From: Michael M. Butler (butler@comp-lib.org)
Date: Tue Jun 25 2002 - 03:43:19 MDT
Alex Ramonsky wrote:
> Damien, what are 'anters'? Was the Ilk some kind of anteater or what? Is
> it related to the mousse?
*Ahem*. Permit me, friend Damien?
Ilk are not anteaters per se, but this has been a source of some confusion.
"Anters" are large anvil-like protrusions on either side of an ilk's head. The
ilk kill ants individually with these as follows: An ilk uses its prehensile
lips to pick an ant up and deposit it on a large flat rock or convenient ice
slab(footnote). The ilk then "pronks" over in a backflip which catches the ant
unawares; the anters smash the target ant into mush with about a 2/3
probability. 1/3 of the time, the ilk lands in such a way that the ant escapes
with only a headache. Probability of the ilk getting a headache is
depressingly near unity.
The formic acid, etc. from the ant carcass is used as a garnish for lichen
which the ilk then eats using its aforementioned prehensile lips.
(footnote) In winter, ants are harder to find but much easier to mush--or so
I've been informed; I've never seen an arctic antsled team myself. Stalking
ants, while an interesting topic, is beyond the scope of the present
discussion.
I love watching the Nature Channel.
--
butler a t comp - lib . o r g
I am not here to have an argument. I am here as part of a civilization.
Sometimes I forget.
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