Hey guys! A question about silver, and more specifically my icky allergy to it.

[Big Bad Boo]

(By the way, I want to make an apology for not posting and saying "Hi!" very often- I come often enough to lurk and make a jab at BigDad, but not enough to actually participate in a conversation and not cut off in the middle and float away. Which totally isn't fair, and since I know that has negative reactions outside of the internet, I tend to avoid conversations I can't fully participate in online as well. Hence the silence, and hence the apology.)


So, my boyfriend and I just celebrated our one year anniversary (which, the mood was funny and positive, but absolutely nothing went right. I might divulge the details later) and he got me the most wonderful gift ever:

A gorgeous, white gold necklace with a diamond journey pendant. Stunning.

Now, he knows I avoid silver like I avoid clichés- like the plague. (Whoo, my own not-very-funny humor amuses me.) The reason why is because when I touch the stuff for extended periods of time, my skin begins to blister, similar to a burn.

(By the way, I may have mentioned this sometime before, but that was a long time ago and can't seem to find a thread, sooooo...)

Everyone at first thought it was a nickel allergy, but since then that has been proven wrong (many experiments conducted by Mad Scientist Boo). And many jewelers have done away with nickel in their jewelry.

So, with the lovely anniversary necklace, Gyasi (my beau) tried to bypass the dreadful allergy with white gold, which he didn't seem to know was mixed with silver.

To see if (out of pure hope) I grew out of my allergy, I wore the necklace for a grand total of three hours.

The end result was a very large, although minor in actual damage, red blister around my neck and a week later (today) I have a circular "brand" (as BigDad so lovingly calls it) around my neck.

(I'll upload a picture as soon as I can get a good one.)

So my question is: Why the heck would one of the least reactive metals on the periodic table be one of my allergies? I'm having a hard time with this one. Because all sources point to nickel, and from there it points to werewolf, which then points to crazy, which then points to a whole mess of paperwork. (Haha, see? I'm so frustrated I'm making worse jokes than usual.)

[korjik]

Do you have any problem with copper? I assume that gold isnt a problem.

[davidlpf]

Now, he knows I avoid silver like I avoid clichés- like the plague.
-like a vampire.
-like a werewolf.
:)

[Big Bad Boo]

Do you have any problem with copper? I assume that gold isnt a problem.

Never really messed with copper for an extended period of time. There was a copper plating lab in chemistry a while back, but all I got was black fingers for a few days. I assume that's from the chemicals.

Now, he knows I avoid silver like I avoid clichés- like the plague.
-like a vampire.
-like a werewolf.
:)

Shush you. :whistle: I'm not excessively hairy, so that counts out werewolf.:)

[BigDon]

:eek: You should see what happens when you spill holy water on her!

[BigDon]

Actually her boyfriend bought a necklace that pretty much branded her. Supposedly silver

[chrissy]

BBB. I had a time when silver would do the same to me so I avoided it like the plague too, yet I love silver more than gold.
I am allergic to nickel, even in the watch backs, so care is taken when buying one or I end up having blisters that feel like hot pins burning through my skin. :(
I just kept trying different silver bits of jewellery, until I could wear it, but every now and then I have to remove it as the blisters return and like you have the circular brand around the neck or fingers.
Just alternate wearing it if you are wanting to have a change from gold.

[Big Bad Boo]

Thanks for the advice Chrissy, but I'm wary of it for two reasons: I'm prone to infections (I blame the diabetes), and I scar very, very easily. :(

[BigDon]

Boo played with a cat about 6 weeks ago and didn't put the neosporin on like I told her to and here are STILL looks like she played with the cat about four days ago.

[grant hutchison]

It's a contact dermatitis, and the mechanism is supposed to be the same as with nickel allergy: metal ions dissolve in your sweat, diffuse into the skin, and stick to charged sites on the proteins. The presence of the metal ions messes with the function and shape of the proteins, and they're then tagged as "foreign" by the immune system.
So you're allergic to the distorted proteins produced by the presence of the metal ions.

Grant Hutchison

[Big Bad Boo]

It's a contact dermatitis, and the mechanism is supposed to be the same as with nickel allergy: metal ions dissolve in your sweat, diffuse into the skin, and stick to charged sites on the proteins. The presence of the metal ions messes with the function and shape of the proteins, and they're then tagged as "foreign" by the immune system.
So you're allergic to the distorted proteins produced by the presence of the metal ions.

Grant Hutchison

I read something like that, but I thought it was limited to nickel and the like.

Boo played with a cat about 6 weeks ago and didn't put the neosporin on like I told her to and here are STILL looks like she played with the cat about four days ago.

Don't be a butt. I did put triple-antibiotic on it. Like five times at least. (My boyfriend is good at nagging as well as BigDad.)

[grant hutchison]

I read something like that, but I thought it was limited to nickel and the like.Nickel allergy is the commonest, but allergy to other metals does occur, including silver and gold. Because nickel allergy is common and silver allergy is rare, most people who think they're allergic to silver are actually allergic to nickel, but it looks like you've investigated that already.

(IIRC, silver allergy also crops up on the lips of horn and flute players -- though nickel might again be involved there.)

Grant Hutchison

[sarongsong]

A gorgeous, white gold necklace...which he didn't seem to know was mixed with silver...Huh?White Gold (18K) Gold 75%, Platinum or Palladium 25%

White Gold (18K) Gold 75%, Palladium 10%, Nickel 10%, Zinc 5%
about.com (http://chemistry.about.com/od/jewelrychemistry/a/goldalloys.htm)Since any silver you've encountered was probably sterling (92.5% Ag, 7.5% Cu), just curious as to whether you've tested yourself with fine silver (99.99% Ag), readily obtainable at coin shops as proof or commemmorative coins.
(Great to hear from you, Boo!)

[Big Bad Boo]

White gold is an alloy of gold and some white metals such as silver and palladium.

A quote from this site (http://gilletts.com.au/information.php?info_id=39) which echoes many of the other ones I've looked at.

And no, haven't tested myself with fine silver. Didn't realize it was easily available.

(Thanks for the warm welcome, Sarong. :))

[Whirlpool]

..... but I'm wary of it for two reasons: I'm prone to infections (I blame the diabetes), and I scar very, very easily. :(

huh? You have Diabetes? You're still young .


<concern>

[HenrikOlsen]

Right, this seems really silly on top of your dads previous thread on the subject, but do you have friends that will let you try a titanium ring? One of the advantages they supposedly have is being hypoallergenic.

[Big Bad Boo]

huh? You have Diabetes? You're still young .


<concern>

Type1, insulin dependent diabetes, normally develops in pre-adolescents. I got it when I was nine, and was 4'9 and 75lbs when I went into the ER. It's not all type two.

[Whirlpool]

Oh.
I 'm Diabetic too, but type2.
I was diagnosed last May . I wouldn't even know it if I wasn't rushed to the hospital back then .

[mugaliens]

So you didn't burst into flames. That's good news - you're only part werepire. Or is that vamwolf?

It's been mentioned that copper, silver, and gold are all in the Group 11, along with roentgenium. Have you tried the latter, to see if that gives you blisters? Probably not, as it's 3.6 second half-life would make that difficult...

Although elements in the same column usually have similar properties with respect to reactivity, gold isn't relatively non-reactive, while both silver and copper are easily oxidized. One of the problems with silver is that it's oxide is itself highly conductive - an unusual property among metal oxides. Oxides of more electropositive elements tend to be alkaline, and the most common oxidation state of silver is +1, eg, silver nitrate, binds alkenes, but reversably, when exposed to ammonia, which is present in sweat. The result is free silver nitrate, which is caustic, and can cause burns. Normally, ammonia is rapidly converted to urea, but for some, this process is less active.

Some people are not at all sensitive to caustic substances. Some people are very sensitive (histemic reaction) and will develop hives/welts/blisters. Technically, the action on living tissue is based on acid-base catalysis of ester and amide hydrolysis.

Your particular reaction may be the result of the increased salt content, or the causticity.

Having said all this, even "nicle-free" jewelry contains trace amounts of nickle, which is dissolved by sweat and can be allergically reactive with skin.

[chrissy]

Thanks for the advice Chrissy, but I'm wary of it for two reasons: I'm prone to infections (I blame the diabetes), and I scar very, very easily. :(

:( my dentist years ago decided to put a silver root canal pin in one of my teeth and then decided to tell me he did it afterwards, I was shocked and told him I was allergic to silver, he just shrugged his shoulders and said too late I have done it, the result my gum became infected and my tooth just collapsed and broke. I was very upset about that as I always had strong teeth.
I know how you feel. :(
With watches I put clear nail varnish on the backs and sometimes on my rings too. ;)

[BigDon]

Chrissy, Boo wants to do that to her boyfriend's gift to her for the 1 years dating anniversery but I'm sure the chain is too fine for that to work. Thought the pendant is gorgeous and reminds me of the piece of jewlry that elf woman gave Aragorn (I seem to be tired, can't remember her name.)

[chrissy]

I know this might sound strange BD, but what about using a clear varnish spray, the fine mist will get into all the nooks and crannies so to speak. It might be better than nail varnish. ;)

[mugaliens]

I know this might sound strange BD, but what about using a clear varnish spray, the fine mist will get into all the nooks and crannies so to speak. It might be better than nail varnish. ;)

Excellent idea. I've sealed many brass pieces this way after giving them an exceptionally thorough polishing (I grew tired of polishing my parents' brass table).

It's still as shiny as it was the day I sprayed it. There's a special clear lacquer made especially for brass. It's called, amazingly enough, "brass lacquer (http://www.woodcraft.com/family.aspx?FamilyID=3260)."

Watco Clear Lacquer Finish might be better for things made out of silver.

[BigDon]

Boo just called me on the phone to tell me she would like to reply but can't because the site won't let her somehow.

[mfumbesi]

Its the vampire detector BigDon.......

[BigDon]

Oh, thank you M,

As Boo's official Renfield how do I disable the vampire blocking features? (I only have to do it once. Once something like Boo has entered a place, there is no way to univite them again. Only ward.)

[mfumbesi]

There are creatures that can help disguise the aura of the vampire, we call them mods.
You will need to perform a certain ceremony (send a PM) to appease them, then all will be well with BBB.
By the way if you tell anyone that I gave you this information I will flatly deny it.

[mugaliens]

I will flatly deny it.

How does one do this "flat denial" trick? Too much flat denial might earn you the nickname, "Neutron crust" or something. Hmmm... "degenerate crust" - sounds like the name of a band. Feel free to use it, but if you tell them it was my idea, I'll squooshedly deny it.

Wait... that's not quite right...

[BigDon]

Oh, and once again that is Boo's face as an avatar. She just photoshopped it.

[LotusExcelle]

I would put my face as an avatar but I'd rather keep your respective screens intact.

[PraedSt]

My screen's been receiving the stock market crash. I think it can take it.

[Fazor]

Man, I wish Tara was allergic to jewelry. Allergies are still non-communicable, correct? Just thought I'd check :whistle:

[Bean Counter]

I'm not excessively hairy, so that counts out werewolf.:)

Oh sure, not now but it is only a waxing crescent moon. Give it a week...

[HenrikOlsen]

There are creatures that can help disguise the aura of the vampire, we call them mods.
I've checked the parts of the system I have access to and can't see a reason for Boo being unable to log in.

[BigDon]

No, I don't think Boo is a werewolf...

[BigDon]

Her pictures when she was still a childer.

[Whirlpool]

Scary Boo !

:D

[LotusExcelle]

I take it she likes her steaks rare, then.

[BigDon]

I take it she likes her steaks rare, then.

No, she likes the fluid parts.

*I* like the solids.


"And between the both you see, they licked the platter clean..."

[BigDon]

How sad.

Why, just this weekend self styled "Hunters" looking for Boo found me instead. Presumed I was a poor man's werewolf.

For a fairly accurate but incomplete account, rent the movie "Ravenous"

Vampires, day and night

Werewolves live by the three days of the full moon.

Wendigo, we love the winter, it is our time. The starving time. Do not seek us then if you wish to live.

My feet are changing already. Soon I'll be able to lay down the hunting trails. Cross the path of a Wendigo in winter and he will materialize, close at hand and ready to dance the dance of life and death. Predator and prey. Food and fed. You will only live if you deserve to. None have passed that test yet with me.

Know my track by its length of foot print, like a snowshoe but narrower, and the blood spots within it. For I bleed with every step in full winter, as claws burst from my feet, more than I have toes or fingers. Do not cross such a trail. For I will know. And I will come.

You laugh now, safe in your homes, but will you be laughing when Boo crawls from under your bed tonight?

[geonuc]

Wow, that's some allergy Boo's got!

[LotusExcelle]

My fiancee might not laugh if a girl crawls out from under the bed. However can you tell her to clean up the dust and dog hair bunnies from under there?

[BigDon]

And how could a man come to such a state?

A Leech came in the night while I was away. And it took from me my daughters and their mother. When I returned I found them. And being a man of the sunlight and God I did what I had to do. I put my first born and her mother to true rest. How could you let that process, once started, complete? I could not, I was still sane then and a good man.

But when I brought the hammer and stake over to my second born, she opened her eyes. Her blue eyes, irises swoll huge and the color of gems. And the loss of everything else couldn't let me finish.

It's been over twelve years now. That which masquerades in my daughters flesh is no longer a childer, a "new born" of their kind. She helped me find like Leech. Boo has no love for her kind. I have no love for her kind. She even drinks from them she does, but I can't abide her smell afterwards.

I changed too. I could not bring myself to violent suicide, and not from cowardace. But I stopped eating. And I did not miss it. I remember trick or treaters and later seeing paper turkeys in windows but then things just became an aching in my middle and a blur, as my eyes became too dry to see nothing but moving shadows I shudder upon remembering, even as I am now.

And then I knew Death was coming to release me. The pain under my ribs stopped, the blurring, fading to full darkness. But She came, and stood in the doorway to her "bed room" and looked at me. Well out of the yellow morning sunlight I so enjoy, but "worried" her the most. It appreciated my protection, I think, but I never called it by my daughter's name.

I always called it Boo.

I was going to be free and she knew it. Even she couldn't raise the dead and I was sitting in sunlight.

There was a knock at the door.

At nine in the morning. What the hell? I didn't want to, but I stood up, I don't know how. My feet walked me to the door, but never fully lifted them, and I dragged my toes and lost a shoe. A minute past and then another knock. Through an open window I heard Saturday morning kid's cartoons and the sound of late Autumn leaves blowing.

I didn't have to turn my head to feel Boo's stare upon me. I tried with every ounce of life left in me not to raise my hand to the doorknob. But I was dying and Boo was flush with blood and twice stolen life.

I would have made it still though. I beat the doorknob with my hand, trying not to grasp it, trying to break a bone, trying to frighten whoever hell was on the other side of the door to go away. I grasped it. Two broken fingers grasping as well as the whole ones. I wasn't doing this.

And a tremedous hungry, known to man since his leaving the Edens of Africa and wandered the plains and the desolate places, as he was stranded on glacier strewn rifts or barren sand island. Hunger of starvation with no recourse, no prospects. The thing behind me opened the door with my hand. The door swung in.

It was swift. I took them so fast their books and pamplets made buzzing sounds as they flew backwards across the courtyard, though I don't remember touching them.

And even though they were two of them it still wasn't enough. I finished about the same time the cartoon did. Even their shoes and their wallets.

We had to move apartments that night as that one was impossible to clean. I had no problem finding accommodations across the courtyard, and on the top floor. Beautiful view of the morning sunlight. Boo is safe in her rest once more, full once again.

And I'm better prepared now, stronger, faster and I wait for early Saturday morning visitors, like I never have before.




Happy Halloween!


What do you guys think for this "off the cuff" spook story? Just thought of it between midnight and 5:30 AM.

[geonuc]

Nice. You wrote that off-the-cuff? You must be an awesome gamemaster!

[LotusExcelle]

Don's got the writing thing down. Hence the forum's push to have him published!

[BigDon]

Geo, I make people sweat.

[Robinson]

The reaction is to the nickel in the jewelry.

Unless it is very very expensive jewelry, there is some nickel in it.

[LotusExcelle]

My brother can only wear platinum. His wedding ring is *incredibly* heavy.

[HenrikOlsen]

That is one of the advantages of titanium jewelery, it's hard enough to be used unalloyed, hence no nickel, it's light as well, it colors easily through oxidation, hence multiple bright colors without adding anything and the metal itself is cheaper than silver though the hardness makes it cost more to work.

Basically the only disadvantage is that it's harder so it's less able to absorb the energy involved in accidents where it gets snagged.

Robinson, allergy to the silver itself is also possible even though nickel is the most common reason.

[Robinson]

Pure silver is too soft to make jewelry out of. It always has nickel in it, unless it is very very expensive jewelry.

Experiments could determine if the offending metal is actually silver. But it might be expensive.

[LotusExcelle]

.999 silver should be easy to come by - I have a small plate of it in fact. (It was part of an old CPU cooler)

[Robinson]

OK, then it won't be that expensive to test!

[HenrikOlsen]

Pure silver is too soft to make jewelry out of. It always has nickel in it, unless it is very very expensive jewelry.
Actually, jewelery grade silver is most often alloyed with copper, not nickel.

What you're thinking of is probably the use of nickel in very cheap jewelery where there's so much copper that nickel is used to color the alloy silvery, like the US "nickels" which are 75% copper, 25% nickel.

Or perhaps this is actually a disagreement over where to put the cheap/expensive divider? :)

[mugaliens]

How're you doing on your meds, Don? Need a refill, anytime soon?

[sarongsong]

Pure silver is too soft to make jewelry out of...:lol:...The purity of the coin is 99.99% silver, also the highest among other bullions which have a 99.90% standard...
wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canadian_Silver_Maple_Leaf)

[TrAI]

Hmmm... It doesn't seem likely that Boo is a vampire, as vampires can not stand silver at all, though if she is a dhampiresa I would suppose she might be able to wear silver for a while, but that it would have averse effects...

But the idea that vampires can't stand silver may be just misinformation.

Of course, if her nick is an anagram of her true name, then there is a distinct possibility that she is a vampire...

[Robinson]

Actually, jewelery grade silver is most often alloyed with copper, not nickel.

You are correct, I was in error. Damn it. I was thinking of white gold.

Fine silver is by definition 99.9% pure silver. Jewelry is generally not made of fine silver because the metal is extremely soft and does not withstand normal wear and tear well.
http://ezinearticles.com/?I-Can-Only-Wear-Gold-Jewelry---The-Truth-About-Jewelry-Allergies&id=232446

[Big Bad Boo]

Whoo, so many replies. O.O

By the way, Mr. Olsen, thanks for checking, but it was not a forum error, but a user one. (I let my mom use my computer, and she messed with the settings. Again.)

I was thinking about heading over to a coin shop just a bus ride away from my work tomorrow, so if I can grab myself some of the "good stuff", I'll let you guys know the result. With pictures, if I can fix my camera. (Mom likes messing around with the settings of EVERYTHING, apparently.)

..Of course, if her nick is an anagram of her true name, then there is a distinct possibility that she is a vampire...

Whoo, catching on. I'll let you guys in on it:

If you rearrange all the Bs in my name... :p

[sarongsong]

57 Anagrams for Big Bad Boo (http://wordsmith.org/anagram/anagram.cgi?anagram=Big+Bad+Boo&t=1000) http://www.bautforum.com/images/icons/icon10.gif

[TrAI]

...
Whoo, catching on. I'll let you guys in on it:

If you rearrange all the b's in my name... :p

Well, I was just thinking of how Mircalla would make new names from the letters of her real name to reduce the danger of recognition while she was seducing one of her victims.

[Jim]

Just an idle thought, but isn't Boo sort of every man's dream... a woman with an allergy to precious metals?

Now, if only she had the same reaction to card-grade plastic...

[PraedSt]

They find ways Jim. Precious stones, pearls, briefcases full of cash...

[Big Bad Boo]

Psh, I'm every man's dream even without the silver allergy.

And, the 99.99% silver test has to be postponed- couldn't get over to the store after work due to poor walking environments. (It looked like rain. :p)

[Tobin Dax]

Psh, I'm every man's dream even without the silver allergy.
Doesn't that line negate itself when coming from you? :p

[Sam5]

Do you have any problem with copper? I assume that gold isnt a problem.

For girls, gold is never a problem. :)

[Sam5]

And no, haven't tested myself with fine silver. Didn't realize it was easily available.

If you live in a large city, find a coin dealer store and go in and ask them to let you examine a .999 silver coin or medallion or silver bar. The .999 means it's supposed to be "pure" silver. If you don't have any reaction to this type of silver coin or medallion, then that would probably mean you are not allergic to the silver itself.

Old US coins that contained silver (before 1964) were 90% silver and 10% copper. If you handle the .999 silver and if you get no reaction from it, then try handling an old silver dollar, which would have 10% copper in it. If you get a reaction to that, then it's either the copper or the combination of silver and copper that you are allergic to.

Sterling silver is 92.5% silver and 7.5 % copper.

Generally, Sterling jewelry is always stamped "Sterling" on the back of it.

Imitation "silver" jewelry often contains a lot of nickel.

There is almost no jewelry made out of .999 silver, however, I used to know an Indian (Native American) who would hammer out .999 round silver medallions and make large bracelets out of them.

[Sam5]

I was thinking about heading over to a coin shop just a bus ride away from my work tomorrow, so if I can grab myself some of the "good stuff", I'll let you guys know the result.

Yes, be sure you touch only the .999 silver first. Try not to touch the top of the counter or anything else. Rub the .999 around on your skin and see what happens. If nothing happens, then it's not the silver that you are allergic to.

If the store clerk wonders what you are doing, you might tell him/her. :)

[TrAI]

Doesn't that line negate itself when coming from you? :p

Hmmm... Perhaps we are dealing with one of those shapechanging and mindreading preternaturals, so it doesn't matter what combination of attributes he likes. If he likes them large, she is big, if he likes them little, she is small, if he likes them thin, she is slim, and so on.

Or perhaps it is more of a glamour, people just fall under it, and like her the way she is...

Psh, I'm every man's dream even without the silver allergy.

And, the 99.99% silver test has to be postponed- couldn't get over to the store after work due to poor walking environments. (It looked like rain. :p)

You know, I actually find it a bit strange that people started using things like rings and necklaces as adornments, I do not think they do anything with the attractiveness of a person.

Of course, giving a girl something like hair-clips or elastics or something like that, that can actually make some variation on the type of attractiveness she affects, may not be well recieved, though I suppose her personality, age, state of mind at the time and so on may affect the results...

But then, there are some real strange things pertaining to gifts. like giving away dying flowers to show appreciation. One should think whole plants would be more appropriate. Cut flowers seems more like those wierd momento mori things... Hmmm... But then, I guess my signature might be considered a momento mori too...

As for silver allergy, I guess you could try some other metal, I should think platinum, for example, was a more suitable material for jewelry than silver anyway, but it is quite a bit more expensive. ;)

[Big Bad Boo]

Yes, be sure you touch only the .999 silver first. Try not to touch the top of the counter or anything else. Rub the .999 around on your skin and see what happens. If nothing happens, then it's not the silver that you are allergic to.

If the store clerk wonders what you are doing, you might tell him/her. :)

So should I rub hand sanitizer on or wash my hands right before? And I think I'll let the clerks sweat a little before I tell them.:p

You know, I actually find it a bit strange that people started using things like rings and necklaces as adornments, I do not think they do anything with the attractiveness of a person.

Jewelry is supposed to draw your eyes to the attractive bits- rings for nice hands or nails, earring to bring attention to the face or eyes, and necklaces to bring your eyes to well formed... collar bones.:whistle:

[Robinson]

Yeah, because with out a necklace, nobody would ever look at the, err, well formed collar bones.

[Big Bad Boo]

Well, no one would look at them without getting verbally (or physically) slapped.

[Sam5]

You know, I actually find it a bit strange that people started using things like rings and necklaces as adornments, I do not think they do anything with the attractiveness of a person.

I think it might have started with cavemen wearing the claws and teeth of dangerous animals they had killed.

There is also a tradition among ancient American Indians of wearing bright colored stones and minerals. Gold could be found in stream beds nearly pure, and it could easily be hammered out into different shapes, and even the most primitive gold jewelry looks great.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/23887855/

[mahesh]

Yeah, because with out a necklace, nobody would ever look at the, err, well formed collar bones.Ed Zachary!
Well, no one would look at them without getting verbally (or physically) slapped.
that is mostly necessary, because men generally can not look at women's collar bones and think, at the same time.
with or without jewellery, IMO.

look ma! what beautiful ...http://www.grahamowengallery.com/photography/640/bird-paradise-640.jpg......collar bones and no allergy!

....You know, I actually find it a bit strange that people started using things like rings and necklaces as adornments, I do not think they do anything with the attractiveness of a person....

thanks TrAI...truly spoken. we humans do not have (we think we do) a monopoly on beauty or even the concept of beauty. it exists within all forms of life and all around us.
//www.ruralramblings.com/blog/uploaded_images/Bird-of-Paradise-730192.jpg
http://www.abc.net.au/nature/australasia/img/ep5/gall7.jpg