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Featured Article: Pegmatite

Pegmatite, with blue crystals of corundum

Pegmatite is a very coarse-grained igneous rock, with a grain size of 20mm or more. Most pegmatites are composed of quartz, feldspar, and mica; in essence a "granite." Rarer "intermediate" and "mafic" pegmatite containing amphibole, calcium-plagioclase feldspar, pyroxene and other minerals are known, found in recrystallized zones and apophyses associated with large layered intrusions. Crystal size is the most striking feature of pegmatite, with crystals usually over 50mm in size. However, individual crystals over ten meters across have been found, and the world's largest crystal was found within a pegmatite.

Popular Article: Manga

The kanji for "manga"

Manga is the Japanese word for comics and print cartoons. In their modern form, manga date from shortly after World War II but have a long, complex background in earlier Japanese art. In Japan, manga are widely read by people of all ages, and include a broad range of subjects including action-adventure, romance, sports and games, historical drama, comedy, science fiction and fantasy, mystery, horror, sexuality, and business and commerce. When used outside Japan, the term “manga” refers specifically to comics originally published in Japan. Japanese manga has had an increasing influence on both the styles and aesthetics of comics and on the marketing of comics internationally.

Did you know?

Aristotle believed that human nature is inherently political since individuals cannot achieve happiness without forming states (political bodies) because the individual in isolation is not self-sufficient (source: Aristotle)

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