Magnolias

Magnolia is a large genus in the subfamily Magnolioideae of the family Magnoliaceae. It is named after French botanist Pierre Magnol.

The Magnoliaceae is a family in the flowering plant order Magnoliales, the members are of exceptional evolutionary interest displaying
characterstics that are considered evolutionarily primitive. E.g. the flower parts are arranged in spirals rather than in rings, unlike
most other flowering plants, and the sepals and petals are not so clearly differentiated as in most other angiosperms; (because of having undifferentiated flower parts the term "tepals" was coined).

Some two thirds of species are distributed in Asia, from southern and eastern India, Sri Lanka, Indochina, Malaysia, China, Korea and Japan, reaching as far south as New Guinea. The remaining species are found in eastern North America, Mexico and Central America and the West Indies, reaching a southern limit in Brazil (Azuma et al., 2001)

So Magnolia is an ancient genus - fossilised specimens of Magnolia acuminata have been found dating to 20 million years ago, and of plants identifiably belonging to the Magnoliaceae dating to 95 million years ago! The monophyly of Magnoliaceae is supported by a number of shared morphological characters among the various genera included in the family.

- Most have flowers that are bisexual (with the exception of Kmeria and some species of Magnolia section Gynopodium), showy, fragrant, radial, and with an elongate receptacle. Leaves are alternate, simple, and sometimes lobed.

- The inflorescence is a solitary, showy flower with indistinguishable petals and sepals.

- Sepals range from six to many; stamens are numerous and feature short filaments which are poorly differentiated from the anthers.

- Carpels are usually numerous, distinct, and on an elongate receptacle or torus - and are especially thick to avoid damage by beetles that land, crawl, and feast on them ... the flowers are beetle pollinated.

- The fruit is an etario of follicles which usually become closely appressed as they mature and open along the abaxial surface.

- Seeds have a fleshy coat and color that ranges from red to orange (except Liriodendron) and are bird dispersed.

There are just under around 250 species of Magnolia and their conservation status is as follows:

Number of Magnoliaceae taxa
Extinct 0
Critically Endangered 31
Endangered 58
Vulnerable 23
Near Threatened 9
Data Deficient 10
Least Concern 20
Not Evaluated 94

The quality of mercy is not strained - by William Shakespeare - from 'The Merchant of Venice', Act IV, Scene I

The Merchant of Venice, Act IV, Scene I - The quality of mercy is not strained- by William Shakespeare



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_A4Oh3FaHUk

The quality of mercy is not strained.
It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven,
Upon the place beneath.
It is twice blessed.
It blesseth him that gives and him that takes.
It is mightiest in the mightiest,
It becomes the throned monarch better than his crown.
His sceptre shows the force of temporal power,
An attribute to awe and majesty.
Wherein doth sit the dread and fear of kings.
But mercy is above this sceptred sway,
It is enthroned in the hearts of kings,
It is an attribute to God himself.
And earthly power dost the become likest God's,
Where mercy seasons justice.
Therefore Jew,
Though justice be thy plea, consider this,
That in the course of justice we all must see salvation,
We all do pray for mercy
And that same prayer doth teach us all to render the deeds of mercy.
I have spoke thus much to mittgate the justice of thy plea,
Which if thou dost follow,
This strict court of Venice
Must needs give sentance gainst the merchant there.

Arctic Monkeys in Manchester - A review 23rd October 2013

Sophie & I went to see The Arctic Monkeys in Manchester's MEN Arena. Picked her up from Carr Manor Primary at 4 and we got to Manchester in decent time I suppose.... 1.5 hours later we were parked in pre-paid Arena area and looking for the Japanese restaurant Sophie had found was nearby. We went to Umezushi, http://www.umezushi.co.uk, (just under the Arches along Victoria Street – just down and left from Arena NCP car park.) It’s tiny – about 20 seats! We were lucky and got two places left unreserved at the counter – most the chefs cooking were to our right.

There was a table of appreciative Japanese looking people at a table just behind us - other places had reserved on them so it is probably better to phone first! We thought and then ordered … and a flask of cold Saki (though Sophie prefers it hot).

They gave us a cucumber sesame amuse-bouche, which was lovely.

We started with Edamame.

Then I had Futomaki(which was 4 rolls with chef's choice of ingredients).

Sophie had Sashimi - 2 pieces of tuna and salmon

We then shared a Seafood tempura and had a hot flask of Saki – I only had a small v. small drink of both. Overall - very nice.












http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=MsX1dXYWs5c

The band played:

Do I Wanna Know?
Brianstorm
Dancing Shoes
Don't Sit Down 'Cause I've Moved Your Chair

Teddy Picker
Crying Lightning
One for the Road
Fireside (with Bill Ryder-Jones)
Reckless Serenade
Old Yellow Bricks
Why'd You Only Call Me When You're High?
Arabella
Pretty Visitors
I Bet You Look Good on the Dance-floor
Cornerstone
No. 1 Party Anthem
Fluorescent Adolescent
I Wanna Be Yours

Encore:
Snap Out of It
Mardy Bum (semi-acoustic)
R U Mine?

Read more at

http://letsgetcynical.wordpress.com/2013/10/24/some-brief-thoughts-on-arctic-monkeys-manchester-arena/


and

http://www.gigwise.com/news/85354/arctic-monkeys-perform-fireside-with-bill-ryder-jones-in-manchester#T3Spbk1Om5SaQbVC.99