Sinornithosaurus form from those found on birds from the same geological deposits. The body (contour) feathers were generally between 3-4.5 cm long and included two types: the first type are formed of several filaments joined together into "tufts", similar to modern down feathers. The second type, including those on the arms, were composed of rows of filaments ("barbs") joined together along a main shaft ("rachis"), making them similar in structure to modern bird feathers. However, unlike the wing feathers of flying birds, they did not have the secondary branches with tiny little hooks ("barbules") that flight feathers have, which allow the
Acorus calamus Karpos, of Zephyrus (the West Wind) and Chloris (Spring). When Karpos drowned in a swimming race, Kalamos also drowned and was transformed into a reed, whose rustling in the wind was interpreted as a sigh of lamentation. The plant was a favorite of Henry David Thoreau (who called it "sweet flag"), and also of Walt Whitman, who added a section called the "Calamus" poems, to the third edition of "Leaves of Grass" (1860). In the poems the calamus is used as a symbol of love, lust, and affection. Lewis Carroll uses the plant in "Through the Looking-Glass" as a symbol