One Earth, One Life..: 2006-08-20

Wolves are wild carnivore members of the dog family (Canidae). They are believed to be ancestors of the domestic dog, which evolved separately more than 20,000 years ago. Only two species of wolves remain today -- the Gray Wolf (Canis lupus) -- also called the Timber Wolf -- and the Red Wolf (Canis rufus).

The Gray Wolf is the best-known species and still inhabits some areas of the Northern Hemisphere. Some taxonomists contend there are as many as 30 subspecies of the Gray Wolf. One of these, the Mexican Wolf (Canis lupus baileyi) is the only wolf indigenous to the Southwestern Deserts.

The Red Wolf (C. rufus) is a smaller species almost extinct from the south-central United States. The extinct Dire Wolf (C. dirus), was half again as large as the modern Gray Wolf and was common in western North America during the Pleistocene, until about 10,000 years ago.

Range

The Gray Wolf has a larger natural distribution than any other mammal except humans. It once ranged through all of North America from the Arctic Circle to central Mexico. But because of human persecution and habitat destruction it has been eliminated from much of its original range.

In North America, the Gray Wolf is now found primarily in Canada and Alaska, with much smaller numbers in Minnesota. In 1995 wolves were reintroduced in wilderness areas of the northern Rocky Mountains. A small population of the sub-species Mexican Wolf once existed in higher elevations of the Sonoran and Chihuahuan deserts of Mexico but is now extinct in its native habitat.

Habitat

Wolves can live in a great variety of habitats, ranging from arctic tundra to forest and prairie, if adequate prey is present. They are absent from tropical forests, desert floors and the highest mountains.

Mexican Gray Wolf

Appreciation of Chinese Calligraphy

Calligraphy is an art dating back to the earliest day of history, and widely practiced throughout China to this day. Although it uses Chinese words as its vehicle of expression, one does not have to know Chinese to appreciate its beauty. Because in essence, Calligraphy is an abstract art. While viewing a Western abstract painting, one does not ask, "What is it?" When viewing Chinese calligraphy, one need not ask, "What is the Chinese word?"
In this page, we selected single words from the works of many master calligraphers from the past to illustrate the astounding beauty of the art. Like all art, it is best to simply look at them for enjoyment. Do not be sidetracked with questions of theory, technique, etc. Do not worry about "What is it?"
Beside each work, a very short comment is given to describe its "style", based on the classical book of Tu Meng.

Tu Meng of the Tang dynasty (618-905) developed 120 expressions to describe different styles of calligraphy and establish criteria for them. The first 15 from his list, with explanations and English interpretations by Chiang Yee:

1. ability, mysterious, careful, carefree, balance
2. unrestrained, mature, virile, grace, sober, well-knit, prolix, rich, exuberant, classic

For a flavor of these different styles, look at the calligraphy of single words, as written by the past masters. The idea here is not to learn how to write with a brush, or what the words are, but just to look at them as an abstract art.

A single word written in different styles

A gracefully executed work has no peer.

By Si-Ma Kuang, Song Dynasty (1019-1086)

Bold yet fluid -

From Ode of Mulan by [Mi Fei] [Mei Fei] (aka Mi Fu)

Formal

By [Yan Zhenqing] [Yen Chen-Ching]

Balance

By [Wu Ju]{Wu Chu]

Geometric

By Zhang Ruitu (1570-1641)

playful

By Li Juan (b. 1713)

A carefree style has no fixed directions

By [Wang Xizhi] [Wang Hsi-Chih]. The character is Sui (to follow), in cursive style.
The movement of the strokes suggests speed, by a dancing rather than a racing speed.

A gracefully executed work

An exuberant work full of feeling and vigor.