Four Xs

X is for xenolith (from the Greek, foreign rock), a rock that has bits of other rocks in it. This pirate-patched (or alien-eyed) example is a well-weathered breccia cobble from the shatter zone surrounding Mount Cadillac in Maine (collected outside the national park, of course). So far, there's no satisfactory theory to explain the shatter zone or this rock, which has a matrix of pale gray granite in which small, aligned crystals of shiny black hornblende outline sharp-edged fragments of dark gray basalt (theoretically, it's inside out). Theory aside, we use it as a doorstop.

X is for XOX, a sentimental favorite cable pattern.

X is for Xena, a recently discovered minor planet officially named Eris or object 2003 UB313. While I have no strong feelings about Pluto's planetary status, I do wish the astronomical authorities had conformed with past practice and honored the name selected by the discoverers of Planet X and its satellite, which they dubbed Gabrielle.

And X is for xylem, which with phloem comprises the wood of trees. Some yarns derived from plants use only phloem, but the fabulously exquisite Habu paper yarns use both.

[ETA 11/29/06: Margene is having a contest for ABC-Alongers who finish – the prize is xocolate!]

See the rest of my ABCs.

Categories: {ABC-along}