This strange looking creature is a porcupine fish. It gets its name from the many sharp barbs that cover its body. When this fish feels threatened, it gulps in water and inflates in size, causing all those barbs to stick straight out. That makes it...
Russia (Federation); Russia; Russia--Folklore; Russia--Social life and customs; Puppets; Toys
This story is about a widower with a lovely daughter who marries a woman who had a daughter from a previous marriage. The stepmother hated her new stepdaughter and made her husband take her away to the forest and leave her there to die. The man...
This insect is also known as a Spiny Leaf or Macleay’s Spectre Stick insect. This insect belongs to a group called “Phasmids," all resembling sticks or leaves. This helps them hide from predators. This is a female, which is usually much...
Pomo Indians; Pomo Indians--Social life and customs; Musical instruments; Indians of North America--Music; Indians of North America--California
Clap sticks are used to keep rhythm in most Central Californian Native American dances. The stick is hit against the hand, causing the two split sides to clap together. 4-8 men clap sticks simultaneously while singing. At a certain point in the...
Miwok Indians; Miwok Indians--Social life and customs; Musical instruments; Indians of North America--Music; Indians of North America--California
Clap sticks are used to keep rhythm in most Central Californian Native American dances. The stick is hit against the hand, causing the two split sides to clap together. 4-8 men clap sticks simultaneously while singing. At a certain point in the...
Before envelopes with glue, letter writers used a stamp and sealing wax to seal their mail. Used since medieval times, the wax stick is heated with a candle or other flame until it drips onto the paper to be closed. The stamp is applied and the wax...
Baseball was still a new sport when some young boy wore this outfit in the early 20th century. This uniform of wool shirt, knickers and cap were durable but probably uncomfortable in the summer heat. Kids have been playing stick ball for centuries....
Paleo-Indians; Paleo-Indians -- Implements; Indians of North America -- Implements; Indians of North America -- Antiquities; Implements, utensils, etc.
As early as 11,000 years ago, the first people to inhabit the Americas were making tools to hunt for food. Tools were chipped from stone, called chert. Over time, people learned where the best sources of chert were located and traveled or traded to...
Hockey; Hockey--Equipment and supplies; Angola (Ind.); Wood carving; Woodwork
Around 1910, Will Meyer lived in Angola, Indiana when he found this piece of wood. Seeing a possible hockey stick, he carved and smoothed it into shape. Once winter came, he used it to play ice hockey. By 1910, the one hundred year old game was...
Paleo-Indians; Paleo-Indians--Implements; Indians of North America--Implements; Indians of North America--Antiquities
Archaeologists disagree about who carved stones like this one, generally called bannerstones, as well as what these stones were used for by prehistoric Native Americans. Some believe they were made for creating rope, starting a fire or as drilling...
Field hockey; Field hockey--Equipment and supplies
Ancient civilizations including Greeks, Persians, Romans, Aztec Indians and Arabs played stick games. Today field hockey continues to be a popular sport all over the world. Two teams of 11 players face off on a rectangular field. Only the...
