I established Venatrix in 2015, after seeing an opportunity in the market to focus on graduate recruitment into leading SaaS/tech firms

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One of the most effective ways to cultivate an engaged and productive team is to actively demonstrate appreciation for your employees’ hard work and dedication. When individuals feel genuinely valued by their employer, it translates into improved morale, heightened job satisfaction, increased productivity, and greater overall retention. Showing genuine gratitude doesn't have to be an elaborate or costly endeavor. Even seemingly simple yet thoughtful gestures can go a long way in making your staff feel recognized and energized about their contributions to the company. Whether through personalized acknowledgments, unique incentives, or fostering a strong sense of community, there are myriad creative approaches to expressing appreciation. Personalized recognition A simple but powerful way to make employees feel appreciated is through personalized recognition of their efforts. According to Asim Hafeez, Owner and Operator of Empower Energy Solutions, “Showing your employees that you genuinely care through personal gestures that recognize their value and contributions resonates deeply.” This recognition can be as easy as direct, one-on-one praise or a handwritten thank-you note acknowledging specific contributions. Whatever approach you take, make sure to tell your employees face-to-face that they are doing well. Public recognition is also highly impactful. “Recognizing employees' achievements in team meetings or through company-wide communications makes them feel valued and seen by their peers and the broader organization,” says Amanda Webster, vice president of Fund & Grow. Simple acts like announcing an “Employee of the Month” or giving shout-outs during meetings can motivate individuals and foster a culture of collaboration. Team building and community Creating a strong sense of community and team cohesion is another way to make employees feel truly part of something bigger. “Organize events that allow employees to relax and bond outside work, such as team dinners, outings, or recreational activities,” Webster suggests. “These events can enhance team cohesion and make everyone feel like part of a community.” Jay Avigdor, CEO and president of Velocity Capital Group, takes this principle even further by striving to build a truly family-like atmosphere. “Everyone here is far more than an employee — we're all family,” he says. “Team-building activities, outings, and fostering an authentic sense of belonging will pay dividends in productivity and retention efforts.” Professional development opportunities Investing in both your employees’ professional and personal growth demonstrates a vested interest in their long-term success. “I can’t stress enough how everything stems from genuine care,” Hafeez notes. “Investing in your employees’ personal growth and professional development shows that you care, and they will be more willing to offer the same care right back into your company.” For example, Webster states, “Investing in your employees' growth by providing training, workshops, or courses shows that you value their development and future.” However, providing learning opportunities is only one facet. “Consistent feedback and open communication are essential,” says Asha Tarry, a licensed psychotherapist, caregiver coach, and owner of Behavioral Health Consulting Services LMSW, PLLC. “Employees like periodic updates on their work performance because it allows them to take inventory of themselves and set short-term goals they can review with their managers.” As Tarry explains, this dialogue allows employees to gain clarity on expectations and voice any needs for further training or support. It also facilitates an environment where growth is prioritized and shows you are actively invested in their professional journeys. Unique incentives and perks Creative incentives and fun workplace perks can infuse excitement and tangible rewards into your appreciation efforts. Avigdor, for example, utilizes an innovative “spinning wheel” system. “The more we fund, the more spins they get,” Avigdor explains. “For every $1 million we fund, the team gets a spin at the end of the month for items like new Airpods, cash prizes of $150 or $200, mystery prizes, and gift cards. If we fund more, it means they’ve worked harder, and the more spins they get.” Avigdor goes on to describe additional creative perks at his company. “One day, we had breakfast that came to the office with an omelet chef and a guy who makes professional espressos,” he says. “We even shut down the office once early and had a ventriloquist come for some entertainment!” Other ideas include office treats, creative spaces to recharge, or unique team bonuses. Showing genuine care At the core of any effective appreciation strategy is genuine care and interest in your employees as whole individuals. Hafeez suggests asking questions like, “When was the last time we asked them what their dreams were? When was the last time we had them submit a list of their dreams and followed up with them?” Finding ways to add value to employees' lives outside of work, whether funding a class they're interested in or connecting them to resources, shows that you see them as multidimensional people. “I think that's where the good stuff comes in — when we take genuine interest in adding value to their lives outside,” Hafeez says. Equally important is leading with empathy and consideration. “Being a considerate and respectful speaker had an impact on my self-esteem and performance,” Tarry reflects. “It created more anxiety not only in me, but I saw it firsthand in my colleagues. Conversely, when I worked with managers who were ‘people leaders,’ my mood was better.” When fostering a culture of appreciation within your organization, it’s clear that the simplest gestures often yield the most significant impact. Whether through personalized acknowledgments, fostering a strong sense of community, or investing in professional growth, the key lies in demonstrating genuine care for your employees. By recognizing and celebrating their contributions publicly and privately, you can boost morale and cultivate a sense of belonging and camaraderie. Furthermore, providing opportunities for growth and development, along with creative incentives and perks, reinforces your commitment to their success and well-being. Ultimately, leading with empathy and consideration establishes a foundation of trust and support, paving the way for a motivated and engaged workforce. This story was distributed by Jon Stojan Media under HackerNoon’s Brand As An Author Program. Learn more about the program here: https://business.hackernoon.com/brand-as-author One of the most effective ways to cultivate an engaged and productive team is to actively demonstrate appreciation for your employees’ hard work and dedication. When individuals feel genuinely valued by their employer, it translates into improved morale, heightened job satisfaction, increased productivity, and greater overall retention. Showing genuine gratitude doesn't have to be an elaborate or costly endeavor. Even seemingly simple yet thoughtful gestures can go a long way in making your staff feel recognized and energized about their contributions to the company. Whether through personalized acknowledgments, unique incentives, or fostering a strong sense of community, there are myriad creative approaches to expressing appreciation. Personalized recognition Personalized recognition A simple but powerful way to make employees feel appreciated is through personalized recognition of their efforts. According to Asim Hafeez, Owner and Operator of Empower Energy Solutions , “Showing your employees that you genuinely care through personal gestures that recognize their value and contributions resonates deeply.” Empower Energy Solutions Empower Energy Solutions This recognition can be as easy as direct, one-on-one praise or a handwritten thank-you note acknowledging specific contributions. Whatever approach you take, make sure to tell your employees face-to-face that they are doing well. Public recognition is also highly impactful. “Recognizing employees' achievements in team meetings or through company-wide communications makes them feel valued and seen by their peers and the broader organization,” says Amanda Webster, vice president of Fund & Grow . Simple acts like announcing an “Employee of the Month” or giving shout-outs during meetings can motivate individuals and foster a culture of collaboration. Fund & Grow Fund & Grow Team building and community Team building and community Creating a strong sense of community and team cohesion is another way to make employees feel truly part of something bigger. “Organize events that allow employees to relax and bond outside work, such as team dinners, outings, or recreational activities,” Webster suggests. “These events can enhance team cohesion and make everyone feel like part of a community.” Jay Avigdor, CEO and president of Velocity Capital Group , takes this principle even further by striving to build a truly family-like atmosphere. “Everyone here is far more than an employee — we're all family,” he says. “Team-building activities, outings, and fostering an authentic sense of belonging will pay dividends in productivity and retention efforts.” Velocity Capital Group Velocity Capital Group Professional development opportunities Professional development opportunities Investing in both your employees’ professional and personal growth demonstrates a vested interest in their long-term success. “I can’t stress enough how everything stems from genuine care,” Hafeez notes. “Investing in your employees’ personal growth and professional development shows that you care, and they will be more willing to offer the same care right back into your company.” For example, Webster states, “Investing in your employees' growth by providing training, workshops, or courses shows that you value their development and future.” However, providing learning opportunities is only one facet. “Consistent feedback and open communication are essential,” says Asha Tarry, a licensed psychotherapist, caregiver coach, and owner of Behavioral Health Consulting Services LMSW, PLLC. “Employees like periodic updates on their work performance because it allows them to take inventory of themselves and set short-term goals they can review with their managers.” As Tarry explains, this dialogue allows employees to gain clarity on expectations and voice any needs for further training or support. It also facilitates an environment where growth is prioritized and shows you are actively invested in their professional journeys. Unique incentives and perks Unique incentives and perks Creative incentives and fun workplace perks can infuse excitement and tangible rewards into your appreciation efforts. Avigdor, for example, utilizes an innovative “spinning wheel” system. “The more we fund, the more spins they get,” Avigdor explains. “For every $1 million we fund, the team gets a spin at the end of the month for items like new Airpods, cash prizes of $150 or $200, mystery prizes, and gift cards. If we fund more, it means they’ve worked harder, and the more spins they get.” Avigdor goes on to describe additional creative perks at his company. “One day, we had breakfast that came to the office with an omelet chef and a guy who makes professional espressos,” he says. “We even shut down the office once early and had a ventriloquist come for some entertainment!” Other ideas include office treats, creative spaces to recharge, or unique team bonuses. Showing genuine care Showing genuine care At the core of any effective appreciation strategy is genuine care and interest in your employees as whole individuals. Hafeez suggests asking questions like, “When was the last time we asked them what their dreams were? When was the last time we had them submit a list of their dreams and followed up with them?” Finding ways to add value to employees' lives outside of work, whether funding a class they're interested in or connecting them to resources, shows that you see them as multidimensional people. “I think that's where the good stuff comes in — when we take genuine interest in adding value to their lives outside,” Hafeez says. Equally important is leading with empathy and consideration. “Being a considerate and respectful speaker had an impact on my self-esteem and performance,” Tarry reflects. “It created more anxiety not only in me, but I saw it firsthand in my colleagues. Conversely, when I worked with managers who were ‘people leaders,’ my mood was better.” When fostering a culture of appreciation within your organization, it’s clear that the simplest gestures often yield the most significant impact. Whether through personalized acknowledgments, fostering a strong sense of community, or investing in professional growth, the key lies in demonstrating genuine care for your employees. By recognizing and celebrating their contributions publicly and privately, you can boost morale and cultivate a sense of belonging and camaraderie. Furthermore, providing opportunities for growth and development, along with creative incentives and perks, reinforces your commitment to their success and well-being. Ultimately, leading with empathy and consideration establishes a foundation of trust and support, paving the way for a motivated and engaged workforce. This story was distributed by Jon Stojan Media under HackerNoon’s Brand As An Author Program. Learn more about the program here: https://business.hackernoon.com/brand-as-author This story was distributed by Jon Stojan Media under HackerNoon’s Brand As An Author Program. Learn more about the program here: https://business.hackernoon.com/brand-as-author This story was distributed by Jon Stojan Media under HackerNoon’s Brand As An Author Program. Learn more about the program here: https://business.hackernoon.com/brand-as-author https://business.hackernoon.com/brand-as-author

Empowering Your Team: 5 Easy Ways To Show Employee Appreciation

আপনার দলকে ক্ষমতায়ন করা: কর্মচারীর প্রশংসা দেখানোর 5টি সহজ উপায়

Bestärken Sie Ihr Team: 5 einfache Möglichkeiten, Ihren Mitarbeitern Wertschätzung zu zeigen

Empoderar a su equipo: 5 formas sencillas de mostrar aprecio a los empleados

Donner du pouvoir à votre équipe : 5 façons simples de montrer l'appréciation de vos employés

अपनी टीम को सशक्त बनाना: कर्मचारियों की सराहना दिखाने के 5 आसान तरीके

チームに力を与える: 従業員に感謝の気持ちを伝える 5 つの簡単な方法

팀 역량 강화: 직원에게 감사를 표시하는 5가지 쉬운 방법

Capacitando sua equipe: 5 maneiras fáceis de mostrar a valorização dos funcionários

Расширение возможностей вашей команды: 5 простых способов показать признательность сотрудникам

Ekibinizi Güçlendirmek: Çalışan Takdirini Göstermenin 5 Kolay Yolu

Trao quyền cho nhóm của bạn: 5 cách dễ dàng để thể hiện sự đánh giá cao của nhân viên

赋予团队权力：表达对员工赞赏的 5 种简单方法

It's become blatantly apparent to seasoned readers and writers that AI is pulling the strings behind the scenes, and it's like trying to pass off a synthetic rose as the real deal. There's a certain artificiality, a lack of genuine human touch that leaves a discerning reader feeling, well, duped. Let’s not beat around the bush here. Using like write content such as a blog post is like trying to replace Shakespeare with a computer program that generates words from billions of sentences based on known patterns. ChatGPT to do things Sure, it can pull coherent sentences, though it lacks the spirit, the enthusiasm, the creativity that a human writer brings to the table. And don't even get me started on trying to trick readers into thinking it's all man-made. With AI content publishers on the rise, this is a game of cat and mouse. The AI ​​tries to mimic human expression, and the detector tries to reveal some cool algorithm calculated underneath. It’s a battle of wits, and honestly, it’s like cheap magic with the audience knowing exactly how the rabbit got into the hat. Now, as we stand on the precipice of 2024, there is a tiny glimmer of hope (or fear, depending on your point of view) Could we witness the birth of an AI Shakespeare, a digital Dickens? The color blew my mind. Call me a Luddite, but in the mess of human creativity there are imperfections and flaws that make text uniquely ours. Let’s get into the details. Using ChatGPT in text processing and content creation feels like serving good old-fashioned wine and then revealing that it is in fact non-alcoholic beverage. It’s not just the words on the page; it’s the soul, the idiosyncrasies, the very human nuances that gives life to a story. ChatGPT, for all its wonders and algorithmic ingenuity, cannot replicate the intricate tapestry of human commentary or creativity. It’s nothing more than a digital ventriloquist trying to mimic the rhythm of a professional speaker, and the audience doesn’t pick up a whisper of the strings being pulled. So, here’s to a brave new world of AI content creation. May 2024 not be the year of proving us wrong or solidifying our belief that, no matter how brilliant algorithms are, they will never have the warmth and authenticity of a human-authored story. Cheers to the writers, dreamers’ storytellers and tech experts here on – those who put real life into words and provide us with the entertainment and quality content consumption we seek. Id also like to say a big thank you to for birthing this great platform. Hackernoon David Smooke Have a happy and safe 2024!

The State of Content Creation in the Age of Artificial Intelligence

HYDRAULIC MACHINERY.

SENSATION AND PERCEPTION.

ON THE CARE OF HEALTH.

We've all faced that stubborn coding challenge where you just feel stuck and drained of ideas. Or, worse, the general malaise of burnout that saps all inspiration from your work... where instead of getting energy from what we're working on, it just takes and takes and takes. Reigniting creative energy takes effort but pays off in big ways. We have to remember that “busy” does not equate to “productive.” Sometimes, the relentless pace of the work gives the illusion of constant productivity. But exhaustion breeds staleness and clouds the mind -- in other words, you end up getting in your own way. Over the years, I've come across a few strategies that help me refuel; maybe you'll find use in one or two. Step Away and Detach Build in time off to physically and mentally detach from work. Coding requires mental focus. Our brains need periods of rest to process ideas subconsciously. This should not be left to vacations. This is a throughout-the-day thing. Take breaks. Stand up! Get some sunshine! intense When it comes to vacations, completely detach. Avoid anything code-related—Immerse in totally different activities instead. Make rest non-negotiable. You’ll return with renewed perspective and fresh approaches to work -- and, sometimes, life in general! Immerse in a New Domain Look outside coding to unrelated domains for inspiration. New spaces provide new metaphors and mental models to draw from. Scan broadly at first to glimpse various ideas. Follow whatever domain intrigues you deeper. The fresh context will stimulate creativity. Have you ever stopped to really look at how plants grow? I mean, really?! The material phase shifting necessary for them to move around and grow is completely insanely interesting. And how vines wave around in circles as if "looking" for something to grab onto. Or, how about the fractalized growth patterns in plants: dendritic venation? This dendritic venation is a wonderful physical manifestation of modularity and a demonstration of the ability of simple structures to manifest an incredible amount of complexity. It's not necessary for solutions to be complex to manifest complex behavior. obviously The proof is right there! Change Your Environment Get into different physical environments to spark new associations. Work from a coffee shop or take a nature retreat. Different spaces provoke different energies and ideas. Being in one place too long for any reason breeds staleness. Dislodge your thoughts by changing the scenery. Collaborate and Gather Diverse Input Discuss challenges with colleagues across disciplines. Their perspectives will reveal blindspots in your thinking. Feedback and co-creation generate new directions. It's amazing how much clarity is derived from the process of simplifying and abstracting ideas from software such that they can be understood and discussed with folks outside of software. It's worth the effort! Bounce half-formed ideas off mentors. The interplay of voices brings out your best ideas. You have all you need inside already - collaborate to pull it out. Make Side Projects Passion Projects Reignite the sheer love of coding with no strings attached. Experiment freely with new technologies that excite you. Follow passion projects where they lead naturally. Feel free to make things! useless Coding without creative constraints reconnects you with the joy of programming. Rejuvenate by scratching your experimentation itch. Of all the things on this list, finding a way to feel like you can with your profession is by far the most important. play Limit Distractions and Context Switching Constant distractions and context switching impede deep focus and flow states. Limit distractions during heads-down work. Block time to dive fully into complex problems. Put it on the calendar, AND . tell people that you're unavailable It's way too easy to say "yes" to things. We all want to be helpful. It feels good to always be available to jump in and help everyone else. But you have to be able to take care of yourself, too. Don't leave yourself to the end. Start there. Depth breeds unexpected connections as ideas intermingle. Shallow work prevents those sparks. Remove disruptions and focus deeply. Reflect on Past Successes Remember projects where you felt fully engaged in flow. Analyze what conditions and choices worked well. Then, recreate those situations. Review code from your creative peaks. Recall the mindset you brought to the work. Recapture the essence and apply it again. Creativity requires renewal. While demanding, make recharging a priority. Your inspiration fuels your passion for programming itself—experiment and find what works for you. Invest in yourself. You're worth it. Also published . here

Reviving Your Creative Energy as a Developer

THE SACRED BEETLE: THE GRUB, THE METAMORPHOSIS, THE HATCHING-CHAMBER

WILLIAM ROWAN HAMILTON

Our Humble Helpers: Familiar Talks on the Domestic Animals by Jean-Henri Fabre, is part of the HackerNoon Books Series. You can jump to any chapter in this book here . THE GIZZARD CHAPTER II. THE GIZZARD “Nearly all the higher or mammiferous animals,” Uncle Paul continued, “such as the dog, cat, wolf, horse, have only one digestive pouch—a stomach—where the alimentary substances are dissolved and made fluid, so as to enter the veins and be turned into blood, by which all parts of the body are nourished. But the ox, goat, and sheep—the cud-chewers, in short—have four digestive cavities, which I will tell you about later. I will tell you how, in the pasture, these animals hastily swallow almost unchewed grass and put it by in a large reservoir called a paunch, from which it comes up again afterward in a season of repose, to be rechewed at leisure in small mouthfuls. “Well, birds are fashioned in a similar way, as far as eating is concerned. Not being able to chew, as they have no teeth, they swallow their food without any preparation, nearly as the beak has seized it, and amass a quantity of it in a spacious stomach, just as the ox does in his paunch. From this reservoir the food passes, little by little, into two other digestive cavities, one of which immerses it in a liquid calculated to dissolve it, and the other grinds and triturates it better than the best pair of jaws could [ ]do. There takes place a kind of chewing, it is true, only the food, instead of returning to the beak, where teeth are lacking for its thorough mastication, continues its journey, and on the way comes to the triturating machine. Birds, then, are generally provided with three digestive cavities. 18 “The first is the crop, situated just at the base of the neck. It is a bag with thin and flexible walls, its size proportioned to the resistant nature of the food eaten. It is very large in birds that feed on grain, especially the hen, and is medium-sized, or even wholly wanting, in those that live on prey, which is much easier to digest than dry and hard seeds. In the crop, the food swallowed in haste remains hours and even days, as in a reservoir; there it softens somewhat, and is then submitted to the action of the other digestive pouches. The crop corresponds in a certain sense to the bag in which the pelican stores up his fishing; it represents also the first stomach of the ox and the other cud-chewers or ruminants. “Next to the crop is a second enlargement, called the succenturiate ventricle, of small capacity but remarkable for a liquid of a bitter taste that oozes in fine drops through its walls and moistens the food as it passes. This liquid is a digestive juice; it has the property of dissolving the alimentary substances as soon as trituration has done the greater part of the work. The food does not remain in this second stomach; it merely passes through to become impregnated with the digestive juice. “The third and last stomach is known as the gizzard. It is rounded and is slightly flattened on both sides, like a watch-case, and is composed—especially in birds that live on grain—of a very thick, fleshy wall, lined on the inside with a kind of hard and tenacious leather which protects the organ from attrition. Finally, it is to be noted that at the same time the bird is swallowing grain it takes care also to swallow a little gravel, some very small stones which, away down in the gizzard, will perform the office of teeth.” “I know what the gizzard is,” volunteered Emile. “When they are cleaning a chicken to cook, they take out of the body something round that they split in two with a knife; then they throw away a thick skin all wrinkled and stuffed with grains of sand, and the rest is put back into the chicken.” “Yes, that is the gizzard,” said Uncle Paul. “Let us complete these ideas got from cooking. The bird, not having in its beak the molars necessary for grinding, as in a mill, the seeds that are hard to crush, supplies its gizzard with artificial teeth, which are renewed at each repast; that is to say, it swallows little pebbles. The grain, softened in the crop and moistened with the digestive juice during its passage through the succenturiate ventricle, reaches the gizzard mixed with the little stones that are to aid the triturating action. The work then performed is easy to understand. If you pressed in your palm a handful of wheat mixed with gravel, and if your fingers, by continual movement, made the two kinds of particles rub vigorously against each other, is it [ ]not true that the wheat would soon be reduced to powder? Such is the action of the gizzard. Its strong, fleshy walls contract powerfully and knead their contents of sand and seeds without suffering damage themselves from the friction, because of the tough skin that lines their inside and protects them from the roughness of the gravel. In such a mill the hardest kernels are soon reduced to a sort of soup. 20 “To make you understand the prodigious power of the gizzard, I cannot do better than relate to you certain experiments performed by a learned Italian, the abbot Spallanzani. A century ago the celebrated abbot, while pursuing his researches on the natural history of animals, caused a number of hens to swallow some little glass balls. ‘These balls,’ he said, ‘were sufficiently tough not to break when thrown forcibly on to the ground. After remaining three hours in the hen’s gizzard they were for the most part reduced to very tiny pieces with nothing sharp about them, all their edges having been blunted as if they had passed through a mill. I noticed also that the longer these little glass balls remained in the stomach, the finer the powder to which they were reduced. After a few hours they were broken into a multitude of vitreous particles no larger than grains of sand.’ ” “A stomach that can grind glass balls to powder,” commented Jules, “is certainly a first-rate mill.” “You shall hear something still more remarkable,” returned his uncle. “Wait. ‘As these balls,’ continued the abbot, ‘were polished and smooth, they [ ]could not create any kind of disturbance in the gizzard.’ So he was curious to see what would happen if sharp and cutting bodies were introduced. ‘We know,’ he says, ‘how easily little pieces of glass, broken up by pounding, tear the flesh. Well, having shattered a pane of glass, I selected some pieces about the size of a pea and wrapped them in a playing card so that they would not lacerate the gullet in their passage. Thus prepared, I made a cock swallow them, well knowing that the covering of card would break on its entrance into the stomach and leave the glass free to act with all its points and sharp edges.’ ” 21 “With all those little pieces of glass in its stomach,” said Jules, “the bird must surely have died.” “Not a bit of it. The bird would have come out all right if the experimenter had not sacrificed it to see the result. The cock was killed at the end of twenty hours. ‘All the pieces of glass were in the gizzard,’ the abbot tells us, ‘but all their sharp edges and points had disappeared so completely that, having put these fragments on my palm, I could rub them hard with the other hand without inflicting the slightest wound. “ ‘The reader,’ he goes on, ‘must be curious to learn the effect produced on the gizzard by these sharp-pointed bodies that rolled around there unceasingly until they lost their keen edges and sharp points. Opening the cock’s gizzard, I examined minutely the inside skin after having well washed and cleaned it. I even separated it from the gizzard, [ ]which is done without difficulty, and thus it was easy to scrutinize it as closely as I wished. Well, after all my pains I found it perfectly intact, without a tear or cut, without even the slightest scratch. The skin appeared to me absolutely the same as that of the cocks that had not swallowed glass.’ ” 22 “So the bird that is made to swallow pieces of broken glass,” said Jules, “grinds them up without injury and without even a scratch, while we could not so much as handle this dangerous stuff with the tips of our fingers without wounding ourselves. This power of the gizzard is really inconceivable.” “What follows is still more surprising,” resumed Uncle Paul. “Spallanzani continues: ‘The experiments with glass not having done the birds any harm, I performed two others that were much more dangerous. In a leaden ball I placed twelve large steel needles so that they stuck out of the ball more than half a centimeter, and I made a turkey swallow this ball, bristling with points and wrapped in a card; and it kept the ball in its stomach a day and a half. During this time the bird showed not the slightest discomfort, and in fact there could have been none, for on killing the bird I found that its stomach had not received the slightest wound from this barbarous device. All the needles were broken off and separated from the leaden ball, two of them being still in the gizzard, their points greatly blunted, while the other ten had disappeared, ejected with the excrement. “ ‘Finally, I fixed in a leaden ball twelve little steel lancets, very sharp and cutting, and I made [ ]another turkey swallow the terrible pill. It remained sixteen hours in the gizzard, after which I opened the bird and found only the ball minus the lancets; these had all been broken, three of them, their points and edges entirely blunted, being found in the intestines, the nine others having been ejected. As for the gizzard, it showed no trace of a wound.’ 23 “You see, my little friends, a bird’s gizzard is the most wonderful organ of trituration in the world. What are the best-equipped jaws in comparison with this strong pouch which, without suffering so much as a scratch, reduces glass to powder and breaks and blunts steel needles and lancets? You can understand now with what ease the hardest seeds can be ground when the gizzard of the granivorous bird presses and rolls them pell-mell with small stones.” “Where glass and steel are broken up,” said Emile, “grain ought to turn to flour as well as in a mill.” About HackerNoon Book Series: We bring you the most important technical, scientific, and insightful public domain books. This book is part of the public domain. Jean-Henri Fabre (2022). Our Humble Helpers: Familiar Talks on the Domestic Animals. Urbana, Illinois: Project Gutenberg. Retrieved https://www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/67073/pg67073-images.html This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org , located at https://www.gutenberg.org/policy/license.html .

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