ALL THE REST —  May 29
  

Amphibians and FROGS

The Surinam toad


The pipoid frogs (30 species, 5 genera) are the only tongueless frogs. They are also the only frogs that have claw-like structures on three of their toes. (The frogs of the genus Pipa do not have the claws). All species of the pipoid frogs are highly aquatic, and therefore, have large, fully webbed feet. The pipoid frogs have no vocal chords. They produce clicking sounds under water by using bony rods in the larynx. They range in size from about 1 1/2 inches to 7 inches.

Pipoid frogs of the genus Pipa, live in South America east of the Andes and in Panama. One of the most bizarre looking members of the Pipoid frogs is the Surinam toad (Pips pipa). It is almost 7 inches long. It is built something like a squared off pancake with a limb at each corner. Not only does this creature look strange, but its breeding habits are also unusual.

In a complicated underwater mating ritual, the male fertilizes his mate's eggs as they are laid. He then distributes them over her back, where they sink into the spongy tissue over several days. The eggs by then have formed pockets in the mother's back, giving a pebbly texture to her skin. While on her back the eggs continue to develop until they leave as small frogletts.

Sources for the Amphibian - Frog series include:

Encyclopedia of Reptiles and Amphibians - Editors: Dr. Harold G. Cogger, Dr. Richard G,.Zweifel, Academid Press
Frogs - Text: David Badger, Photography: JohnNetherton; Voyageur Press
Groliers Encyclopedia
Microsoft(R) Encarta(R)
Encyclopedia Britanica

A cheerful heart is good medicine,
but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.
Proverbs 17:22 (NIV)

"What sunshine is to flowers, smiles are to humanity. These are but trifles, to be sure; but, scattered along life's pathway, the good they do is inconceivable."

Joseph Addison

 

Too Much TV

A mother was reading a book about animals to her 3 year old daughter:

Mother: "What does the cow say?"

Child: "Moooo!"

Mother: "Great! What does the cat say?"

Child: "Meow."

Mother: "Oh, you're so smart! What does the frog say?"

The wide-eyed little three-year-old looked up at her mother and replied, "Bud."

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A less than bright man inquired of his friend about an item he was carrying. "It's a Thermos," said the friend.

"What does it do?" said the man.

"Well," said the friend, "it keeps hot things hot and cold things cold."

The next day the friend noticed that the man had purchased a Thermos.

"What do you have in it," said the friend. The man proudly responded, "Two cups of coffee and a Popsicle."

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The boss was standing in front of the paper shredder with a confused look on his face. I asked if he needed any help and he said, "Yeah, how does this thing work?"

I took the papers from him and fed them into the shredder, demonstrating how it worked. He just stood there a moment with another confused expression. So I asked, "Any questions?"

"Yeah," he said. "Where do the copies come out?"

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Frequently Asked Questions About Health Care

By David Lubar

Q.What does HMO stand for?

A. This is actually a variation of the phrase, "Hey, Moe!" Its roots go back to a concept pioneered by Doctor Moe Howard, who discovered that a patient could be made to forget about the pain in his foot if he was poked hard enough in the eyes. Modern practice replaces the physical finger poke with hi-tech equivalents such as voice mail and referral slips, but the result remains the same.

Q. Do all diagnostic procedures require pre-certification?

A. No. Only those you need.

Q. I just joined a new HMO. How difficult will it be to choose the doctor I want?

A. Just slightly more difficult than choosing your parents. Your insurer will provide you with a book listing all the doctors who were participating in the plan at the time the information was gathered. These doctors basically fall into two categories -- those who are no longer accepting new patients, and those who will see you but are no longer part of the plan. But don't worry -- the remaining doctor who is still in the plan and accepting new patients has an office just a half day's drive away!

Q. What are pre-existing conditions?

A. This is a phrase used by the grammatically challenged when they want to talk about existing conditions. Unfortunately, we appear to be pre-stuck with it.

Q. Well, can I get coverage for my pre-existing conditions?

A. Certainly, as long as they don't require any treatment.

Q. What happens if I want to try alternative forms of medicine?

A. You'll need to find alternative forms of payment.

Q. My pharmacy plan only covers generic drugs, but I need the name brand. I tried the generic medication, but it gave me a stomach ache. What should I do?

A. Poke yourself in the eye.

Q. I have an 80/20 plan with a *200 deductible and a *2,000 yearly cap. My insurer reimbursed the doctor for my out-patient surgery, but I'd already paid my bill. What should I do?

A. You have two choices. Your doctor can sign the reimbursement check over to you, or you can ask him to invest the money for you in one of those great offers that only doctors and dentists hear about, like windmill farms or frog hatcheries.

Q. What should I do if I get sick while traveling?

A. Try sitting in a different part of the bus.

Q. No, I mean what if I'm away from home and I get sick?

A. You really shouldn't do that. You'll have a hard time seeing your primary care physician. It's best to wait until you return, and then get sick.

Q. I think I need to see a specialist, but my doctor insists he can handle my problem. Can a general practitioner really perform a heart transplant right in his office?

A. Hard to say, but considering that all you're risking is the *10 co-payment, there's no harm giving him a shot at it.

Q. What accounts for the largest portion of health care costs?

A. Doctors trying to recoup their investment losses.

Q. Will health care be any different in the next century?

A. No, but if you call right now, you might get an appointment by then.

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TRUE FACT ...

Humans begin laughing at two to three months of age. Six year olds laugh about 300 times per day, while adults laugh from 15 to 100 times per day.

SOURCE: NYT, Dr. William F. Fry, Stanford University

Some times I wake up grumpy; other times I just let her sleep.

Daily Miscellany Comics

Have A Great Day !

Phillip Bower

Send Mail to pbower@neo.rr.com