Food for thought from PZ Myers, with a healthy dose of criticism and contextual information.

Specifically, the interesting point to be made is that Darwin didn't simply predict that the length of the insect tongues would MATCH the orchid tubes, but rather that the orchids would be selected for longer tubes each generation (because the insects, now with slightly shorter tubes, would be forced to press up against the flower to get the nectar and thus would receive pollen all over their bodies that would then be spread by the insects), and the insects would be selected for longer tongues in order to reach across the ever-increasing distance.

It's somewhat of an arms race, in that the orchids benefit by the insects having to struggle to reach the nectar, and the insects benefit by having longer proboscises to not have to struggle to reach the nectar, leading to the development of very long tubes and tongues.

I voted, I voted!

But, but, I don't know about Danish, but in English, a solarium is a room. I have one in my house. It's warm, it's got a lot of glass, and it's a good place to grow orchids. That woman is in a tanning bed.

Glad this got published the second time around. Thought it was very cool.

http://www.videosift.com/video/Orchid-Mantis-Catches-and-Devours-Damselfly-100--2

i filmed this. i didnt have any video editing progs so couldnt put music on at the time. was filmed on this very spot i'm on now in my living room. the mantis is an Orchid mantis ( Hymenopus coronatus) it was called Dumpy

(apologies in advance for the implied ad hominems and poor similes)

On this list of thousands of voters, Deano and Lucky perceive beautiful and unique voices of democratic expression like delicate droplets of dew on the hidden orchid.

All I see are BODIES.