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#1
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Not that you would recognise a tree from reading their description of
Welwitschia mirabilis. OK. I have given several reasons why Welwitschia is a tree: 1. It is a conifer, in a group where almost all its relatives are trees. 2. It has a single definite woody trunk. 3. It has leaves coming out of the top. 4. It is a perennial. Incidentally, besides pictures, I have met them personally. Now tell me why Welwitschia is *not* a tree. Reading a description of Welwitschia by a German botanist I don't sense any laughter German botanists don't count. Do any of them have a sense of humor? (I know one personally, although he was born in Belgium.) Iris, Central NY, Zone 5a, Sunset Zone 40 "If we see light at the end of the tunnel, It's the light of the oncoming train." Robert Lowell (1917-1977) |
#2
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Reading a description of Welwitschia by a German botanist I don't sense any laughter German botanists don't count. Do any of them have a sense of humor? (I know one personally, although he was born in Belgium.) This reminded me of a couple of things. Firstly, when I was in the US some years ago, I noticed that all our old Irish jokes were told about Poles. Presumably because the Irish have rather more influence over there than they do here. Secondly, some years ago I mentioned the Scottish characteristic of parsimony (as seen by most of the rest of the world). This was challenged by a Dutchman who pointed out that while the Scots had the reputation, it was the Dutch who had the application to excel in this endeavour. In fact, he pointed out that the Belgians had an old joke that copper wire was invented by two Dutchmen fighting over a penny. Cheers, Phred. -- LID |
#3
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Phred schreef
Secondly, some years ago I mentioned the Scottish characteristic of parsimony (as seen by most of the rest of the world). This was challenged by a Dutchman who pointed out that while the Scots had the reputation, it was the Dutch who had the application to excel in this endeavour. In fact, he pointed out that the Belgians had an old joke that copper wire was invented by two Dutchmen fighting over a penny. ******* The Scots borrowed lots of things from the Dutch, like golf. PvR |
#4
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In article , Phred wrote:
the Belgians had an old joke that copper wire was invented by two Dutchmen fighting over a penny. 8-) Roger (who has found people in both nations to be generous) |
#5
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How great the white man's burden must be!!!
So why was he named for a pimple? "Roger Whitehead" wrote in message ... In article , Phred wrote: the Belgians had an old joke that copper wire was invented by two Dutchmen fighting over a penny. 8-) Roger (who has found people in both nations to be generous) |
#6
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Aw gee! Just like a cactus-geek affecting
latinisms.............................!! "Cereus-validus" wrote in message news How great the white man's burden must be!!! So why was he named for a pimple? "Roger Whitehead" wrote in message ... In article , Phred wrote: the Belgians had an old joke that copper wire was invented by two Dutchmen fighting over a penny. 8-) Roger (who has found people in both nations to be generous) |
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