Unlike in today's mass production era, porcelain in ancient China was made by a variety of small businesses in various districts. The imperial family would always prioritise purchasing better ceramics.

Here it is for everyone who has been waiting for it since our previous mention, or who simply skipped ahead till they discovered it. A mature butterfly has a lifespan of three to four weeks, although the full life cycle can last anywhere from two to eight months. There are exceptions to the rule, as there are to any rule. At least one butterfly species lives for around 24 hours, but certain migratory butterflies, such as the North American Monarch, can live for about eight months.

In the 1920s, makeup artist Michelle Menard invented a nail polish made of car enamel. Her recipe was popular among flappers. Their preferred method, known as the Moon Manicure, was to paint only the centre of the nail, leaving the tip and cuticle uncovered. Menard was working for Charles Revson, which is now known as Revlon, at the time.

Rattlesnakes, like other snakes, lack an eardrum in their inner ear anatomy, which prevents them from hearing sounds in the air. While some reptiles, like some species of lizard, have tympanic membranes, a snake's inner ear is directly attached to its mouth. Snakes must instead rely on their jaws to detect vibrations. However, there is an ongoing controversy among biologists as to whether snakes perceive sound through pressure or mechanical body vibrations.

Luckily, lots of locals speak English so don’t fret if your Mandarin is less than fluent.

The Carolingian Empire was a European empire that included what is now France, Italy, and the Netherlands. It also covered sections of Austria, Spain, and the majority of Germany. The name derives from its founder, Charles the Great, or Charlemagne as he is more popularly known. Charlemagne destroyed the Frisians in what is now the Netherlands and the Saxons in Northern Germany throughout his conquests. Both the Frisians and the Saxons were Viking adversaries who had previously kept them in check. As the Carolingian Empire fell following Charlemagne's death, the now-unchecked Vikings exploited Europe's vulnerability.

You are reducing air pollution for everyone by keeping your automobile at home. By avoiding congested main routes when you're walking, you can make it safer for yourself. If you can't avoid a big road, however, move as far away from the kerb as you can because even a few meters can reduce your exposure to pollution.

Mercedes-Benz automobiles today are expensive, owing to over a century of precision engineering and safety innovation. Thankfully, the Mercedes-Benz Certified Pre-owned (CPO) programme allows you to acquire a famous automobile at a more affordable price. In addition to a lower price, every CPO Mercedes-Benz comes with industry-leading coverage: an unlimited-mileage guarantee for up to five years, among other benefits available only through Authorized Mercedes-Benz dealers.

Maine includes about 2500 lakes, as well as over 5000 rivers and streams. Maine has a large river system that spans over 32,000 miles. The Saint John River, which runs for 418 miles and essentially divides Maine from Canada, is the longest of these. It is known as the "Wolastoq" by the Maliseet, which means "bountiful and good" in Maliseet.

Every country has a few outdated laws which didn't quite catch up with the times, but some of the laws in Bangkok will really leave you scratching your head as to the reason they were formulated in the first place. You might inadvertently commit a crime if you:

-Leave the house without wearing underwear 
-Drive a motorized vehicle bare-chested
-Use a durian fruit as a weapon; the fine levied will be determined according to the number of thorns that strike the victim
-Step on the currency, as it contains the image of the King and must not be disrespected 

 

Do you think anglerfish and other bioluminescent critters are cool? You, too, light in a similar process known as biophoton emission. Scientists have been able to record minuscule quantities of light emitted by chemical processes in our cells using ultra-sensitive cameras. The glow, however, cannot be seen with the naked eye since it is a thousand times dimmer than what humans can perceive.

The historic Chateau Frontenac Hotel. Fairmont Hotels presently manages it. I knew I had to stay at this hotel the moment I saw photographs of it. It was incredibly lovely on the inside and exterior. I can see why it's the world's most photographed hotel! If possible, plan to remain there.

Another obscure Mexican truth. The country is well-known for its Corona and Sol beers, which are popular around the world, but did you know there are MANY other types of cool Mexican beer? Pacifico, Indio, Tecate, Victoria, and Bohemia are just a few examples.

Though it would quickly cruise its way into film history, the script for Taxi Driver came together in just a few days. As screenwriter Paul Schrader told The Hollywood Reporter, "I crashed at an ex-girlfriend's place, and I just wrote continuously. The first draft was maybe 60 pages, and I started the next draft immediately, and it took less than two weeks."

Barbara Gordon's crippling was one of the most infamous scenes in the Batman saga. When Alan Moore had the idea, he asked DC's head, Len Wein, if it was okay. Wein is said to have said, "sure, go ahead," as if they didn't care about her. Moore later said in a 2006 interview that he wished DC had reined him in a little more on that.

The onset of cataracts may be influenced by poor nutrition. Your risk of cataracts increases if you consume a diet low in antioxidants, selenium, and vitamins A, C, and E. Eat a healthy, balanced diet to make sure you are getting all the nutrients your eyes require. The detrimental effects of smoking on your health are well-known. However, smoking is a little-known factor that contributes to cataracts and your eyes. In actuality, your chance of acquiring cataracts is really doubled if you smoke 20 or more cigarettes each day.

The Amazon, which spans nine South American countries and covers between 6.24 and 6.56 million km^2 is the world’s Largest tropical rainforest. The rainforest represents more than 80% of the Amazon biome and contains a dazzling array of different animal species – ranging from mammals, to reptiles and insects!

It is hardly surprising that languages such as Bengali, Sanskrit, Nepalese, and Urdu are so similar to Hindi. If you can read Hindi, you can simply learn these additional languages.

An annual competition for students who are blind, the Braille Institute hosts more than 1,400 students from the U.S. and Canada to test their braille skills. Contestants compete in categories like reading comprehension, proofreading, and spelling. Winners in each age group walk away with monetary prizes – and braille bragging rights for a year.

Good karma is thought to be bestowed upon those who do good in their lives. Every good or bad action in life affects karma, and Hindus believe that if you have good karma at the end of this life, your next life will be better.

Although the origin of the name "Jolly Roger" is unknown, one theory attributes it to the use of red flags. A red flag was commonly used during naval warfare centuries ago to signal that no mercy would be shown and that anyone captured would be killed immediately. According to theorists, the French called it a Joli Rogue ("pretty red"), which was then translated into English as Jolly Roger. Another theory holds that the name Jolly Roger was derived from "Old Roger," a term for the Devil. Oh, these pirates are so enigmatic!

When "The Hurt Locker" won six Oscars out of a possible nine nominations, including the coveted Best Picture award, it set a new record for the lowest-grossing film ever to take home an Oscar. Its estimated box office revenue of $21 million is less than 2% of what its rival, "Avatar," brought in during the same period.

According to studies, beets' high concentrations of certain antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds lower the risk of a variety of malignancies.