The seed shown is that of a peach (Prunus persica, formerly Persica vulgaris). The peach seed (or pit) contains amygdalin, a compound that gets broken down into cyanide by the enzymes in the human gut, so it's not a good idea to grind them up and eat them. Apple, cherry, and apricot seeds also contain amygdalin.

The image in the comic is based on the illustration on Plate 321 of the book Flora von Deutschland, Österreich und der Schweiz (1905) by Otto Wilhelm Thomé (1840–1925). (That book is available online at BioLib.de.)

The animal shown is a Ural owl (Strix uralensis, formerly Syrnium uralense), presumably after the Ural, a region which is part of its range.

The image in the comic is based on the illustration on Plate 12 of the book Evropské ptactvo (1871) by Anton Fritsch (Antonin Fritsch, Antonín Frič, Antonína Friče, 1832–1913). (That book is available online at BioLib.de.)

Note: I've removed the commenting for now. I found it was slowing down page loads and sometimes even causing page loads to hang. I'm looking for a better solution.

The animal shown is a bearded reedling (Panurus biarmicus, formerly Calamophilus biarmicus), also known as a bearded tit. They eat aphids in the summer and reed seeds in the winter.

The image in the comic is based on the illustration on Plate 26 of the book Evropské ptactvo (1871) by Anton Fritsch (Antonin Fritsch, Antonín Frič, Antonína Friče, 1832–1913). (That book is available online at BioLib.de.)

The animal shown in the comic is a side-striped jackal (Canis adustus). One was found in a duck pen eating the ducks' mash, making no attempt to harm the ducks (Source: Canids: Foxes, Wolves, Jackals and Dogs - 2004 Status Survey and Conservation Action Plan).

The image in the comic is based on an illustration in Brehms Tierleben (English: Brehm's Life of Animals) by Alfred Edmund Brehm (1829–1884) et al. (That book is available online at BioLib.de.)

The animal shown is a grey partridge (Perdix perdix, previously Starna perdix) also known as the English Partridge, Hungarian Partridge, or "Hun."

Here are links to information about some of the things mentioned in the comic:

• The genus Perdix
• The class Aves
• The animal kingdom
• The Partridge Family
• Andy Partridge
• Roast partridge
• Partridge Island
• Tom Ridge
• The color grey
• Gandalf
• Aubrey de Gray
• Grey's Anatomy
• A partridge in a pear tree

The image in the comic is based on the illustration on Plate 30 of the book Evropské ptactvo (1871) by Anton Fritsch (Antonin Fritsch, Antonín Frič, Antonína Friče, 1832–1913). (That book is available online at BioLib.de.)

Now it's time for something a little different. The following message is based on a real message from the president of the Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania.

Dear new student #417-8122-32,

Welcome to Slippery Rock University of Dover (SRUD)! Discover what a special place this is!

You will not only find a beautiful, historic campus spreading over 600 acres of slippery rocks but also an interested faculty committed to helping you succeed in traversing those rocks, both inside and outside the traditional classroom. The faculty at Slippery Rock University are dedicated to your learning experience. Our vision is to create for you a caring community of lifelong learners connecting with the world via telephones, fax machines, and even the so-called "Internet."

I believe you'll be excited about the possibilities we offer. Here you will find classes taught by professors, not students. You will participate in class discussions, work on group projects, and "spend time" with professors after class. You will find the latest technology to help you prepare for the complex demanding digital world (not to be confused with the real world, which has no imaginary part). You will be offered internships and experiences that prepare you for your career and for leadership opportunities.

I believe you'll be excited about the opportunities we offer. Last year, over 200 of our 56,000 students presented, exhibited, or performed original works or research at regional, state, national, international, and intergalactic professional meetings. These types of real life experiences are the opportunities that provide a link between the classroom and the world beyond our campus. Last year, we placed 96% of our graduates in either a graduate/professional program or on to the first step of their career. The remaining 4% fell into an on-campus slot canyon and we anticipate rescuing them shortly.

Success at Slippery Rock University is all about choices: Choices you make to achieve your goals. If you chose to fall into a slot canyon, then that is your choice. We believe you control your destiny. Standing behind you are almost 1,000 members of our faculty and staff pledged to help you (and our two million other alumni).

Best Wishes,

William D. Smythe, President, Slippery Rock University of Dover

The animal shown (the president) is a Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx, or sometimes Lynx borealis). Lynx eat reindeer. Run Rudolph, run!

The image of the lynx is based on an illustration in Brehms Tierleben (English: Brehm's Life of Animals) by Alfred Edmund Brehm (1829–1884) et al. (That book is available online at BioLib.de.)

The plant shown is a musk orchid (Herminium monorchis). The "Herminium" in the scientific name comes from the Greek word hermin, meaning bedpost, due to the shape of the tuber.

The image in the comic is based on the illustration on Plate 41 of the book Die Orchidaceen Deutschlands, Deutsch-Oesterreichs und der Schweiz (1894) by Max Schulze (1841–1915). (That book is available online at BioLib.de.)

The animal shown is a Baikal teal (Anas formosa), named after Lake Baikal in Southern Siberia.

The image in the comic is based on an illustration in the book Description des oiseaux observés au Japon par les voyageurs Hollandais (1842) by Philipp Franz von Siebold. (That book is available online at BioLib.de.)

In memory of Doreen Daucus (May, 2008 – July, 2008).

The plant shown is a carrot (Daucus carota subspecies sativus). According to Wikipedia, "The wild ancestors of the carrot are likely to have come from Afghanistan."

When I was growing up, we had a big vegetable garden in the backyard (a big backyard, being on a farm). My brothers and I each had our own row. Carrots usually got planted at the end farthest from the house. I liked to grow zucchini nearest the house.

The image in the comic is based on the illustration on Plate 31 of the book Botanischer Bilder-Atlas (1884) by Carl Hoffmann (1802–1883). (That book is available online at BioLib.de.)

The lizard shown is a asian snake-eyed skink (Ablepharus pannonicus).

Skinks like to eat beetles and caterpillars, but they'll also settle for cat food.

The image in the comic is based on an illustration in Brehms Tierleben (English: Brehm's Life of Animals) by Alfred Edmund Brehm (1829–1884) et al. (That book is available online at BioLib.de.)