[Rockhounds] Cows point north thanks to magnetite crystals

[GREGORY WEISBROD]

This is an interesting proposition from the point of view of an armchair scientist.
This is also why publishing one's studies for peer review is part of the process. 
I believe small magnets attached to migratory birds did not prevent them from 
making their appointed rounds.  A similar disturbing effect from the common cow
magnet would likely not be significant.  In "Huckleberry Finn" the lady attempts
to penetrate Huck's disguise with the "cows all facing the same way" question.
He, of course, answered "correctly."  Maybe herd beasts are not comfortable 
except when aligned.   As to orientation, most likely the animals are facing so
as to keep the sun out of their eyes or to present less area to the sun while
they are digesting.  A neat geologic tie in to extreme migratory patterns over
ages of time is the idea of continental drift.  "Ever notice how this trip seems
farther every year?"



> From: DrkHorse42 at aol.com> Date: Tue, 26 Aug 2008 19:31:17 -0400> To: rockhounds at lists.drizzle.com> Subject: [Rockhounds] Cows point north thanks to magnetite crystals> > _http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/howaboutthat/2623809/Cows-point-no> rth-thanks-to-in-built-compasses.htmlTelegraph_ > (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/howaboutthat/2623809/Cows-point-north-thanks-to-in-built-compass> es.html) > > > --- StripMime Report -- processed MIME parts ---> multipart/alternative> text/plain (text body -- kept)> text/html> ---> -- > _______________________________________________> Rockhounds at drizzle Mailing List> Subscription Services:> http://lists.drizzle.com/mailman/listinfo/rockhounds> List Home Page, with a link to the List Usage Policy:> http://www.eclecticlapidary.com/Rockhounds/index.html

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