Funafuti Atoll is a group of about 30
small islands in the Pacific Ocean. They
are part of the country of Tuvalu. The
capital of Tuvalu, named Vaiaku, is on
one of the islands in Funafuti Atoll. The
islands are made of coral. They form a
ring around a pool of water.
About half the people of Tuvalu live on
Funafuti Atoll. Most of them make a
living by fishing and farming.
Great Britain took over all the islands of
Tuvalu in 1892. The United States built
military bases on Funafuti Atoll in 1943,
duringWorldWar II. Tuvalu became an
independent country in 1978. Vaiaku
became its center of government.
#More to explore
Coral • Tuvalu
Fungus
A fungus is a simple organism, or living
thing, that is neither a plant nor an animal.
When there is more than one fungus
they are called fungi. Some familiar
fungi are mushrooms, molds, mildews,
truffles, and yeasts.
Fungi are found all over the world. They
grow especially well in mild, moist
regions and in the tropics. Fungi can be
found in the water, soil, and air. Some
live on or inside plants and animals.
A fungus is usually a mass of threadlike
strands. A fungus usually reproduces by
forming tiny cells called spores. Some
fungi have a special part that makes
spores. This is usually the part of a fungus
that can be seen. For example, a
mushroom is the spore-producing part
of a fungus that is mostly underground.
Wind, water, and insects carry spores
away from the fungus that made them.
If a spore lands in a damp place, it can
grow into a new fungus.
A fungus grows by feeding on other
organisms. Most fungi feed on dead
plant and animal material. They are
called saprophytes. These fungi help the
environment by breaking down fallen
trees, animal droppings, and other dead
matter. But saprophytes can also ruin
foods such as bread, cheese, and fruits
and vegetables. Some saprophytes
destroy timber, textiles, paper, and
leather. Other fungi get their food from
living plants and animals. These fungi
are called parasites. Parasitic fungi often
sicken or kill the organisms they attack.
Some fungi are useful. Many mushrooms
and truffles can be eaten. Some
yeasts are used to bake bread. In addition,
penicillin and many other drugs
Bracket fungi sometimes look like shelves
growing on trees.
Some fungi
are so tiny that
they cannot be
seen with the
naked eye.
Others can be
quite large.
Some mushrooms
can be
10 inches (25
centimeters) in
diameter.
BRITANNICA STUDENT ENCYCLOPEDIA Fungus 75
called antibiotics come from fungi. Antibiotics
are used to treat certain infections
in people.
#More to explore
Antibiotic • Living Thing • Parasite
Fur Trade
The fur trade was a booming business in
North America from the 1500s through
the 1800s. When Europeans first settled
in North America, they traded with
Native Americans. The Native Americans
often gave the settlers animal furs
in exchange for weapons, metal goods,
and other supplies. The settlers then sold
many of the furs back to Europe. There,
wealthy people had a high demand for
furs. They used beaver, fox, mink, and
other types of fur for hats and clothing.
Eventually several fur-trading companies
in North America grew rich by selling
furs to Europe.
Two important figures in the early history
of fur trading were Pierre Esprit de
Radisson and Medart Chouart, sieur de
Groseilliers. These two Frenchmen
become successful fur traders in the
middle of the 1600s. This brought them
to the attention of King Charles II of
England. In 1670 King Charles set up
the Hudson’s Bay Company to trade for
fur in what is now Canada. He put
Radisson and Groseilliers in charge of
the company.
Over the next 150 years the successful
Hudson’s Bay Company faced many
competitors. One of these was the
NorthWest Company, set up by French
adventurers in 1783. In 1808 a German
American businessman named John
Jacob Astor opened the American Fur
Company. Sometimes the companies
traded with Native Americans for furs.
Sometimes they bought furs from white
men, called trappers.
Their search for furs led trappers to
explore large areas of the continent.
Because of their knowledge of the land
they were able to serve as guides for later
settlers.
North American fur-trading companies
supplied many furs into the 1900s. But
since then, furs have become much less
popular. Today many people think that
killing animals for their fur is wrong.
#More to explore
Americas, Exploration and Settlement of
the • Hudson’s Bay Company • Native
Americans
Native Americans traded furs for
supplies at places called trading
posts.
76 Fur Trade BRITANNICA STUDENT ENCYCLOPEDIA
Geronimo was a warrior and
leader of the Apache Native
Americans.
(See Geronimo.)
Some giant sequoias are more
than 280 feet (85 meters) tall.
(See Giant Sequoia.)
The Strait of Gibraltar is a
waterway located between
Spain and Africa.
(See Gibraltar.)
Glaciers, or large areas of thick
ice, store about three fourths of
all the freshwater in the world.
(See Glacier.)
Silica, or sand, is the main
ingredient of glass.
(See Glass.)
Gymnasts compete in three
types of gymnastic events at
the Summer Olympics.
(See Gymnastics.)
Gg
Gabon
The small nation of Gabon is one of the
