SLAG

The reason that a person could get a patent issued for an old concept, is interesting. Such a patent was good law in England of the eighteenth century and years previously. All this because patents could be issued. The Statute of Monopolies, (1624) allowed the courts to issue a patent for a concept that was novel, and also for a concept that " Instructed the English people in a new industry". "that is one that was used elsewhere outside of England". SLAG.

Messrs. Mcostello, and Administrator Glenn, The Archaeobacterium gets energy by oxidizing iron. That is rust or black iron oxide or both. Many bugs can do this. But this bug does it at a ferocious pace. Sincerely SLAG.

SLAG, Just a little note concerning the Vikings and the L'Anse au Meadows Viking site. That "settlement" is locate in the far north west peninsula of the province of Newfoundland. Not Nova Scotia. The Viking "settlement" remains were rediscovered in 1960. It seems that the locals knew about it long before that date. Pedantic SLAG, Signing off for now. Ouch! It seems that Mr. JHCC has scooped me with a previous note. I should like to add to this thread. There were few domestic artifacts found at the site. But there a was lot of items relating to ship carpentry and smithing. Many scientists think that the site was primarily used for ship repair. And for no longer than twenty to a hundred years.

SLAG here, How about a bacterium that "eats" iron? Check out this reference, Metal-Eating Bacteria That Can Eat a Nail in Three Days Found in the Andes (msn.com) Which goes to show that wherever there is a potential energy source, there is usually some "creature" that has adapted to use it. The discovery has potential for all manner of possibilities for us. Sincerely, SLAG.

Mr. Frosty, A great comment with a brilliant observation and counter example. SLAG.

Mr. T.H., Thank you for answering my question. Again great job and keep them coming; SLAG.

Mr. T. Hound, Lovely knife. Great job. What is mammoth bark? I am intrigued. Regards, SLAG.

Also called "Plug and feathers' SLAG.

Sad news. I have been away for a while. Hence this tardy note. Every ones death is sad. Especially when they have had a good, long life. My sympathies go out to all the folks that knew him. I will ring the anvil three times, later this evening. Regards to all. SLAG.

Folks, Spring traps often yield messy results. Thus sayeth the SLAG.

Mr. B. bones, Chlorine bleach works really well. You can get rid of the smell by using photographers hypo, (a.k.a. sodium thiosulphate). It works almost instantaneously. And it's not very expensive. I used to buy it at photography shops but I was forced to buy the last batch on the net. Regards to all, SLAG.

King Charles the first is the martyred king and is an Anglican saint with a feast day. SLAG.

Mr. JHCC, Herr Cromwell was indeed a military dictator but a military genius as well., SLAG. P.S. the SLAG, is a pro Cromwellian. (the secret is out).

Mr. JHCC, Thank you for the update. But those were the days! SLAG. p.s. let us never forget "King" Oliver Cromwell, the alleged' Lord Protector".

Mr. George and Mr. JHCC, Gone are the good old days. Sigh. SLAG. was King William a Stuart? (how about his wife Mary).

Frosty, I laugh a lot. SLAG.

Herr Frosty, et al., The vaunted polar bear tours are to be found in Churchill Manitoba situated on the shore of Hudson Bay. Hundreds of bears gather there prior to the freeze up whence they disperse onto the ice. The bears can be watched in Oct. and Nov. Polar bear fur changes from white to whitish yellow in the spring to match, the thawing ice. Some bears seem to be aware of the black color of their noses, and will cover them when stalking, their ring seal prey. It is fun to see the children, during Halloween trick or treating, with an elaborate group of folks and official patrols set to protect the kiddies. Also, the town has a polar bear jail for misbehaving bears. They are then helicoptered far away out of town. SLAG.

Mr. George N.M., & Mr. Frosty, Polar bears are one of the few North American predators that will actively stalk humans. they are the largest predator in The Americas. In the far north just about every adult carried a high powered rifle. All that to avoid being eaten. I remember seeing a polar bear 'proof' fenced in area that was erected just before winter in order to protect some military equipment. When the folks came back in early spring the enclosure had been torn to pieces. The local bears were hungry. SLAG.

Mr. Frosty, Great news about Binky. I hope that he (she) is in good form and enjoying life. Anyone that would get close to a polar bear is terminally ignorant or crazy. I remember years ago about us using a bell when we collected wild blueberries, in the bush, in northern Ontario. The bell was for announcing our presence to the brown bears were, also, out collecting blueberries. Neither the SLAG (& other family members), wanted to surprise the bruins, and they surprise us. They would hear the bell and move away to other blueberry patches. Wild blueberries taste wonderful and make great pie fillings. Yards better than the commercial ones. The bears liked, them in order to bulk up for the upcoming winter hibernation. Those bears' diets consist primarily of plant matter, with the occasional side dish of meat. So carry a bell or make a lot of continuous noise whilst trekking in the Northern bush. Thank you for the heads up concerning mooses. They do look cute. I notice a moose in your picture logo. Was it your, or Deb's pet moose? Regards to all. Your friendly neighborhood, SLAG

Charles, Sorry about your recent life developments. i hope that your father is on the mend and that you are in better form. Good wishes to you and all the family. SLAG.

M.J. Lampert, All the best of good pf luck for you, your folks, and neighbors. Hopefully the RCMP (Royal Canadian Mounted Police), will be patrolling and looking for looters. Burying tools and other valuable items is a good idea. Looters are not going to spend much time digging around, where there are easy pickings elsewhere. SLAG.

George, You are Not boring us with your medical details. I understand that it was to support a fellow member. A lot of us have type two diabetes, and those details are interesting for at least us and i suspect others on the forum. Regards, SLAG.

Mr. Frosty, The tool that you describe is a called a "caulking iron". It was used in olden wooden ship building days. (and for maintaining them). For example stuffing oakum between ribs and boards Conducting an on line search using that phrase should get a better response with more contacts. I have seen them for sale in modern wood-working specialty tools catalogues. SLAG.

Mr. JHCC, You traded your right arm away for ambidexterity, about a year ago. I, also, seem to remember that you offered same on another thread before that . Are you, now, truly ambidextrous? SLAG.

Folks, you can indeed be taught how to do a skill using your non dominant hand. Or teach yourself. My mother was solidly left handed, but in her day, (late twenties and early thirties), the teachers insisted that children write with their right hand. Her hand writing eventually became excellent. It was better than at least 99.9 percent of the population. (it was really calligraphy). My parents were a mixed marriage. since my father was completely right handed. My brother and myself were/are ambidextrous and thoroughly conflicted. Mr. Glenn's idea of banging a box full of nails into a board is an excellent idea. Regards, SLAG.