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Gotta run.

HOW does the basilisk basilisk: see iguana.

basilisk

monstrous reptile; has fatal breath and glance. [Gk. Folklore: Jobes, 184]

See : Deadliness


basilisk

lizard supposed to kill with its gaze. [Gk. Myth.
 lizard run on top of water? The secret is fancy footwork.

Tonia Hsieh, a biologist at Harvard University Harvard University, mainly at Cambridge, Mass., including Harvard College, the oldest American college. Harvard College


Harvard College, originally for men, was founded in 1636 with a grant from the General Court of the Massachusetts Bay Colony.
, used high-speed film to capture action shots of the basilisk, or Basiliscus plumifrons (BA-suh-LISS-kus PLOO-muh-frons). Her film analysis reveals that the lizard slaps each foot forcefully into the liquid to stay afloat. "The basilisk's foot is really large for its body size," says Hsieh. "And [the foot] can hit the water extremely hard." According to according to
prep.
1. As stated or indicated by; on the authority of: according to historians.

2. In keeping with: according to instructions.

3.
 Newton's third law of motion Noun 1. Newton's third law of motion - action and reaction are equal and opposite
law of action and reaction, Newton's third law, third law of motion

law of motion, Newton's law, Newton's law of motion - one of three basic laws of classical mechanics
, the superpowered downward push results in an equal and opposite force (push or pull) on the lizard's foot. Tiffs keeps the lizard from sinking.

To move forward, the basilisk speedily kicks each foot backward against the water. A slight sideways motion with each kick helps the lizard keep its balance on the wobbly wob·bly  
adj. wob·bli·er, wob·bli·est
Tending to wobble; unsteady.



wobbli·ness n.
 water surface.

But this water-topping trick zaps energy. If the basilisk were to tire and stop, it would sink. Hsieh says: "Thankfully, they are also fabulous swimmers."
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Article Details
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Title Annotation:Physical/Forces; basilisk lizard
Author:Chiang, Mona
Publication:Science World
Article Type:Brief Article
Geographic Code:1USA
Date:Mar 7, 2005
Words:162
Previous Article:Under your skin.
Next Article:Pretty ugly.
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