The Plane of Knowledge: Know Your Conifers

Know your Conifers:
For each of the following types of conifers, tell how they are distinguished from other types of conifers. In general, this will involve talking about needle shape and grouping, cone disposition, and tree shape. List an example of each.
1) Spruces
2) Firs
3) Pines

Bonus: List 2 edible parts of conifers. They don't have to be edible on every conifer, just 2 things that come from conifers you can eat.

Bonus: List 2 types of conifers not mentioned here.




Answer's to yesterday's PoK: THE WAR OF 1812:
1) Who declared war on whom, and what were the reasons?

Well, Brian's right, we declared war on them, and there was a trade issue, specifically that the British were interfering with our trade with France (who they were at war with on the European continent). Davey was also right about them stealing people for their armed forces, although it was the impressment of American sailors rather than soldiers that was the main problem there. Additionally, the British were funding & supplying Native American tribes (such as the Shawnee under Tecumseh) in what was then the northwest frontier, and those tribes were preventing settlement in lands the US had obtained by treaty after the Revolutionary War.

2) How long did the war last?

Until 1815. The Treaty of Ghent was signed on December 24, 1814. After the treaty was signed, the Battle of New Orleans took place on January 8, 1815 (Jackson & his troops were unaware of the peace). The treaty was ratified by the US in February.

3) Who was President at the time?

James Madison is correct.

4) What is that President's wife famous for during the war?

Brian's right again - she's famous for staying behind after basically everybody else, including her bodyguards, had left. She saved, among other things, a famous portrait of George Washington.

5) What American commander later became President?

Davey's right - it was Andrew Jackson, hero of the Battle of New Orleans.

Bonus: What battle or battles is the 1812 Overture written to comemmorate?

Davey is right - this is a trick question. It was written about the French invasion of Russia in 1812. Specifically, the Battle of Borodino, if you must know.