› added 1 year ago

286

TIL that earthworms have "completely scrambled" genomes, and belong to the taxonomic class Clitellata.

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R5m66 TIL Timbuctoo was a Black settlement in New York in the 1840s, founded after abolitionist Gerrit Smith gave away 120,000 acres of Adirondack land to free Black men to help them qualify to vote. Much of that land is now part of the John Brown Farm State Historic Site.
16RE7 TIL about Dr. Robert Liston, a victorian London surgeon known for his speed and strength, could remove a leg in less than 30 seconds, often holding the knife between his teeth. However, his speed led to mishaps, including slicing off a patient's testicle and severing his assistant's fingers.
16xPO TIL when a cat purrs, it can mean more than just contentment. Cats also purr when they are frightened, in pain, or even when they are expiring. It's considered a self-soothing, and self-healing mechanism, as their 25-150Hz frequency purr vibration can improve bone and soft tissue regeneration.
0wd91 TIL that England and Portugal have been allies since 1386, the longest unbroken treaty in effect today
QNrGM TIL of George Stathakis, who went over Niagara Falls in a barrel with his pet turtle. George survived the fall only for his barrel to get stuck, and he suffocated after 8 hours. His pet turtle, however, survived.