Feather development non-nervous. They have a tubular central shaft called the rachis; coming off either side of the rachis are the veins, which have a series of barbs with interlocking connections that are called barbules. The rachis and attached veins make up the spathe. The opposite of the rachis is the calamus, which anchors the feather to the body and is moved by attached dermal muscles. There are many different types of feathers that mostly follow this basic design with few variations based on evolutionary needs. Feathers are sometimes referred to as “elaborate reptile scales” just as birds are sometimes viewed as
USS Calamus (AOG-25) as did the combatant ships. While at Okinawa "Calamus" was beached as a result of Typhoon Louise, 9 October 1945, refloated 24 October 1945, repaired and returned to service. Following occupation service, "Calamus" returned to San Francisco, California, 20 March 1946 and was struck from the Navy list (date unknown). She was decommissioned 15 May 1946, and transferred to the Maritime Commission 4 September 1946. Final disposition: she was scrapped in 1964. "Calamus" received one battle star for service in World War II. Her crew was eligible for the following medals: USS Calamus (AOG-25) USS "Calamus" (AOG-25) was a "Mettawee"-class