Hi Rob, I think it's probably a Myxomycete, ie a slime mould. They are really remarkable things. I almost responded to your first one suggesting such, but I wasn't quite sure because it didn't look sponge/particulate enough. Anyway, have a google and admire... Jinty
"Slime molds are "no more than a bag of amoebae encased in a thin slime sheath, yet they manage to have various behaviors that are equal to those of animals who possess muscles and nerves with ganglia -- that is, simple brains."
Holy cr*p! That hasn't soothed my fears at all Jinty! I think though, that you may be right! I'm keeping a weather-eye on the mass!
Jinty's explanation seems a lot more measured and reasonable than yours jabba. I don't mean to criticise you and do value your contribution but ..have you really thought this through?
Jinty got it, it's a slime mold. Might be Enteridium but definately a long way from my expertise :)
Some slime molds (not these ones) are a model for the evolution of multicellularity - single celled organisms than can come together to form a 'body' and move about. Amazing.
It's more than a little disturbing David. While I was getting the mail this morning, I swear it spoke to me! Something about 'environmental degradation' and 'responsibility'. I was tempted to squash it but thought maybe I could sell it instead, and but a burger with the money!
Gerry: I think you could "buy" a burger (hardly news to you eh Big Boy) or "butt" a burger, as in head or arse, both of which would provide some much-needed cardio for you, but "but"?
12 comments:
Hi Rob,
I think it's probably a Myxomycete, ie a slime mould. They are really remarkable things. I almost responded to your first one suggesting such, but I wasn't quite sure because it didn't look sponge/particulate enough. Anyway, have a google and admire...
Jinty
"Slime molds are "no more than a bag of amoebae encased in a thin slime sheath, yet they manage to have various behaviors that are equal to those of animals who possess muscles and nerves with ganglia -- that is, simple brains."
Holy cr*p!
That hasn't soothed my fears at all Jinty!
I think though, that you may be right!
I'm keeping a weather-eye on the mass!
caused by global warming??
Jinty's explanation seems a lot more measured and reasonable than yours jabba. I don't mean to criticise you and do value your contribution but ..have you really thought this through?
Crikey! I hope it doesn't get any bigger. Can you prod it from afar with a pointy stick?
A “slime mould” - is that something that metamorphoses into an ACT Party politician?
Lynda - I poked it with my finger and it's a sensation I'll not forget in a hurry. You know those balloons filled with rice that poor jugglers use...
Toad - if only I'd thought about it a few days ago, I could have posted it across the blogosphere as Act's Mystery No.3. candidate!
Dang!
Jinty got it, it's a slime mold. Might be Enteridium but definately a long way from my expertise :)
Some slime molds (not these ones) are a model for the evolution of multicellularity - single celled organisms than can come together to form a 'body' and move about. Amazing.
It's more than a little disturbing David. While I was getting the mail this morning, I swear it spoke to me!
Something about 'environmental degradation' and 'responsibility'. I was tempted to squash it but thought maybe I could sell it instead, and but a burger with the money!
Gerry Brownlee (subbing for Robert)
Gerry: I think you could "buy" a burger (hardly news to you eh Big Boy) or "butt" a burger, as in head or arse, both of which would provide some much-needed cardio for you, but "but"?
I'm back Suz. Gerry's an idiot, he hits the 't'key every time he shoots for 'y'.
I'll not ask him to sub for me ever again!
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