Word: hinde
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...main propulsion for the great leaps comes from the large and powerful hind legs. But, the researchers report in Scientific American, the muscles there seem inadequate for the job. For one thing, even the fastest possible single muscle contraction could not move the legs rapidly enough. Moreover, muscle efficiency invariably decreases with temperature; yet the flea seems indifferent to cold. Even when the temperature drops close to freezing, its jumping ability seems largely unimpaired...
...find the flea's lous source of energy, the researchers turned to high-speed motion picture photography (3,500 frames per second) and chemical analysis. They soon determined that it was hidden in a region filed the pleural arch near the base of the flea's hind legs. In flying insects, the pleural arch is the site of the wing-hinge ligaments, the place where the wings are attached to the exoskeleton, hard outer covering. In fleas, as well as in dragonflies, locusts and certain other insects, the arch serves another purpose: as a repository for an extraordinary...
...from expanding prematurely. In effect, the flea has "cocked" itself for the leap. Then, at the right moment, it releases the catches. The resilin snaps back to its original size, like an uncoiling spring, and exerts a sharp downward force on tendons connected to the upper part of the hind legs. That launches the flea into the air. In fact, lift-off occurs so rapidly that the flea reaches peak acceleration of 140 Gs - more than 30 times that endured by astronauts during the launch of the Saturn 5 moon rocket...
Conformation, like size and breeding formulas, does not always guarantee speed or spirit. Many big horses have their problems-malformed hind legs, for instance, or backs too long for ideal running. The majority of successful racers tend to run in medium sizes, or even on the small side. When Secretariat was a yearling romping around the farm, he demonstrated the proper spirit. Manager Howard Gentry recalls that "he always liked to lead the field, even when he was running with other yearlings across the pasture...
...raising picnic. "This is a terrible predicament-I'm chicken is what I am," Diamond confessed. He tried to escape by beginning with some of his own favorites, then got up enough nerve to swing into Eunice's choice, Sweet Caroline. Ethel responded by creeping up be hind the singer and pouring a cup of beer over his head. Thus prompted, Diamond quickly moved on to his next selection: Ethel's favorite, New York...