Author: Michael Denton
A Remarkable Mechanism for the Existence of Large Trees
The mechanism represents a unique and stunningly brilliant solution to the problem of raising water to the top of large trees.
The Amazing Circulation System of Trees
Clearly, unless water can be drawn several meters up the conduits in their tree trunks, large woody trees would be impossible.
The Role of Lignin for Fire, Explained
Without lignin, there would be no woody plants, no wood, no coal, no charcoal, no fire, no pottery, and certainly no iron or metallurgy.
Needed for Fire: All the Right Fuel
There is another aspect of the Earth’s environment that is absolutely crucial in allowing the utilization of fire for metal-based technologies.
In Praise of Copper, a Gift from Nature
If the conductivity of copper were ten times less, wires would have to be ten times the cross-sectional area to provide the same conductivity.