Feather These barbules have minute hooks called barbicels for cross-attachment. Down feathers are fluffy because they lack barbicels, so the barbules float free of each other, allowing the down to trap air and provide excellent thermal insulation. At the base of the feather, the rachis expands to form the hollow tubular "calamus" (or quill) which inserts into a follicle in the skin. The basal part of the calamus is without vanes. This part is embedded within the skin follicle and has an opening at the base (proximal umbilicus) and a small opening on the side (distal umbilicus). Hatchling birds of some
Calamus-Wheatland High School 1A school (Iowa's smallest schools enrollment tier), according to the Iowa High School Athletic Association and Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union. The school is a member of the thirteen-team Tri-Rivers Conference, which comprises schools from rural communities in Clinton, Jackson, Jones, Buchanan, Delaware, and Linn counties. The men's varsity basketball team finished second in the 2010 state basketball tournament, falling to the Siouxland Conference's Rock Valley High School. Calamus-Wheatland High School Calamus Wheatland High School is a four-year comprehensive high school located in Wheatland, Iowa. The school is part of the Calamus-Wheatland Community School District, and has an enrollment