The Nature of Things
Season 21
The Nature of Things is a Canadian television series of documentary programs. It debuted on CBC Television on November 6, 1960. Many of the programs document nature and the effect that humans have on it. The program was one of the first to explore environmental issues, such as clear-cut logging.
The series is named after an epic poem by Roman philosopher Lucretius: "Dē Rērum Nātūrā" — On the Nature of Things.
The series is named after an epic poem by Roman philosopher Lucretius: "Dē Rērum Nātūrā" — On the Nature of Things.
Where to Watch The Nature of Things • Season 21
19 Episodes
- Cystic Fibrosis / Whooping Crane / Cold-Water SurvivalE2
Cystic Fibrosis / Whooping Crane / Cold-Water SurvivalA report on cystic fibrosis, a genetic respiratory ailment that afflicts young people; and a profile of one of its victims, 24-year-old nurse Susan McKellar. Other segments examine the International Crane Foundation's efforts to save the whooping crane from extinction; and research into cold-water survival techniques. - The Bare Necessity / Manatees / LudhianaE3
The Bare Necessity / Manatees / LudhianaThree films are featured: The Bare Necessity, dealing with the human skin; Manatees, concerning a unique vegetarian creature which lives in coastal waters, and Ludhiana, a profile of an Indian city which serves as the home base for 12,000 different business enterprises. - Invisible AstronomyE9
Invisible AstronomyHost David Suzuki visits the Algonquin Park Observatory and the Arecibo Observatory in Puerto Rico as he reports on the use of radio astronomy and the search for extraterrestrial intelligent life. The work of the National Research Council in studying unusual wave formations, recent developments in the exploration of outer space through radio astronomy, and a visit with scientist Joel Hildebrand of the University of California are featured. - Prenatal Diagnosis of Spina Bifida / AmniocentesisE10
Prenatal Diagnosis of Spina Bifida / AmniocentesisScheduled: Reports on prenatal diagnosis of spina bifida, Tay-Sachs disease and Down's syndrome using amniocentesis, ultrasonography and fetoscopy; the use of chinchillas in researching damage to human ears caused by exposure to noise. - Structure of Birds Eggs / Newfound land OilE12
Structure of Birds Eggs / Newfound land OilMagazine edition featuring the following items - a report from State University of New York at Buffalo on the structure of birds' eggs and how their porosity enables the growing chick to breathe inside the egg; film shows how oxygen enters the egg through the multitude of small holes and how this differs in small eggs and large; also, research into the incubating behaviour of herons and terns and how this affects the development of their eggs and chicks. Newfound land Oil. A look at the social and ecological changes occurring in some of the fishing villages of Newfoundland where oil exploration surveys are being conducted. - Poisoned Playgrounds / CharlieE13
Poisoned Playgrounds / CharliePoisoned Playgrounds - A report by producer Heather Cook on the use of pesticides in an Ontario community and the action taken by parents when insecticide spraying at a school proved hazardous to children's health. Charlie - A repeat of a film first telecast December 17, 1978 about a Canadian archaeologist. - Blackfly / Desalination / Memory - Come to think of it / Dr. Karl IllmenseeE17
Blackfly / Desalination / Memory - Come to think of it / Dr. Karl IllmenseeBlackfly: A look at the life cycle of the blackfly, and its effects in northern Canada and Africa. Desalination: A practical method of desalination using reverse osmosis is presented. Memory - Come to think of it (repeat): A look at recent research into the brain's memory capacities. Dr. Karl Illmensee: A look at the work being done by Dr. Karl Illmensee (de) at the University of Geneva to study the possibility of causing cancerous cells to revert back to normal cells. - The Foxes' EarthE18
The Foxes' EarthFor centuries the people of the village of Huasicancha in Peru lived under the domination of others, from the last of the Inca rulers to the Spanish conquerors and subsequent regimes. How the people finally rose up to reclaim the poor land they farmed at a subsistence level is told in this documentary. - The Last of Life / The CajunsE19
The Last of Life / The CajunsThe Last of Life: A look at geriatric medicine and some aspects of research into the biology of aging. The Cajuns: The descendants of Nova Scotia's Acadians and their lifestyle are profiled at their adopted home, the Bayou Lafourche in southern Louisiana.