When he wrote this, Earth had twice the number of species of plants and animals that now survive. Human population was 3 billion (up from 750,000 200 years earlier p. 211) (and rising by one billion per 12 years, as it has ever since).
Speed of sound in surface ocean at 0ºC is 1543 m/s; in air at 0ºC, 332 m/s. p. 54.
Reef-forming coral won't grow below about 70ºF. p. 59. [Nor will they survive more than tiny concentrations of atmospheric CO2, which dissolves in seawater, becomes acid, and kills coral.] Polyps range from pinhead- to pea-size. They extend their tentacles only at night. p. 62. When a moray bites it doesn't let go: you have to cut its head off. p. 69. Sea urchins walk at night. p. 70. Probably the greatest hazard of the reef is sunburn. p. 75.
Minimum rainfall for a tropical rainforest is about 80 inches/year. p. 101. Zero to 10 inches/year is desert. Deserts lie in latitudes where winds blow toward the equator. p. 123.
Forest and sea are similar in having sunny high layers, grading down to dark depths, with appropriately-adapted communities of living things at each level.
In northern woods, the mosquitoes biting you are apt to be all of the same kind; while in the rain forest, almost every bite will be from a different species of mosquito, if that is any comfort. p. 105.
The ants poured on in their tens of thousands, swept through our snake pit, and left us with skeletons. p. 110.
Some male moths can locate a female of their species a mile away, and fly directly to her. pp. 177, 186.
To a dog, the silently approaching vampire bat would sound like a boiler factory falling in out of the sky. p. 184.
Look at the human brain as a product, a consequence, of the use of tools, the development of culture. pp. 219-228.
Southeast Asia seems to be the original home of a surprising number of domesticated plants and animals. p. 237-239.
Joy in the Morning, P.G. Wodehouse [1881-1975], 1947, 296 pages, ISBN 1585672769
... the super-sticky affair of Nobby Hopwood, Stilton Cheeswright, Flo
Joy in the Morning, P.G. Wodehouse [1881-1975], 1947, 296 pages, ISBN 1585672769
... the super-sticky affair of Nobby Hopwood, Stilton Cheeswright, Florence Craye, my Uncle Percy, J. Chichester Clam, Edwin the Boy Scout and old Boko Fittleworth--or, as my biographers will probably call it, the Steeple Bumpleigh Horror. (Chapter 1)
The root of the trouble was that she was one of those intellectual girls, steeped to the gills in serious purpose, who are unable to see a male soul without wanting to get behind it and shove. (Chapter 2)
'Jeeves,' he went on, emotionally, 'you must have that brain of yours pickled and presented to some national museum.' 'Very good, m'lord.' 'When you've done with it, of course.' (Chapter 29)
Thomas Ray
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