Source: Popular Science.
The giant tube worm is one of the most conspicuous members of a diverse community that forms around hydrothermal vents. Scientists once thought that no living thing could survive the harsh combination of toxic chemicals, high temperatures, high pressures, and total darkness at these vents. But, in 1977, researchers diving in Alvin discovered tube worms and other bizarre organisms thriving at a vent off of the Galapagos Islands. Similar 11 new song America have since been found at several hundred hot spots across the world. These creatures are like nothing else on earth.
Besides the giant tube worms, which have so far have been found only in the Pacific, there are pencil-size Jericho worms with accordion-like tubes; orange worms covered with tiny bristles; small benthic worms that wriggle through the mud; and finger-length, dark red palm worms that stand upright, topped with wing like fronds. A special class of worms, called Alvinellids (named after the sub), live on the walls of mineral deposits that form around vents.Water pouring out of vents can reach temperatures up to about 400° C (752° F); the high pressure keeps the water from boiling.The most prevalent chemical dissolved in vent water is hydrogen sulfide, which smells like rotten eggs. This chemical is produced when seawater reacts with sulfate in the rocks below the ocean floor. Vent bacteria use hydrogen sulfide as their energy source instead of sunlight. The bacteria in turn sustain larger organisms in the vent community.A recent volcanic eruption has spread glassy lava across the ocean floor, and the researchers measured temperatures up to 403° C (757° F) — the hottest ever recorded at a hydrothermal vent. The scientists dubbed the site Tube Worm Barbeque, because the worms they brought back to their ship had charred flesh. [End of quote]
Part 5 _Source: Popular Science.
Song of Solomon 6:6-13 (KJV) Thy teeth are as a flock of sheep which go up from the washing, whereof every one beareth twins, and there is not one barren among them.
As a piece of a pomegranate are thy temples within thy locks.
There are threescore queens, and fourscore concubines, and virgins without number.
My dove, my undefiled is but one; she is the only one of her mother, she is the choice one of her that bare her. The daughters saw her, and blessed her; yea, the queens and the concubines, and they praised her.
Who is she that looketh forth as the morning, fair as the moon, clear as the sun, and terrible as an army with banners?
I went down into the garden of nuts to see the fruits of the valley, and to see whether the vine flourished, and the pomegranates budded.
Or ever I was aware, my soul made me like the chariots of Amminadib.
Return, return, O Shulamite; return, return, that we may look upon thee. What will ye see in the Shulamite? As it were the company of two armies.
