The elephant's tusks, greatly coveted by humans, are by far longer and more elegant those of the few other animals that also have them. And the elephant's flexible, endlessly useful trunk, a lithe appendage that is nose and lip combined, has no equivalent feature in any other animal. Yet the stately elephant sports on its ample backside a skinny little flywhisk of a tail. Improbable as the elephant's parts are, the whole is a creature of consummate dignity, or of wicked hilarity, depending upon the individual elephant's mood and personality. In addition to its superb equipment for managing the physical environment, the elephant is keenly intelligent and emotionally complex in a way that resembles no other animal so much as man.

The earliest written reference to rice cultivation in Italy dates from the fifteenth century, but rice probably was introduced to Italy in the tenth century, most likely as a result of the Saracen invasion. These marauding Arabs brought to Sicily and the mainland some of their favorite foods, including citrus fruits, sugar cane, and almonds. The history of rice--the edible seeds of an annual grass--is considerably older than its first appearance in Italian cuisine, possibly even older than wheat.

All children benefit from the regular health monitoring provided by Muthaiga Pediatrics. If a child's health records and/or history are incomplete or unknown, as is often the case with adoption, then such screenings may take on an even greater importance. By catching and treating a child's health challenges at an early stage, when therapies can be most effective, Muthaiga Pediatrics can help you secure the long-term health of your new son or daughter. If, as is most likely, your adoptive child is perfectly healthy, the whole family will enjoy greater peace of mind as you continue to bond.

Malaria is a serious illness. It is generally most dangerous for children and pregnant women. Mosquitoes are not the cause but the carrier (vector) of malaria. Certain mosquito species inject a tiny parasite into the human bloodstream when they bite. The malaria parasite attacks the liver and, in some cases, the nervous system and brain, particularly if the disease is not treated promptly. Muthaiga Pediatrics recommends a two-step approach to malaria prevention for all families living in or visiting areas of East Africa that are less than 2,500 feet above sea level.