Subject: Re: Re.: Water Gardens
From: Rev Chuck <cdub@-REMOVE_THIS-erols.com>
Organization: Erol's Internet Services
Date: Sun, 14 Jun 98 22:59:43
Message-ID: <MOD$980614.14912@rec.gardens.ecosystems>
References: <MOD$980602.26684@rec.gardens.ecosystems> <MOD$980611.8108@rec.gardens.ecosystems>
Life is nothing more than chemical reactions. While freezing can
halt living processes by arresting their kinetic actions, if properly
thawed, and if the necessary cellular containers aren't damaged or
destroyed, the reactions can resume as before. What makes freezing under
normal conditions lethal is the expansion of water ice crystals; in the
case of hamburger left in a refrigerator with a leaky door gasket, this is
called "freezer burn". If freezing can be accomplished rapidly, those
crystals won't expand. Eccentric Uncle Bob's discorporated head, as
declared in his will, stands a real chance of being grafted onto a new
body as soon as the doctors iron out the bugs.
There's an old classic science demo that never failed to thrill the
kids. A daisy would be plunged into a beaker of liquid nitrogen for
a minute, then lifted out and dropped onto the table, whereupon it would
shatter like a wine glass. Next, a goldfish, happily swimming about,
and minding its own business would be plunged into the same beaker.
It would be frozen solid, like the daisy, but unlike the daisy, it
would be tossed back into its bowl after half a minute. Giving the
kids nightmares isn't the idea. Inspiring their career choices is.
Miraculously, the fish would revive as if nothing had ever happened.
Why the icelocked fish in the pond thawed out hale and healthy come
spring was for a somewhat different reason. The fish have in their
blood, a glycol antifreeze agent very similar to the one you put in
your car's radiator (as do your winter-hardy garden plants). They'll
cool to below the freezing point of water, and their body systems will
go into near-suspended animation, but they won't quite freeze solid.
Frugally4u wrote:
>
> >Cold weather doesn't really bother goldfish unless they freeze solid-
>
> Well I live in Upstate NY & the goldfish in my pond were just feeder fish I
> bought (10 for a $1). My pond is only about 11/2ft deep, but the frost line is
> 4ft.
>
> Every year I see my little fish frozen solid in the middle of the ice cube!
> Then when spring comes ~ ~ ~ they thaw out!
>
> I couldn't believe it when this happened my first year!
>
> I wrote an article for building a pond for little or no extra money, for the
> current issue of Heart & Home Newsletter. When I read this post, it reminded me
> of it.
>
> Of course you all do what you want & I can't say the same thing will happen for
> you!
> Pearl @{--{-----------
> Publisher ~ Frugal by Choice
> FREE 100s of catalogues!
> http://members.aol.com/frugally4u
--
Rev Chuck,
Alt.Atheism Mark of the IPU #203,
Ordained Reverend, ULC, 17 March, 1997.
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