have a very strong impact, even if the plants grow and flower. For instance, cornflower plants, Centaurea cyanus, produced 33% less seasonal nectar than Centaurea nigra in a UK study. C. nigra also ranked higher than ragwort in another UK study, although ragwort was still in the top 10 for yearly nectar production. The strong nectar production of certain members of the genus can be exploited to the farmer's advantage, possibly in combination with biological control. In particular, the yellow starthistle (C. solstitialis) as well as spotted knapweed (C. maculosa) are major honey plants for beekeepers. Monofloral honey from these plants is light and slightly tangy, and one of the finest honeys produced in the United States – due to its better availability, it is even fraudulently relabeled and sold as the scarce and expensive sourwood honey of the Appalachian Mountains. Placing beehives near stands of Centaurea will cause increased pollination. As most seedheads fail however when biocontrol pests have established themselves, the plants will bloom ever more abundantly in an attempt to replace the destroyed seedheads, to the point where they exhaust their resources in providing food for the pests (seeds), bees (pollen) and humans (honey). Output of allelopathic compounds is also liable to be reduced under such conditions – the plant has to compromise between allocating energy to reproduction and defense. This renders the weeds more likely to be suppressed by native vegetation or crops in the following years, especially if properly timed controlled burning[5] and/or targeted grazing by suitable livestock are also employed. While yellow starthistle and perhaps other species are toxic to equines, some other livestock may eat the non-spiny knapweeds with relish. In Europe, common knapweed (C. nigra) and globe knapweed (C. macrocephala) are locally important pollen sources for honeybees in mid-late summer.

8-Hydroxyquinoline has been identified as a main allelopathic compound produced by diffuse knapweed (C. diffusa); native North American plants are typically sensitive to it, while those of Eastern Europe and Asia Minor usually have coevolved with the knapweed and are little harmed if at all, aided by native microorganisms that break down or even feed on the abundantly secreted compound. Thus, 8-hydroxyquinoline is potentially useful to control American plants that have become invasive weeds in the diffuse knapweed's native range.

Arctiin, found in C. imperialis, has shown anticancer activity in laboratory studies. The roots of the long-lost C. foliosa, an endemic of Hatay Province (Turkey), are used in folk medicine, and other species are presumably too. A South Italian variety[verification needed] of the purple starthistle (C. calcitrapa) is traditionally consumed by ethnic Albanians (Arbëreshë people) in the Vulture area (southern Italy); e.g. in the Arbëreshë communities in Lucania the young whorls of C. calcitrapa are boiled and fried in mixtures with other weedy non-cultivated greens. According to research by the Michael Heinrich group at the Centre for Pharmacognosy and Phytotherapy (School of Pharmacy, University of London) "the antioxidant activity [...] of the young whorls of Centaurea calcitrapa, both in the DPPH and in the lipid peroxidation inhibition assays, [is] very interesting and [the] species should be investigated phytochemically and biochemically focusing on these properties". Extracts from C. calcitrapa were furthermore found to have significant xanthine oxidase (XO)-inhibiting activity.

Spotted knapweed as well as other species are rich in cnicin, a bitter compound found mainly in the leaves and often used to flavor the digestif amaro. In western Crete, Greece a local variety[verification needed] of C. calcitrapa called gourounaki (γουρουνάκι "little pig") also has its leaves eaten boiled by the locals. In the same island an endemic local species, C. idaea called katsoula (κατσούλα), tsita (τσίτα) or aspragatha (ασπραγκάθα), has its leaves eaten boiled by the locals too.

Some species are cultivated as ornamental plants in gardens. As regards other aspects of popular culture, cornflower (C. cyanus) is the floral emblem of Östergötland province (Sweden) – where is it called blåklint, literally "blue mountain" – and of Päijänne Tavastia region in Finland, where it is known as ruiskaunokki ("rye-beaks") or ruiskukka ("rye-flower"). It is also the national flower of Estonia where its local name rukkilill means "rye-lily", Belarus where it is called vałoška (Belarusian: валошка), and one of those of Germany where it is called Kornblume ("cornflower"). The origin of the name "caltrop" for the ancient low-tech area denial weapon is probably in some way connected with C. calcitrapa and its spiny seeds. This plant is attested to by the colloquial name "caltrop" at a time when the weapons were still called by their Roman name tribulus. Lastly, the color cornflower blue is named after C. cyanus. Cornflower is also used as a cut flower.

As namesake member of the subtribe Centaureinae of tribe Cardueae, the knapweeds are probably most closely related to genera such as Carthamus (distaff thistles), Cnicus (blessed thistle), Crupina (crupinas) or Notobasis (Syrian thistle), and somewhat less closely to most other thistles. The monotypic Cnicus seems in fact to properly belong in Centaurea.

Research in the late 20th century shows that Centaurea as traditionally defined is polyphyletic. A number of 19th- and 20th-century efforts to reorganize the genus were not successful, and it is not yet clear what the consequences of the recent research will be for classification of this genus and other related genera. The type species C. centaurium stands somewhat apart from the main lineage of knapweeds and thus the taxonomic consequences of a rearrangement might be severe, with hundreds of species needing to be moved to new genera. It has thus been proposed to change the type species to one of the main lineages to avoid this problem. What seems certain however is that the basketflowers – presently treated as a section Plectocephalus – will be reinstated as a distinct genus in the near future. The rock-centauries (Cheirolophus), formerly usually included in Centaurea, are now already treated as separate genus.

Better-known Centaurea species include:

Centaurea acaulis

Centaurea adpressa

Centaurea aegyptiaca

Centaurea aeolica

Centaurea aggregata

Centaurea akamantis – Akamas centaurea

Centaurea alba

Centaurea albonitens Turrill

Centaurea alpestris

Centaurea alpina

Centaurea ambigua

Centaurea amblyolepis

Centaurea americana – American basketflower, American starthistle

Centaurea ammocyanus

Centaurea antennata Dufour

Centaurea antiochia Boiss.

Centaurea aplolepa

Centaurea aplolepa subsp. carueliana

Centaurea appendicigera C.Koch

Centaurea argentea

Centaurea ascalonica

Centaurea aspera L. – rough starthistle

Centaurea atacamensis (Reiche) I.M.Johnst.

Centaurea atropurpurea

Centaurea ×aurata

Centaurea babylonica L.

Centaurea balsamita

Centaurea behen L. – ak behmen (Turkish)

Centaurea bella

Centaurea benedicta – Cnicus

Centaurea bieberseinii

Centaurea borjae

Centaurea bovina

Centaurea bracteata

Centaurea brevifimbriata Hub.-Mor.

Centaurea bulbosa

Centaurea busambarensis Guss.

Centaurea cachinalensis

Centaurea calcitrapa – purple starthistle, red starthistle, "caltrop"

Centaurea calcitrapoides

Centaurea cariensis Boiss.

Centaurea cariensiformis Hub.-Mor.

Centaurea caroli-henrici Gabrieljan & Dittrich

Centaurea centaurium L.

Centaurea chilensis

Centaurea cineraria – velvet centaurea, dusty miller

Centaurea clementei

Centaurea collina L.

Centaurea corymbosa

Centaurea crithmifolia

Centaurea crocodylium

Centaurea cyanoides J.Berggr. & Wahlenb.

Centaurea cyanus – cornflower, bachelor's button, boutonniere flower, hurtsickle, bluebottle, basketflower

Centaurea damascena

Centaurea debeauxii Gren. & Godr.

Centaurea demirizii Wagenitz

Centaurea depressa – low cornflower

Centaurea deusta

Centaurea diffusa – diffuse knapweed, white knapweed, tumble knapweed

Centaurea diluta – North African knapweed

Centaurea drabifolia Sm.

Centaurea drabifolioides Hub.-Mor.

Centaurea dschungarica

Centaurea emilae Hüseynova et Qaraxani[13]

Centaurea eriophora

Centaurea eryngioides

Centaurea filiformis

Centaurea fischeri Willd.

Centaurea floccosa

Centaurea foliosa Boiss. & Kotschy

Centaurea forojuliensis

Centaurea friderici Vis. – palagruška zečina (Croatian)

Centaurea gayana

Centaurea glaberrima Tausch

Centaurea glastifolia

Centaurea grinensis

Centaurea gymnocarpa

Centaurea haradjianii Wagenitz

Centaurea hedgei

Centaurea helenioides Boiss.

Centaurea hermannii F.Hermann

Centaurea horrida Badarò – fiordaliso spinoso (Italian)

Centaurea hyalolepis

Centaurea hypoleuca

Centaurea iberica – Iberian starthistle, Iberian knapweed

Centaurea idaea – katsoula, tsita (Cretan Greek)

Centaurea imperialis Hausskn. ex Bornm.

Centaurea jabukensis

Centaurea jacea – brown knapweed, brownray knapweed

Centaurea kasakorum

Centaurea kopetaghensis

Centaurea kotschyana Heuff.

Centaurea lanulata

Centaurea leptophylla

Centaurea leucophylla

Centaurea limbata

Centaurea lydia Boiss.

Centaurea macrocephala Puschk. ex Willd. – globe knapweed, Armenian basketflower

Centaurea maculosa – spotted knapweed (might belong in C. stoebe subsp. micranthos)

Centaurea mannagettae

Centaurea margaritalba Klok.

Centaurea marschalliana

Centaurea melitensis – Maltese starthistle; tocalote, tocolote (California)

Centaurea minor

Centaurea moschata – sweet sultan

Centaurea ×moncktonii C.E.Britton – meadow knapweed, protean knapweed (= C. ×pratensis Thuill non Salisb.)

Centaurea monocephala

Centaurea montana – montane knapweed, perennial cornflower, mountain cornflower, mountain bluet

Centaurea napifolia L. – fiordaliso romano (Italian)

Centaurea nervosa Rchb. ex Steud.

Centaurea nigra – common knapweed, black knapweed, lesser knapweed, hardheads

Centaurea nigrescens – Tyrol knapweed, short-fringed knapweed, Tyrol thistle

Centaurea nigrifimbria (C.Koch) Sosn.

Centaurea nivea (Bornm.) Wagenitz

Centaurea onopordifolia

Centaurea orientalis L.

Centaurea ornata Willd.

Centaurea ovina

Centaurea pallescens Delile

Centaurea paniculata L.

Centaurea parlatoris

Centaurea pecho

Centaurea phrygia – wig knapweed

Centaurea pindicola

Centaurea polypodiifolia

Centaurea ×pratensis Salisb. (C. jacea × C. nigra) – meadow knapweed

Centaurea procurrens

Centaurea ×psammogena G.Gayer. (C. diffusa × C. stoebe subsp. micranthos)

Centaurea pseudocaerulescens

Centaurea pseudophrygia C.A.Mey.

Centaurea pulcherrima Willd.

Centaurea pullata L.

Centaurea pumilio

Centaurea ragusina L.

Centaurea rigida

Centaurea rothrockii Greenm. – Mexican basketflower, Rothrock's basketflower, Rothrock's knapweed

Centaurea ruthenica

Centaurea rutifolia Sm.

Centaurea sadleriana – Pannonian knapweed

Centaurea salicifolia Bieb. ex Willd.

Centaurea scabiosa – greater knapweed

Centaurea scannensis

Centaurea scoparia

Centaurea scopulorum Boiss. & Heldr.

Centaurea seguenzae

Centaurea seridis L.

Centaurea sibirica

Centaurea simplicicaulis

Centaurea sinaica

Centaurea solstitialis – yellow starthistle, golden starthistle, yellow cockspur, St. Barnaby's thistle, Barnaby thistle

Centaurea speciosa

Centaurea sphaerocephala L.

Centaurea stenolepis

Centaurea stoebe L.

Centaurea stoebe subsp. micranthos (Gugler) Hayek

Centaurea straminicephala

Centaurea sulphurea – Sicilian starthistle

Centaurea tauromenitana Guss.

Centaurea tenoreana

Centaurea tommasinii

Centaurea transalpina Schleich. ex DC.

Centaurea tchihatcheffii — yanardöner (Turkish)

Centaurea trichocephala Bieb. ex Willd. – featherhead knapweed

Centaurea triniifolia

Centaurea triumfettii All.

Centaurea ucriae Lacaita

Centaurea uniflora Turra

Centaurea verbascifolia Vahl

Centaurea verutum L.

Centaurea virgata

Centaurea virgata subsp. squarrosa – squarrose knapweed

Centaurea wiedemanniana Fisch. & Mey.

Centaurea yozgatensis Wagenitz

Formerly placed here

Plant species placed in Centaurea in former times include:

Acroptilon repens – Russian knapweed (as C. repens)

Cheirolophus crassifolius – Maltese rock-centaury (as C. crassifolia, C. spathulata)

Femeniasia balearica (as C. balearica)

Volutaria muricata (as C. muricata)

Hamburg, Germany. 2008 to 2016.

Taken on 135, color negative film.

--

Technical Notes: Minolta XD7. The film emulsion was probably Rossmann's house brand of a ASA400 film, made in Japan, likely relabeled Fuji film sold under the Rossmann brand. This film does not exist anymore. Scanned on a PrimeFilm XAs in RAW with VueScan Pro, then processed in Lightroom with Negative Lab Pro.

That's right! I have not included an apostrophe. Stick around. You'll get it.

I've answered the call to join a walk in the park on Mother's Day. I wouldn't have been unhappy with Mothers' Day. There is no cogent argument for us to not honour all mothers.

One of my companions, sharp-eyed and yet to be burdened by years, spotted this little thing… The tip is obscured so you can't see that it looks like a chrome-plated, industrial strength, military grade hypodermic. At a pinch, I'd say a dart, and using the giveaway comment on the label, one aimed at a kangaroo.

Before today we have discussed both the Eastern Grey Kangaroo population problem, and how a fenced enclosure works to amplify the issue.

Those of a sensitive disposition, and others inclined towards mischief have taken certain steps to frustrate the rational management of these sensitive grassy woodlands. Consequently the practical, cost effective and efficient lethal culling of Eastern Grey Kangaroos to return the population to a sustainable level has driven land managers down alternate pathways.

Just relocate them, they said, without describing how, or to where. Anyone tried herding cats? To herd a kangaroo, catch it and relocate it is traumatic and terrifying. I've seen the movie — like "Keystone Cops versus Skippy". Righto, we could have thought that through a little better — FAIL!

What about birth control? Kangaroo reproductive biology has evolved to be like a conveyor belt with four generations in various stages, all in play or on the way. They are built for boom and bust. Take away the predators, like here, and what you are left with, even without further recruitment to the population is a long lived unsustainable grazing pressure.

This thing is, in fact, a dart used in research on the effectiveness of an immunocontraceptive vaccine. I should have a chat to them about experimental design! All preceding research of which I am aware notes that the technology of vaccine delivery and vaccine effectiveness is inefficient; it doesn't hit 100 per cent of its targets, doesn't work in all instances and doesn't work forever. On top of that, it only reduces future population growth. The problem requiring a solution is existing overpopulation! A more effective methodology requires the land manager to perform a population reduction, then work to delay population growth. That hasn't happened here. The latest cull in this reserve was some time in the past — they are always done in Winter for reasons of prevention of cruelty to abandoned joeys when adult females are removed from the population. But this dart is dated in April meaning at best, it precedes the next cull. Potentially, the research subject could be removed when a planned cull takes place in this Winter…

Here's some numbers from the public record. One hundred and twenty females were removed here over the previous three years and forty eight were given the sometimes effective immunocontraceptive vaccine. Yes, thanks for asking, both red-necked and swamp wallabies have also had their populations reduced.

On we go, enjoying our walk, although now it seems to have been relabeled as Anti-mothers Day if you are an Eastern Grey Kangaroo with a bruised and wounded rump.

Hamburg, Germany. 2008 to 2016.

Taken on 135, color negative film.

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Technical Notes: Rollei 35 LED. The film emulsion was probably Rossmann's house brand of a ASA400 film, made in Japan, likely relabeled Fuji film sold under the Rossmann brand. This film does not exist anymore. Scanned on a PrimeFilm XAs in RAW with VueScan Pro, then processed in Lightroom with Negative Lab Pro.

Hamburg, Germany. 2008 to 2016.

Taken on 135, color negative film.

--

Technical Notes: Minolta XD7. The film emulsion was probably Rossmann's house brand of a ASA400 film, made in Japan, likely relabeled Fuji film sold under the Rossmann brand. This film does not exist anymore. Scanned on a PrimeFilm XAs in RAW with VueScan Pro, then processed in Lightroom with Negative Lab Pro.

Hamburg, Germany. 2008 to 2016.

Taken on 135, color negative film.

--

Technical Notes: Minolta XD7. The film emulsion was probably Rossmann's house brand of a ASA400 film, made in Japan, likely relabeled Fuji film sold under the Rossmann brand. This film does not exist anymore. Scanned on a PrimeFilm XAs in RAW with VueScan Pro, then processed in Lightroom with Negative Lab Pro.

Hamburg, Germany. 2008 to 2016.

Taken on 135, color negative film.

--

Technical Notes: Minolta XD7. The film emulsion was probably Rossmann's house brand of a ASA400 film, made in Japan, likely relabeled Fuji film sold under the Rossmann brand. This film does not exist anymore. Scanned on a PrimeFilm XAs in RAW with VueScan Pro, then processed in Lightroom with Negative Lab Pro.

Hamburg, Germany. 2008 to 2016.

Taken on 135, color negative film.

--

Technical Notes: Minolta XD7. The film emulsion was probably Rossmann's house brand of a ASA400 film, made in Japan, likely relabeled Fuji film sold under the Rossmann brand. This film does not exist anymore. Scanned on a PrimeFilm XAs in RAW with VueScan Pro, then processed in Lightroom with Negative Lab Pro.

The packaging was designed similar to the bread sleeve, where it is relabeled with a wrap/seal. The soup or salad will be in the containers and sealed with the new designed seal to prevent the lid from accidentally coming off, and to also indicate what sort of food is being delivered to the customer. The containers come in various sizes.

119 158 at the railroad festival in Berlin-Schöneweide.

In the second half of the 1970s, the GDR was in need of new diesel locomotives with more than 2000HP and an axle load of 16 metric tons. The logical choice would have been building more of the rather successful class 118 locomotives, but according to the Council for Mutual Economic Assistance, the GDR wasn't allowed to build locomotives this large. The logical choice would have been the soviet union, but their Class 120 "Taigatrommel" and Class 130 "Ludmilla" locomotives were just too heavy.

In the end, romanian FAUR was tasked with developing the 118 to the updated 119, which got the nickname "U-Boot" (submarine) thanks to the circular engine room windows.

The class was never well-loved. With 2700 HP it had plenty of power, but it had both conceptual and quality control issues, and at times 20-30% of them could be found in repair shops. After the german re-unification, when they got relabeled as 219, they weren't kept for extremely long anymore either. Some got rebuilt extensively as the new class 229, but this was way too expensive. This particular example was a second shot at modernizing them in 2003, with a new cab, modern Caterpillar engines and a digital destination display behind the windscreen, but ultimately there was no interest in that either. It now belongs to DB Museum, displaying its old number and paint scheme again.

Some examples are still used for MOW trains and the like. A further few are now museum locomotives or are owned by private companies. Last but not least, twelve got sold - back to Romania.

© Dennis Matthies

My photographs are copyrighted and may not be altered, printed, published in any media and/or format, or re-posted in other websites/blogs.

this image is actually meant to accompany/illustration the text description of www.flickr.com/photos/unicoherent/49396395953/

However, I will repeat that text description for you here as well:

I spent nearly 3 hours today (Jan 7th, 2020) finishing up a cross-stitch that I had been working on for a long time. It was sort of bittersweet to be done with it. My plan had been to try to sell it at the upcoming sci-fi convention in February along with a bunch of other pieces I am entering into their art show, but I like this one so much that I am thinking of keeping it for myself. It has more meaning to me, personally, than it would have to anyone who bought it. I entitled it “Irregular Alphabet Soup for the Soul” because the circuit-board I stitched the project on is misprinted with a 25-letter alphabet that includes the letters “z” and “s” twice each and omits the letters “i” “j” (replaced by a z) and “x” (replaced by an s). So it goes “abcdefghzklmnopqrstuvwsyz”. Luckily I realized this fairly early on, and although it threw me into a state of flumox as I frantically relabeled my diagram, I got everything under control relatively quickly and made sure the irregularities were accounted for. The perpendicular edge of the board, as is traditional, is labeled with numbers. The numbers start at 1 and go to 65. So I had assumed there were 65 holes. And I labeled my cross-stitch diagrams based on this assumption and started working on the project. I started some bits lower down, starting between holes 7 and 8 and working my way up. And then there was a zig-zag lines that went up and down between holes 23 and 24 that stretched across the entire width. By which I mean the entire width of the pattern, which was not as wide as the board. But looking at the pattern it looked like it stretched across the whole thing, because there weren’t empty spaces on sides the pattern. I stitched the line across the entire board and then worked upwards from there for a bit before realizing my mistake. I had to go back and unpick each end of the line plus some stitches I had made above the line, and then deal with the loose thread ends created by unpicking the stitches, but they were too short to get inside of a needle and still be able to maneuver the needle to thread them underneath nearby stitches, not to mention that the zig-zag line didn’t create any vertical stitches on the backside of the board to tuck them under anyhow. Unpicking ALL of the stitches would get rid of the short loose ends and I could start over with longer loose ends but that seemed like a waste of both time/work and also thread. So I ended up using some dots of superglue and then waiting until I started filling in more of the space around the loose ends with another color to cover the loose ends with that. So that was a mistake on my part that was a bit frustrating, but which I surprisingly handled without feeling as much in the way of frustration as I would have expected. Then there was the MAJOR mistake which was NOT my fault. I had finished approximately half the project. It was a two-color project and I had finished all of the first color and a few bits near the middle of the board using the second color. Then I went to work on filling in the parts of the second color that were supposed to go in the lower part of the board. I started stitching directly below that troublesome line I had stitched (and then fixed) between holes 23 and 24 and working my way down from there. And things didn’t match up. I counted my stitches, and counted the stitches on the pattern, counted mine, counted the pattern, and was so confused as to why they weren’t matching up.... until finally I noticed that the freaking circuit board was missing the #10. It went straight from 9 to 11. I immediately went over all the numbers, to make sure there were no other errors, and there weren’t, but it still meant that I had to pick out all the stitches that I had started from holes 7-8 (which then worked their way upwards to about hole 20, comprising everything in that color below the fateful line, which meant I was picking out nearly a full third of the work done in that color) and re-do the whole thing starting 1 hole lower down (from holes 6-7). I was shocked when I discovered that there simply was no #10. And I called the manufacturers some swear words in my head very loudly (it was in my head, not out loud, but it was still very loud in my head.) I also used red pen to write “the f-ing b'stards skipped #10” on a post-it note which I put on the paper pattern. But it was more a feeling of moral outrage than one of pure anger if that makes any sense. I was more just flabbergasted than anything else. I almost didn’t mind picking out and re-doing the stitching. It’s possible that I am remembering my feelings inaccurately - believing that I “almost didn’t mind” when in fact I just “didn’t mind as much as I would have expected” - but either way the point is that I dealt with frustrating obstacles in a relatively calm, ACCEPTING manner. I accepted that things don’t always go according to plan. And I tried to remain in that frame of mind as continued to work towards finishing the project and encountered inevitable thread tangles. They can usually be picked apart with the tip of the needle, but it takes patience. Once or twice I got stuck with tangles so nasty I had to put them down and do something else before coming back to work on picking them apart because if you’re all tensed up and angry and frustrated feeling like you are getting nowhere and you’ll never get the knot out then you start jabbing and pulling with the needle tip with more force and less accuracy and can end up making things even worse.

So “Irregular Alphabet Soup for the Soul” is a title to remind myself how dealing with setbacks can be good for the soul and help teach us patience. I tried to retain that lesson of patience when picking apart tangled thread knots, but didn’t always succeed and sometimes, as I said, had to put the project down and walk away for awhile to clear my head before coming back to try again.

But in any case, the piece has personal meaning to me, so now I have to decide whether I want to try to sell it after all or not.

There are a several minor modifications to the 2016 Hyundai Santa Fe seven passanger cross-over SUV. The GLS trim is relabeled SE and the seat interior option has been dropped. Hyundai's Smart Liftgate with auto open is developed standard on Limited and optionally available on the SE.

2016 Hyundai Santa Fe Review

While no one actually desires a seven passenger SUV to offer fascinating acceleration and handling, the 2016 Hyundai Santa Fe comes darn close. A 3 mode steering system enables the driver to change steering feel from firm to lightweight, while the Santa Fe's suspension enables confident cornering without punishing occupants with a complicated ride. The 2016 Hyundai Santa Fe interior is well isolated from most exterior interference, despite the fact that we think the Nissan Pathfinder and Ford Explorer are a bit much less noisy. When it comes to power, however, the 2016 Santa Fe sport desires for nothing, with a 290 hp 3.3 liter V6 teamed to an effective six-speed automatic. This combo offers impressive acceleration and mid-range passing power (40-60 mph), although things slow up just a hair when ready with the heavier AWD option.

Interior

There is a lot of room in the 2016 Hyundai Santa Fe, and the driver's front viewpoint is panoramic (the rearward view is less broad, but you are never decreased to driving basically with the mirrors). The base model's stain-resistant cloth fabric feels outstanding, plus the audio and climate-control knobs and buttons are glove helpful big. All materials are amazing down to the rubber that lines the on the inside of the door pulls. The first two rows are definitely livable for adults, while the third row is a decent kid's row. The 2016 Santa Fe does give up some cargo area in comparison to the rivalry, however.

Exterior

Looking for for all the world like what it is an comprehensive wheelbase 2016 Santa Fe Sport without the stylish rear side window kick up – the new 2016 Santa Fe has more to say about eye-catching, contemporary overall look than it does about swooping lines that specify the shapes of Hyundai passenger vehicles. Nice touch 1: Even in base SE type, the outside mirrors and bumpers are body color. Involved fog lights, roof rails and 19 inch aluminum alloy wheels are the exterior dissimilarities among the SE and upscale Limited editions. Nice touch 2: The 2016 Santa Fe SE turns into smaller 18 inch wheels, but at the very minimum they are aluminum-alloy.

Under the Hood

Hyundai generates it simple to shop for a 7-passenger 2016 Santa Fe by providing only one engine and one transmission. In FWD, the SUV's 290 hp 3.3 liter V6 is very well harmonized up to the 6-speed automatic transmission, with outstanding throttle response, smooth pickup and clean, easy shifts. The AWD Santa Fe 2016, although, could do with some more low end grunt to get it shifting. All that said, Hyundai's 2016 Santa Fe is relaxed towing up to 5,000 pounds of trailer, boat or anything else you'd like to transport.

2016 Hyundai Santa Fe Price

A 2016 Hyundai Santa Fe SE comes out of the gate with a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price of around $31,250 – a number that is little bit higher than the 2016 Nissan Pathfinder SUV, but little bit less than a in the same way equipped Honda Pilot EX. The Santa Fe Limited starts just under $35,500. If you load up an AWD 2016 Santa Fe Limited with every option, you will still get yourself spending fewer than $45,000. thecarspecs.com/2016-hyundai-santa-fe-specs/

Pearl Gemstone Benefits

The English word ‘Pearl’ comes from Middle English and from old French ‘Perle’.

The Greek word is Margarites. In ancient times, these were considered holy pearl names and Mararita was often used for baby girls of the pious and for beautified saints in the Christian lands.

Female forms of Margarites=Pearl

Italian: Margherita and Rita

French: Marguerite and Margot

German: Margarethe, Gretchen and Gretal

English: Margaret, Marjorie, Madge and Margie

Men's titles derived from Margarites=Pearl

Gareth and Garrett

Two patron saints who were rechristened as "pearls," were:

St. Margaret Aethling of Scotland

Margeret, "the pearl of Bohemia," beloved of the Danes.

A pearl is a hard,lustrous spherical mass,whiter or bluish grey,formed within the soft tissue (specifically the mantle) of a living oyster or bivalre mollusc. Just like the shell of a mollusk, a pearl is made up of calcium carbonate in minute crystalline form, which has been deposited in concentric layers. The ideal pearl is perfectly rounded and smooth, but many other shapes of pearls occur. The finest quality natural pearls have been highly valued as gemstones and objects of beauty for many centuries, and because of this, the word pearl has become a metaphor for something very rare, fine, admirable, valuable or genuine.

Valuable pearls occur in the ocean, but they are now very rare. Cultured or farmed pearls from pearl oysters make up the majority of those that are currently sold in the international markets. Pearls from the sea are valued more highly than freshwater pearls. Imitation or fake pearls are also widely sold in inexpensive costume jewelry, but the quality of their iridescence is usually very poor and, generally speaking, artificial pearls are easily distinguished from genuine pearls. Pearls have been harvested and cultivated primarily for use in jewelry, but in the past they were also stitched onto formal or ornamental clothing worn on special occasions. Pearls have also been crushed and used in cosmetics, medicines, or in paint formulations.

Cultured Pearl is artificially created by planting a core or nucleus into pearl oysters. Today almost all pearls used for jewelery are cultured. They are usually harvested three years after planting, but it can take up to as long as six years before a pearl is produced. This process was first developed by Kokichi Mikimoto in Japan. He patented it in 1896.

The nucleus is generally a polished bead made from a missel shell. Along with a small scrap of mantle tissue from another oyester to serve as an irritant, it is surgically implanted near the oyester’s genitals. Oyesters that survive the subsequent surgery to remove the finished pearl are often implanted with a new, larger nucleus. They are then returned to water for another three years of growth.

Fresh Water Pearl is produced in fresh water (mainly in China). They are oblong and, due to lack of hardness, wear out very fast and lose their luster.

Pearl found in

The finest pearls are found in the Persian Gulf. Other notable sources of fine-quality pearls are the Gulf of Mannar between India and Sri Lanka, the waters off Celebes, Indonesia, and the islands of the South Pacific. In the Americas the Gulf of California, the Gulf of Mexico, and the waters of the Pacific coast of Mexico have yielded dark-hued pearls with a metallic sheen as well as white pearls of good quality.

Freshwater mussels in the temperate zone of the Northern Hemisphere have produced pearls of great value, as for example those from the Mississippi River. Pearling is a carefully fostered industry in central Europe, and the forest streams of Bavaria, in particular, are the source of choice pearls. Freshwater pearling in China has been known from before 1000 BC.

Recent Pearl Production

China has recently overtaken Japan in Akoya pearl production. Japan has all but ceased its production of Akoya pearls smaller than 8 mm. However, Japan maintains its status as a pearl processing center and imports the majority of Chinese Akoya pearl production. These pearls are then processed, often simply matched and sorted, relabeled as product of Japan and exported in the international markets.

In the past couple of decades, cultured pearls have been produced using larger oysters in the South Pacific and Indian Ocean. The largest pearl oyster is the Pinctada maxima, which is roughly the size of a dinner plate. South Sea pearls are characterized by their large size and warm luster. Sizes up to 14 mm in diameter are not uncommon. South Sea pearls are primarily produced in Australia, Indonesia and the Philippines.

A genuine pearl is supposed to have the following qualities:

• Moonlike, shining white color

• Perfectly round, globular shape and size

• Spotlessness and freedom from blemishes (dents, scratches, ridges) and impurities.

• Compactness, which gives it a high specific gravity.

• Lustre, soft glamor, attractiveness and brilliance of reflection

• Smoothness, which gives an agreeable sensation to the eyes.

One who wears or possesses a pearl with all of the above mentioned qualities enjoys good fortune and is blessed by the goddess Lakshmi (the goddess of prosperity), lives long and becomes sinless, and obtains vitality and intelligence. He achieves high position by his wisdom and becomes famous. A pearl with a yellow lustre brings prosperity. Red-tinted pearls make one intelligent, shining white pearls bring fame, and a pearl with a bluish hue brings good fortune. A pearl devoid of lustre, that is, dirty, broken, having no gleam of circulating water, black or copper colored, partly white and partly colored, irregular, odd in shape having holes, dents, or

sports is defective and should be avoided.

Pearl Gemstone Effects of flaws

• Dullness or absence of lustre - brings poverty or financial crisis: shortens one's life.

• A mole-like formation on the surface layer - brings sadness and disease.

• Having three corners (triangular in shape) - causes impotence, brings bad luck.

• Hole or pouch-like formation - causes leprosy.

• Cracks or ridges - wearing of such a pearl are injurious to one's health.

• Dusty, having clay or sand particles inside - is devoid of any good or bad effect.

• Broken - loss of job, wealth, and earnings.

• Protrusion like the beak of a bird - harmful to progeny, brings humiliation.

• Dents - bring loss of wealth.

• Oval and long in shape - makes one foolish.

• A stain on the surface - brings humiliation and is harmful to progeny.

• A blister or swelling - injurious to wealth, brings bad luck.

• Copper tint - harmful to brothers and sisters

• Dome-shaped, in which the lower half is composed of foreign material - brings bad luck.

• Tiny spots like the marks of smallpox - harmful to progeny

• Flash-eye spot, spot looking like the eye of a fish - loss of progeny

• Square shape and flat - harmful to one's spouse

• Wavy thin line on the surface - brings misfortune.

• A juncture line or a girdle - induces fear and is injurious to physical well-being.

• Coral-like appearance - brings misfortune and poverty.

Astrological Effects of Pearl/Moti

Moon is the presiding deity of the element water, and rules over the tides of the sea. It is believed that sphere of the Moon is the reservoir of rainwater and thus Moon is the ruler of plants and the vegetable kingdom. The color of Moon is white. Its nature is wise, and learned. It rules peace of mind, comfort, general well-being, and also the fortune of a person. It shows its influence around twenty-four to twenty-five years of age. The Moon gives illumination, intuitive nature, sensuality, taste, youth and love of poetry, fine arts and music, love of jewelry, attractive appearance, wealth and good fortune. It makes us moody, emotional and sensitive. It rules milk, grains, liquids, growth, fertility, impregnation, and conception.

It influences the infant stage of an individual, which guides his behavior in the later in the later part of his life. It is cold and moist. It also influences childbirth and rules the left nostril, eyesight, the breasts, and the brain (memory). Moon influences travelers, fisherman, prostitutes, cooks, nurses, and caterers.

Sun, Mars, and Jupiter are the Moon’s natural friends and Mercury, Venus and

Saturn are its natural enemies. In Rohini, Hast, Shravan, Punarvasu, Vishakha, and

Purva Bhadrapad nakshatras it gives good and beneficial results. It also gives

favorable results if it is in Kritika, Uttra Phalguni, Ashlekha, Jyestha, Uttra Khad, and Revati nakshatras.

For a person whose Moon is not rightly placed in his natal chart/ascendant or is aspected by malefic planets it causes difficulties and problems and, sometimes it even becomes difficult for him to achieve a comfortable life. It makes such people weak or sick in their early years.

An afflicted, debilitated, exiled, or weak Moon causes cold, cough, fever, eye

ailments, lunacy, paralysis, epilepsy, hysteria, colic pains, beriberi, intestinal

disorders, throat troubles, bronchitis, dysentery, neurosis, typhoid, and cancer.

Moon's cool and pleasant rays are significantly influential on medicinal plants and

herbs on earth. It is worshipped and praised as 'Oshadhi Raja' or 'King of Herbs' It's worship wards off chronic diseases and leads to health and success, controls

longevity with sound health.

Benefits of wearing Pearl

Pearl is used to remove the evil effects of moon and in turn it strengthens the mind force and brings good sleep. Pearl is very useful for ladies as it increases their beauty and facial luster. It develops good harmony between husband and wife. Pearl in combination with Rudraksha helps to solve problems related to depression and pessimism. It inspires love and faith between the two partners. It also gives good memory and helps to cure insomnia, eye diseases uterine problems, heart problems, T.B., constipation, hysteria etc.

Professions which are benefited by wearing Pearl Gemstone

Any business associated with arts, medicines, medicinal oils, perfumes, milk, oil, beverages, ship building, exports and imports, vegetables and flowers are benefited by the gem pearl.

People associated with business like cinema, drama, agriculture, cloth, photo studio, sculpture, painting and writing can get benefits after wearing pearl.

People associated with aqua culture, geography, research, philosophy, sports, computers, hotels and jewellery can benefit from pearl stone.

Again, people in music composition, law, finance, involved in maintaining natural landscapes, swimming, water sports, music, dance, singing and film production can earn advantages by wearing pearl.

People associated with manufacturing stationery, sports items, make up items will benefit from pearl.

Pearl gemstone helps prevent the following diseases:

• Throat troubles, asthma, bronchitis, varicose loins, nervous debility, cancer,

typhoid.

• Colic pains, worms, intestinal disorders, tumors, peritonitis.

• Eye diseases, lunacy, paralysis, hysteria, epilepsy, cold and cough.

June Birthstone

The June birthstone is Pearl.

Anniversary Gemstone Pearl

Fresh water pearls are given on the 1st wedding anniversary. Pearls are also given on the 3rd, 12th and 30th anniversaries. A classic and timeless gift would be pearl jewelry, such as a necklace or earrings.

Lengths of Pearl necklaces

There is a special vocabulary used to describe the length of pearl necklaces. While most other necklaces are simply referred to by their physical measurement, pearl necklaces are named by how low they hang when worn around the neck. A collar, measuring 10 to 13 inches or 25 to 33 cm in length, sits directly against the throat and does not hang down the neck at all, Collars are often made up of multiple strands of pearls. Pearl chokers, measuring 14 to 16 inches or 35 to 41 cm in length, nestle just at the base of the neck. A strand, called a princess length, measuring 17 to 19 inches or 43 to 48 cm in length, comes down to or just below the collarbone. A matinee length, measuring 20 to 24 inches or 50 to 60 cm in length, falls just above the breasts. An opera length, measuring 28 to 35 inches or 70 to 90 cm in length, will be long enough to reach the breastbone or sternum of the wearer; and longer still, a pearl rope, measuring more than 45 inches or 115 cm in length, is any length that falls lower than an opera.

Pearl Care

Pearls are organic gemstones that are vulnerable to acid, alkaline and different humidity levels. Perfume and hairspray, which contain alcohol and harmful acids, should be avoided on the areas where pearls are worn.

Perspiration can also harm the beauty of pearls, dulling their beautiful luster. Therefore, after wearing them, they should be wiped with a damp (not wet), soft cloth or a silicon cloth.

Be careful not to dip pearls in water or wear them while bathing, as water can weaken the silk thread. Do not leave them in direct sunlight or expose them to high temperatures. If pearls happen to come into contact with substances such as vinegar, fruit juices or detergents, immediately wipe that substance off.

Even though pearls are exceptionally cohesive and shock-resistant, they rank only 3.5 to 4.5 on the Mohs hardness scale, so they may get a scratch by contact with sharp objects or other gemstones.

Method of wearing Pearl ring or pendant

The weight of the pearl should not be less than 5 carats.

It may be studded in a gold or silver ring.

After washing with sacred water of Ganges and fresh milk and chanting the Mantra, it should be worn in the little finger of the right hand.

Day for putting on: Monday

Time: The best time to put on a pearl ring is 10 am to 11 am.

Moon / Chandra Mantra to Chant with putting it on:

Dadhi-shamkham-tusha-rabham Ksheero-darnava Sambhavam !

Namaami Shashinam somam Shambhor-Mukuta Bhooshanam !!

In the old days before Ayers Rock became more commonly called Uluru the airstrip was dirt and ran right up to the incredible feature known at "the brain". Nowadays the strip is a modern sealed affair about 10ks away.

The history of Connellan Airways and pioneer flyer Eddie Connellan is available on Google.

Would you believe that later on the marketing people relabeled the airline Connair, guess that was well before movie Conair. LOL

VH CLR ended its days in Canada.

Ayers Rock/Uluru is one of the most recognisable landmarks in Australia.

Copied from 1964 Kodachrome slide. (See setup in my photo stream)

Left to Right: 67, V, Hybrid, Sweep, Strike, Heater, Slash

M Frame lenses have come in many shapes. Due to a gracious donation, I realized I have all save for the very rare Strip lens.

Oakley first introduced the Mumbo with the 67, V and Hybrid lenses. In 1991, this was expanded to some of the shapes that are more familiar today. The Strip was added, but not for long. Sweep and Heater joined the lineup and Strike and Slash were promised to be coming soon.

Two years later the lenses were boiled down to the four that we see today. Slash was still around, but was unique and more than just a different lens. Strike, Sweep, Heater and Hybrid became the lineup that still exist today, and even into the Radars although under different names. By 1996, the frames changed to the Elliptical Icon, but the lenses remained the same until a few years later when the Hybrid, which was a 'hybrid' of the 67 and V both not existing for six years, became a hybrid of Heater and Strike and thus relabeled New Hybrid. The Pro M Frame, molded from a more curved model, was also released and while posessing the new and old hybrid lenses, formed the basis for the New M Frame. A small version of the Hybid also came out in 1999.

When the Radars came out, the lenses needed to be contoured to fit the frame. While the outside edges were essentially the same, using the same names would infer that they could be swapped. Before they were released, they did use the old naming convention with Heater becoming Range, Strike becoming Path, and New Hybrid becoming Pitch. Based on SKU's Path and Pitch were soon after swapped and then the names stayed.

They are doing some kind of major gutting.

This is the infamous bakery where I bought the moldy muffins a while back. The muffins were labeled as baked that day, but they were clearly several days old and relabeled. They were completely filled with mold growth.

They were having a bakery blow out sale and there were piles of unsold bakery products.

It was also where I found moldy bread previously.

I suspect that the bakery has a mold contamination problem. It took them years to do something.

Pleasant Hill, California

Hamburg, Germany. 2008 to 2016.

Taken on 135, color negative film.

--

Technical Notes: Minolta XD7. The film emulsion was probably Rossmann's house brand of a ASA400 film, made in Japan, likely relabeled Fuji film sold under the Rossmann brand. This film does not exist anymore. Scanned on a PrimeFilm XAs in RAW with VueScan Pro, then processed in Lightroom with Negative Lab Pro.

Hamburg, Germany. 2008 to 2016.

Taken on 135, color negative film.

--

Technical Notes: Minolta XD7. The film emulsion was probably Rossmann's house brand of a ASA400 film, made in Japan, likely relabeled Fuji film sold under the Rossmann brand. This film does not exist anymore. Scanned on a PrimeFilm XAs in RAW with VueScan Pro, then processed in Lightroom with Negative Lab Pro.

Hamburg, Germany. 2008 to 2016.

Taken on 135, color negative film.

--

Technical Notes: Minolta XD7. The film emulsion was probably Rossmann's house brand of a ASA400 film, made in Japan, likely relabeled Fuji film sold under the Rossmann brand. This film does not exist anymore. Scanned on a PrimeFilm XAs in RAW with VueScan Pro, then processed in Lightroom with Negative Lab Pro.

As a result of a lawsuit by the Philco Radio Company in the early 1940s, Philips was prevented from using the name "Philips" on any products marketed in the United States. The two names were judged to sound similar enough to cause consumer confusion. As a result, Philips instead used the name Norelco, an acronym for "North American Philips [electrical] Company" for their products sold in the United States. Philips continued to use that name for all their U.S. products until 1974, when Philips purchased The Magnavox Company Philips then relabeled their U.S. consumer electronics products as Magnavox. (Paragraph adapted from Wikipedia)

Hamburg, Germany. 2008 to 2016.

Taken on 135, color negative film.

--

Technical Notes: Minolta XD7. The film emulsion was probably Rossmann's house brand of a ASA400 film, made in Japan, likely relabeled Fuji film sold under the Rossmann brand. This film does not exist anymore. Scanned on a PrimeFilm XAs in RAW with VueScan Pro, then processed in Lightroom with Negative Lab Pro.

Hamburg, Germany. 2008 to 2016.

Taken on 135, color negative film.

--

Technical Notes: Minolta XD7. The film emulsion was probably Rossmann's house brand of a ASA400 film, made in Japan, likely relabeled Fuji film sold under the Rossmann brand. This film does not exist anymore. Scanned on a PrimeFilm XAs in RAW with VueScan Pro, then processed in Lightroom with Negative Lab Pro.

Hamburg, Germany. 2008 to 2016.

Taken on 135, color negative film.

--

Technical Notes: Minolta XD7. The film emulsion was probably Rossmann's house brand of a ASA400 film, made in Japan, likely relabeled Fuji film sold under the Rossmann brand. This film does not exist anymore. Scanned on a PrimeFilm XAs in RAW with VueScan Pro, then processed in Lightroom with Negative Lab Pro.

Hamburg, Germany. 2008 to 2016.

Taken on 135, color negative film.

--

Technical Notes: Minolta XD7. The film emulsion was probably Rossmann's house brand of a ASA400 film, made in Japan, likely relabeled Fuji film sold under the Rossmann brand. This film does not exist anymore. Scanned on a PrimeFilm XAs in RAW with VueScan Pro, then processed in Lightroom with Negative Lab Pro.

The English word ‘Pearl’ comes from Middle English and for old French ‘Perle’.

The Greek word is Margarites. In ancient times, these were considered holy pearl names and Mararita was often used for baby girls of the pious and for beautified saints in the Christian countries.

Female forms of Margarites=Pearl

Italian: Margherita and Rita

French: Marguerite and Margot

German: Margarethe, Gretchen and Gretal

English: Margaret, Marjorie, Madge and Margie

Men's titles derived from Margarites=Pearl

Gareth and Garrett

Two patron saints who were rechristened as "pearls," were:

St. Margaret Aethling of Scotland

Margeret, "the pearl of Bohemia," beloved of the Danes.

A pearl is a hard,lustrous spherical mass,whiter bluish grey,formed within the soft tissue (specifically the mantle) of a living oyster or bivalre mollusc. Just like the shell of a mollusk, a pearl is made up of calcium carbonate in minute crystalline form, which has been deposited in concentric layers. The ideal pearl is perfectly rounded and smooth, but many other shapes of pearls occur. The finest quality natural pearls have been highly valued as gemstones and objects of beauty for many centuries, and because of this, the word pearl has become a metaphor for something very rare, fine, admirable, valuable or genuine.

Valuable pearls occur in the ocean, but they are now very rare. Cultured or farmed pearls from pearl oysters make up the majority of those that are currently sold in the international markets. Pearls from the sea are valued more highly than freshwater pearls. Imitation or fake pearls are also widely sold in inexpensive costume jewelry, but the quality of their iridescence is usually very poor and generally speaking, artificial pearls are easily distinguished from genuine pearls. Pearls have been harvested and cultivated primarily for use in jewelry, but in the past they were also stitched onto formal or ornamental clothing worn on special occasions. Pearls have also been crushed and used in cosmetics, medicines, or in paint formulations.

Cultured Pearl is artificially created by planting a core or nucleus into pearl oysters. Today, almost all pearls used for jewelery are cultured. They are usually harvested three years after planting, but it can take up to as long as six years before a pearl is produced. This process was first developed by Kokichi Mikimoto in Japan. He patented it in 1896.

The nucleus is generally a polished bead made from a missel shell. Along with a small scrap of mantle tissue from another oyester to serve as an irritant, it is surgically implanted near the oyester’s genitals. Oyesters that survive the subsequent surgery to remove the finished pearl are often implanted with a new, larger nucleus. They are then returned to water for another three years of growth.

Fresh Water Pearl is produced in fresh water (mainly in China). They are oblong and, due to lack of hardness, wear out very fast and lose their luster.

Pearl found in

The finest pearls are found in the Persian Gulf. Other notable sources of fine-quality pearls are the Gulf of Mannar between India and Sri Lanka, the waters off Celebes, Indonesia, and the islands of the South Pacific. In the Americas, the Gulf of California, the Gulf of Mexico, and the waters of the Pacific coast of Mexico have yielded dark-hued pearls with a metallic sheen as well as white pearls of good quality.

Freshwater mussels in the temperate zone of the Northern Hemisphere have produced pearls of great value, as for example those from the Mississippi River. Pearling is a carefully fostered industry in central Europe, and the forest streams of Bavaria, in particular, are the source of choice pearls. Freshwater pearling in China has been known from before 1000 BC.

Recent Pearl Production

China has recently overtaken Japan in Akoya pearl production. Japan has all but ceased its production of Akoya pearls smaller than 8 mm. However, Japan maintains its status as a pearl processing center and imports the majority of Chinese Akoya pearl production. These pearls are then processed, often simply matched and sorted, relabeled as product of Japan and exported in the international markets.

In the past couple of decades, cultured pearls have been produced using larger oysters in the South Pacific and Indian Ocean. The largest pearl oyster is the Pinctada maxima, which is roughly the size of a dinner plate. South Sea pearls are characterized by their large size and warm luster. Sizes up to 14 mm in diameter are not uncommon. South Sea pearls are primarily produced in Australia, Indonesia and the Philippines.

Lengths of pearl necklaces

There is a special vocabulary used to describe the length of pearl necklaces. While most other necklaces are simply referred to by their physical measurement, pearl necklaces are named by how low they hang when worn around the neck. A collar, measuring 10 to 13 inches or 25 to 33 cm in length, sits directly against the throat and does not hang down the neck at all Collars are often made up of multiple strands of pearls. Pearl chokers, measuring 14 to 16 inches or 35 to 41 cm in length, nestle just at the base of the neck. A strand called a princess length, measuring 17 to 19 inches or 43 to 48 cm in length, comes down to or just below the collarbone. A matinee length, measuring 20 to 24 inches or 50 to 60 cm in length, falls just above the breasts. An opera length, measuring 28 to 35 inches or 70 to 90 cm in length, will be long enough to reach the breastbone or sternum of the wearer; and longer still, a pearl rope, measuring more than 45 inches or 115 cm in length, is any length that falls lower than an opera.

A USB extender system. It includes one local (computer) and one remote (accessory) endpoint module (which I relabeled Dest.[destination] and Source, respectively, for my reference even though USB is technically a bidirectional connection), plus a power supply, not shown here, which can be plugged in at either end. All the system needs is an Ethernet cable between the the two boxes; your USB devices can be situated up to 328 feet (100m) from the computer, a considerable distance.

The logo on the front of the module references the full plug-and-play nature of the system, not including the effort to run a long network cable and, when necessary, the skill and resources to install modular connectors at both cable ends.

Shot on the aerial photography AGFA film. Relabeled as ROLLEI RCN 640.

Developed around 4 min as required. This film goes grainy in shadows fast. Shot with Olympus XA

© All Rights Reserved. Do Not Copy Or Re-Distribute Without Explicit Consent or Authorization -

Smart Power Solar

Innovation Campus Lemgo

Fraunhofer IOSB-INA

Minolta XD5

Minolta MD35-70 f/3.5

Rossmann HR200 (relabeled Fujifilm) @50 ASA

Expired color negative film

Film grain

Plustek 7500i

Mid-res scan

Vuescan

So back in 2009, there was brief interlude in Power Rangers programming. Rather than bringing in a new series, Disney opted to broadcast a touched up version of the original Mighty Morphin' Power Rangers.

There were of course toy releases from this line. The Megazord, relabeled the Dino Megazord, was released. The toy was of course not as complex as the original figure, but was being sold at MSRP that reflected this.

Somewhere in the middle of this season, Saban retook the license from Disney, and basically implemented the Legacy series, which took these redesigned toys and blinged them out with better, more screen accurate paint applications and die cast metal parts.

The Legacy Dragonzord, released in Summer of 2014, can combine with both the Legacy Megazord and the Dino Megazord (which makes sense, as they are the same toy). Generous paint applications all around, though kind of expected given the $80 price tag.

I do miss that chrome on the original toy, though.

Die cast content is limited to the feet of the toy.

Long story short, the figure no longer features the lights and sound of the original. However, it does improve upon the original by having greater articulation in the arms and legs, a longer and more articulated tail, and a sleeker overall look.

The Dragonzord combines with the Megazord in two ways - it takes over the arms and legs to form the Dragonzord Battle Mode, and combines with the entire Megazord to form the Mega Dragonzord.

Combining the toys is very similiar to back in the 90's, though combing the Mega Dragonzord is a bit more annoying, as you need to take off the Pterodactyl as well as lower the chest piece on the Tyranosaurus. Also, the shoulder clips aren't as easy to put on.

Hamburg, Germany. 2008 to 2016.

Hamburg's Christmas market in front of the town hall is not a really large market, but it's nice.

There's probably not much gathering and crowding happening this year, but maybe this will get you into the spirit.

Taken on 135, color negative film.

--

Technical Notes: This was taken with a Contax G2 and the Zeiss 45mm f/2. The film emulsion was probably Rossmann's house brand of a ASA400 film, made in Japan, likely relabeled Fuji film sold under the Rossmann brand. This film does not exist anymore. Scanned on a PrimeFilm XAs in RAW with VueScan Pro, then processed in Lightroom with Negative Lab Pro.

Carena SRH 760.

This is a relabeled Petri FT 500. (Relabeled by the German retailer Photo Porst).

It is a 35mm SLR with an M42 lens mount. It has a hotshoe, no self-timer,

shutter speeds 1 - 500 plus B, x-sync at 1/60,

Stopped-down, through-the-lens, metering. Cloth, horizontal focal plane shutter.

Per www.kamera-geschichte.de/files/carena_slr_srh760_d.htm

Dimensions 155 x 95 x 50 mm (without lens)

Weight 675 g (without lens)

Per www.seniorcamping.dk/Nye3/Carena_SRH_760/Carena_SRH_760.html

it was made in Japan from 1976 to 1977

I have in my possession a Petri FT 1000. The Carena SRH 760 is identical to the FT 1000 except it lacks a self-timer and the top speed is 1/500 rather than 1/1000.

The German retailer Photo Porst (also written Foto Porst) did not manufacture cameras.

It sold cameras relabeled as "Porst", "Hapo" and "Carena".

(from www.camerapedia.org/wiki/Porst and www.acecam.com/photography/8127.html)

I bought this camera on Ebay in July 2008 for $ 7.99 + 11.59 (shipping) = $ 19.94 (US dollars).

It works fine. I haven't checked the meter. I photographed the Carena SRH 760 with

a Panasonic Lumix DMC FZ8 (a digital camera).

Searching the entire internet, hardly anyone, other than me, admits to using this camera model. There are no other photos of a Carena SRH-760 or photos taken with a Carena SRH-760 on Flickr besides mine. Corrected (on 28 Dec 2010), per comment, below, now there is at least one other.

I uploaded two other photos of this camera:

Top view

Front view

Photos that I've taken with the Carena SRH 760

Florida Cottonmouth

Pigmy Rattlesnake

Here are some related photos of cameras (not mine):

Carena SRH 1001 on flickr

Petri FT 1000 on flickr

Another Petri FT 1000 on flickr

Carena SRH 500 on flickr

Another Carena SRH 500

The Carena SRH 500 appears to be a much different camera than the Carena SRH 760 or the Petri FT 1000.

p1020069

Hamburg, Germany. 2008 to 2016.

Hamburg's Christmas market in front of the town hall is not a really large market, but it's nice.

I assume this year, there won't be much going on, but maybe this photograph of a warm Christmas market hug gets you into the seasonal spirit.

Taken on 135, color negative film.

--

Technical Notes: This was taken with a Contax G2 and the Zeiss 45mm f/2. The film emulsion was probably Rossmann's house brand of a ASA400 film, made in Japan, likely relabeled Fuji film sold under the Rossmann brand. This film does not exist anymore. Scanned on a PrimeFilm XAs in RAW with VueScan Pro, then processed in Lightroom with Negative Lab Pro.

Hamburg, Germany. 2008 to 2016.

Taken on 135, color negative film.

--

Technical Notes: Minolta XD7. The film emulsion was probably Rossmann's house brand of a ASA400 film, made in Japan, likely relabeled Fuji film sold under the Rossmann brand. This film does not exist anymore. Scanned on a PrimeFilm XAs in RAW with VueScan Pro, then processed in Lightroom with Negative Lab Pro.

I was relabeling my cookie cutter bins and thought I'd take a quick picture and share. (sorry for the poor photo) I don't have nearly the amount of cutters some have, but I still wanted to be able to store them so I could find what I needed.

These are individual clear scrapbook cases that store 12x12 inch paper. I bought them on sale at Michaels. Joanne's also carries them.

The top right box shows how I can easily see all my cutters through the lid. That box has two layers of cutters with a piece of black poster board between the layers so I can just flip the closed box over to see the cutters on the other side without them getting jumbled up. I can find the cutter I need without having to rummage though all the cutters. Saves me time and frustration, and helps to keep the cutters from getting too banged up.

As you can see in the bottom photo I can stack them, and you can also see the 2 layers of cutters in the Xmas ones.

Deb and I had the pleasure of meeting some of the key democratic candidates for office for, and within our state (Montana.) Each spoke for a few minutes about their aspirations, and spent some time "working the room"; I bent a couple of ears, as anyone who knows me might expect, and got some fairly good answers, actually.

I don't normally jump on a soapbox, politically, but this year... here we go.

I think of myself as an independent with constitutional preferences and compassionate leanings. Normally, I try to sort out the issues and pick the candidates that best represent my key positions; this year, sadly, the republicans had no one, nationally or for my state, whom I could even begin to feel I could vote for. I don't know where these republican candidates are getting their agendas from (well, their leadership, obviously, but I mean, beyond that), I hardly recognize them as republicans at all. And I am outright ashamed of the republican behavior in the US congress.

I feel like I have been forced into a corner where the only sane option is voting democrat.

And for a fellow who mostly wants to see the constitution obeyed as if it were written in English, that's a very strange place to find myself.

Oh, I can usually find a democrat to vote for... I think one role of government is to ensure that no one slips through the cracks such that they have no education, or no home, or no medical care. So that gives me an open door, democratically speaking.

But on the other hand, I see no reason for us to be butting in around the world, playing policeman for others, spending huge amounts of money telling people what drugs they can put in their bodies, what kind of sex they can or can't have, who they can marry, and so forth.

Liberty is something that is very important to me, yet I have a strong sense of community and my heart goes out to those who have either slipped through the cracks as I mentioned above, or who society has handed an impossible deal: the growing underclass of those with convictions, for instance, who have absolutely no chance at rehabilitation.

Why do I say that? Because today, a felony conviction is forever. We have millions of people in jails all across this country that cannot, under any circumstances, rehabilitate because they are considered unemployable. Society is telling these people "Once a criminal, always a criminal, and also, get stuffed." At which point, they have one obvious option left to earn money, and it's not the option we'd prefer they take, socially speaking.

I think we're digging ourselves a huge social hole here, and we're going to find the consequences are extremely difficult to deal with before much longer.

Romney, aside from giving me chills when he spews out such gems as "you're entitled to the best education you can afford", has left me absolutely uncertain of what his real agenda is. One day, he's for something, the next, he's against it — or vice versa. He think corporations should be people (I envision a "corporate person" as the guy with the knife in "Psycho"), he thinks it's ok to roof-rack his dog, he wants to get rid of FEMA (!) and... and... he wants to kill big bird. Good grief.

Then there are those horrifying clips from his dinner in Boca Raton where he clearly says that 47% of the country are of no concern to him, and worse. His latest foreign policy as of the most recent debate is a mirror of Obama's, while his earlier remarks cast the Russians (!) as our "main enemy", which demonstrates a level of foreign policy cluelessness I haven't seen since that Pizza Executive was asked about Libya. And you'll recall he thinks Iran needs to get through Syria to get to the sea; here the middle east is a huge hotspot, and he lacks even the most basic geographical knowledge... and this man wants to "lead" us. Oh. My. Goodness.

Do I think Obama is perfect? Oh, no no no. I think he's been an idiot and a puppet in and on the trillion-dollar waste of the drug war; I think the ACA is but a shadow of what we deserve, which is a true single-payer system, rather than the sop to the insurance companies they put together (yet it's a step forward, and I'll still take that rather than the republican's "right to life until you're born, then right to death because you're poor.)

Within my state, Dennis Rehberg is running as the republican candidate for US senator from Montana. This guy... he's like Romney, only smaller minded, colder-hearted, and even more willing to lie. I wouldn't vote for him if they told me it would gain me ten extra years of lifespan. The man would set women back fifty years, destroy our educational infrastructure, and remove the hope the ACA offers to 30+ million Americans who the insurance company actuaries had previously worked right out of their happy little rigged numbers game. As a colorful Kansas adage has it, "I wouldn't cross the street to piss on him if he was on fire."

I've always acknowledged that my political positions provide something to upset just about anyone, and I've been comfortable with that. The most surprised person in the room, though, right now, is me. I voted straight Democrat. You know what that tells me? It tells me we really, finally do need a third party.

The republicans have jumped the shark, left it behind and relabeled it a manatee, and are trying to convince everyone they saw a mermaid. I listened to them this year — I really did! — and I was left with the overall impression that if they weren't lying, they were nuts.

The libertarians... meh. Personal liberty, sure, we need that, but not at the expense of a healthy, well educated society (and no, wealth should *never* be a gateway to education: intelligence and therefore opportunity for our nation's growth is not indexed by wealth. We need to educate everyone as close to their potential as we can get them.) And while I agree 100% with the libertarians that religion has absolutely no appropriate place in government, I can't stand with them on that basis alone.

The democrats... normally, I'm very wary of "mommy laws" that tell us what we can and can't do, particularly between, or as, consenting, informed persons; and I think lines in the sand drawn by age are simply stupid.

But these are minor sins compared to the republicans championing the abandoning of our elderly, degrading our public education system, and kicking the military industrial complex into yet higher gear when we're already over-powered, over-deployed, and in no way in need of more of the same.

And so, this is how I ended up "all the way over here", cornered in the left, though not by them, something I wouldn't have credited even two elections ago.

Your comments are welcome. Issues, ideas and commentary; no obscenities, no outright trolls. I know feelings are running high, just keep it to the issues and your reactions to them, please. You're also welcome not to comment. Please be aware that if you *do* comment, I will assume you have opened the floor for me to answer you.

--Ben

Heather Brunskell-Evans, a UK philosopher and social theorist specializing in ethics, medicine, sex and gender sums up the impact of transgender ideology on society. This is an unapologetic gender critical feminist summation of the battle around gender self ID in Britain and the social impact such policy changes will have on women. Most of the material here I have gleaned from other books and from interviews and articles online. Including interviews of the author herself and the incidents she experienced of trans activists trying to silence and intimidate her in the context of her job at her university.

She begins with a definition of what is a woman as a political category and a class and how trans activists with the help of intersectional feminists are attempting to undermine the legal protections afforded by this category. While gender critical feminists are shamed as bigots. And the concept of binary sex considered taboo.

Some new material for me involving the birthing industry. How the act of pregnancy is coopted by elevating transmen i.e. the female to male trans person who gives birth to priority status. Proving the biological impossibility that men can have babies. Thus delivering to men this achievement (in concept only) of men being able to give birth. This event having been used to leverage the entire profession of midwifery to promote trans ideology language in an effort to be inclusive of these F to M persons while rendering all women relabelled as birthing parents and the act of breast feeding relabeled as chest feeding to be sensitive to the “men” who do not have breasts having amputated them in service of their identity.

While women in the medical world are reduced to body parts and functions i.e. menstruators, cervix havers, vagina people. If this does not sound sufficiently demeaning try on the phrase “Black birthing bodies” and hopefully the hint of racism and association with breeding cattle will jolt the mind. It is precisely this dehumanization of women that midwives have worked so hard to dispel in order to center women’s wisdom and physiological power. And while women’s health is impacted men’s health and ownership of their bodies is left alone. Men’s spaces and men’s identity are so secure that it is hardly threatened by the diminutive dick-less trans men infiltrating their spaces half terrified as they are to do so.

She covers the transboy phenomenon of the social contagion of girls wanting to be boys already covered by Abigail Shurer’s book. www.flickr.com/photos/earthworm/50178686276 And how confirming gender stereotypes confirms the need for transition for those children who don’t fit. And while promoting the “illusion of inclusion” the medical intervention works to control how women are defined by men’s terms.

She covers the Transgender Equality Report created by four trans people versed in the law which set in motion the rewriting of the Gender Recognition Act to include self ID for any male (or female) wishing to change gender can now do so by securing a Gender Recognition Certificate. This led to the erosion of women’s spaces and would render women’s sex based rights impossible to enforce. Thus the women’s rights movement is no longer about women but about men’s rights to invade women’s spaces and domains.

She coins the phrase The Butlerian Jihad after queer theory feminist Judith Butler. And concludes her treatise by linking the trans movement to the money behind it from the medical industrial complex that is poised to gain so much from all these new clients in need of expensive life term medical intervention. And by legalizing the transgender identity men will be prioritized over women’s rights.

For those who think that men will regulate themselves in a manner that does not use this new identity venue for criminal purposes I am reminded of Alan Greenspan crying “but we never suspected that corporations wouldn’t self regulate”. Men convicted of sex crimes are now in women’s prison under the guise of being transwomen and demanding sex change operations paid for by the state. Men are now in women’s domestic violence shelters under the guise of being transwomen. Their presence triggering women who have been traumatized by men and sometimes harassing the women by hitting on them. Male bodies are now in women’s sports under the guise of being female. Whether or not they are indeed transgender makes no difference when a penis is still attached. But because this is an authoritarian agenda there are criminal repercussions for saying so or objecting to such.

Is there any light of hope in this cascade of events? In her epilogue she visits the newly formed group of young women who have detransitioned from having been on the trans train. Led by Charlie Evans who is herself a detransitioned transman returning to female. This is who will have to lead this battle with their scars bared to prove their right to a voice. Because this issue arrived fully formed into public discourse as a civil rights movement and was delivered into the minds of waiting liberals who had no memory of it developing save for the high profile transwomen celebrities branding the identity into existence.

While well versed lawyers inserted an agenda fully fleshed out with well rehearsed verbiage to state their case without consulting any of those who would be impacted, namely women and girls. And a silencing already in place when they did begin to realize they’d been fleeced of their own category. Thus the mantra of transwomen are women becomes a civil rights movement. And though transgender people are already protected under the protected characteristic of gender reassignment and in the U.S. recent supreme court decision covering gender non-conforming presentations the new demand to legalize gender goes further. The category of women is rendered moot by dint of inclusion of men.

This tiresome fight may have to run its course over many years possibly decades while women go underground to form resistance blocks and fight to keep their children from being abducted by the trans train. And physically taken from them if they don't agree to the trans affirmative medial intervention their child has been persuaded and coached into demanding.

I am now satisfied that I understand what this trans phenomenon is, who is behind it, what it takes to question it and the parallel philosophies that brought it on not to mention those who will profit i.e. the medical industrial complex completely apart from the obfuscating academics. And it doesn’t really seem to have anything to do with gender identity and the protection of trans people. It has to do with power and how power is enforced through ideology and how that ideology is strong armed into existence by shutting up descent.

And like most arguments that have you on the defensive from the get go it will sap you of all your energy and divert resources from other more worthy causes more real than this psychodrama of largely white men who would be women. And only by getting distance from it can it be witnessed in a dispassionate manner.

A weathered and faded AMOCO sign seen on old NY 17 (now CR 172) in Wurtsboro NY. Amoco merged with the infamous BP in 1998, and by the early 2000's all Amoco stations had been relabeled BP. This sign was seen at a fenced in auto yard, it was not an operating station.

Hamburg, Germany. 2008 to 2016.

Taken on 135, color negative film.

--

Technical Notes: Minolta XD7. The film emulsion was probably Rossmann's house brand of a ASA400 film, made in Japan, likely relabeled Fuji film sold under the Rossmann brand. This film does not exist anymore. Scanned on a PrimeFilm XAs in RAW with VueScan Pro, then processed in Lightroom with Negative Lab Pro.

Hamburg, Germany. 2008 to 2016.

Taken on 135, color negative film.

--

Technical Notes: Minolta XD7. The film emulsion was probably Rossmann's house brand of a ASA400 film, made in Japan, likely relabeled Fuji film sold under the Rossmann brand. This film does not exist anymore. Scanned on a PrimeFilm XAs in RAW with VueScan Pro, then processed in Lightroom with Negative Lab Pro.

The Tower-16 is a relabeled Mamiya-16 submini.

I bought film in La Paz, Bolivia, for about 2 U$ each... not a bad deal for Agfa Vista in South America. But as I had a closer look, it turned out as a pretty obvious fake... although the package looked pretty good. It even wasn't an ISO 100, but 200 film... args.

If anyone knows if it really is a fake or if the new owners of the brand AGFA buy film and relabel them oficially... please let me know it.

// UPDATE: It seems to be a complete fake! There is no code and no writing on the negative... which turned out with a pretty big color shift:

www.flickr.com/photos/flowtopia/sets/72157630622145314/

In the 1940s, the FDA took a series of actions against the Sun-Kraft Health Lamp, an ultraviolet ray device introduced earlier in the decade by the Sun-Kraft Co. of Chicago. Selling for a comparatively steep price of $64.50, the lamp—as its name implied—claimed to be more than just a tanning device. Its ads reminded customers that the lamp could stimulate production of vitamin D and convey certain health benefits. Those benefits that had been known for decades, and, of course, Vitamin D could be produced by spending time in the sunshine.

Sun-Kraft’s advertising and labeling went much further, however, including exaggerated or unfounded claims for the power of the lamp, such as relief of hay fever, colds, arthritis, asthma, bronchitis, hypertension, wound infection, and hypertension.

The Federal Trade Commission, not the FDA, was the agency with authority over advertising. However, the product’s health claims were cited in an instruction manual and other accompanying literature, and therefore constituted product labeling. And that did fall under FDA authority, thanks to the 1938 Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, which prohibited adulteration and misbranding of medical devices.

It was under this authority that FDA seized over 3000 Sun-Kraft lamps in a number of actions between 1945 and 1950. Virtually all of the lamps were relabeled under the FDA’s supervision under a court order. Although Sun-Kraft subsequently dropped its price to $19.95, that failed to help and the product largely disappeared shortly after FDA’s final seizure of the product.

Hamburg, Germany. 2008 to 2016.

Taken on 135, color negative film.

--

Technical Notes: Minolta XD7. The film emulsion was probably Rossmann's house brand of a ASA400 film, made in Japan, likely relabeled Fuji film sold under the Rossmann brand. This film does not exist anymore. Scanned on a PrimeFilm XAs in RAW with VueScan Pro, then processed in Lightroom with Negative Lab Pro.

In the 1940s, the FDA took a series of actions against the Sun-Kraft Health Lamp, an ultraviolet ray device introduced earlier in the decade by the Sun-Kraft Co. of Chicago. Selling for a comparatively steep price of $64.50, the lamp—as its name implied—claimed to be more than just a tanning device. Its ads reminded customers that the lamp could stimulate production of vitamin D and convey certain health benefits. Those benefits that had been known for decades, and, of course, Vitamin D could be produced by spending time in the sunshine.

Sun-Kraft’s advertising and labeling went much further, however, including exaggerated or unfounded claims for the power of the lamp, such as relief of hay fever, colds, arthritis, asthma, bronchitis, hypertension, wound infection, and hypertension.

The Federal Trade Commission, not the FDA, was the agency with authority over advertising. However, the product’s health claims were cited in an instruction manual and other accompanying literature, and therefore constituted product labeling. And that did fall under FDA authority, thanks to the 1938 Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, which prohibited adulteration and misbranding of medical devices.

It was under this authority that FDA seized over 3000 Sun-Kraft lamps in a number of actions between 1945 and 1950. Virtually all of the lamps were relabeled under the FDA’s supervision under a court order. Although Sun-Kraft subsequently dropped its price to $19.95, that failed to help and the product largely disappeared shortly after FDA’s final seizure of the product.

In the 1940s, the FDA took a series of actions against the Sun-Kraft Health Lamp, an ultraviolet ray device introduced earlier in the decade by the Sun-Kraft Co. of Chicago. Selling for a comparatively steep price of $64.50, the lamp—as its name implied—claimed to be more than just a tanning device. Its ads reminded customers that the lamp could stimulate production of vitamin D and convey certain health benefits. Those benefits that had been known for decades, and, of course, Vitamin D could be produced by spending time in the sunshine.

Sun-Kraft’s advertising and labeling went much further, however, including exaggerated or unfounded claims for the power of the lamp, such as relief of hay fever, colds, arthritis, asthma, bronchitis, hypertension, wound infection, and hypertension.

The Federal Trade Commission, not the FDA, was the agency with authority over advertising. However, the product’s health claims were cited in an instruction manual and other accompanying literature, and therefore constituted product labeling. And that did fall under FDA authority, thanks to the 1938 Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, which prohibited adulteration and misbranding of medical devices.

It was under this authority that FDA seized over 3000 Sun-Kraft lamps in a number of actions between 1945 and 1950. Virtually all of the lamps were relabeled under the FDA’s supervision under a court order. Although Sun-Kraft subsequently dropped its price to $19.95, that failed to help and the product largely disappeared shortly after FDA’s final seizure of the product.

In the 1940s, the FDA took a series of actions against the Sun-Kraft Health Lamp, an ultraviolet ray device introduced earlier in the decade by the Sun-Kraft Co. of Chicago. Selling for a comparatively steep price of $64.50, the lamp—as its name implied—claimed to be more than just a tanning device. Its ads reminded customers that the lamp could stimulate production of vitamin D and convey certain health benefits. Those benefits that had been known for decades, and, of course, Vitamin D could be produced by spending time in the sunshine.

Sun-Kraft’s advertising and labeling went much further, however, including exaggerated or unfounded claims for the power of the lamp, such as relief of hay fever, colds, arthritis, asthma, bronchitis, hypertension, wound infection, and hypertension.

The Federal Trade Commission, not the FDA, was the agency with authority over advertising. However, the product’s health claims were cited in an instruction manual and other accompanying literature, and therefore constituted product labeling. And that did fall under FDA authority, thanks to the 1938 Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, which prohibited adulteration and misbranding of medical devices.

It was under this authority that FDA seized over 3000 Sun-Kraft lamps in a number of actions between 1945 and 1950. Virtually all of the lamps were relabeled under the FDA’s supervision under a court order. Although Sun-Kraft subsequently dropped its price to $19.95, that failed to help and the product largely disappeared shortly after FDA’s final seizure of the product (with thanks to Susan Laine for the donation of this object).

So back in 2009, there was brief interlude in Power Rangers programming. Rather than bringing in a new series, Disney opted to broadcast a touched up version of the original Mighty Morphin' Power Rangers.

There were of course toy releases from this line. The Megazord, relabeled the Dino Megazord, was released. The toy was of course not as complex as the original figure, but was being sold at MSRP that reflected this.

Somewhere in the middle of this season, Saban retook the license from Disney, and basically implemented the Legacy series, which took these redesigned toys and blinged them out with better, more screen accurate paint applications and die cast metal parts.

The Legacy Dragonzord, released in Summer of 2014, can combine with both the Legacy Megazord and the Dino Megazord (which makes sense, as they are the same toy). Generous paint applications all around, though kind of expected given the $80 price tag.

I do miss that chrome on the original toy, though.

Die cast content is limited to the feet of the toy.

Long story short, the figure no longer features the lights and sound of the original. However, it does improve upon the original by having greater articulation in the arms and legs, a longer and more articulated tail, and a sleeker overall look.

The Dragonzord combines with the Megazord in two ways - it takes over the arms and legs to form the Dragonzord Battle Mode, and combines with the entire Megazord to form the Mega Dragonzord.

Combining the toys is very similiar to back in the 90's, though combing the Mega Dragonzord is a bit more annoying, as you need to take off the Pterodactyl as well as lower the chest piece on the Tyranosaurus. Also, the shoulder clips aren't as easy to put on.