Images Dated 8th February 2006

Durers world map, 1515

Durer's world map, 1515. Albrecht Durer (1471- 1528) was a German artist. His skillful use of perspective and mathematical proportions made him one of the outstanding artistic figures of the early 16th century. This world map is based on Ptolemy's map plus extensions from Behaim's Globe of 1492. It is the first known perspective drawing of the entire Earth as a sphere, and was published in 1515, using the best maps of the time in collaboration with Nuremberg astronomer Johann Stabius. The map shows the world surrounded by 12 wind gods. Taken from Dr Willi Kurth's The Complete Woodcuts of Albrecht Durer (1936)

© SHEILA TERRY/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY

To My True Love, American Valentine card, c1910

To My True Love, American Valentine card, c1910. Cupid dances on grass with naturalised Snowdrops and is playing a lyre of bluebells. Above him are red hearts symbolising love and four-leafed Shamrocks for luck. In the language of flowers the snowdrop (Galanthus nivalis) stands for consolation and the blueball (Scilla noscripta) for kindness. Shamrock or wood sorrel (Oxalis acetosella) is a symbol of Ireland. In Roman mythology Cupid was the son of Venus, goddess of love (Eros and Aphrodite in the Greek Pantheon). The identity of St Valentine is uncertain, the most popular candidates are Valentine, bishop of Terni (3rd century) or a Roman Christian convert martyred c270). St Valentine's Day, celebrated on 14 February, probably replaces the Roman pagan festival of Lupercalia

© Ann Ronan Picture Library / Heritage-Images

Californian sea lions

Californian sea lions (Zalophus californianus) swimming underwater. This sea lion inhabits coastal regions of the eastern Pacific Ocean. It feeds mainly on fish and cephalopods (squid and octopus). Males are far larger than females, reaching 2.5 metres in length and up to 340 kilograms in weight. Females rarely achieve 100 kilograms in weight and reach a maximum length of around 1.8 metres. It is a social animal, and comes ashore in great numbers. It seems to prefer man-made structures, and this has caused problems in recent years as huge numbers crowd onto jetties, piers and pontoons. Photographed in the Galapagos. The Galapagos population has no contact with the population in North America

© GEORGETTE DOUWMA/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY