2012-06-26 Tuesday
     The video displayed in NTU Zoology Museum was really special, playing the sounds made by various animals, such as the Brown Wood Owl, Collared Scops Owl, Oriental Cuckoo, Muller's Barbet, Bamboo Partridge, Crested Serpent Eagle, Cassowary, Short-finned Pilot Whale and Minke Whale. It truly surprised me the nostrils of the whales are on the top of their heads, and that the Minke whales use sounds of lower frequency in order to make the sound travel for a longer distance to reach other individuals, while Short-finned Pilot whales produce ultrasonic so as to locate and tell where their foods are. Moreover, Short-finned Pilot whales make the sounds and pass it to the fatty organ in the forehead called "melon", which plays as a role of amplifier, before transmitting the sound into the sea, when they use their adipose tissue to receive the reflections.
     Having a tour in NTU insectarium was full of surprise. Though the camphor smell was uncomfortably strong, it was amazing to learn NTU has a large number of well compactly preserved insect specimens. Learning the endangered insects species in Taiwan always raise awareness to any actions regarding to the protection of them. What surprised me was that Dr. Tsai, who just had just given us the lecture of the insect of Taiwan yesterday, remembered me and called my name. I'm thankful to be remembered by the professor after only one day. I was really touched when Dr. Tsai tried his best to show me the specimens of treehoppers that I asked whether there is any in the insectarium. I was fascinated by the loveliness of the unique horns on the heads of the treehoppers.
     The following lectures I love the most was the Flora of Taiwan taught by Dr. Hu. The one of a kind characteristics and distinct functions caused by evolution of all kinds of plants intrigue me. I can not wait to go to Yang-Ming Mountain tomorrow to come across the fauna and flora in person!