Malacology Malacology Malacology is the branch of invertebrate zoology that deals with the study of the Mollusca (mollusks or molluscs), the second-largest phylum of animals in terms of described species after the arthropods. Mollusks include snails and slugs, clams, octopus and squid, and numerous other kinds, many of which have shells. One division of malacology, conchology, is devoted to the study of mollusk shells. Malacology derives from Greek , "malakos", "soft"; and , "-logia". Fields within malacological research include taxonomy, ecology and evolution. Applied malacology studies medical, veterinary, and agricultural applications, for example mollusks as vectors of disease, as in schistosomiasis.
Earthly Branches Earthly Branches, which is somewhat similar to the modern-day practice of English-speaking pilots using "o'clock" for directions. Since 12 points were not enough for sailing, 12 midpoints were added. Instead of combining two adjacent direction names, they assigned new names: The 24 directions are: Advanced mariners such as Zheng He used 48-point compasses. An additional midpoint was called by a combination of its two closest basic directions, such as ("bǐngwǔ") for the direction of 172.5°, the midpoint between ("bǐng"), 165°, and ("wǔ"), 180°. Earthly Branches The twelve Earthly Branches or Terrestrial Branches are an ordering system used throughout East Asia