One typical Grecian kiln engorged one thousand muleloads of juniper wood in a single burn. Fifty such kilns would devour six thousand metric tons of trees and brush annually.

Shado beni is similar to cilantro but has a stronger flavor. Look for it in ethnic grocery stores that feature Hispanic or West Indian foods. If not found, it is not a problem—just substitute with cilantro (add a little extra cilantro if you want the stronger flavor you would have gotten with the shado beni).

Substances which admit of radiation taking place through them are called Diathermanous. Those which do not allow heat to pass through them without becoming themselves hot are called Athermanous.

So while Ralph generally seems to inhabit a different, more glorious and joyful universe than everyone else here his yearning and heartbreak are eminently relateable. Ralph sometimes appears to be a magically demented sprite who has assumed the form of a boy, but he’s never been more poignantly, nakedly, movingly human than he is here.