The bozone layer: shielding the rest of the solar system from the Earth’s harmful effects.

“You have to prime it, you know.”

“Go back sleep, Thag. … You only dream we live just so long then die.”

“Remember, Calloway, this is their biggest and best warrior—so stay alert! When you knock him down, he’s gonna come right back at ya!”

Structures, organs, and accessories (shown actual size) pertaining toMellisuga helenae, the world’s smallest hummingbird.

MORE FACTS OF NATURE: As part of nature’s way to help spread the species throughout their ecological niche, bison often utilize a behavior naturalists have described as “ballooning.”

Math phobic’s nightmare

Just another old wives’ tale

“So what’s this? I asked for a hammer! Ahammer!Thisis a crescent wrench! … Well, maybe it’s a hammer. … Damn these stone tools!”

“Sure, I’m a creature—and I can accept that … but lately it seems I’ve been turning into a miserable creature.”

“There you go, Mrs. Eagen—you can clearly see both twins on the monitor.”

“Well, down I go.”

“Oh, please, oh, please, Dad! … The little brown one!”

“Of course I never eat the shells.”

Saving on transportation costs, some pioneers were known to head west on covered skates.

At the monthly meeting of Squidheads Anonymous

“Look at the hordes down there, Phil. ... Have I ever told you what they look like? Huh? ... Have I?”

“Tick-tock, tick-tock, tick-tock, tick-tock …”

Volume five in a series

“Well, you better get someone over here right away. … He really looks like he’s going to jump.”

“For crying out loud, Patrick—sit down. ... And enough with the ‘give me the potatoes or give me death’ nonsense.”

Editor's note: This is a special cartoon Gary drew for Earth Day 1990, as part of a project in which many cartoonists participated to bring more awareness to the state of the environment.

The writers forBewitchedsit down for their weekly brainstorming session

“Well, heaven knows what it is or where it came from—just get rid of it! But save that cheese first.”

“Cornelius! I’ve been watching him! … Beware of the jawbone!”

“Look. Why don’t you just give yourself up quietly? … Otherwise, this thing could turn into a frenzy—and nobody wants that.”

“Yes, they’re all fools, gentlemen … but the question remains, ‘Whatkindof fools are they?’”

Confucius at the office

After many years of marital bliss, tension enters the Kent household.

Moses as a kid

“Notice all the computations, theoretical scribblings, and lab equipment, Norm. … Yes, curiosity killed these cats.”

Washington crossing the street

“Oo! Icky icky! … Something just went down that surrrrrrre wasn’t plankton!”

Professor Glickman, the lab practical joker, deftly places a single drop of hydrochloric acid on the back of Professor Bingham’s neck.

“Well, here he comes … Mr. Never-Makes-a-Dud.”

“Okay, okay, little Ahab. … Which one is it going to be?”

And for the rest of his life, Ernie told his friends that he had talked with God.

For several hours, confusion reigned.

“Anytime, Slim.”

“So … you must be the one they call Mr. Long.”

Protozoan gossip

“Uh-oh—looks like the zipper has stuck on that thing again.”

Theater of the gods

Hopeful parents

“Say … nowthere’sa little hat!”

“Okay, folks! ... It’s a wrap!”

“And then, WHAM! This thing just came right out of left field.”

“For the love of— … Somethin’s been messin’ with these chickens!”

“So then this little sailor dude whips out this can of spinach, this crazy music starts playin’, and … well, justlookat this place.”

“Oh, good heavens, no, Gladys—not for me. … I ate my young just an hour ago.”