News Pvblished Monthly by Field Museum of Natural History, Chicago

Vol. 6 JANUARY, 1935 No. 1 NEW TAXIDERMY METHOD APPLIED TO CASSOWARY PRESERVES LIFE COLORS

By Karl P. Schmidt River, was skinned and preserved. The Museum's taxidermy staff, into an exhibit Assistant Curator of Reptiles brightly colored fleshy wattles on the neck, which really presents the natural appear- A new specimen of the large flightless bird and the horny casque filled with spongy ance of one of these extraordinary birds. called the cassowary was recently placed on bony tissue, were especially difficult to The Walters process consists in an exact exhibition in the systematic collection of preserve in the humid tropical climate. In reproduction in cellulose-acetate of the outer birds in Hall 21. It is of especial interest the dried skin now in the collection, these layers of skin or horn in question, and this because of the use of the so-called "celluloid" structures have lost every vestige of their is made in a mold from the original animal. method in its preparation By the admixture of the which renders its highly proper pigments in the dis- colored naked parts in veri- solved cellulose-acetate, the similitude to life. coloration is exactly repro- Cassowaries differ con- duced, and as the pigment is spicuously from the other distributed in a translucent large flightless birds by the medium, the degree of trans- development of a horny lucence can be controlled to casque on the head, and by represent exactly the con- the presence of brightly dition of the living original. colored wattles and exten- Since, furthermore, the sive areas of brilliantly col- colored cellulose-acetate cast ored bare skin on the neck, is finished when it is taken as well as in various other from the mold, and requires anatomical characters. Their no additional painting, the nearest relatives are the surface detail of the original emus of the Australian is retained without loss. plains; and they are more In the case of the casso- distantly related to the wary in question, molds were African ostriches and South made of the head and neck American rheas. The casso- and of the legs and feet, and waries are forest inhabitants, the cellulose-acetate replicas and share with other forest of these parts were assembled birds the tendency (especially with the original skin of the exemplified by the birds of body. The feathers on parts the New Guinean region) to of the head and neck were brilliant coloration. The transferred to the new cel- specimen now placed on lulose-acetate "skin" by the exhibition belongs to a simple but extremely ingeni- species confined to the island ous process of embedding of Jobi, off the coast of north- them in the wax mold until western New Guinea. their bases were held in the Other specimens of casso- newly applied cellulose- waries in Field Museum were acetate layer which consti- collected by the Cornelius tutes the cast. Subsequently Crane Pacific Expedition in the wax was removed. This 1929, and some are preserved transfers each feather to the in the reference collection. new material in exactly its One of these was a half- The Cassowary original position. obtained at "The of cellu- grown bird, Strange flightless bird of the New Guinean region, exhibited in Hall 21. The head and the application Madang, New Guinea. Its legs are reproduced in cellulose-acetate, representing the first use on a bird of this new taxidermy loid-like materials in mu- flesh was eaten by the party method developed in recent years for work on reptiles and hairless mammals. Staff Taxidermist seum preparation was Leon L. Walters, originator of the process, and Edgar G. Laybourne, prepared the specimen. and crew on Mr. Crane's developed by Mr. Walters yacht, Illyria, and it proved to meet the problem of mak- to be of extremely good flavor, somewhat brilliant coloration and the horny layers ing life-like models of reptiles and am- intermediate in character between fowl and of the casque have split so as to lose their phibians. It has proved equally satisfactory beef. natural translucence. in the production of exhibition specimens of These birds are much hunted by the native It was such difficulties that made the hairless and thin-haired mammals, and is Papuans for food, and there is even a word acquisition of a fresh full-grown specimen now applied for the first time to a large bird. for cassowary, "mooruk," in their "pidgin in the flesh by the Museum an especially Field Museum is indebted to Floyd S. English," all other birds being known notable event in bird taxidermy, since such Young, Superintendent of the Lincoln simply as "pigeons." A full-grown speci- a specimen could be converted by the Park Zoological Gardens, for the gift of men obtained from native hunters by the application of the unique celluloid process the cassowary, which had been in captivity Museum party at Marienberg, on the Sepik invented by Leon L. Walters of Field in the park for several years.

CHINESE DINNER SERVICE large bowls, four or five of which are placed bone, bamboo, wood plain or lacquered, A recent addition to the Chinese ethno- on the table at a time, and from which each horn, and silver. Scabbards to hold these, himself from them and also logical exhibits in Hall 32 consists of a guest helps by dipping knives, used by travelers, are ex- with his complete dinner set for eight persons, which chopsticks. hibited. A special silver pair of chopsticks, It is a fact that nations includes one hundred and fifty pieces. The noteworthy most connected by a chain, are symbolical, being exhibit shows all the utensils used by the of Asia still eat with their fingers, and the used by a bride and groom on their wedding Chinese in taking their meals at home or Chinese were the first who introduced good day. giving a formal dinner party. Each person table manners by the invention and use of is provided with a teacup, a rice bowl, a chopsticks. Albino birds and mammals of many soup bowl, and a small dish of condiments. A wide variety of chopsticks is displayed, species constitute a special exhibit in the The heavy courses are served in various made of various materials such as ivory, Department of Zoology. Page 2 FIELD MUSEUM NEWS January, 19S5

Field Museum of Natural History NORTH AMERICAN BIRD SERIES in Iraq were the Kurds, fierce-looking moun- tain of whom 750 submitted to Founded by Marshall Field. 1893 IN HALL 21 COMPLETED tribesmen, the anthropologists' calipers and cameras, Roosevelt Road and Lake Michigan, Chicago With the installation recently of a new and the Yezidis, fanatical devil worshipers, exhibit of cuckoos, parrots, whip-poor-wills, 300 of whom cooperated by acting as scien- THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES hummingbirds, swifts, kingfishers, and their tific specimens. Forty separate measure- Sewell L. Avery William H. Mitchell relatives, the collection of North John Borden Frederick H. Rawson systematic ments and observations were made on each American birds in Hall 21 has been com- WiLUAM J. Chalmers George A. Richardson individual. Living in tents as guests of Joseph N. Field Fred W. Sargent pleted. The hall now has on display every C. Sihms Sheikh Agil, great desert chieftain of the Marshall Field Stephen important species of bird found in North Stanley Field James Simpson Shammar Beduins, the members of the America north of the Rio Grande River— Ernest R. Graham Solomon A. Smith expedition were enabled to measure 450 Albert W. Harris Albert A. Spragub an of more than 700 species, aggregate members of his tribe. Samuel Insull, Jr. Silas H. Strawn according to Rudyerd Boulton, Assistant Cyrus H. McCormick Leslie Wheeler The expedition made an archaeological Curator of Birds. Preparation of the series John P. Wilson survey of the North Arabian Desert, crossing has been under for the OFFICERS way steadily past from Bagdad to Trans-Jordan Palestine and nine years. Mounting of the birds has Stanley Field PresiderU Syria, and thence returning to Iraq. During Albert A. Sprague First Vice-President practically all been the work of one man. this trip a large number of prehistoric fiint Jambs Simpson Second Vice-Prendent Staff Taxidermist Ashley Hine, and it is Albert W. Harris Third Vice-President implements testifying to the existence of the only comprehensive collection of its kind Stephen C. Simms Director and Secretary early man in this area were collected. in the can thus be A. Smith. . .Treasurer and Assistant country which designated Solomon Secretary After five months in these areas, the as a "one-man show." expedition proceeded to Persia, where The last addition contains forty-four FIELD MUSEUM NEWS anthropological studies were made of some specimens, including a number of rare and Stephen C. Simms, Director of the Museum Editor 250 individuals. After completing its work unusual birds. Among them is the extinct CONTRIBUTING EDITORS in that country, the expedition entered the Carolina paroquet which formerly was Paul S. Martin Acting Curator of Anthropology U. S. S. R. at Baku, and traveled through found at times in Illinois; the ruby-throated B. E. Dahlgren Curator of Botany the Caucasus to Kiev, Moscow and Lenin- Henry W. Nichols . Curator of Geology hummingbird which is still seen in Chicago, grad. In the mountains of the Caucasus Wilfred H. Osgood Curator of Zoology and ten of its relatives of the far southwest; H. B. Harte Editor some 200 men and women were studied. Managing and the is not a night hawk (which really The Mr. Field was but a that expedition, reports, hawk, whip-poor-will) frequently full and Field Museum is of the greatly assisted by the cooperation open every day year during hovers over buildings in Chicago in summer. the hours indicated below: courtesy extended by the governments of Of interest is the road-runner, a pheasant- Nov., Dec., Jan., Feb., Mar. 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Iraq, Persia and the U. S. S. R., and by like bird of the cuckoo which is April, September, October 9 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. family scientists and scientific institutions in those May, June, July, August 9 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. famed in the southwest it is where, said, countries and elsewhere. Admission is free to Members on all days. Other it can outdistance a horse as a runner. adults are admitted free on Thursdays, Saturdays and non-members 25 cents on other Sundays; pay days. Stock Visitors Children are admitted free on all days. Students and EXTENSIVE DATA ON RACES Show Brings Museum faculty members of educational institutions are admit- As a result of the thousands of visitors ted free any day upon presentation of credentials. COLLECTED BY EXPEDITION attracted to last month the The Museum's natural Chicago by history Library is open for The Field Museum Anthropological Ex- Live Stock held reference daily except Saturday afternoon and Sunday. International Exposition, pedition to the Near East, sponsored 1 additional attend- Traveling exhibits are circulated in the schools of by December to 8, a large Chicago by the N. W. Harris Public School Extension Marshall Field, last month concluded its ance was received at the Museum. Besides of the Museum. of an Department work for 1934 consisting anthro- the many persons from out-of town who Lectures for schools, and special entertainments pometric survey of the native population visited the Museum two and tours for independently, children at the Museum, are provided of and similar studies in Persia and by the James Nelson and Anna Louise Raymond Iraq, large groups of children were brought to Foundation for Public School and Children's Lectures. the Caucasus region of the U. S. S. R. the Museum under the auspices of the Announcements of free illustrated lectures for the The leader of the expedition, Henry Field, Four-H Clubs, an organization promoting and public, special lectures for Members of the Museum, Assistant Curator of Physical Anthropology, the interests of young people on farms. will appear in Field Museum News. has his in the returned to post Museum, Five hundred and forty girls came to the A cafeteria in the Miweum serves visitors. Rooms ready to begin the task of assembling and 646 in are provided for those bringing their lunches. Museum in one group, and boys studying the data collected, which has for interest to these visitors Chicago Motor Coach Company No. 26 buses go another. Of special direct to the Museum. its purpose an attempt to solve certain were the sculptures by Herbert Haseltine Members are requested to inform the Museum racial problems. One of the objectives is of British champion domestic animals, promptly of changes of address. of the to determine the relationship peoples presented to the Museum by Marshall of the Near East, both those of today and on exhibition in MEMBERSHIP IN FIELD MUSEUM Field, and recently placed their ancient ancestors, to the modern and Hall 12. These afforded a basis for com- Field Museum has several classes of Members. ancient peoples of Africa, Europe and Asia. of the American animals at Benefactors give or devise $100,000 or more. Contribu- parison prize This is a of scientific tors give or devise $1,000 to $100,000. Life Members question great import- the Live Stock Exposition with the types of Non-Resident Life and Associate no research has give $500; Members ance into which satisfactory horses, beef and dairy animals, sheep, and Non-Resident Associate Members pay $100; pay $50. previously been made. breeders overseas. All the above classes are exempt from dues. pigs produced by Sustaining The work of the covered a Members contribute $25 annually. After six years they expedition become Associate Members. Annual Members con- period of ten months, during which 17,000 tribute Other are Gifts to $10 annually. memberships Corpo- miles were traveled, and 3,000 persons were Library rate, Honorary, Patron, and Corresponding, additions submitted to of anthro- The Museum has been favored under these classifications being made by special action studies, consisting Library of the Board of Trustees. pometric measurements and observations, by the gift of volume 3 of Les Peintures Each all Member, in classes, is entitled to free the taking of front and profile photographs, Rupestres Schematiques de la Peninsule admission to the Museum for his himself, family and hair blood and other data M. I'Abbe Henri Breuil. This house guests, and to two reserved seats for Museum samples, samples, Iberique by is of lectures provided for Members. Subscription to Field pertinent to tracing their racial origins. In work, presented by the author, great Museum News is induded with all memberships. The addition to its anthropological work, the assistance to members of the staff. courtesies of museum of note in the United every collected animals, Mrs. Mae EUena Bachler presented Ency- States and Canada are extended to all Members of expedition 3,000 1,000 Field Museum. A Member may give his personal card insects, 2,600 plants, and a quantity of clopedic Outline of the Masonic, Hermetic, to non-residenta of Chicago, upon presentation of geological material, for the Museum's de- Qabbalistic and Rosicrueian Symbolic PW- which they will be admitted to the \luseum without of and geology. Hall. This was published charge. Further information about memberships will partments zoology, botany (osop/ij/byManlyP. be sent on request. Mr. Field was accompanied by Richard A. in a limited edition and the Library is Martin of Chicago, who as photographer fortunate to receive a copy. BEQUESTS AND ENDOWMENTS made 7,000 negatives, and in addition col- Karl P. Schmidt, Assistant Curator of Bequests to Field Museum of Natural History may lected the zoological material, as well as Reptiles, presented his attractive and be made in securities, money, books or collections. assisting the leader in the anthropological interesting Homes and Habits of Wild They may, if desired, take the form of a memorial to a person or cause, named by the giver. work. The anthropological work was a Animals. addi- Cash contributions made within the taxable year continuation of the survey begun by Mr. There have been also the following not exceeding 15 per cent of the taxpayer's net income Reld in 1925. As many as twelve assistants tions: Murdock, Our Primitive Contem- are allowable as deductions in net income computing were attached to the at various Lowie, An Introduction to Cultural under Article 251 of Regulation 69 relating to the expedition poraries; income tax under the Revenue Act of 1926. points for local work. Anthropology; Lockwood, Story of th£ Spanish Endowments may be made to the Museum with the The studies were made Missions of the Middle Southwest; Spencer, provision that an be to the anthropological annuity paid patron for life. upon selected subjects from each of the Wanderings in Wild Australia; Parry, The These annuities are tax-free and are guaranteed against fluctuation in amount. important racial groups. Of special interest Lakhers. January, 1935 FIELD MUSEUM NEWS Pages

THE AGE AND SOURCE Specimens of American Potash TRIAL BY ORDEAL IN AFRICA OF METEORITES The important new potash discoveries Trial by ordeal, with a cup of poison to By Sharat K. Roy in Texas and New Mexico are now repre- determine the guilt or innocence of a person Assistant Curator of Geology sented in the Museum by large blocks of accused of theft, witchcraft, or other crimes, Comparative studies of the structure and the salts mined in Carlsbad, New Mexico, is still prevalent among certain African composition of meteorites with those of and presented to the Museum by the United tribes. In the hall of African ethnology terrestrial igneous rocks have led students States Potash Company. They resemble (Hall D) are exhibited examples of the of meteoritics to believe that meteorites the potash salts mined in Stassfurt, Ger- poison cup, and of the poisons, used in such are also of igneous origin. Fires glowing many, which have been for many years the trials by the Ovimbundu people of west in cosmic furnaces of some sort gave the most important source of the world's potash. Africa. meteorites the physical and chemical charac- The American specimens are shown in It is said that the medicine man secretly ters which they present to us. Little, how- Frederick J. V. Skiff Hall (Hall 37) in the makes up his own mind in advance as to ever, is known of the point of origin of these case with the German specimens. the guilt or innocence of the accused, and wanderers in space. Various hypotheses, thus controls the result, mixing his con- naming the sun, the moon, comets, earth's Damage by Meteorite coction of poisonous herbs to produce the volcanoes, and shattered planetoids, have In the meteorite collection in Hall 34 effect he desires. If the accused suffers been forward as a but from the he is and put possible source, there is a portion of the floor of a barn poison adjudged gjuilty, none have withstood critical analysis. from Kilbourn, Wisconsin, which was broken is either allowed to die of the poison itself, Of late, a new method of approach for a in 1911 by the impact of a meteorite which or is beaten to death. If he is innocent this more of the source is acceptable explanation had penetrated the roof of the building. fact established by his stomach's rejection of meteorites has been tried and, although A cast of the meteorite which caused the of the poison, which may be brought about found it like all promising, has, pioneer damage is placed in the hole in the floor by the medicine man according to the difficulties to overcome. This work, many and a slice of the actual meteorite appears mixture he administers. This is but one of is based on the that approach assumption near-by. This is one of the few instances— a number of similar ordeals used in the if meteorites are of disintegrated portions eight or possibly a few more are recorded— dispensing of what the African tribesmen our solar their cannot be system, age greater of a meteorite actually damaging a building. are compelled to accept as justice. than that of the solar system. Starting with this assumption, age values for a number of meteorites have been determined. LAMA TEMPLE BELL FROM TIBET IS EXHIBITED IN HALL 32 The age of meteorites— is calculated by the radioactive method that is, by calculating A large cast iron bell from a Lama temple near Taochow, Kansu province. It was the helium and radium contents of the in Tibet is on exhibition the Oriental obtained for the Museum the Blackstone meteorites. Both helium and radium are among by ethnological exhibits in Hall 32. Recently Expedition to China and Tibet (1908-10), disintegration products of uranium, and the reinstalled, this intricately ornamented bell under the leadership of the late Dr. Berthold rate of accumulation of both is known. hangs in a heavy wooden frame. Combined Laufer. Roughly, it takes about 370 million years with the frame is a sounding apparatus The bell is decorated with eight trigrams for 5 per cent of a quantity of uranium to consisting of a suspended timber used for of divination; change into helium and other elements. heavy formerly purposes resembling a battering ram in design, with flowers, and with Obviously, however, the radioactive method chrysanthemum with which the side of the bell could be dragons playing with a pearl—symbol of of age determination of meteorites is appli- cable only to those which contain radioactive minerals. So far the radioactivity and helium con- tent of 23 meteorites have been determined. The age values of these range from less than 100 to 2,900 million years. Noteworthy is the fact that not one of these age values is in excess of what is generally accepted to be the age of the earth. True, no terrestrial mineral has yet been found to be older than 1,800 million years, but it must be taken into consideration that the oldest analyzable mineral still remains to be discovered. Most geologists and investigators in the field of radioactivity believe that when the oldest radioactive mineral is found, the age of the earth will have to be raised to 3,000 million years or more. Granting that to be the case, the solidification date of the meteorites so far studied accords well with the assumption that they may have migrated from our solar system rather than from distant celestial bodies. Field Museum, whith houses the largest representative collection of meteorites in the world, has representatives of 14 of the 23 meteorites whose ages have been determined. They may be seen on the west side of Hall 34. Two tubes of glowing helium, one in a fluorescent tube of uranium glass, and the other in a plain tube, may also be seen in the case of rare gases on the wall of the corridor between Hall 36 and Hall 37. "Traveler's Tree" Lama Temple Bell In Madagascar there grows a peculiar Cast in 1762, this iron bell hung for many years in a Tibetan temple. It is now exhibited in Hall 32. plant called the "traveler's tree." It is so named because water with which a thirsty struck. The bell, when it was in use, an unattainable ideal. Two dragon heads wanderer can revive himself is said to be produced a note of pleasing tone and great joined together form the outside of the found in its large sheathing leaf bases. It volume. bearing upon which the bell swings on its is the only member of the banana family This bell was cast in 1762 (the K'ien- axis. On three panels on the surface of the with a woody trunk. A specimen fruit lung period) by a Chinese artisan named main part of the bell are, in high relief, cluster is displayed in the Hall of Plant Life Li Yen-ch'un. It weighs 196 pounds. For the three stanzas of a Buddhist poem, in (Hall 29). many years it hung in the Lama temple the Tibetan language. Pagei FIELD MUSEUM NEWS January, 19S5

LACQUERED VESSELS FROM PERU from which to brew their mead. Beer is JANUARY GUIDE-LECTURE TOURS By J. Eric Thompson by no means modern, for the ancient Egyp- Conducted tours of exhibits, under the Assistant Curator of Central and tians thousands of years ago were familiar guidance of staff lecturers, are made every South American Archaeology with its manufacture from barley. afternoon at 3 P.M., except Saturdays, lac derived from the secre- The stimulating or Although resin, intoxicating properties Sundays, and certain holidays. Following tion of an was unknown to the ancient of all fermented of insect, beverages are, course, is the schedule of subjects and dates for inhabitants of South the Peruvians due to their alcoholic content. fermenta- America, By January: painted wooden vessels in a manner resem- tion alone this cannot be increased beyond Week beginning December 31: —Animal bling the lacquer work of the Orient. PYom a certain point, no matter how high the Monday Groups; Tuesday—New Year's holiday—no tour; finds in ancient it is known that this as concentration of alcohol — graves sugar content, Wednesday— Plants and Animals of the Past; Thurs- technique of wood painting had been inhibits further conversion of sugar. day General Tour; Friday—Asiatic Animal Life. mastered in Peru before the arrival of the When a higher alcoholic content is desired Week beginning January 7: Monday—Peoples of the South —North American Trees and Spaniards, but the majority of the wooden it is obtained distillation of the fermented Seas; Tuesday by Wood Products; Wednraday—American vessels of this that have survived were Archaeology; type beverage. This well-known process consists Thursday—General Tour; Friday—Birds and Their made shortly after the Spanish conquest in vaporizing the liquid by boiling and Skeletons. in the sixteenth — century. subsequently reconverting the vapor into Week beginning January—14: Monday Gems and A fine collection of twenty examples of liquid by cooling in some form of condenser. Precious Stones; Tuesday Interesting Plants and Their Blossoms; Wednesday—Pueblo Indians; Thtirs- this on exhibi- The to have been known technique was recently placed process appears day—General Tour; Friday—Egypt and Its Art. tion in Stanley Field Hall. The exhibit is even to very early experimentalists. The Week beginning January 21: Monday—Cats and familiar it dominated by a stool supported by two Chinese were with many hundreds Dogs; Tuesday—Uses of Fibers, Barks and Resins; realistic lacquered jaguars. A few of the of years before its introduction into Europe; Wednesday—Pewter and Jade; Thursday—General Tour; —Men of the Stone designs on the vessels represent scenes from the Arabians discovered a number of Friday Age. Week 28: —Fish and life. One depicts a battle fought in the essential oils by distilling plants, plant beginning January Monday Reptiles; Tuesday—Story of Coal; — the trees of which are and alcohol from wine. Wednesday forest, conventionally juices, Tibetan Exhibits; Thursday—General Tour. represented. The Peruvians can be recog- The plant materials employed for the Persons wishing to participate should nized by their clubs and their costumes, production of distilled liquors are the same at North Entrance. Tours are free which include typical semi-circular head- as in the manufacture of fermented apply and no are to be A new dresses. The enemy is attacking them with beverages. The fermentation, however, is gratuities proffered. schedule will each month in Field bows and arrows, weapons not used by the carried to the fullest extent and the product appear Museum News. Guide-lecturers' services ancient Peruvians. It is probable that the is distilled several times to yield a beverage for tours of ten or more scene represents an actual Battle, for shortly with a higher alcoholic content. special by parties are available free of before the arrival of the Spaniards the army An exhibit of fermented and distilled charge by arrangement of Inca an unsuccessful with the Director a week in advance. the made attempt beverages from many parts of the world has to subdue the Chiriguanos, a tribe of Indians been installed with vegetable food products who inhabited the region east of the Andes, in Hall 25, Department of Botany. In Gifts to the Museum and who used the bow and arrow. addition to the usual beverages, the exhibit Following is a list of some of the principal Another scene shows Peruvians armed includes such fermented as liquors "piwarri" gifts received during the last month: with axes and slings, but most of the vessels from the Guianas, "chicha" from Peru, From Mrs. M. E. L. Gann—2 of Russian are painted with and floral or wine from strings geometric "toddy" palm India, "pulque" glass trade beads, Alaska; from Miss Helen B. Bennett patterns. The former are certainly of Incan from Mexico, "awa" from Polynesia, and —25 stone artifacts, Arkansas; from Mrs. Frank S. Johnson—a Mandarin from D. origin, but the latter may possibly owe "perry" from Europe. Distilled liquors in- Chinese coat; .\llyn Warren—a carved wooden of Vishnu something to influences. clude "sake" and "arrack" from the Far large figtire Spanish riding on Garuda, Dutch East Indies; from School of Two of the are as and from Mexico. Yale —100 herbarium jars shaped human East, "tequila" With Forestry, University specimens,— heads. It is probable that these, as well each there is shown some of the plant ma- Colombia; from Professor Martin C&rdenas 85 her- barium specimens, Bolivia; from George L. Fisher— as the were used to terial from which the is cylindrical vessels, beverage produced. 136 herbarium specimens, Texas; from Messrs. Floyd hold chicha, the maize beer of the ancient Markham, J. Mann, A. Lee, and Sharat K. Roy—21 peoples of the Andes. FOSSIL FISHES invertebrate— fossil specimens, Illinois; from The Alaska Museum 32 mineral— and ore specimens, .\laska; from By Elmer S. Riggs John A. Manley 2 limonite geodes. New Jersey; from C. A. Frazier—a diamond-back rattlesnake, Florida; LIQUORS MADE BY MANY PEOPLES Associate Curator of Paleontology from F. E. Holley^^2 insects, Illinois, Indiana, and INCLUDED IN EXHIBIT K. Watson—5 Fossil fishes of many kinds are exhibited Panama; from Donald beetles, Texas; from John G. Shedd Aquarium—53 fish specimens; By Iaewelyn Williams in collections. are the Museum They found from Leslie Wheeler—a red-tailed hawk, Illinois; from Assistant Curator of Economic Botany quite commonly all over the world. Most Ben Cascard—9 beetles, California; from H. St. J. — and from the of them are found in old sea or lake bottoms, Philby 1,043 insects allies, .\rabia; Chicago Stimulating beverages produced by Zoological Society—2 bower birds, Illinois; from John in old channels of fermentation of fruit juices, plant sap, or some streams. The F. Jennings—796 negatives of photographs taken on other plant material have been known for natural chalk which has formed at the Straus-West African Expedition. ages to mankind in all parts of the world. bottom of seas offered favorable conditions Palm sap drawn off into a vessel ferments for their preservation. Such chalk-beds are NEW MEMBERS almost immediately and becomes palm wine. found in western Kansas, in England, The were elected to Likewise, the juice of the Mexican century France, Syria and in other localities widely following persons in Field Museum the plant becomes "pulque." The juices of distributed. The chalk-beds of Kansas are membership during from November 16 to December 15: fruits of all kinds have the same property. the best known in North America. In period Under ordinary conditions of heat and them are found skeletons of fishes of many Associate Members with those of and Samuel O. Harold Mrs, W. R. moisture, certain ferments universally pres- species along swimming Dunn. Engstrom, Hodgkinson, Mrs. Bryan . Lathrop, Mrs. Walter A. ent in fruit act to convert solutions flying reptiles. Some of these fishes, notably juices Strong. the Portheus molossus, reached a of sugars into alcohol. This was undoubtedly great Sustaining Members . of twelve or fourteen feet. discovered very early in the history of man, length They William D. Cox lived in the old Cretaceous sea which probably prior to the discovery that stimu- Annual Members flowed over the region now known as the lating drinks may be made also from all Mrs. Walter Mrs. Ronald A. Chinnock, Mrs. Great 90 million Ayer, kinds of starchy plant material. In these Plains, years ago. George L. Cragg, Mrs. Henry Elfborg, Dwight W. Mrs. David A. Solomon E. B. the starches are first converted into sugars, Another locality famous for beautifully Follett, Hyman, Katz, Lanman. C. W. Noble, Dr. John R. Pontius, Mrs. and into alcohol. In preserved fish skeletons is the Eocene lake subsequently regions R. E. Prussing, Mrs. G. William Reynolds, Charies where commercial beverages are unknown, bed at Green River, Wyoming. The sedi- F. Schramm, Clarence P. Scofield, Miss Dorothy B. E. Van the natives prepare fermented liquors from ments which accumulated at the bottom Sears, Albert Singer, Mrs. George Hagen, N. C. Webster, Miss E. Lillian Wiersen. starchy plant material. The Indians of of this lake have formed ledges of fine- South America chew up and ferment cassava grained shales. These shales are readily roots to produce "piwarri," while the split into thin slabs and reveal the skeletons A relief model of a volcanic island, illus- inhabitants of the Peruvian Andes ferment and body outlines of the fish beautifully trating the principal features of such islands, plantains and bananas for "chicha." In preserved. By carefully cutting away the is on exhibition in Clarence Buckingham the South Sea Islands the stems and roots rock from about them, the skeletons of the Hall (Hall 35). of a pepper plant form the source of a potent fish are revealed in structural detail. beverage, "awa." Grapes were grown for A fine series of these Green River fishes The huge skeleton of a right whale, so the production of wine in the Near East is exhibited in Ernest R. Graham Hall called because it is the type whalers regard long before the Christian era. The ancient (Hall 38). They include fishes closely as the kind to pursue, is an interesting Teutons used honey as a source of sugar related to modern perch, herring and gar pike. feature in Hall 19.

PRINTED BY FIELD MUSEUM PRESS SiiiNews Published Monthly by Field Museum of Natural History, Chicago

Vol. 6 FEBRUARY, 1935 No. 2

NORTHERN ISLAND "BIRD CITY" fighting as they fall, are dashed to death on OLDEST PRINTING BLOCKS SHOWN IN HABITAT GROUP the rocks beneath their nesting ledges. IN WORLD EXHIBITED Murres build no nest By Rudyerd Boulton whatever, laying The oldest printing blocks in existence Assistant Curator of Birds their on the bare rock. eggs Large gulls anywhere in the world are on exhibition in often steal and eat the murres' when On a tiny island in Bering Sea, there eggs a collection of bamboo, root, and wood exists one of the most populous "bird cities" they find them unprotected. The eggs are carvings from China in George T. and so in the world. Walrus Island, the smallest pear-shaped that when disturbed they Frances Gaylord Smith Hall (Hall 24). The of the four islands that form the Pribilof roll in a small circle. This curious adapta- blocks are engraved with floral designs and group, is this metropolis. The Pribilof tion doubtless prevents many eggs from must have been made before the year a.d. Islands lie north of the Aleutians and are rolling off the cliffs during the frequent 1108. They were found in the ancient city about three hundred miles from the nearest battles or because of the somewhat awkward of Chu-lu in the southern part of the prov- land. To this refuge, ince of Chi-li. This safe from predatory city, excavated by land animals, about archaeologists in re- nine million birds cent years, was sub- annually resort to merged by a flood in rear their young. _ 1108. It is characteristic ,^^ The Chinese are the of most colonial nest- inventors of block- ing sea-birds to use printing, and, in fact, islands or inaccessible of all the essentials for cliffs during the nest- printing—paper, writ- ing season. Isolation ing brush, ink, and is their only defense ink-pallet or inkstone. from four-footed They invented and enemies. St. Paul perfected these en- and St. George islands, tirely from their own about 60 square miles resources, unaided by in area, are much any other nation. larger than Walrus, Paper was invented which is only 40 acres and manufactured in in extent. They sup- China as early as A.D. port great numbers of 105. Under the Sung Arctic foxes as well as dynasty (A.D. 960- the huge fur-seal herds 1279), the printing of for which the Pribilofs books from wooden are especially famous. blocks was a flourish- Walrus Island, being ing art. The manu- an isolated bare rock, facture of paper is much more attrac- remained a Chinese tive from the birds' monopoly until A.D. point of view. 751 when the tech- There has recently nique was introduced been reinstalled in into Samarkand by Hall 20 of the Mu- Chinese captives of an seum a habitat group invading Arab force. showing a section of a Bird Life of Walrus Island This led to the sub- colony on Walrus Habitat group in Hall 20 showing murres and other birds which flock by millions to a refuge in the Bering stitution of paper for Sea. where they are isolated from predatory mammals. Island, in which are papyrus throughout seen several species of the Arab dominions, birds, together with their nests, their eggs, movements of the adults. Although per- the importation of paper into Europe, and and their young. The addition of new fectly applicable to these birds, which are finally the establishment of the first Euro- specimens and the complete revision of the members of the auk family, the word pean paper-mill in Italy. exhibit have resulted in decided improve- "awkward" is not derived from the name of Paper money was first printed and cir- ments as compared to the group as it the bird, auk, as is often supposed. culated in China. Wall-paper, much of it formerly was assembled. Staff Taxidermist Another relative, the California murre, is made from printing blocks such as are Leon L. Pray, assisted by Frank Letl, pre- less common on Walrus Island than Pallas' displayed at the museum, is another Chinese pared the group. The background was murre. It is not shown in the group. The invention. The Chinese were the first painted by Staff Artist Charles A. Corwin. two species do not intermingle. people to print books, many centuries before One of the most abundant birds on Walrus While the murres are the outstanding Gutenberg, and they were also the first to Island is Pallas' murre, western representa- citizens of the island, there are other less conceive the idea of the printed daily news- tive of the better-known Brunnich's murre numerous but no less interesting nesting paper. The Peking Gazette {Ching Pao) of the Labrador coast. Murres are highly birds. All of the twelve species known to began to appear in A.D. 71-3, and was issued gregarious birds, especially during the nest- breed there are sea-birds. The area of daily until the collapse of the Manchu ing season. They crowd together in huge scanty grass in the center of the island is so dynasty in 1911. companies, yet the rights of individuals are occupied with nests of the glaucous gull that If an intruder no land bird ever has the to intrude. strictly preserved. trespasses temerity New Guidebook Published on the few square feet which each murre Besides the red-faced cormorant, glaucous- family regards as its own home and personal winged gull. Pacific kittiwake, and horned The seventeenth edition of the General property, a fierce battle invariably results. puffin which are shown in the group, the Guide to the exhibits has just been published Biting and buffeting with wings, the regular breeding birds include the tufted by Field Museum Press. It has been combatants roll and tumble, creating disorder puffin, the crested paroquet, the least auk- thoroughly revised so as to cover all impor- and dismay among their neighbors. So lets, and the red-legged kittiwake. The tant changes made in the exhibits. Copies intent are they in the conflict that not group is a gift to the Museum from are sold at 15 cents each, plus 3 cents for infrequently they roll off the cliff and, still President Stanley Field, postage if ordered by mail. Page 2 FIELD MUSEUM NEWS February, 1935

Field Museum of Natural History WITH DUE APPRECIATION the aggregate, was 43,172 during 1934; the number of hours week Founded by Marshall Field, 1893 TO MUSEUM MEMBERS average working per Roosevelt Road and Lake was 830. The kinds of work performed Michigan, Chicago Field Museum is especially indebted to have been multifarious in scope. its Members for the manner in which they THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES In the Department of Anthropology have loyally supported it during the past Sewell L. Avery William H. Mitchell 6,000 photographs have been mounted and few years of depression. While for several John Borden Frederick H. Rawson captioned, more than 800 ancient Peruvian WnxiAM J. Chalmers George A. Richardson years there was a rather serious decline in fabrics have been mounted on linen, more Joseph N. Field Fred W. Sargent the number of persons on the Museum's Marshall Field Stephen C. Simms than 9,000 potsherds washed and numbered, membership rolls, this seems to have been Stanley Field James Simpson and 4,000 classified and mounted; and a Ernest R. Graham Solomon A. Smith almost completely arrested during 1934. vast amount of typing, indexing, preparing Albert W. Harris Albert A. Sprague Much encouragement is found in the fact Jr. Silas H. Strawn of cards, and other clerical work Samuel Insull, that the net loss of Members in 1934 was catalogue Cyrus H. McCobmick Leslie Wheeler has been done. John P. Wilson only 57, as compared to losses of 320 in the of in 1931. The In Department Botany 35,000 OFFICERS 1933, 819 in 1932, and 702 well above packets for plant specimens have been made, Stanley Field President total number of members is still 60,000 herbarium of have Albert A. Sprague Firai Vice-President 4,000. specimens plants been index cards James Simpson Second Vice-President The indications are that a turning point mounted, 35,000 prepared, Albert W. Harris Third Vice-President several thousand leaves made in the at last have been reached—that there plant Stephen C. Simms Director and Secretary may and a is of reproduction laboratories; great Solomon A. Smith . . . Treasurer and Assistant Secretary now hope that the number Members amount of work has been done on the wood will begin to increase. To all those who in of on FIELD MUSEUM NEWS have retained their memberships during the collections, preparation dioramas, drawings and lettering, and on records, etc. Stephen C. Simms, Director of the Museum Editor years of difficulty the deepest appreciation In the Department of Geology more than CONTRIBUTING EDITORS is due, and the hope is expressed that they continue their association with this 13,500 catalogue cards have been type- Paul S. Martin Curator may Acting of Anthropology written, 1,600 specimens have been num- B. E. Dahlgren Curator of Botany institution. To those who for one reason a amount of Henry W. Nichols Curator of Geology or another felt compelled to cancel their bered, large manuscript copied, Wilfred H. Osgood Curator some fossils have been and some of Zoology memberships, an invitation is extended to mounted, H. B. Harte Managing Editor renew their connection with the Museum research projects undertaken. In the of more than whenever it may be possible. To any Department Zoology Field Museum is of the open every day year during 15,000 index cards, labels and other type- the hours indicated below: Members having acquaintances who might be interested in Members an writing items have been done, some 4,000 Nov., Dec, Jan., Feb., Mar. 9 A.M. to 4:30 P.M. becoming birds have been fishes April, September, October 9 a.m. to 5:00 P.M. urgent appeal is made that they propose catalogued, 8,000 May, June, July, August 9 A.M. to 6:00 P.M. the names of such friends to the Museum. tagged, nearly 3,000 skulls cleaned, 1,200 Admission is free to Members on all days. Other The contributions received in the form of insects pinned, and miscellaneous other Jldults are admitted free on and Thursdays, Saturdays fees are an item in routine work has been accomplished. Sundays: non-membera pay 25 cents on other days. membership important Children are admitted free on all days. Students and the Museum's revenues. A larger member- From two to twelve printers have been members of institutions faculty educational are admit- ship giving the institution support in this assigned to the Division of Printing, where ted free any day upon presentation of credentials. manner is very much needed to aid in solu- they assisted in the type composition and The Mu.seum'8 natural history Library is open for tion of the financial involved in other work on exhibition labels, reference daily except Saturday afternoon and Sunday. problems publications, etc. were Traveling exhibits are circulated in the schools of maintaining the institution's high standards Some 12,800 photographic prints Chicago by the N. W. Harris Public School Extension of service in educational work and scientific made by relief workers in the Division of Department of the Museum. research. Photography, and 30,500 catalogue cards Lectures for schools, and special entertainments —Stephen C. Simms, Director were prepared. A vast amount of clerical and tours for children at the are Museum, provided work of varied kinds was relief by the James Nelson and Anna Louise Raymond performed by Foimdation for Public School and Children's Lectures. SERVICES OF RELIEF WORKERS workers in the Library, the Division of Announcements of free illustrated lectures for the BENEFIT FIELD MUSEUM Publications, Division of Public Relations, public, and special lectures for Members of the Museum, Division of Memberships, and Raymond will in Field Museum News. appear Since the latter part of 1933, museums Foundation. In the Maintenance Division A cafeteria in the Museum serves visitors. Rooms and other institutions of civic character ten relief workers assisted the Museum are provided for those bringing their lunches. throughout the country have been cooperat- forces in various tasks. Chicago Motor Coach Company No. 26 buses go direct to the Museum. ing with the various relief agencies of the Members are to inform the Museum federal and the states in requested government provid- In Memoriam promptly of changes of address. ing useful employment for large numbers of the assisted by those With regret. Field Museum takes notice, MEMBERSHIP IN FIELD MUSEUM persons being agencies. belatedly, of the death of Louis Charles Field Museum has several classes of Members. At the invitation of the Illinois Watelin, who for several years was field Benefactors or devise or more. Contribu- Emergency give $100,000 Field director of the Field Museum-Oxford Uni- tors give or devise $1,000 to $100,000. Life Members Relief Commission, Museum became give $500; Non-Resident Life and Associate Members one of the institutions participating in the versity Joint Expedition to Mesopotamia, Non-Resident Associate Members pay $100; pay $50. "work relief" plans. As a result, during which made important archaeological exca- All the above classes are exempt from dues. Sustaining and the last month of vations on the site of the ancient city of Members contribute $25 annually. After six years they 1934, 1933, approxi- become Associate Members. Annual Members con- mately 350 unemployed men and women Kish, in Iraq. Mr. Watelin's death deprives tribute Other $10 annually. memberships are Corpo- have had temporary employment tor periods Near East archaeology of one of its fore- rate. Honorary, Patron, and Corresponding, additions of various at this and most and Field Museum of a loyal under these classifications being made by special action lengths institution, figures, of the Board of Trustees. great benefits have been derived in the friend and scientific collaborator. Each Member, in all classes, is entitled to free advancement of the work of almost every admission to the Museum for his and himself, family and Division of the Museum. house guests, and to two reserved seats for Museum Department Botanical Project to Resume lectures provided for Members. Subscription to Field Besides the workers assigned to the Museum Museum is J. Francis Assistant Curator News included with all memberships. The by the Illinois Emergency Relief Com- Macbride, courtesies of every museum of note in the United in of mission under its own the of Taxonomy the Department Botany, States and Canada are extended to all Members of authority, sailed for January 30 to resume Field Museum. A Member may give his personal card Museum has had workers assigned and Europe to of the work of the botanical of non-residents Chicago, upon presentation of paid by the Civil Works Service, Civil joint project which they will be admitted to the Museum without the Rockefeller Foundation and Field Mu- Further information about Works Administration, and Public Works charge. memberships will seum. He had been in this for be sent on request. of Art Commission, during the periods in country several months on a visit for the first time which those federal agencies were in opera- since the work was undertaken BEQUESTS AND ENDOWMENTS tion. When the federal agencies were dis- European five The has for its Bequests to Field Museum of Natural History may continued during the first quarter of 1934, years ago. project be made in securities, money, books or collections. their work was taken over by the state purpose the making of photographic nega- They may, if desired, take the form of a memorial to the tives of type specimens of plants, chiefly a person or cause, named by the giver. commission, which provided Museum South which are in Cash contributions made within the taxable year with assignees throughout 1934, and is American, preserved not 15 cent of these exceeding per the taxpayer's net income continuing such assignments this year. European herbaria. From negatives, are allowable as deductions in computing net income The number of workers prints are made available for studies by under Article 251 of Regulation 69 to the highest assigned relating of income tax under the Revenue Act of 1926. to the Museum at one time during 1934 was botanists everywhere, and are proving Endowments may be made to the Museum with the 86; the lowest number 8; the average through great value in the advancement of system- provision that an be to the for annuity paid patron life. the year was 40. Total number of working atic botany. Thus far, more than 30,000 These annuities are tax-free and are guaranteed against fluctuation in amount. hours of the assignees to the Museum, in negatives have been made. February, 1935 FIELD MUSEUM NEWS Pages

2,650,000 PERSONS SERVED since constituted one of the chief character- LIBRARY OF DR. LAUFER BY MUSEUM IN 1934 istics of the Corinthian as well as of the later GIVEN TO MUSEUM Roman composite order of architecture, and The educational influence of Field Mu- has passed on in varied form into Byzantine The late Dr. Berthold Laufer, Curator of carried to a total of more than the of died seum was and Renaissance art, where it was used Department Anthropology, who This left 2,650,000 persons during 1934. figure both alone and combined with other plant last September, his personal library of includes 1,991,469 visitors received during forms. approximately 5,000 volumes, including the twelve months in the Museum building The genus Acanthus, with about twenty much material of extreme rarity and value, itself, and approximately 662,000 persons, species in southern Europe, northern Africa, chiefly on China and Tibet, to Field Mu- mostly children, reached by extra-mural and Asia, has given its name to the family seum. Dr. Laufer had planned for many educational activities conducted by the Acanthaceae, which includes some 175 other years to make this bequest, and completed institution through the James Nelson and the formal arrangements for it as far back Anna Louise Raymond Foundation for as 1923. Public School and Children's Lectures, and This accession, with other Orientalia pre- the Department of the N. W. Harris Public viously on the shelves of the Museum School Extension. Library, makes the Museum's collection of The Harris Extension circulates some books and pamphlets on the many subjects 1,300 traveling exhibits among more than covered one of the most important in this 400 schools and other institutions of Chicago country. Dr. Laufer's contribution includes where they are available for study daily books in Chinese, Tibetan, Mongolian, and during the school year by more than 500,000 in various European languages as well as children. in English. They were used by him in his and work for The activities of the Raymond Foundation researches other the Museum. include outside work by lecturers sent to Friends of China Memorial the children's classrooms and assemblies to As a memorial to Dr. Laufer, the Ameri- talks on natural give history subjects, can Friends of China, Chicago, have made illustrated with lantern slides. "These exten- a gift of $500 to the Museum, to be used sion lectures were heard children by 162,360 for expenses in connection with the catalogu- in 1934. The Foundation also presents ing and arrangement of his library in a series of entertainments in motion picture manner that will increase its usefulness the James Simpson Theatre which were and convenience to scholars and others who attended children in 1934, and by 27,653 wish to consult it. This society, of which tours of the exhibits in which guide-lecture Dr. Laufer was Secretary and one of the the last numbered participants year 14,759. most active members, has over a period of The lectures for adults in the Simpson years made many contributions to Field Theatre in 1934 were attended by 24,326 Museum, both of valuable objects for the persons, and 8,807 participated in the guide- Chinese archaeological and ethnological lecture tours for adults. The Library of collections, and of books for the Library. the Museum, and the scientific study Acanthus collections maintained in the various Depart- Reproduction of decorative plant recently added to exhibits in Hall 29. A GREAT FOSSIL TURTLE ments, served a large number of people. By Elmer S. Riggs While the Museum attendance of 1,991,469 Associate Curator of genera and perhaps 2,000 species of plants, PaleontoloKy persons shows a large decline from the indigenous mostly to tropical and warm The shell and the internal skeleton of a 3,269,390 visitors received during 1933, it temperate regions of the world. great fossil land-turtle, Testudo species, have was nevertheless the second highest year's Among them are many well known orna- just been mounted and placed on exhibition attendance in the history of the institution, such as the in Ernest R. Graham Hall The and the reduction from the 1933 peak was mentals, Thunbergias, tropical (Hall 38). climbers of various species. The handsome specimen measures forty-eight inches in a natural and expected consequence of the Sanehezia nobilis or "hoja de independencia" The shell alone is forty-two inches smaller attendance at A Century of Progress length. (leaf of independence) of Ecuador is ex- long by thirty-two inches wide. exposition in its second year. Of the hibited in the same case as the acanthus. This specimen was collected by a Museum visitors in 1934 only 99,553, or approximately expedition in 1931, from a sandy bluff above 5 per cent, paid the 25-cent admission fee the North Platte River in western Nebraska, charged on certain days; all the rest either HALL OF RACES COMPLETED The upper shell was badly broken when came on the days when admission is free, With the addition last month of a bronze found, but has been carefully pieced to- or belonged to classifications such as children, bust of a Beduin, Chauncey Keep Memorial gether, and missing parts have been restored. teachers, students, and Members of the Hall (Hall of the Races of Mankind) is It is one of the largest specimens of fossil Museum, to whom admission is free on all now complete. The series of sculptures in tortoise so far reported from North America. days. bronze and stone representing diverse racial Land-turtles of this genus are known to types from all parts of the world now num- have lived as early as the Oligocene period ACANTHUS PLANT INFLUENCED bers ninety-one studies (including several (35 to 39 million years ago), and have since groups which bring the number of indi- ANCIENT CORINTHIAN ART become widely distributed over the world. viduals portrayed to 101). All are life-size. By B. E. Dahlgren Species of Testudo are known from the A large number of them are full-length Curator, Department of Botany Miocene formations of India where land- figures; the remainder are busts and heads. turtles appear to have attained their largest There has been added recently to the All are the work of the sculptor Malvina size. Other have been found in exhibits in the Hall of Plant Life (Hall 29) Hoffman. species western in and in a reproduction of the bear's breech (Acan- Europe, Egypt, South America. Modern still exist in thus mollis), shown in the accompanying Captain White Visits Museum species illustration. This is one of several various parts of the world. species Captain Harold A. White of New York, of robust native to the herbaceous plants who led the Harold White-John Coats Mediterranean and often Election of Officers region, grown, Abyssinian and the Harold White-John in southern especially Europe, Greece, Italy, Coats African Expeditions of Field Museum, All officers of Field Museum who served for ornament Spain and southern France, was a visitor at the Museum about the in 1934 were re-elected for 1935 at the on account of their handsome The foliage. middle of January. Among groups in this Annual Meeting of the Board of Trustees species shown here, or the related closely institution resulting from his collecting are held January 21. For the twenty-seventh Acanthus served as the spinosus, evidently the African water-hole, the bongo, and the time President Stanley Field was re-elected. model for the ornamentation of the capitals aardvark, in Carl E. Akeley Memorial Hall He has held office continuously since 1909. and cornices of Corinthian architecture. (Hall 22). The other re-elected officers are Albert A. The legend is that Callimachus, famous Sprague, First Vice-President; James artist of the fourth to fifth century B.C., Fishermen going south this winter to Simpson, Second Vice-President; Albert W. derived the idea of of this form capital from Florida and other giilf coast waters can Harris, Third Vice-President; Stephen C. the sight of a basket on a maiden's tomb, become acquainted in advance with the Simms, Director and Secretary; and Solomon covered with a tile about which the leaves various species of fish they may encounter A. Smith, Treasurer and Assistant Secretary. of a plant of acanthus had grown. The by viewing the exhibits of gulf fishes in The membership of the Board of Trustees conventionalized acanthus motif has ever Albert W. Harris Hall (Hall 18). remained unchanged. Page U FIELD MUSEUM NEWS February, 1935

RAYMOND FOUNDATION TO GIVE and value for addition to smaller collections FEBRUARY GUIDE-LECTURE TOURS containing inadequate numbers of genuine TWO SPECIAL PROGRAMS Conducted tours of exhibits, under the meteorites. The Director of the Museum of staff lecturers, are made In commemoration of the birthdays of will be to send information guidance every glad complete afternoon at 3 Abraham Lincoln and George Washington, to institution or individual interested. P.M., except Saturdays, any and certain two special programs of free motion pictures Sundays, holidays. Following is the schedule of and dates for for children will be presented at the Museum THE TIBETAN GOD OF DEATH subjects in February under the provisions of the February: By J. Eric Thompson James Nelson and Anna Louise 1 —Chinese Exhibits. Raymond Assistant Curator of Central and Friday, February Foundation for Public School and Children's South American Archaeology Week beginning February 4: Monday —Animal Lectures. Families; Tuesday— Hall of Plant Life: Wednesday— A colorful statue of Yama, the Tibetan Races of —General — The Lincoln program will be given on Mankind; Thursday Tour; Friday god of death, presented to the Museum by Man Through the Ages. Tuesday, February 12, when two films, William E. has been on Week 11: —North "Lincoln and His Mother" and "A Presi- Hague, placed beginning February —Monday exhibition in Hall 32. The statue, which American Bird Groups; Tuesday The Eskimos; dent's Answer," will be shown. The Wash- Wednesday—Crystals and Their Uses: Thursday— is five feet high, is made of lacquered papier — ington program, to be given on Friday, General Tour; Friday Habitat Groups. mache and wood. As is usually the case February 22, will feature the film "Wash- Week beginning Febrtiary 18: Monday—Primitive with this deity, Yama is shown wearing a Life of Africa and —Plants of ington, His Life and Times." Madagascar; Tuesday crown and necklace, the ornaments of which the Lower Orders; Wednesday—Ancient Burials; The regular spring series of Raymond Thursday—General Tour; Friday —Prehistoric Life. Foundation on programs Saturday mornings Week beginning February 25: Monday—Melanesian will when three — — begin on March 2, films, Hall: Tuesday Plant Products:— Wednesday Min- "The Pygmy Circus," "American Bears," erals and Ores; Thursday General Tour. and "A to D.C.," will be Trip Washington, Persons wishing to participate should In this series there will be presented. eight apply at North Entrance. Tours are free other Details of the complete programs. and no gratuities are to be proffered. A new schedule will in the March issue of appear schedule will each month in Field Field appear Museum News. Museum News. Guide-lecturers' services In order to accommodate larger numbers for special tours by parties of ten or more of children all of the Foundation Raymond are available free of charge by arrangement and are programs, both special regular, with the Director a week in advance. presented twice, the first showing beginning at 10 A.M. and the second at 11 a.m. Children from all parts of Chicago and suburbs are Gifts to the Museum invited to attend. Following is a list of some of the principal gifts received during the last month: FINLEY WILLIAM TO LECTURE From Mrs. Laura C. Boulton— 18 musical instru- AT MUSEUM MARCH 2 ments, Africa: from Percy Williams —5 fruits of Hyphaena crinita.— South Africa; from S. C. Johnson Dr. William Finley, of Portland, Oregon, and Son, Inc.— 9 samples of vegetable waxes; from noted for his explorations in the far north, Henry Field 9 specimens of minerals, 60 fossils, 6 rocks, vertebra, and teeth of Germany will at Field Museum on jaws, IchthyosauruH, appear Saturday and England; from S. W. Pruitt —a specimen of tin afternoon, March 2, in a lecture for adults ore and 118 specimens of minerals. North— Carolina and to be presented in the James Georgia; from Mrs. A. E. Burnaby 4 English adders, Simpson and a water Theatre. and Kodiak Bears" 3 bats, a weasel, 5 moles, rat, England; "Birds, Bergs from Leslie Wheeler— 14 specimens of birds, including is the title of the lecture, which will be falcons, hawks, owls, and a black merlin, Colorado, Yama, God of Death from illustrated with motion pictures of a very Florida, Iowa, Oregon, and British Columbia: Unusual statue of Tibetan made of Albany Museum—3 lizards. South Africa. high order. The lecture will begin at 3 p.m. deity, lacquered papier mach^ and wood, on exhibition in Hall 32. This is the first of nine lectures to be presented in the sixty-third course under NEW MEMBERS are made of papier mache in the form of the auspices of the Museum. The other human skulls. "The god's hair is represented The following persons were elected to lectures will be given on succeeding Satur- as flames, and a tiger's skin is draped around membership in Field Museum during the days in March and April. The complete his loins. In the center of his forehead is period from December 17 to January 15: schedule of dates, subjects and speakers the of wisdom," with which he was will be announced in the March issue of "eye Life Members to see into the and future. Field Museum News. supposed past Albert B. Dick, Jr. All of these are special attributes by which No tickets are necessary for admission Associate Members this god can be recognized. He is usually to these lectures. A section of the Theatre Frederic Burnham, Harry J. Dunbaugh, Mrs. painted green, and dressed in red, but in is reserved for Members of the Museum, Frank P. Hixon, John McWilliams Marsh II Karl this statue his is lacquered red, and Newhouse. each of whom is entitled to two reserved body his clothing is green. Like most Tibetan Annual Members seats on request. Requests for these seats deities, Yama has his origin in India. Miss Mary S. Bissell, James Bonfield, A. B. Clark, may be made by telephone or in writing Otto Mrs. William F. Dummer, Mrs. According to Indian legend he was the first Donath, Ralph to the Museum, in advance of the lecture, S. Greenlee, G. I. Mackenzie, Miss Jeannette Brown mortal to die. he was made P. A . and seats will then be held in the Member's Subsequently Obenchain, John O'Shaughnessy, George Riel, one of the two rulers of the next world, John E. Schulze, Thomas F. Tansey, George L. Teller, name until 3 o'clock on the day of the Mrs. Peter S. Mrs. W. B. C. E. his co-regent being the Hindu god Varuna. Theurer, Thompson, lecture. Members may obtain seats in the Varley. In the legend the road to his abode in the reserved section also by presentation of underworld is two ferocious their cards to the Theatre guarded by dogs, Rare Waxes Received membership which the dead are advised to attendant before 3 o'clock on the lecture past hurry. These dogs are his messengers. Through the kindness of H. F. Johnson, day, even though no advance reservation received from S. C. The statue of the stands on a pedestal, Jr., there were recently has been made. All reserved seats not god the upper tier of which has a cloud design, Johnson and Son, Inc., of Racine, Wisconsin, claimed by 3 o'clock will be opened to the a of rare or unusual waxes of while the lower tier carries a typical lotus number general public. design. In accordance with a general vegetable origin, including sugar cane wax, Tibetan custom, various offerings had been coffee wax, tea wax, wax of orange blossoms, Meteorite Casts Available lavender and placed inside this pedestal, which is hollow. of cassia, mimosa, jasmine for Sale or Exchange These consist of small jars of barley and flowers. Some of these are by-products of the are all of The Museum has on hand 100 plaster other grains, prayer rolls, and books of perfume industry. They as the casts of meteorites which are now available magical formulae, such as drawings of the interest indicating widespread occurrence of waxes in the to other institutions or individuals by sale eight emblems of happy augury. Offerings plant kingdom, and will be added to the exhibits of vegetable or exchange. These casts were formerly an of this nature are believed to bring images waxes in Hall 28. important part of the Museum's collections to life, and consequently enable them to pertaining to meteorites, but as the Museum answer prayers. has accumulated original specimens repre- An exhibit representing the citrus fruits, senting more than 700 meteorites the The curious camel-like guanacos of South and the flowers, woods, foliage and products casts have been gradually withdrawn from America are represented by an excellent of the trees of the orange family, is on view exhibition. They are still of great interest habitat group in Hall 16. in the Hall of Plant Life (Hall 29). phintco by ficld museum press Fieldii News Published Monthly by Field Museum of Natural History, Chicago

Vol. 6 MARCH, 1935 No. 3

WHEN WINGED REPTILES FLEW IN THE AIR, AND GIANT LIZARDS SWAM THE SEAS

Elhbr S. By Riggs lizards, great sea turtles, fishes of great were hollow and had walls of paper-like Associate Curator of Paleontology diversity, and flying reptiles of strange and thinness. The entire structure of the A scene from the ancient inland sea which grotesque form. animal is such as would enable the animal extended over the Great Plains region of Of marine turtles there was also variety. to attain the greatest strength consistent North America in the Cretaceous period, The gigantic Archaelon, seen in this painting, with the lightness and mobility necessary 90,000,000 years ago, forms the subject of which reached a length of more than ten for flight. one of the large mural paintings by Charles feet, was not very different in general The name Pterodactyl, signifying wing- R. Knight exhibited on the walls of Ernest characteristics from the modern leatherback finger, is descriptive of the wings, of which R. Graham Hall (Hall 38) of Field Museum. turtle. Its head was armed with a strongly the outer half was supported by an elongated At the bottom of this Cretaceous sea accu- curved beak; the leathery shell was sup- fourth finger or digit. Three slender claws, mulated great beds of shells and of clay ported by a thin bony skeleton; the legs which appear at the angle of the wing, are which later became the well-known chalk were adapted to the swimming habits of vestiges of the forefoot. They correspond beds of western Kansas and the shale the animal. A splendid specimen of this to the first three fingers of the human hand. formations which extend from Texas far great turtle is preserved in the Peabody They were apparently of service to the

Mural Painting, by Charles R. Knight, of Flying and Swimming Reptiles Extinct North American animals that lived 90,000,000 years ago. The Mosasaur, great swimming lizard in the foreground, grew to a length of thirty feet. The great sea- turtle on the right was of a species which reached ten feet in length. The Pterodactyls or flying reptiles seen in the air had wing-spreads more than twenty-one feet. northward into the Arctic regions. In Museum of Yale University. animal in enabling it to suspend itself from these formations are found the fossil remains The flying reptiles or Pterodactyls illus- branches of trees or from rocky cliffs after of many strange forms of life which lived trated in this picture have often been called the fashion of bats. in and about that ancient sea. "flying dragons," and truly no creature, The Pterodactyl was, as its structure One of the queer denizens of that far-off either ancient or modern, could more accu- clearly shows, a strong flyer and a predacious time, shown in the accompanying illustration, rately fill the conception of this fabled feeder. It doubtless swept over the open is the great swimming lizard or Mosasaur. monster. Those of Cretaceous times had seas, scanning the water for fish and diving This animal is known from abundant fossil a wing-spread reaching more than twenty- swiftly to seize such prey. The wide dis- remains in this museum and others. It is one feet. The head was armed with a tribution of the animal's fossil remains over distinguished by the long, tapering head, pointed beak nearly a yard in length and deep-sea beds of marina origin gives unmis- pointed snout, and thickly set rows of entirely devoid of tseth. A flattened crest takable evidence of its adventures over the conical teeth in the jaws and in the roof of projected far back from the top of the head. open sea. the mouth as well.- The body was rounded, The wings consisted of elongated arms and A specimen of one of the smaller kinds and armed with paddle-like flippers, similar fingers from which thin membranes extended of Pterodactyls, Nydosauriis, exhibited in to those of the sea-lion. The tail was long to the sides of the body. The breastbone this museum, is one of the most complete and flexible, and bordered with fins above was flat and offers no evidence of the strong skeletons of flying reptile known. The and below. The Mosasaur, a strong pectoral muscles so conspicuous in birds delicate bones, appearing on the surface swimmer, was voracious in its habits, feeding of flight. The legs were short and rela- of the natural chalk in which they were on fishes and other kinds of marine life. tively weak, apparently of ser/ice only in preserved, show with nicety of detail almost Found in the same chalk and shale beds the act of perching. every feature of the animal's skeletal are fossil remains of slender-necked sea- The long bones of both wings and legs structure.

Trustee Wheeler Elected Contributor by his fellow members of the Museum's has taken in the work on birds. Mr. and Member of Museum Staff Board of Trustees to the class of membership Wheeler is specializing in scientific work in In recognition of his many generous gifts in the institution designated as Contributors. connection with the birds of prey, and the of valuable specimens for addition to the In addition, Mr. Wheeler has been appointed Museum's collection of various species of bird collections of the Department of Zool- Associate in Ornithology on the staff of the these from many parts of the world has been ogy, Trustee Leslie Wheeler has been elected Museum because of the active interest he placed in his charge. Page g FIELD MUSEUM NEWS March, 19S5

Field Museum of Natural History MUSEUM'S BIRD COLLECTIONS sented by a splendid series of birds obtained the Kalahari Founded by Marshall Field. 1893 HOLD 100,000 SPECIMENS by Vernay-Lang Expedition. Roosevelt Road and Lake Michigan, Obicago By Rudyerd Boulton The recent Straus West African Expedition .\ssistant Curator of Birds collected specimens from regions not repre- sented in other American museums. THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES The bird collections of Field Museum Seweu. L. Avery William H. Mitchell From China there are some 4,000 birds, today comprise approximately 103,000 speci- John Bobden Frederick H. Rawson mostly those collected by the James J. George A. Richardson mens, of which about two-thirds are of WnxiAH Chalmers Simpson-Roosevelts Asiatic Expedition and Joseph N. Field Fred W. Sargent New World species, and one-third Old the Marshall Field Zoological to Marshall Field Stephen C. Simms World. In the exhibits in the two halls Expedition Stanley Field James Simpson China. Indo-China and Siam are well Ern-est R. Graham Solomon A. Smith devoted to birds. Halls 20 and 21, are some represented by 6,000 specimens, of which Albert W. Habris Albert A. Spbague 2,000 birds; about 1,000 are included in Jr. Silas H. Stbawn a large part was collected by the William Samuel Insull, 350 small habitat groups circulated among Cyrus H. McCormick Leslie Whbelbb V. Kelley-Roosevelts Expedition to Eastern John P, Wilson the schools of Chicago by the N. W. Harris Asia, and others the well-known French Public School Extension of Field Museum; by OFFICERS zoologist, Jean Delacour. From India there and about 100,000 are in the study collec- Stanley Field President are some 2,000 birds collected by Herbert Albebt a. Spbague First Vice-President tions of the Department of Zoology. Stevens and V. S. La Personne, and James Simpson Seeorui Vice-President The nucleus of these collections consisted present-

Albert W. Habris. . Third Vice-President ed to the Museum C. of a thousand mounted specimens which by Suydam Cutting. Stephen C. Simms Director and Secretary There are birds from been exhibited Ward's Natural 5,000 Australasia, Solomon A. Smith . . Treasurer and Assistant Secretary had by including the Woodhead Australian Collec- History Establishment at the World's tion, and the collections made in various Columbian Exposition in 1893. In 1894 FIELD MUSEUM NEWS South Sea islands and New Guinea the the Museum's first expedition to collect by Stephen C. Simms, Director of the Museum Editor Cornelius Crane Pacific birds was dispatched to San Domingo in Expedition. CONTRIBUTING EDITORS Field Museum is the repository for 290 charge of George K. Cherrie. Soon there- Paul S. Mahtin Acting Curator of Anthropology type specimens of birds. Type specimens B. E. Dahlgren Curator after the famous Cory Collection was of Botany are those upon which first descriptions of Henry W. Nichols Curator of Geology acquired, and Charles B. Cory became H. Curator newly discovered species are based, and Wilfred Osgood of Zoology Curator of Birds, continuing at that post B. Harte Editor thereafter are used in technical H. Managing until his death in 1920. In 1898 D. G. determining of identification. Elliot and Carl E. Akeley made a collection questions The collection of bird skeletons numbers Field Museum is open every day of the year during of 500 birds in British Somaliland which to the hours indicated below: about 500 specimens representing 90 families this day remains the only notable collection Nov., Dec., Jan., Feb., Mar. 9 A.M. to 4:30 P.M. and 250 genera. In the R. M. Barnes September, October 9 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. in America from that part of Africa. April, Collection of eggs of North American birds May, June, July, August 9 A.M. to 6:00 P.M. By 1900 the Museum's collection con- the Museum has one of the best known Admission is free to Members on all days. Other tained approximately 27,000 specimens, and adults are admitted free on and oological collections in this country, and Thursdays, Saturdays was growing at the rate of more than 1,000 Sundays; non-merabers pay 25 cents on other days. one of the most truly representative of the Children are admitted free on all Students and a year. Until 1925 the birds were pre- days. fauna. Other collections in the Museum faculty members of educational institutions are admit- dominantly of New World species, the major ted free any day upon of credentials. are the H. B. Conover Collection of Game presentation accessions resulting from expeditions to of some The Museum's natural history Library is open for northern South America and Central Birds the World, numbering 11,000 reference daily except Saturday afternoon and Sunday. of and the America, led by Wilfred H. Osgood, Ned specimens 1,000 species, recently Traveling exhibits are circulated in the schools of inaugurated Leslie Wheeler Collection of Chicago by the N. W. Harris Public School Extension Dearborn, J. F. Ferry, Stanley G. Jewett, Birds of of the Worid. Department of the Museum. M. P. Anderson, and Robert B. Becker. Prey Lectures for schools, and special entertainments In the past twelve years the Museum's and tours for children at the Museum, are provided bird collections have almost doubled in MODELS OF EXTINCT ANIMALS by the James Nelson and Anna Louise Raymond Foundation for Public School and Children's Lectures. number of specimens, and have become FOR SALE OR EXCHANGE Announcements of free illustrated lectures for the more truly world wide in scope. The North Field Museum offers for sale or exchange public, and special lectures for Members of the Museum, American collections total about 28,000, to other institutions or interested individuals will appear in Field Museum News. including part of the Cory Collection, and two classic restorations of the extinct reptiles, A cafeteria in the 'Museum serves visitors. Rooms later known as the E. E. and and a cast are provided for thoee bringing their lunches. acquisitions Ichthyosaurus Plesiosaurus, Collection. W. E. Snyder Col- skeleton of the Chicago Motor Coach Company No. 26 buses go Armstrong prehistoric mammal. Mega- direct to the Museum. lection, and T. Grafton Parker Collection, therium. Members are requested to inform the Museum as well as miscellaneous series. The reptile models are cast in plaster of promptly of changes of address. Specimens from Middle America and the paris and are mounted on handsome wooden West Indies number 20,000. Half of these bases. The are said to have been MEMBERSHIP IN FIELD MUSEUM originals are from the Cory Collection. Nine thou- made by the eminent English geologist. Field Museum has several classes of Members- sand Mexican and Central American birds Professor Waterhouse Hawkins. The models Benefactors give or devise $100,000 or more. Contribu- tors give or devise $1,000 to $100,000. Life Members are largely the result of expeditions sent are of reptiles from the English and German give $500; Non-Resident Life and Associate Members out by Field Museum. The most recent Lias formations of early Jurassic age. The pay $100; Non-Resident Associate Members pay $50. was the Leon Mandel Guatemalan expedi- restoration of is mounted on All the above classes are exempt from dues. Ichthyosaurus Sustaining tion with R. Blake as Members contribute $25 annually. After six years they Emmet ornithologist. a base 3 feet 10 inches wide and 7 feet 10 become Associate Members. Annual Members con- From South America there are about inches long. That of Plesiosaurus is 3 feet tribute $10 Other are annually. memberships Corpo- 20,000 birds, chiefly from Venezuela, Brazil 10 inches 6 feet 2 inches. Both bases rate, Honorary, Patron, and Corresponding, additions by and Peru. Chilean collected are to under these dassilications being made by special action specimens, by are 18 inches in height and designed of the Board of Trustees. Dr. Osgood, H. B. Conover and C. C. rest on the floor. The models are smooth Each in all Member, classes, is entitled to free Sanborn, although numerically less than at the surface, painted a dark green color admission to the Museum for his and himself, family those of the aforementioned details house guests, and to two reserved seats for Museum countries, repre- and do not reproduce the minute lectures provided for Members. Subscription to Field sent about 95 per cent of the total bird of dermal markings. Museum News is included all with memberships. The fauna of the country. Ecuador, Bolivia, The cast skeleton of is 17 courtesies of museum of in Megatherium every note the United and animal States and Canada are extended to all Members of Colombia, Paraguay, Uruguay Argen- feet long and represents the standing Field Museum. A Member may give his personal card tina are represented by about 3,000 speci- on its hind legs, which are 11 feet high. It to non-residents of Chicago, upon presentation of mens among which should be mentioned was made Ward's Natural History which they will be admitted to the Museum without by the Collection from Argentina. Establishment. It is mounted on a base charge. Further information about memberships will Mogensen be sent on request. European birds are represented by about 15 feet 9 inchee long, 5 feet 10 inches wide, 4,000 skins, of which about half are from and 18 inches BEQUESTS AND high. ENDOWMENTS the Anton Fischer Bavarian Collection. All these offerings are ready for exhibition, Bequests to Field Museum of Natural History may African birds number 8,000. One-quarter with accompanying labels giving full descrip- be made in books or securities, money, collections. of these comes from the northeastern tions of the animals. They may, if desired, take the form of a memorial to a person or cause, named by the giver. section, mainly as a result of collections Cash contribulions made within the taxable year made by Mrs. Delia Akeley, Dr. Osgood, A large assortment of petroleum-yielding not exceeding 15 per cent of the taxpayer's net income the late Louis Agassiz Fuertes, and Alfred rocks and sands from widely scattered are allowable as deductions in computing net income M. From central Africa come localities is on exhibition in Hall 36. The under Article 251 of Regulation 69 relating to the Bailey. income tax under the Revenue Act of 1926. another 2,000, chiefly those collected by specimens are of varied character, and repre- Endowments may be made to the Museum with the Mr. and Mrs. Akeley in 1906, and by J. T. sent fields of various capacity ranging from provision that an annuity be to the for life. paid patron Zimmer on the Conover-Everard African some which yield only four barrels a day to These annuities are tax-free and are guaranteed against fluctuation in amount. Expedition in 1927. Bechuanaland is repre- others which yield 3,000 barrels daily. March, 1935 FIELD MUSEUM NEWS Page S

AN ANCIENT PERUVIAN QUIPU hoped to place the quipu on exhibition at HIBERNATION OF REPTILES By J. Eric Thompson the end of March. By Karl P. Schmidt Assistant Curator of Central and Although the quipu was found in a Assistant Curator of Reptiles South American Archaeology woman's work basket at Field Museum, Many birds escape the rigors of winter no is available Ten years ago a collection of archaeological information as to the condi- by migrating to warmer climates in the material from various parts of the world, tions under which it was originally excavated. south. Those that remain in our latitude then on deposit with the Chicago Historical Nevertheless, it seems unlikely that a quipu through the cold season are able to find under normal be found Society, was purchased and presented to would circumstances food by means of active habits, and are in a Field Museum by Messrs. Stanley Meld, woman's work basket. saved from freezing by the nearly perfect Henry J. Patten, and Charles B. Pike. The insulation afforded by their feather covering. collection included a certain amount of Mammals, like the birds, have warm Peruvian material, but as at that time there blood and excellent insulation, and most was no member of Field Museum's scientific of them survive the winter, without migra- staff who had an intimate knowledge of tion, by modification of their food habits Peruvian archaeology, a number of knotted or by subsisting on food stores laid up in cords roughly rolled into a ball passed times of plenty. Others, however, retire unnoticed. into burrows or hollow trees where, nourished Two weeks ago on removing this material by the slow consumption of their fat, they from the poison room, where it had remained pass the winter in a state of suspended undisturbed for ten years, the writer was animation known as hibernation. to find in a woman's surprised basket, The frogs, toads, and salamanders, and with balls of and jumbled up thread, yarn, the turtles, lizards, and snakes are "cold- spindles, this series of knotted cords, which, blooded" as contrasted with the warm- on unraveling, proved to be a quipu. blooded mammals and birds. Their body consists of a and A quipu long fairly temperature is approximately the same as thick cord, from which dangle groups of that of the air or water which surrounds cords. On these cords subsidiary — subsidiary them. These animals, accordingly, have are knots of two types overhand knots and Ancient Accounting Device no choice when the temperature falls toward Flemish knots. These knots served as Incas of in A quipu, used by the Peru various the freezing point but to suspend their itinds of This rare will malce a numerals in reckonings, each overhand knot computation. object like notable addition to the Museum's exhibits activity for the winter. Some, the frogs and each in a Flemish knot pertaining loop repre- to South American archaeology. and most turtles, bury themselves in mud a unit. decimal senting A system was in ponds or swamps. Highland forms, like the tens and hundreds employed, being toads and snakes and the box-turtle, bury differentiated by the position of the knots on PREHISTORIC LIFE PICTURES themselves in sheltered situations in dry as can be seen in the the subsidiary cords, IN BOOK BY C. R. KNIGHT soil. The most familiar hibernating site closer to illustration. Those the main cord of our snakes is beneath sidewalks, Reproductions of forty-five of Charles R. Chicago represented hundreds; those farther re- whence on warm in Knight's paintings and drawings restoring they emerge days moved represented tens. At the ends of some November to sun themselves before their scenes of prehistoric life, including a large cords are knots representing single units. final retirement. which the number of the murals presented to Field Toads, spend Quipus were used by the ancient Peruvians in to water Museum by Trustee Ernest R. Graham and winter dry situations, migrate for keeping accounts. Overseers used them for the season as soon as exhibited in Hall 38, are included in a book. breeding they for recording the quantity of tribute paid in The two sala- the Dawn last emerge spring. larger to the Inca, the tallies of flocks of llamas, Before of History, published written manders of the Chicago area have opposite of woven month. The text, by Mr. Knight, the production finely garments, habits in this respect. The tiger salamander and gives an outline of fossil types, the use and statistics such as births, deaths, called a "lizard") spends the paleontologists make of them, and their (commonly the numbers of young men available for summer on but hibernates in relation to various periods of earth's develop- land, ponds military service. and marshes. and ment. Mr. Knight describes the manner During September Cieza de Leon, the Spanish historian, October are found in in which various early animals must have specimens frequently gives a long account of the use of quipus, and to the Museum for lived, and tells of his methods in recon- cellar-ways brought of which one paragraph follows: identification. Such are structing the life appearance of these crea- openings pitfalls "Each province at the end of the year for these creatures in their nocturnal travels. tures known only from skeletal remains. was ordered to set down in the quipus by The salamander lives in much the The illustrations are arranged in chrono- spotted means of knots, all the men who had died situations the but order with relation to the and same through summer, in it the as well as all who were logical types during year, spends the winter on land also, so that its periods represented. Three stages of bio- born. In the following year the quipus were migration to water for breeding and egg- logical evolution are presented—that of the taken to Cuzco [the capital of the Incaj, takes in the that of the and that of laying place spring. where an account was made of the births and reptiles, mammals, man. The book, the Many turtles do not lay their eggs until deaths throughout the empire. These returns early published by McGraw-Hill Book New early summer, and these hatch as late as were prepared with great care and accuracy." Company, York, has 119 12x9. are on sale mid-September. When egg-laying or the scheme of colored cords was used to pages, Copies A of the is for at Field Museum. Price $2.50, plus 15 cents development eggs delayed any aid the memories of the quipu keepers as cool if mail. reason, especially when a summer to the covered the cords. How- for postage ordered by subjects by follows a late spring, the eggs do not hatch, found in never ever, quipus graves may and the embryo turtles may remain in the have been used for such since a purposes, Noted Scientists Visit Museum egg through the winter. If the winter is buried fall into the hands of the quipu might Professor Julian Huxley, noted British mild or if there is a sufficient covering of of and spirits evilly disposed persons, might scientist and author, was a visitor at Field snow, such embryos come safely through be used them for the by harming living. Museum on February 2. He conferred with this curious hibernation and emerge the Furthermore these vital statistics were too members of the Museum staff, and inspect- following spring. Farmers engaged in to be buried with the dead. important ed the Museum's zoological and anthropo- spring plowing have frequently reported On the other hand, there is evidence logical collections. Professor Huxley is a nests of turtle eggs with fully formed strongly suggesting that the quipus, like grandson of the great biologist Thomas turtles in them, ready to hatch. the one in Field Museum, that were found Henry Huxley. He is soon to take office as in graves, belonged to magicians and Secretary of the Zoological Society of London. astrologers. The sums recorded on these New Hybrid Plant Received Dr. Roy Chapman Andrews, Director of grave quipus frequently possess astronomical Field Museum has received, through the American Museum of Natural History, significance, some cords giving lunar data, Robert Van Tress, of the Garfield Park New and leader of the Central Asiatic others yielding calculations concerning the York, Conservatory, material of a handsome new of that institution the planet Venus or the solar year. expeditions during plant developed recently by hybridization from 1923 to was a of The Field Museum quipu has cords of period 1928, guest in the conservatory. The new hybrid, which the Museum on 12. various colors and a considerable number February has been named Hippecoris Garfieldiana, is of knots. The calculations on this new Professor Ralph W. Chaney, paleobotanist the result of crossing the amaryllis (Hip- quipu will shortly be checked to see if they of the University of California, recently came peastrum) with a closely related genus, possess astronomical importance, for com- to the Museum to study the Herbarium Lycoris. The very large flowers, much like plete specimens are very scarce, and new collections in connection with studies of those of amaryllis, are strikingly handsome calculations of corresponding value. It is Tertiary fossil plants of the Pacific Coast. because of their shape and red color. Page i FIELD MUSEUM NEWS March, 19S5

SPRING LECTURE COURSE March 23—Antelopes Seldom Seen; Daniel MARCH GUIDE-LECTURE TOURS TO OPEN ON MARCH 2 Boone and a New Trail Conducted tours of exhibits, under the March 30—Wild Life at Home; the Field Museum's Sixty-third Free Lecture Laying guidance of staff lecturers, are made every World's Fastest Cable Course will begin on March 2. Lectures — afternoon at 3 p.m., except Saturdays, on travel and science, illustrated with April 6 Beetle Friends and Enemies; Sundays, and certain holidays. Following motion pictures and stereopticon slides, will Trained Bird Fishermen; Glimpses of is the schedule of subjects and dates for be given on each of the nine Saturdays Quaint Gasp6 March: March and All will be pre- — during April. April 13 Monkey Capers; Jungle Vaude- Friday, March 1 —Primitive Musical Instruments. sented in the James Theatre of Simpson ville; Souvenirs of Singapore; The Wapiti Week beginning March 4: Monday—Uses of Plant all will at 3 o'clock — the museum, and begin of Jackson Hole Fibers;— Tuesday Men of the Stone Age; Wednesday— in the afternoon. The complete schedule — Systematic Collection of Mammals; Thursday April 20 Mushrooms and Their Cousins; General Tours; Friday —Egyptian Exhibits. of dates, subjects and speakers follows: Peter Stuyvesant Week beginning March 11: Monday—Plants and — Animals of the —Totem Pole March 2 Birds, Bergs and Kodiak Bears April 27—Nature's Weavers; Life of a Past; Tuesday Makers; Wednesday—Copal, Amber and Turpentine; Thurs- Dr. William Finley, Portland, Oregon Moth; Mounting Butterflies; Algonquin day—General Tour; Friday —Crystals and Their Uses. March 9—The New Valley of 10,000 Adventures Week beginning March 18; Monday—<}hina and Smokes Tibet; Tuesday —Chicago Birds; Wednesday—Peoples of the South Seas; Thursday—General Tour; Friday— Rev. Bernard R. Hubbard, S.J., University of THE SAUSAGE TREE Native Trees, Fruits and Vegetables. Santa Clara, California Week March 25: —American — Among the world's queerest trees is the beginning Monday March 16 In the Shadow of the Eastern Archaeology; Tuesday —Deer and .\ntelope8; Wednes- of of which a Gods sausage tree East Africa, speci- day—Jades and Their Uses; Thursday—General Tour; with its odd is on Friday—Moon and Meteorites. Robert Edison Fulton, Jr., New York City men branch, fruits, exhibition in the Hall of Plant Life (Hall 29). March 23—Central American Trails Persons wishing to participate should It is a large tree of the trumpet vine group, Captain John D. Craig, Hollywood, California apply at North Entrance. Tours are free to which the familiar catalpas belong. The — and no gratuities are to be proffered. A new March 30 Modern Pioneering fruits of the sausage tree, which bear a schedule will appear each month in Field Richard Finnic, F.R.G.S., Ottawa, Canada resemblance to the' products of the striking Museum News. Guide-lecturers' services April 6—Timbuktu and Beyond meat-packing industry, hang from the for special tours by parties of ten or more Rudyerd Boulton, Assistant Curator of Birds, branches on pendent stems from one to two Leader of Straus-Field Mu- are available free of charge by arrangement Field Museum; yards long, much as sausages are hung for seum West African Expedition with the Director a week in advance. display in butcher shop windows. The April 13—The West Indies fruits frequently reach a length of two feet. C. New Major James Sawders, Nutley, Jersey Unfortunately, while the exterior of the Gifts to the Museum April 20—The Canadian Rockies in Pic- tree sausages suggests edible qualities, the Following is a list of some of the principal tures and Story interior contains a hard and woody pulp gifts received during the last month: Dan McCowan. Banff, Canada which is neither palatable nor nutritious, From C. Belden —a shrunken Jivaro Indian and the fruits therefore are not likely to be Joseph April 27—The Buried Cities of Ceylon head, Ecuador; from Professor Manuel Valerio—43 in as a substitute for the delicatessen Dr. Robert McMlury, New York City demand herbarium specimens, Coeta Rica; from School of varieties of sausages. Forestry, Yale University—239 herbarium specimens, tickets are for admission and from Hermann C. No necessary Nevertheless, the sausage tree is not Brazil, New Guinea, Ecuador; of Benke—215 herbarium specimens, Illinois and Wiscon- to these lectures. A section the Theatre useless. It is held sacred wholly by Negro sin; from .\rmando Dugand G.—a Bauhinia stem, is reserved for Members of the Museum, tribes in Nubia, and they hold religious Colombia; from Wisconsin Land and Lumber Com- each of whom is entitled to two reserved — of from Professor festivals in the moonlight under its branches. pany a board— tamarack, Michigan; seats on request. Requests for these seats A. O. Garrett 76 herbarium specimens, Utah; from Poles made from the trees are erected before Charles —a of Penn- be made or in Weight specimen lepidodendron, may by telephone writing the houses of great chiefs and are worshipped. sylvania; from K. Ogaki —a specimen of cabochon cut to the in advance of the from Walter L. Museum, lecture, As for the sausages themselves, the natives amber with insect, Manchukuo; Necker— 52 2 and 3 and seats will then be held in the Member's roast the cut salamanders, snakes, toads, cut and them and apply from Russell Abel—a snake-eel; from John name until 3 o'clock on the of the Indiana; day surfaces to their bodies as a remedy for G. Shedd Aquarium—a hawksbill turtle, Bahama obtain seats in — 19 lecture. Members may the rheumatism and similar complaints. Islands; from W. R. Thomas mammal skulls. South Dakota; from Zoological Society —2 reserved section also by presentation of trees found in Chicago The are principally Nubia, mammals and II .\ustralia and their cards to the Theatre birds, Galapagos membership Abyssinia, Mozambique, Natal, Senegal and Islands; from A. J. Franzen —a badger skeleton, attendant before 3 o'clock on the lecture Guinea. A few have been in the Wisconsin; from E. Morton Miller —4 snakes, 3 frogs, grown ' and 2 Florida. day, even though no advance reservation southern United States. toads, has been made. All reserved seats not Related to the sausage tree is the candle claimed by 3 o'clock will be opened to the tree of Central America, of which the Mu- NEW MEMBERS general public. seum likewise exhibits The specimens. The following persons were elected to and fruits of this tree almost green yellow membership in Field Museum during the CHILDREN'S PROGRAMS OFFERED perfectly represent the shape and waxy period from January 16 to February 15: BY RAYMOND FOUNDATION appearance of candles. Some of these reach a of four feet. are eaten Contributors The spring series of free motion picture length They by but are not to be recommended as a Leslie Wheeler programs for children, presented by the cattle, an flavor James Nelson and Anna Louise Raymond fodder, since they give unpleasant Non-Resident Life Members to the meat. Foundation for Public School and Children's Herbert F. Johnson, Jr. The Museum exhibits include other in- Lectures, will open on March 2. There members of the vine Associate Members will nine in to be teresting trumpet be programs all, given each Mrs.'Idea'L. Hammond, .\rthur E. Neumann, Dr. family, among them the calabash of the Saturday morning during March and April. Theodore Stanley Proxmire, R. H. Van Schaack. Jr., American from the fruits of which All will be presented in the James Simpson tropics, Mrs. N. L. Tibbetts, Mrs. Ezra J. Warner. natives make bottles and floats for Theatre of the Museum, and there will fishing Annual Members nets, and the beautiful "nymphs' comb" of be two showings of the films on each program William Scott E. B. A. Boum- Yucatan whose winged seeds are described Bond, Boyd, Eugene —one beginning at 10 a.m., and one at ique, Mrs. Edison Dick, Mrs. iierbert S. Eckhouse, botanists as the most efficient of Emil Maurice Friedlander, Fred B. Hamm, 11 A.M. Children from all parts of Chicago by among Eitel, "vegetable airplanes" because of the way Miss Jean Hutchison, Dr. Charles E. Kahlke, W. G. and suburbs are invited. They may come William G. Kress, Henry Manaster, Mrs. they sail through the air.. Kindsvogel, alone, in groups from schools and other A. Howard McConnell, William Wallace Rice, John C. Richert, Emil W. Ritter^ Harry E. Seanor, Frank centers, or with teachers, parents, or other Dr. Laufer Posthumously Honored K. Shrader, Cochran Supplee, Miss Lucille C. Thomp- adults. Following is the schedule showing son, Mrs. Flora Van Artsdale, George Vivian, Mrs. the titles of the films to be shown on each In recognition of the bequest to Field Wallace Wakem. date: Museum of his valuable library of some 5,000 volumes, which was reported in the Panama Honors Standley March 2—The Pigmy Circus; American Society February issue of Field Museum News, Bears; A Trip to Washington, D.C. Associate Curator Paul C. Standley has the name of the late Dr. Berthold — Laufer, been elected an honorary member of the March 9 Babies of the Farm; Jungle former Curator of has been Anthropology, Panama Canal Zone Natural History Society. Belles; Australian Animals; A Dyak added to the list of Contributors to the Wedding Museum—those whose gifts in money or March 16—The Orang at Work and Play; materials range in value from $1,000 to Many of the market fishes of Chicago are Javanese Farmers; Watching the Wayangs $100,000. exhibited in Albert W. Harris Hall (Hall 18).

PRINTED BY FrCLD MUSCUM PRESS News Pvblished Monthly by Field Miiseum of Natural History, Chicago

Vol. 6 APRIL, 1935 No. 4

AXIS DEER HABITAT GROUP the spots disappear in the adult. It is THE FOSSIL RHINOCEROSES IN W. V. KELLEY HALL thought that the spots serve to make the OF NORTH AMERICA less conspicuous by producing a By Wilfred H. Osgood young By Elmer S. Riggs broken or "interrupted" pattern correspond- Curator, Department of Zoology Associate Curator of Paleontology ing to alternating light and shade in the The latest addition to the series of forest. As a possible substantiation of Ordinarily rhinoceroses are thought of as habitat groups in William V. Kelley Hall this theory, it is pointed out that probably belonging to Africa and India along with of Asiatic Mammals (Hall 17) has for its all deer were once spotted throughout life elephants and lions. The number of fossil subject the well-known axis deer. Other for protection from enemies, but as the skeletons of various species of rhinoceroses names for the species are spotted deer, as need for this protection lessened there has found in this country show, however, that it is sometimes called in books, and chital been a tendency for the spots to disappear. these great pachyderms were once at home or cheetal, which in Hindustani means Thus we now find that in deer of open in North America. Not only were they at spotted and is used by home here, but com- natives and shikaris in mon and abundant India. The name axis, over a great part of although thought by the continent. some to be of East In Eocene time Indian origin, was first (about 45,000,000 applied in this connec- years ago) they were tion by the great beginning to appear Roman naturalist, on the plains of Utah Pliny the Elder. and Wyoming along Later, it was formally with the four-toed given as the technical horse. In Oligocene name of the species time (about 35,000,000 and from this it has years ago) they are come into general use, known to have been although its original numerous in the great significance is not plains region about quite clear. the Black Hills where This animal has they adapted them- been chosen by some selves as ordinary as the most beautiful plains and woodland member of the deer animals, as swift- family and, although footed runners, and many will not agree as heavy-bodied river to this, it must at animals. In Miocene least be taken as an and in Pliocene times, indication that it has (the former about some claims to the 20,000,000 and the distinction. With latter about 8,000,000 certain exceptions, years ago) they rev- such as the moose, eled about the rivers which scarcely con- which flowed east- tends, all members of ward across the plains the deer family are of Kansas and beautiful and the Nebraska. Axis Deer or Chital selection of any one A mounted skeleton This species of deer, native to India and Ceylon, ia notable for its beauty and its permanently spotted coat. for first is and several skulls and place not The Museum specimens were collected by the James Simpson- Roosevelts Asiatic Expedition, and the late Colonel an easy matter. The J. C. Faunthorpe. Staff Taxidermist C. J. Albrccht and Artist C. A. Corwin prepared the group. legs of rhinoceroses of axis deer is neither a different kinds are large deer nor a very small one. It has neither plains or those that have attained large exhibited in Ernest R. Graham Hall (Hall the magnificence of the stately wapiti nor size and ability to defend themselves, there 38). Some of them are from the "bad lands" the slender grace of the roebuck. Its charm are no spots in either young or adults. In of South Dakota, others are from the old is mainly in its soft-colored, spotted coat others, as in American deer, the spots are river channels and from the drifted sands and its demure refined demeanor. retained in the young but not in the adults, of Nebraska and Kansas. There these The axis deer is common throughout the assumption being that the advantage animals appear to have died out as the great most of peninsular India and Ceylon but to the grown animal is no longer necessary. plains region became colder and more arid does not extend into adjoining parts of The axis deer is one of the very few species with the approach of the ice age. Asia. Although less numerous than formerly, in Which the spots are permanent. it maintains itself in considerable numbers The new group has unusually fine pictorial Extinct Birds Exhibited since it has the ability to thrive in close quality and pleasing color tones. The deer There has been installed in Hall 21 a proximity to man. Like our own white- are represented in light tropical forest exhibit of the extinct tailed deer, it needs only a small tract of quietly resting at mid-day. A fine stag special showing eight woodland or thicket for cover and retreat. stands at one side in somewhat complacent birds of North America. The specimens were Staff Taxidermist It is a highly social species, however, and attitude while a younger stag and two does prepared by Ashley Hine. This is the first installation in a where conditions permit, it is given to with a pair of fawns are lying down on a series of exhibits of birds. full forming large herds, sometimes numbering leafy forest bed. The specimens were biological A hundreds. It frequents hill districts and obtained from two sources, some from account of it will appear in the May issue of Field plains alike, but does not wander far from Colonel Theodore Roosevelt and Kermit Museum News. water. Like some other deer, it has a loud Roosevelt during the James Simpson- scream of alarm and a barking sort of call. Roosevelts Asiatic Expedition, and some Remarkable examples of inlaid work in The spotted coloration of this deer is from the late Colonel J. C. Faunthorpe, shell, fashioned by natives of the Solomon retained at all seasons and all ages. This of Bombay, a noted sportsman. Islands in the South Pacific, provide an is very unusual for, although many deer The group is the work of Staff Taxidermist interesting study of primitive art in Joseph are spotted when young, in nearly all cases C. J. Albrecht, and Artist Charles A. Corwin. N. Field Hall (Hall A). PageZ FIELD MUSEUM NEWS April, 19S5

Field Museum of Natural History TALC AND TALCUM POWDER are the work of John W. Moyer, of the Museum's staff. Founded by Marshall Field, 1893 Talc is a mineral which finds many uses taxidermy other birds of interest in Rooserelt Road and Lake Michigan, Chicago on account of its extreme softness and Among special the collection are the hoactzin of Central unctuousness. It is so soft that it is readily and South notable for the hooks THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES scratched by the finger nail and feels as America, on its and and its habit of Sewell L. Avery William H. Mitchell slippery as if it had been greased. Its wings feet, John Borden Frederick H. Rawson like a thus im- familiar use as talcum toilet powder depends crawling lizard, furnishing William J. Chalmers George A. Richardson evidence of the Joseph N. Field Fred W. Sargent on these properties as well as the absence portant reptilian ancestry of birds; the rare mountain Marshall Field Stephen C. Sihms of grit and the fact that it does not cake or very Derby's Stanley Field James Simpson become wet. guan which is found nowhere in the world Ernest R. Grahau Solomon A. Smith plastic when except in a restricted area of Guatemala Albert W. Harris Albert A. Sprague Talcum powder is the pure mineral ground where were collected for the Samuel Insull, Jr. Silas H. Strawn to powder and perfumed. Sometimes a specimens Cyrus H. McCormick Leslie Wheeler Museum the little borax is added as a mild disinfectant. by Leon Mandel Guatemala John P . Wilson a Other somewhat harder and less unctuous Expedition; and Reeve's pheasant, Chinese OFFICERS whose tail sometimes reaches six minerals such as serpentine and gypsum species Stanley Field Praident feet in length, first described by Marco Polo. Albert A. Sprague First Vite-President are sometimes substituted for the talc, and Likewise of note in the collection are the James Simpson Second Vice-President chemical products are sometimes substituted Albert W. Harris Third Vice-Pretident of the world; the for special purposes. In Colonial times our capercaillie, largest grouse Stephen C. Simms Director and Secretary and Amherst most grandmothers used fuller's earth as golden Lady pheasants, A. Smith . . . Treasurer and Assistant baby Solomon Secretary colored of the ocellated powder. brilliantly all; turkey with its the Talcum powders account for but a small showy iridescent coloration; FIELD MUSEUM NEWS Chinese bamboo often part of the talc used. For every pound partridges, caged by Stephen C. Simms, Director of the Museum Editor natives who credit their loud calls with of talc ground for talcum powder forty CONTRIBUTING EDITORS the pounds are used in other ways. More than magical power; Nepal Kaleege pheasant Paul S. Martin Curator of never observed in its native habitat AcHng of Anthropology a third of the talc mined is used as a Asia, E. Dahlgren Curator paper B. of Botany by any white man because it ranges through Henry W. Nichoi^ Curator of Geology filler to give body to paper, nearly a quarter a district barred to the Caucasian; and the Wilfred H. Osgood Curator of Zoology of it goes into paint, and it has some sixty H. B. Harte Managing Editor other uses. Ceylon jungle fowl, closely related to the red fowl from which all varieties of Talc is a hydrated silicate of magnesia jungle domestic chickens have been derived. Field Museum is open every day of the year during formed by the alteration of older magnesian the hours indicated below: Some of the birds were collected the minerals. A corresponding hydrated sili- by Nov., Dec, Jan., Feb., Mar. 9 A.M. to 4 :30 p.m. William V. Kelley-Roosevelts Expedition to 9 cate of alumina formed by alteration of April, September, October a.m. to 5:00 P.M. Eastern Asia. Some were May, June, July, August 9 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. aluminous minerals, and called pyrophyllite presented by W. G. of Delamere, and Admission is free to Members on all days. Other by mineralogists, is so like talc in appearance Clegg England, adults are admitted free on and James of Thursdays, Saturdays and physical qualities that it can hardly Simpson Chicago. Sundays; non-members pay 25 cents on other days. be told from it is not from Children are admitted free on all days. Students and and distinguished faculty members of educational institutions are admit- it in commerce. Most talc is a dull, ordinary Musical Instruments from Nigeria ted free any day upon presentation of credentials. looking mineral, massive, granular or fibrous The Museum's natural is for of and of history Library open in texture and white, green, gray or brown Appreciation music, particularly reference daily except Saturday afternoon and Sunday. is basic in the lives of African in color although there is a foliated bright rhythm, Traveling exhibits are circulated in the schools of Negroes. In Hall D is a collection of the N. W. Harris Public green talc which is quite attractive. Deposits Chicago by School Extension musical instruments and Department of the Museum. of talc are widely distributed over the earth dancing regalia collected in west Africa, by the Lectures for schools, and special entertainments and are found in nearly every country. Nigeria, and tours for children at Frederick H. Rawson-Field Museum Ex- the Museum, are provided Specimens of talc from many parts of the by the James Nelson and Anna Louise Raymond pedition of 1929-30. Various types of drums Foundation for Public School and Children's Lectures. world occupy half a case in Hall 36. are shown. A particularly interesting ex- Announcements of free illustrated lectures for the —H.W.N. is one made stretching a hide over public, and special lectures for Members of the Museum, ample by will in Field Museum News. the mouth of an earthenware appear BIRDS pot. A cafeteria in the Museum serves visitors. Rooms PHEASANTS AND RELATED Wind instruments include slender reed are for those their lunches. provided bringing ADDED TO EXHIBITS pipes, side-blown horns that give out deep Chicago Motor Coach Company No. 26 buses go and an of the direct to the Museum. Most birds, as almost anyone has observed, booming notes, example which is a kind of flute with four Members are requested to inform the Museum have very marked parental instincts, evi- algaita, of of and a brass The promptly changes address. denced by their care of their eggs before stopnholes mouthpiece. best of the instruments is made hatching, their feeding of the young, and stringed MEMBERSHIP IN FIELD MUSEUM from a which is covered with snake other habits. These instincts, however, are gourd Field Museum has several classes of Members. skin. The of the instrument, as apparently totally lacking in the megapodes strings Benefactors give or devise $100,000 or more. Contribu- of the well as the strings of the small bow with tors give or devise $1,000 to $100,000. Ufe Members or mound builders Australasia and which it is are made of horsehair. give $500; Non-Resident Life and Associate Members East Indies, specimens of which were played, $100; Non-Resident Associate Members pay pay $50. recently placed on view in a new case of Among the ceremonial objects are a well- All the above classes are exempt from dues. Sustaining and related birds added to the carved wooden for time, an Members contribute $25 annually. After six years they pheasants paddle beating become Associate Members. Annual Members con- systematic series in Hall 21. Some forty- ax that is carried over a dancer's shoulder, tribute $10 Other are annually. memberships Corpo- two species of the principal pheasants, and a cap decorated with cowrie shells. rate, Honorary, Patron, and additions Correspondmg, and curassows of under these classifications being made by special action grouse, quail, partridges of the Board of Trustees. the world, among them a number of rare Dr. Herbert Weld is Dead Each all Member, in classes, is entitled to free species, are included in the new exhibit. admission to the for Museum himself, his family and to Dr. Herbert Weld, sponsor on behalf of house and to two reserved seats The megapodes, according Rudyerd guests, for Museum Oxford of the Field Museum-Oxford Uni- lectures provided for Members. Subscription to Field Boulton, Assistant Curator of Birds, lay Museum is all Joint to News included with memberships. The their eggs in the sand, partly buried in versity Expedition Mesopotamia, courtesies of every museum of note in the United at the of and the sand itself. There died in London on February 5, age States and Canada are extended to all Members of twigs, leaves, 83. He was a noted scholar in the history Field Museum. A Member may give his personal card they immediately abandon them. The eggs as well as in to non-residents of Chicago, upon presentation of are hatched the heat of the sun or of and literature of Abyssinia which will be by they admitted to the \fuseum without The birds come Assyriology. On the basis of observations charge. Further information about will decaying vegetation. young memberships he extensive travels in Meso- be sent on request. out of their shells into the world without made during the site of Kish was selected for ever seeing or knowing their parents. They potamia over a of BEQUESTS AND ENDOWMENTS are born with wings well developed, and the excavations conducted period ten Oxford and Field Museum. Bequests to Field Museum of Natural History may are otherwise able to take care of them- years by be made in books or securities, money, collections. selves from the very beginning. Within a They may, if desired, take the form of a memorial to a or or two after are able to person cause, named by the giver. day hatching they J. Eric Thompson Resigns Cash contributions made within the taxable year fly- not 15 exceeding per cent of the taxpayer's net income all birds of the J. Eric Thompson, Assistant Curator of are allowable as Practically important deductions in computing net income are Central and South American Archaeology under Article 251 of 69 order which includes the pheasants Regulation relating to the has income tax under the Revenue Act of 1926. represented in the new exhibit, with the at Field Museum for a number of years, Endowments may be made to the Museum with the exception of the North American varieties resigned, effective from March 1, to accept provision that an be to the annuity paid patron for life. which are shown separately in a previously a position on the staff of the Carnegie These annuities are tax-free and are guaranteed against fluctuation in amount. installed exhibit near-by. The new mounts Institution of Washington, D.C. April, 19S5 FIELD MUSEUM NEWS Pages

BIRDS OF PREY RECEIVED suckers through the bark. Various vernac- ANIMALS FROM BARBADOS ular names meaning "bird-plant" and Trustee Leslie Wheeler has recently Stewart J. Walpole, of Park Ridge, "bird-graft" have reference to this well- acquired for the Museum a number of birds Illinois, has presented to Field Museum known mode of dissemination. In places of of great interest. One hundred and some interesting specimens of bats, frogs, prey where a wire fence exists near a mistletoe- twenty-one specimens of hawks and owls and lizards which he collected during a laden tree, rows of seedlings may often be from all of the world were recent visit to the island of Barbados, West parts carefully seen on the wire where can selected from a dealer's collection in London sprouting they Indies. have but a short existence. Normally the to fill gaps in the Museum's already notable Of ten bats, one represents a species very young mistletoe plant is assured from the collection. Fifty-nine species of hawks, rare in collections, and confined in distribu- beginning a favorable perch and a quota represented by ninety-nine specimens, form tion to this island. Another bat is related of nourishment from the sap of the host. a part of this recent acquisition. Among to a widespread West Indian form never the mistles these, there are fifteen species and twenty- Though parasitic, are, how- before found on Barbados. Mr. Walpole never on their three geographical races not previously ever, completely dependent reports that these bats do considerable host. As indicated their leaves represented in the study collections, ranging by green damage to small orchards. are and manu- from a pair of spotted eagles from the they only semi-parasites One of the lizards represents another facture for themselves a of their Balkans and a sea eagle from Japan to a great part animal new to the fauna of Barbados. It which is to their credit but does not pygmy falcon from east Africa. food, is remarkable to find in this collection two prevent them from becoming in many animals new to the as the fauna of The prizes of the collection are a pair of island, — rare falcons, Spiziapteryx, meaning "sparrow- Barbados is fairly well known. CCS. winged," from Argentina, which add a genus not previously in Field Museum's collec- ANCIENT PERUVIAN "MUMMIES " tions. There are also twenty-two owls AND GRAVES SHOWN belonging to twelve species, of which four species and five geographical races are new An exhibit of so-called "mummies," and to the collection. Many rare birds from reproductions of two opened graves of Madagascar, eastern Asia, Africa and South ancient Peru, was recently completed in America are also included. —R.B. the hall of South American archaeology (Hall 9). The mummies, which differ greatly MISTLETOE from those of Egypt, are more accurately described as desiccated bodies. These were By B. E. Dahlgrbn packed in bundles which were found buried Curator, Department of Botany at a depth of several feet in the famous Thanks to an old English custom, deriving necropolis or burying ground of Ancon, Peru. apparently from ancient Druid or Norse Two of the mummy packs have been mythology, everyone is familiar with mistle- opened, revealing the bodies inside. They toe like is used at which, holly, Christmas are in a good state of preservation, which as a for house. special festive decoration the is attributed by J. Eric Thompson, former The mistle employed for this purpose in Assistant Curator of Central and South Europe differs from any American species American Archaeology, to the extreme is similar in but sufficiently general appear- aridity of the coastal plains of Peru where ance to be instantly recognized as mistletoe. they were buried. The majority of Peruvian The the or jointed green stem, pale yellowish Brazilian Mistletoe mummies were not artificially preserved, green thick leaves in alternating pairs, the but in some cases the bodies were This, like other tropical species, differs greatly from eviscerated, clusters of small waxy white berries in the the familiar Christmas mistletoe. Exhibited in the while in others resin was applied as a suffice to of Hall of Plant Life. axils, make most the northern preservative. On the forehead of one of mistles unmistakable, though in various those in the exhibit traces of red paint or particulars the species differ considerably places a serious pest. Northern species powder can be seen. from each even leafless other, some being growing on conifers produce the abnormal The graves which have been reproduced or having the leaves reduced to small formations called "witch's broom." One in the Museum date to the period about scales. tropical species with long vine-like branches, A.D. 1250. One contains three mummy It would be a mistake, however, to assume, commonly called "bird-vine" or "priest- bundles, apparently two women and a small on the strength of this, that the mistles of vine," is a well-known, formidable nuisance child. 'The sex of the two adults is indicated other parts of the world are equally similar on chocolate plantations. by women's work baskets which were buried in appearance. More than 800 species are A few of the mistles do not share the with them, and which appear among the known and of in many them, especially perching habit of their kind but grow on the contents of the grave as now exhibited. Bags the where are most tropics they numerous, ground where, at least in their adult stage, of coca leaves, which the ancient Peruvians a different Some have present very aspect. they are independent. Some tropical chewed as a stimulant, silver ornaments, clusters of to several showy flowers, up American and Australian species grow as spindles, and other objects are also included inches in to length, orange yellow bright trees reaching thirty feet or more in height. in the grave. red in and violet-black or color, purple One of these, flowering with a profusion of The second grave was covered by a roof in some instances as as olives. fruit, large bloom at Christmas time, is used in Australia two feet below the surface of the ground. A branch of a tropical species of mistle as a Christmas tree. This roof, now shown in the exhibit, was has recently been added to the exhibits in elaborately constructed, and is among the the Hall of Plant Life (Hall 29). This new best preserved ones found at Ancon. It addition is a faithful of a consists of three inches of hard white clay, reproduction Museum Open 9 to 5 in April specimen obtained by the Marshall Field beneath which are a layer of plant leaves, Botanical Expedition to the Amazon (1929) From April 1 to 30 visiting hours at two mats of reeds, and rafters of algarroba Field will be at a locality not far from the Ford Rubber Museum from 9 a.m. to wood. The grave contains a large mummy Plantation on the Tapajoz River in Brazil. 5 P.M. instead of 4:30. From May 1 to wrapped in fine garments, with a false head. 2 At the time of collection it was in flower September (Labor Day) the hours will Sacks, painted tablets, and clay and gourd and fruit as shown in the accompanying be 9 A.M. to 6 P.M. vessels are arranged around the body in photograph. It was one of many clumps of the positions in which they were found when mistle providing the major part of green the grave was opened. Most of the bodies foliage on a rather small tree, apparently Director's Report Goes to Press in Ancon graves are buried in a flexed posi- in tion so that the knees almost touch the chin. greatly hampered its growth by its The 1934 Annual Report of the Director with false heads bright-flowered parasitic inhabitants. of Field Museum to the Board of Trustees Mummy-packs usually contained the remains of persons who were The parasitic habit is shared by almost is now in process of printing by Field Mu- regarded as important during life. all known species of mistletoe. Their seum Press. Distribution of copies to Mem- berries are eaten by birds which, in cleaning bers of the Museum may be expected to their bills or otherwise, lodge the sticky begin at an early date. The detailed Skeletons of the extinct European cave seeds on the branches of trees. There review of the activities of the Museum for bear and the sabertooth tiger, two of the germination takes place and the young the year, by Director Stephen C. Simms, most formidable natural enemies of primi- plants attach themselves, either by a special makes a book of 144 pages. It is illustrated tive man, are on exhibition in Ernest R. disk or by sending penetrating root-like with twelve photogravure plates. Graham Hall (Hall 38). Page If FIELD MUSEUM NEWS April, 19S5

FOUR MORE TRAVEL LECTURES The elephant has but one molar tooth in APRIL GUIDE-LECTURE TOURS each side of the jaw but this tooth is replaced ON APRIL SCHEDULE Conducted tours of exhibits, under the six times during the life of the animal. The final four illustrated lectures in the guidance of staff lecturers, are made every afternoon at 3 spring course for adults will be given on p.m., except Saturdays, CHINESE FIGURE PRESENTED and certain Saturday afternoons during April. These Sundays, holidays. Following travel lectures are accompanied by motion AS LAUFER MEMORIAL is the schedule of subjects and dates for and slides. are April: pictures stereopticon They An ancient Chinese clay figure of a danc- — presented in the James Simpson Theatre ing woman, dating from the T'ang period, Week beginning April 1: Monday Horses and Their —Life in the Far of the Museum, and all begin at 3 P.M. a.d. 618 and has been Relatives; Tuesday North; between 906, pre- —Primitive African —• are the and Wednesday Life; Thursday Following subjects, speakers sented to Keld Museum by a friend of the General Tour; Friday—Interesting Foreign Birds. dates: institution who wishes to remain anonymous. Week beginning April 8: Monday—Indians of the of rare and unusual Southwest; Tuesday—Amphibians and Reptiles; Wed- April 6—Timbuktu and Beyond The figure, beauty — — comes from a Chinese nesday Looms and Textiles; Thursday General Rudyerd Boulton, Assistant Curator of Birds, archaeological interest, Tollr; Friday—Hall of Plant Life. Field Museum; Leader of Stra\ls-Fieid Mu- It is now on exhibition in grave. Stanley Week beginning April 15: Monday—The Gem seum West African Expedition the donor's — — Field Hall. In accordance with Room; Tuesday Habitat—Groups; Wednesday Races— April 13—The West Indies of Mankind; Thursday General Tour; Friday Etruscan and Roman Exhibits. Major James C. Sawders, Nutley, New Jersey — — Week beginning April— 22: Monday Fishes, Past April 20 The Canadian Rockies in Pic- —and Present; Tuesday Prehistoric Ijfe; Wednesday— tures and Story Mexico; Thursday—-General Tour; Friday The Art of the Cave Dwellers. Dan McCowan, Banff, Canada Monday, April 29—Minerals and Ores; Tuesday— April 27—The Buried Cities of Ceylon Animal Ijfe of the Chicago .\rea. Dr. Robert McMurry, New Yorlt City Persons wishing to participate should No tickets are necessary for admission apply at North Entrance. Tours are free to these lectures. A section of the Theatre and no gratuities are to be proffered. A new is reserved for Members of the Museum, schedule will appear each month in Field each of whom is entitled to two reserved Museum News. Guide-lecturers' services seats on request. Requests for these seats for special tours by parties of ten or more may be made by telephone or in writing are available free of charge by arrangement to the Museum, in advance of the lecture, with the Director a week in advance. and seats will then be held in the Member's name until 3 o'clock on the day of the Gifts to the Museum lecture. Members may obtain seats in the reserved section also by presentation of Following is a list of some of the principal their membership cards to the Theatre gifts received during the last month: lecture attendant before 3 o'clock on the From Miss Alice B. Robbins—lady's coat of Ta day, even though no advance reservation Kang —period of Ching dynasty, China; from anonymous has been made. All reserved seats not donor a rare, important, hand-decorated mortuary figure of dancing woman, T'ang dynasty (618-907), claimed by 3 o'clock will be opened to the China; from Dr. Rom&n S. Flores—a photograph and general public. 3 herbarium and wood specimens, Yucatan; from Dr. Martin Cardenas—300 herbarium specimens, Bolivia: from Stafford C. Edwards—3 concretions, California; RAYMOND FOUNDATION PROGRAMS from Charles A. Ordway—2 iron ore specimens, Idaho; from Museum of Comparative Zoology—310 bats. FOR CHILDREN CONTINUE Canal Zone; from L»lie Wheeler—2 Brewster's screech owls and 18 skins of hawks and owls, mostly Continuing the spring series of free motion Coeta Rica and Oregon; from Stewart Walpole—37 picture programs for children, the James bats, toads, frogs, and lizards.— West Indies; from Nelson and Anna Louise Raymond Founda- Chicago Zoological Society 7 lizards, 6 snakes, and a fruit bat; from Donald B. Hodgson—2 bird skins, tion for Public School and Children's Lec- Guatemala; from Edward Schaack—a snake, British tures will show films each Saturday morning Honduras; from Gordon Grant—102 land shells, from E. M. Miller—a Florida; from during April. Each program is given twice— California; frog, H. B. Conover—a bird akin, Korea; from Phil C. Orr at 10 and at 11. All will be A.M., again —2 fence lizards, Kentucky. presented in the James Simpson Theatre of the Museum. Children from all parts of Chicago and suburbs are invited. They NEW MEMBERS in and may come alone, groups from schools The following persons were elected to other centers, or with parents, teachers, or Chinese Mortuary Figure membership in Field Museum during the other adults. is the schedule Following A notable clay statuette, presented to the Museum period from February 16 to March 15: showing the titles of the films to be shown by an anonymous donor, as a memorial to the late on each date: Dr. Berthold Laufer. Associate Members — Edward M. Kerwin, Mrs. Roscoe G. Leland, Louis April 6 Beetle Friends and Enemies; wishes, it is to be kept as a permanent Ralph McCreight, Thomas C. Orr, Miss Luella Raithel, Trained Bird Fishermen; Glimpses of memorial to the late Dr. Berthold Laufer, T. J. Reed, Charles W. Spooner, Miss Myrtle I. Quaint Gasp6 for many years the Museum's Curator of SUrbird. and one of the world's Annual Members April 13—Monkey Capers; Jungle Vaude- Anthropology, S. Dale Souvenirs of The foremost scholars in Oriental subjects. Miss .\urelia Bertol, Richard Bull, Mrs. ville; Singapore; Wapiti Mrs. R. Dr. A. A. Made of a durable clay, artistically E. Chamberiin, Philip Clarke, of Jackson Hole Dahlberg, Norman Daniel, Mitchel Goldsmith, molded, and painted in delicate soft colors, Miss 20—Mushrooms and Their Herbert Graffis, Thomas H. Heneage, Augusta April Cousins; the statuette is remarkably well preserved. La Camp, Charles B. Obermeyer, Mrs. Bartholomew Peter Mrs. H. Stuyvesant It is of exceptionally high value. While O'Toole, Clarence B. Randall, Egbert Spencer, Mrs. J. Elmer Charles H. True, Peter Leland — has a collection of other Thomas, April 27 Nature's Weavers; Life of a the Museum figures Wentz, John Wickstrom, Clyde O. Williams, Kcimeth Moth; Mounting Butterflies; Algonquin of the same type, this one is especially Williams, Attilio Zambon. Adventures notable. Mortuary clay figures of this kind were buried with the dead in China as manifesta- SPECIAL NOTICE Teeth of Mammals tions of the joy of living. Life was regarded Members of the Museum who have Teeth of mammals vary greatly in struc- as endless, with death a mere transformation changed residences or plan to do so are ture among different species, genera and whereby existence continued in another urged to notify the Museum of their new families but their structure is quite constant form. The figures buried in graves were addresses, so that Field Museum News among individuals of the same species. They made to represent persons and objects most and other communications may reach are, therefore, relied upon in classifying dearly regarded in life by the deceased. them promptly. mammals. Members going away during the sum- A tooth of a fossil elephant from Texas, An original Sun Dance altar of the mer, who desire Museum matter sent to exhibited in Ernest R. Graham Hall (Hall Arapaho Indians is to be seen among the their temporary addresses, may have 38), measures 8 x 13 inches and weighs anthropological exhibits in Mary D. Sturges this service by notifying the Museum. seven pounds. Hall (Hall 5). PRINTCO BY FICLD MUSEUM News Published Monthly by Field Museum of Natural History, Chicago

Vol. 6 MAY, 1935 No. 5

ELEPHANT SEALS, COLLECTED BY HANCOCK EXPEDITION, IN HABITAT GROUP By Wilfred H. Osgood elephant seal rather than sea elephant, eight animals were reported on Guadalupe Curator, Department of Zoology although both names are fairly appropriate. Island; in 1907 about forty were seen; in 1911 as as 125 were in 1923 a The production of a group of elephant We have elephant shrews, elephant fishes, many found; these small careful count showed in 1928 a further seals is quite a large undertaking, because and even elephant beetles, but 366; so of their increase was and in 1933 the this animal is rare, limited in distribution, animals are named only because shown; seal not estimated a total of troublesome to preserve and transport, and elongated snouts. The elephant Hancock Expedition difficult to prepare for exhibition. Fortu- only has a short proboscis or "trunk," but about 1,200, of which 400 were males. nately for Field Museum, the greatest of it is elephantine in size, and its grayish color Thus, within a few decades, what was a these difficulties were overcome when and the texture of its thinly haired skin mere remnant of a species, vulnerable to Captain G. Allan Hancock, of Los Angeles, suggest the elephants. any whim of man or physical nature, has offered his personal cooperation and the There are two species of elephant seals, grown to such proportions that its continued facilities of his ship, the Velero III, a large respectively called southern and northern. existence is practically assured. A few years motor cruising vessel which often is enlisted The southern species (Mirounga leonina) ago the government of Mexico proclaimed in the cause of science and education. At formerly was widely distributed on Antarctic Guadalupe Island as a special reservation

World*s Largest Species of Seal Exhibited In Hall of Marine Mammals Scene on Guadalupe Island, off the coast of Mexico, as reproduced at Field Museum with specimens of huge elephant seals collected by an expedition with Captain G. Allan Hancock aboard his ship VeleTO III. Group prepared by Staff Taxidermist Julius Friesser, assisted by Frank Wonder; background by Staff Artist Charles A. Corwin. the same time, Dr. Harry M. Wegeforth, islands and still appears in small numbers and a small military garrison was established President of the San Diego Zoological Society, on a few of them. The northern species there for the protection of the seals. negotiated with the Mexican government (Mirounga angustirostris) is similar in size Comparatively few naturalists have had for the necessary permission to take the and general characteristics to the southern opportunity to study the elephant seal, and specimens on Guadalupe Island. Part of one, but has the proboscis much more highly much remains to be learned of its habits. the expense of the expedition was met with developed. At present the northern species Even its size is debatable. Early accounts income from the Emily Crane Chadbourne is reduced to a single herd which resorts gave lengths of twenty-five and even thirty Fund. only to Guadalupe, an uninhabited island feet for large males, but actual measure- On May 28, 1933, with Captain Hancock lying about 150 miles off the Mexican coast ments, so far as taken, do not corroborate and Dr. Wegeforth on board, as well as two and some 300 miles southwest of San Diego. such dimensions. The fine bull obtained Field Museum taxidermists, Messrs. Julius Originally, the animal was common all along by the Hancock Expedition was selected Friesser and Frank Wonder, the Velero the coast of Lower California and was from a large number judged to be of about sailed from San Diego for Guadalupe and recorded as far north as Point Reyes, Cali- maximum size, but its overall length was other islands in Mexican waters off the fornia. This, however, was more than a found to be exactly sixteen feet eleven inches. coast of Lower California. The expedition, hundred years ago. The crews of whaling Captain Scammon, a famous whaler with as reported in Field Museum News (July and sealing vessels found it an easy prey an unusual experience and reputation for and August, 1933), was entirely successful, and it was killed recklessly for its oil, one accuracy of statement, gives twenty-two and after some two weeks of intensive work, of the markets for which was provided by feet as the maximum. Dr. J. A. Allen the skins of five selected animals were the forty-niners of the California gold rush. records measurements of a skeleton of the safely preserved and on the way to Chicago. After the middle of the nineteenth century southern species from which he estimated Now the projected group has been completed it became so scarce that experienced whalers a length of "twenty-one to twenty-two feet" in the Museum's Hall of Marine Mammals reported it to be practically extinct. for the living animal. At least it can scarcely (Hall N). In recent years the northern elephant seal be disputed that the elephant seal is the Since the animal is a true seal quite has shown a remarkable and gratifying largest of all seals, for the Pacific walrus, its unrelated to elephants, it should be called capacity to restore itself. In 1892 only {Continued on page i) Page 2 FIELD MUSEUM NEWS May, 1935

Field Museum of Natural History THE "DEVIL'S CORKSCREWS" Those who advocate that the corkscrews casts of burrows of some Founded by Marshall Field, 1893 By Sharat K. Roy represent large Roosevelt Road and Lake Michigan, Chicago Assistant Curator of Geology rodents believe that the "rhizome" was the and the vertical Nature produced huge earthy corkscrews entrance, spiral portions were for ventilation as well THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES long before man existed and had any reason contraptions as for of the excavators. Some Sewell L. Avery William H. Mitchell for making metal ones. escape John Borden Frederick H. Rawson rodents do make in From northwestern Nebraska first word spiral burrows, and, William J. Chalmers A. Richardson George fact, skeletons of a beaver-like rodent Joseph N. Field Fred W. Sargent was brought by cowboys of the occurrence large Marshall Field Stephen C. Simms of these curious corkscrew-like forms that and of a carnivore have been found at the Stanley Field Jambs Simpson ends of corkscrews. Yet it does not seem mark the bare bluffs, buttes and canyon Ernest R. Graham Solomon A. Smith reasonable that a rodent could have been Albert W. Harris Albert A. Sprague walls of that region. Not knowing what so accurate a as to construct a Samuel Insull, Jr. Silas H. Strawn they were, the cowboys called them by such geometer Cyrus H. McCorhick Leslie Wheeler burrow so uniform in and size. expressive names as "stonescrews," "devil's pitch Further, John P . Wilson it would seem to have been a im- corkscrews," "twisters," and "fossil worms." physical OFFICERS for him to construct the These phenomena, which were a mystery possibility spirals Stanley Field President which have an for this would necessitate to the cowboys some four decades ago, are axis, Albert A. Sprague First Vice-President a hole a one James Simpson Second Vice-President still a puzzle to scientists who have made digging straight through spiral Albert Harris Third Vice-President without for either. Recently, two W. extensive studies of them. The origin of support Stephen C. Simms Director and Secretary somewhat the Ne- these bodies is not understood. specimens, resembling Solomon A. Smith . . . Treasurer and Assistant Secretary yet Hypoth- braska corkscrews, have been discovered eses representing them as plants, casts of in the Pleistocene of Rock Briscoe animal burrows, and mineral accretions have Creek, FIELD MUSEUM NEWS Texas. Their discoverers ascribed been brought forward from time to time, County, Stephen C. Simms, Director of the Museum Editor them to a burrow but the data but none have met critical analyses. origin, CONTRIBUTING EDITORS offered are insufficient to substantiate this The corkscrews are found abundantly in Paul S. Martin Acting Curator of Anthropology view. B. E. Dahlgren Curator the Lower Harrison Bed (Lower Miocene) of Botany The suggestion that the corkscrews are Henry W. Nichols Curator of Geology of Sioux County, in northwestern Nebraska, Wilfred H. Osgood Curator of Zoology of purely mineral origin, representing accre- H. B. Harte Managing Editor tions of mineral matter, has also a few adher- ents. True, many forms of mineral origin take Field Museum is open every day of the year during remarkable imitative shapes, but when one the hours indicated below: considers the great uniformity in shape and Nov., Dec, Jan., Feb., Mar. 9 A.M. to 4:30 P.M. large number of corkscrews, such an explana- October 9 April, September, a.m. to 5:00 P.M. tion does not seem The May, June, July, August 9 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. convincing. question of the nature and of the corkscrews Admission is free to Members on all days. Other origin is, adults are admitted free on Thursdays, Saturdays and therefore, still an open one. It is possible Sundays; non-members pay 25 cents on other days. that they are concretions, produced by Children are admitted free on all Students and days. colloidal faculty members of educational institutions are admit- precipitation. ted free any day upon presentation of credentials. Field Museum has four specimens of these The Museum's natural history Library is open for corkscrews on exhibition in Ernest R. reference afternoon and daily except Saturday Sunday. Graham Hall (Hall 38). They represent all Traveling exhibits are circulated in the schools of the forms known. They range Chicago by the N. W. Harris Public School Extension important Department of the Museum, from two to seven feet in height, and are four inches in diameter. All were Lectures for schools, and special entertainments A Geological .Mystery about and tours for children at the Museum, are provided Daemonelix or "devil's corkscrew." Science has collected in 1899 by a museum expedition by the James Nelson and Anna Louise Raymond been unable to determine satisfactorily the origin of under the leadership of Mr. Elmer S. Riggs, Foundation for Public School and Children's Lectures. these strange spiral earthy formations found abimdantly Associate Curator of Paleontology. Announcements of free illustrated lectures for the in northwestern Nebraska. public, and special lectures for Members of the Museum, will appear in Field Museum News. and occasionally in beds of the same age A cafeteria in the Museum serves NOTABLE REPTILE COLLECTION visitors. Rooms in areas. In are are provided for those bringing their lunches. adjoining appearance they with or without Mr. Stewart Springer of the Caribbean Chicago Motor Coach Company No. 26 buses go simply huge earthy spirals direct to the Museum. a transverse projection at the base which Biological Laboratories, Biloxi, Mississippi, Members are requested to inform the Museum simulates half a handle, usually rises at an has presented to Field Museum a part of promptly of changes of address. angle, and often is as long as the spiral the accumulated study specimens preserved itself. The corkscrews in at Biloxi. These include one hundred and MEMBERSHIP IN FIELD MUSEUM vary form, size, and direction of twist, but are always ten specimens of salamanders, of forty-two Field Museum has several classes of Members, found upright. The spirals are either species; ninety-six frogs, of forty species; Benefactors give or devise $100,000 or more. Contribu- one eleven of turtles, tors give or devise $1,000 to $100,000. Life Members dextral or sinistral, and they either coil alligator; specimens give $500; Non-Resident Life and Associate Members about a central axis or stand without an axis. each of a different species; seventy lizards, pay $100; Non-Resident Associate Members pay $50. The pitch of the screw is exceedingly uniform of forty species; and eighty-one snakes, of All the above classes are exempt from dues. Sustaining as is also its helix Members contribute $25 annually. After six years they diameter. The tapers sixty-one species. become Associate Members. Annual Members con- from base to top with astonishing exactness, Several species are new to Field Museum's tribute $10 annually. Other are memberships Corpo- seldom varying more than a millimeter in collections, and numerous others represent rate, Honorary, Patron, and Corresponding, additions each turn of 90 rare or little-known forms. It is under these classifications being made by special action degrees. especially of the Board of Trustees. The idea of a vegetable origin for the cork- gratifying to obtain a series of salamanders Each in all Member, classes, is entitled to free screws arises chiefly from the fact that the and frogs from Europe, for the European admission to the Museum for himself, his and family base has structure fauna is often less well in Ameri- house guests, and to two reserved seats for Museum transverse projecting the represented lectures provided for Members. Subscription to Field of a "rhizome," while the vertical open can museums than that of many remote and Museum News is included with all memberships. The spiral is made up of interlacing fibers which, inaccessible parts of the world. In the courtesies of every museum of note in the United when in thin show cell American the series of well- States and Canada are extended to all Members of examined sections, material, Field Museum. A Member may give his personal card structures similar to those in the pith of preserved specimens from Mississippi is to non-residents of Chicago, upon presentation of plants. The objection to considering these notable. The specimens in the Museum's which they will be admitted to the ifuseum without bodies to be lies in the collections of preserved in charge. Ftu-ther information about memberships will plants, however, study reptiles, be sent on request. fact that no known plants have such a alcohol and used for reference in connection manner of or are so uniform in with varied scientific now number AND growth research, BEQUESTS ENDOWMENTS diameter. The chlorophyll bands of spiro- about 30,000. —K.P.S. Bequests to Field Museum of Natural History may gyra are spirally arranged, and so are the be made in securities, money, books or collections. leaves of many plants, but that a whole They may, if desired, take the form of a memorial to The archaeology of Colombia is well a person or cause, named by the plant should turn itself right or left in giver. represented by fine collections of ancient Cash contributions made within the taxable helix fashion has been hitherto year practically work in shell and stone in the not exceeding 15 per cent of the taxpayer's net income gold, pottery, unknown. It is, therefore, only natural are allowable as deductions in net income of Anthropology. computing that botanists should frown efforts of Department under Article 251 of Regulation 69 relating to the upon income tax under the Revenue Act of 1926. geologists to introduce an admittedly Endowments may be made to the Museum with the anomalous form, of questionable pedigree, Tracks of prehistoric reptiles found in provision that an annuity be paid to the for life. patron into the unadulterated society Massachusetts are preserved in an exhibit These annuities are tax-free and are guaranteed against presumably fluctuation in amount. of plants. in Ernest R, Graham Hall (Hall 38). May, 1935 FIELD MUSEUM NEWS Page S EXHIBIT OF EXTINCT NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS POINTS LESSON ON CONSERVATION NEED Boulton By Rudyerd exhibit by a replica (of which a photograph The passenger pigeon, last seen in 1907, Assistant Curator of Birds appeared in the December, 1934, issue of the Guadalupe flicker and the Guadalupe in 1844 The animal population of the world Field Museum News), disappeared petrel, which disappeared in 1906, and the as a result of fishermen. normally undergoes a slow and gradual persecution by Eskimo curlew, exterminated in 1925, are used the for boiled the bodies change. Species that are unadaptable to They eggs food, the other four unfortunate birds which com- for their and used the flesh for codfish oil, plete the exhibit. Their extinction affords bait. The auk was and was great flightless examples which, if sufficient heed be taken, to a perfectly adapted very specialized may have the effect of saving others whose routine of life. It avoided natural potential existence is threatened. enemies by the simple device of nesting only on isolated rocky islands. It was not The remaining four extinct birds of North in the are adapted to resist continued persecution by America, not shown exhibit, the man. Guadalupe caracara, the Guadalupe wren, The Labrador duck is represented by a splendid male formerly in the collection of the late Mr. Charles B. Cory, once Curator of Birds at Field Museum. This species became extinct in 1878 for reasons that have never definitely been determined. From the form of its bill, it obviously had very specialized feeding habits. It had a restricted winter range along the New England coast, and was undoubtedly one of the first species to suffer from excessive hunting. The other ten extinct species, of which six are shown in the exhibit, existed until the turn of the twentieth century. The Carolina Exterminated In 1932 paroquet was last seen in Florida in 1904. The heath hen, one of the first birds known to the It disappeared due to an excessive demand American colonists. Its recent extinction is an ex- for caged birds. of the need of active conservation measures. ample The heath hen, for more than a century limited to a small colony on the island of changed conditions die oflF and other more Martha's Vineyard, formerly ranged over forms evolve to fill the environ- plastic most of the northern Atlantic coastal plain. wiped Out by Pet Market mental niche that they have vacated. With It extinct in 1932. It is became interesting The Carolina paroquet. This bird, and its close the dominance of the Mechanical on Age to note that, one year after the close of the relative, the Louisiana paroquet, were the only parrots has a factor the earth, man become potent American Revolution, a law was passed on native to the United States. Demand for caged birds wild animals. brought their extinction by 1904. in the extinction of certain Long Island protecting the heath hen during An exhibit of extinct North American its nesting season. After several years of birds, recently installed in Hall 21, graphi- effort, the protective committee was dis- the Bermuda petrel and the Louisiana cally demonstrates this tendency. Eight solved because the law was flagrantly paroquet. The exhibit was installed by of the twelve species of birds known to have disregarded. The difficulty of enforcing Staff Taxidermist Ashley Hine, to whose become extinct in historic times are shown. game laws was discouraging 150 years ago talent was entrusted the difficult task of The great auk, which is represented in the even as it is now. preparing these old and priceless specimens.

SOUTH AMERICA ANTHROPOLOGY hall is devoted to the little-known Diaguite The skull of another rare bat was found EXHIBITS COMPLETED culture which flourished in early times in decorating the head of a lime spatula col- northwestern Argentina, and the adjacent lected in 1908 in New Guinea by the late Reinstallation of the exhibits in Hall 9, cultures of pre-Hispanic Chile. Dr. George A. Dorsey, then Curator of the hall of South American archaeology and This skull a bat was Much Anthropology. represents ethnology, recently completed. known from one specimen collected on the new material has been added to this hall illus- SKULLS OF RARE BATS ARE FOUND Cornelius Crane Pacific Expedition, which the lives of the Indian trating principal IN ETHNOLOGICAL COLLECTIONS became the type of a new species (Pteropus tribes of South both those of the America, It is By Coun C. Sanborn sepikensis Sanborn). a very large past and those of the present time. fruit often called Assistant Curator of Mammals eating bat, flying fox, Among the important collections repre- with a wing spread of more than five feet. senting present-day tribes are those from It is a custom of many tribes in various These skulls have been transferred from the Chaco Indians and the Jivaro, the latter parts of the world to save the skulls of the Department of Anthropology to the kill for food. These of whom inhabit the forests of eastern animals which they Department of Zoology. Ecuador and are noted for their practice of are usually hung to the ceilings of their shrinking the heads of their enemies. Several houses where they become blackened by such shrunken human heads are exhibited. the smoke of the cooking fires. The smaller TEAPOTS THAT FUNCTION There is also a large exhibit pertaining to skulls are fastened in rows on short sticks. LIKE THERMOS BOTTLES the culture of the tribes of the northwest The skulls are saved, not only to show the Some of the Chinese Amazon, Orinoco Basin, and Guiana regions. ability of the hunter, but because it is examples equivalent of thermos bottles are included in an Of special interest are exhibits showing the believed that they will aid him in killing exhibit added to Hall 32 preparation of food from the poisonous more of the animals. recently (West These consist of wickerware mandioca tuber, and the sacred trumpets Three such sticks holding bats' skulls Gallery). baskets with fitted used in initiation rites. were collected in Luzon in 1909 by Director heavily padded interiors, with porcelain teapots. It is said that they The archaeological exhibits demonstrate Stephen C. Simms (then Assistant Curator are as efficient in keeping tea or other liquids the high culture of the inhabitants of the of Ethnology), while he was leader of the hot as the vacuum bottles used in this west coast of South America before Columbus Robert F. Cummings Expedition to the country. The spout of the teapot projects reached this hemisphere. The civilization Philippines. A recent examination of these through a perforation in the lock of the of the aboriginals of Colombia is well skulls by the Division of Mammals shows basket, making it possible to pour without illustrated by collections of gold, pottery, that five kinds of bats are represented, the The baskets are fastened shell and stone work. There are several including six specimens of the very rare removing pot. with a brass hook in the form of a the cases of artistic pottery dating from pre-Inca Jagor's Bat {Ptenochirus jagori Peters). fish, tail of which fits into a the times, dug up in the Chimu district on the This bat was discovered in 1861 in south loop. Although as Peruvian coast. Noteworthy are a number Luzon by Mr. F. Jagor. It has since been thermos bottle was invented in England, of so-called "mummies" or desiccated found in other islands of the Philippines but recently as 1907, the Chinese have had their bodies and reproductions of graves in which never in any numbers and has always been hot teapots for the use of travelers for they were found. Another section of the rare in collections, especially in this country. hundreds of years. Page It FIELD MUSEUM NEWS May, 1935

NATIVE CHICAGO PLANTS although it is fully appreciated in Europe, MAY GUIDE-LECTURE TOURS if like them, the CAN GLORIFY GARDENS and, you goldenrods. Conducted tours of exhibits, under the Most of the listed are to By Paul C. Standley plants easy guidance of staff lecturers, are made every cultivate, and the majority are easily Associate Curator of the Herbarium afternoon at 3 p.m., except Saturdays, The lists could be extended procured. Sundays, and certain holidays. Following Everywhere there is an illogical disposi- to include other well greatly plants worthy is the schedule of subjects and dates for tion to scorn native for cultivation of a in and one who has once plants place gardens, May: in gardens, even when the same plants are begun the formation of such a garden will Wednesday, May 1 —Primitive Armor and highly esteemed in regions where they are find desirable new to add to it. Weapons; always plants Thursday—General Tour; Friday—Plants and Animals not native. Although their beauty is not Many of the attractive plants mentioned of the Past. generally questioned, are held un- as well as others native in the — they here, Chicago Week—beginning May 6: Monday Egyptian Hall;— worthy of garden planting apparently region, are illustrated by lifelike and accurate Tuesday Birds and Their Skeletons;— Wednesday because they can be procured at no cost. reproductions in the Hall of Plant Life Man Through the Ages; Thursday General Tour; Friday—Plants and Their Uses. The fact that these plants are, naturally, (Hall 29) in Field Museum. Week 13; —Chinese Ex- best adapted to cultivation in the regions beginning May Monday hibits; Tuesday—Indians of Plain and Plateau; in which are — — they native, usually requiring ELEPHANT SEALS Wednesday Jewelry of Many Lands; Thursday less care in cultivation than exotic species, General Tour; Friday—Monkeys and Their Relatives. (Continued from page 1 ) is ignored. Week beginning May 20: Monday—Geology Halls; — —South With the wild flowers obtainable around only possible rival, reaches a length of no Tuesday Palms and Cereals; Wednesday American Exhibits; —General Tour; Friday more than thirteen or fourteen feet. Thursday Chicago it is possible to make a most —Strange Animals. attractive that will afford an Weights are more problematical than garden, Week beginning May 27: Monday—Types of Man- in all abundant display of beautiful flowers, dimensions and have cases been kind; Tuesday—Botany Halls; Wednesday— Musical —Memorial no fruits, or foliage throughout the growing estimated. The bull taken for the Museum's Instruments; Thursday Day holiday, tour; Friday— Animal Ecology. season, or even well into the winter. Such group was thought to weigh about 5,000 and it has often been stated that a garden, composed of plants obtained pounds Persons wishing to participate should the of bulls should reach at leisurely at separated places, may furnish weight large apply at North Entrance. Tours are free too a record of least 6,000 pounds. The fresh skin of the living many pleasant tramps and no gratuities are to be proffered. A new Museum's which was to or drives through the countryside. Since bull, subject fairly schedule will appear each month in Field accurate was believed to many of the most ornamental plants are estimate, weigh Museum News. Guide-lecturers' services of abundant no harm is alone about 1,000 pounds. It was removed occurrence, done for special tours by parties of ten or more on the and was so and by transplanting a few, and the rarer sorts beach, large heavy are available free of charge by arrangement it could not be to the anchored usually may be obtained from nurserymen transported with the Director a week in advance. who make a specialty of propagating them. yacht by any of the ship's boats, so it What trees could be handsomer than the became necessary to build a raft on which it was towed to the vessel's side and hauled Gifts to the Museum fragrant crab apple, the snowy hawthorn on deck with the winch. that later is covered with red fruit, or the Following is a list of some of the principal when out of the flowering dogwood? Among shrubs there Elephant seals, water, gifts received during the last month: show little fear of because are the spice bush, pawpaw, witch hazel man, presumably From Eastman-Gardiner Hardwood Company—2 have few natural but with its strange habit of flowering in late they enemies, perhaps sycamore boards, Mississippi Valley: from Carl Buhl, also because their movements on are Jr. — herbarium of 887 most of autumn, wild plum, sand cherry, shad land personal specimens, slow and laborious. over the them mounted, chiefly Illinois and Indiana; from Dr. bush, wild roses, ninebark (Physocarpus), They progress Lorenzo R. Parodi—19 herbarium Argen- sand beaches the back and draw- specimens, the white and pink spiraeas, hop tree by arching tina; from Yusuf Lazar^^76 herbarium specimens, from Rustam Farm—15 herbarium (Plelea), sumacs so in autumn ing the hind-quarters forward after the Iraq; Experimental gorgeous from Professor Ernst Herzfeld— fashion of the caterpillars called inch-worms. specimens, Iraq; ^85 foliage, winterberry (Ilex) loaded with its herbarium 5 and a Their food doubtless includes considerable specimens, scorpions, solpugid, red fruits. New Jersey tea, the small-flowered Iran; from Standard Oil Company of New Jersey—3 one of which has red branches fish, but the principal remains found in specimens vertebrate fossils, Argentina; from A. F. dogwoods, —a double from Leslie that contrast their stomachs are those of squid. The Sitterle concretion, Texas; beautifully against a back- Wheeler—17 owls, 29 hawks, and 2 goat-suckers; found in the ground of snow, trailing arbutus if it can proboscis, only males, reaches from Dr. Walter P. Kennedy—14 insects, Iraq: from be induced to button a length of about ten inches and, contrary Stewart Springer—369 specimens of salamanders, grow, bush, elderberry, and an from and a more. to general belief, is not demonstrably frogs, turtles, lizards, snakes, alligator: good many Dr. F. R. Shaw—31 insects and 4 solpugids, Palestine inflatable. Its structure is fibrous and — Even of ornamental vines there is an and Transjordania; from A. R. M. Rickards a — and 3 include fleshy and its control apparently is muscular. solpugid, Iraq; from E. Bonati 3 scorpions ample variety. They the wild yam from —3 common and 2 The Museum's group was prepared by solpugids, Iran: Henry Dybas {Dioscorea), carrion flower (Smilax) with its gartersnakes, Illinois; from Dr. A. I. Orten- Staff Taxidermist FViesser and Assistant plains handsome fruit clusters in autumn, moon- burger—a keeled musk turtle, Oklahoma; from John Wonder, who collected the specimens. The P. Kellogg—3 salamanders, Virginia; from Edward seed with black berries, white clematis, — from background, painted by Staff Artist Charles J. Brundage, Jr. 30 insects, Connecticut; bittersweet, Virginia creeper, and wild Bernard Benesh—36 beetles. United States. cucumber. A. Corwin, shows a section of "Elephant Beach," the principal hauling ground of the The herbaceous plants afford sufficient animals on Guadalupe Island. NEW MEMBERS variety to please every taste. It is possible The were elected to to obtain even in the city something of the following persons in Field Museum the breath of spring by planting Jack-in-the- Summer Hours membership during Visiting Begin from March 16 to 15: pulpit, wild hyacinth (Camassia), trilliums, period April Beginning May 1 summer visiting hepatica which probably will be the first Associate Members hours, 9 A.M. to 6 p.m., go into effect. of all to open its flowers, wild ginger, blood- Edison Dick, Mrs. Edmund J. Doering, Jr., Mrs. The Museum will be open during these E. E. Mrs. B. Miss Susan E. root, Dutchman's breeches, violets, shooting Fies, Joseph Fleming, hours up to and including September 2 Jones, Miss Zipporah Herrick Pottenger. star, phlox, and puccoon. For late spring (Labor Day). Members and summer there are spiderwort, our wild Annual Rev. Edward S. Peter Herbert J. lilies that are fully equal to many of the Ames, Bartoli, S. Fred B. Borneman, Brown, Oriental to Bird, Henry Blum, Guy ones, iris, lady's-slippers repre- "Naturalized Bird Citizens" of U. S. Andrew K. Bushman, James A. Cathcart, Miss Ellen sent the orchid family, red columbine, M. Cauvins, Dr. Beulah Cushman, Carl Dreutzer, A case of foreign birds that have been baneberry with white berries that seem Mrs. L. S. Hungerford, Miss Gwendolyn Lucille Kolar, introduced and naturalized in America has Mrs. Samuel N. Leitzell, John Henry Liebenthal, to be made of china, may-apple, lupine, Richard William C. recently been installed in Hall 21. This, Arthur F. Lindley, Mayer, Napier, wild geranium, flowering spurge, rose F. B. Stecce, E. C. Trowbridge. together with the exhibit of extinct North hiallow, prickly pear, evening primroses, American birds described elsewhere in this cow parsnip, and the handsome milkweeds issue of Field Museum News, illustrates Book Proves Popular In their great variety including butterfly Knight the changes which are gradually affecting weed, horse mint, head (Physostegia), the Dawn of History, the book by dragon the natural fauna of America. Before pentstemons, Culver's root, bluebells, car- Mr. Charles R. Knight, illustrated with his dinal flower and blue lobelia, Joe Pye weed, paintings and drawings of prehistoric life miniature model of an blazing stars, coreopsis, yellow groundsel, A ancient Maya including many of those on exhibition in is exhibited in Hall 8. the perennial sunflowers, and ever so many pyramid Ernest R. Graham Hall at Field Museum, more. An autumn garden may be made has proved so popular that three printings bright with blue and white gentians, the The William J. Chalmers crystal collec- were necessary in the first four weeks after innumerable asters whose beauty seems to tion on exhibition in Hall 34 contains many publication, it is reported by the publishers, have attracted little attention in America, rare specimens from all parts of the world. Whittlesey House (McGraw-Hill).

PRINTCO BV FIELD MUSEUM PRESa News Published Monthly by Field Museum of Natural History, Chicago

Vol. 5 JUNE, 1935 No.6

DRAMATIC EXHIBIT OF LEOPARD, IN WILD FIG TREE, CROUCHED FOR ATTACK H. Osgood By Wilfred animals are often born to spotted parents. he was charged by a wounded leopard and Curator^ Department of Zoology They are fairly common in southern Asia forced to hand to hand struggle which The common leopard might well appear but occur very rarely, if at all, in Africa. lasted until the leopard was strangled and either in an exhibit of African or of Asiatic Usually they are not fully black and the the hunter's arm, which had been thrust animals. Circumstances have favored its spotted pattern is discernible in certain down its throat, was frightfully mangled. having a position among the Asiatic groups lights. On a later Museum expedition, also in in William V. Kelley Hall (Hall 17) and it The leopard's hunting is done mostly at Africa, Edmund Heller awoke one night has now taken this place in the quartet of night, but in regions where it is numerous, to find a leopard in his tent seizing a pet groups of carnivorous mammals which face hunters occasionally have chance encounters monkey that was sleeping there with him. the center of the hall. Again, on the Con- Although only one over-Everard Expedi- animal is shown, it is tion, a leopard was so effectively com- caught in a trap by bined with a forest John Zimmer and it scene that the char- broke the chain or acter and habits of the fastening and moved species are forcefully into tall grass with and successfully in- the trap attached to dicated by subtle sug- its foot. On being gestion as well as by followed by the direct portrayal. hunters and a number Aside from the lion of natives, it made and tiger, the larger several charges before cats of the world are it was finally killed, few in number. The and at one time it was leopard, the jaguar, practically standing the cougar or Ameri- over a native who had can mountain lion, the fallen in the grass. A cheetah, and the snow similar incident with leopard make up the a trapped leopard oc- list. Of these, the curred on the Chicago leopard is the most Daily News Abyssin- numerous and widely ian Expedition and, in distributed and, on this case, a native the whole, it is per- received a severe scalp haps the best general wound. The unarmed representative of the native had followed whole cat family, best the animal a short in this case meaning distance, meanwhile the best average. In calling to Alfred Bailey other words, the leop- to come with his rifle. ard is the best all- Just as Bailey arrived, around cat, neither too the leopard charged large nor too small, and it was killed Leopard Ready to Pounce on Victim neither confined to the practically in mid-air, New recently in WiUiam V. Kelley Hall. The animal was obtained by the late Colonel ground nor to the trees, group completed going down with its J. C. The was Staff Taxidermist Leon L. assisted Frank Letl. and able to live and Faunthorpe. group prepared by Pray, by claws sunk in the rash thrive under various boy's scalp. climatic conditions. For its rapacious life with it by day. If wounded or suddenly The specimen used in the Museum's of violent slaying and devouring it is well brought to bay, it attacks man fiercely and, exhibit was obtained in central India by equipped and successful. in some instances, it has been known to Colonel J. C. Faunthorpe. It is shown in The geographical range of the leopard is develop the man-eating habit. Normally, the branches of a wild fig tree, reproduced very extensive, including practically all of it preys upon a wide variety of animals, from studies made by cooperation with the Africa except the central Sahara, and most antelopes, deer, sheep, goats, monkeys, Bombay Natural History Society. Taxi- of Asia except the extreme north and the birds, and at times even reptiles. As one dermy, background, and accessories are by Tibetan highlands. In the East Indies it author has expressed it, the leopard "can Taxidermist Leon L. Pray assisted by extends to the islands of Java, Sumatra, strike down an ox, or pounce upon a Frank Letl. and Borneo. Within this wide area it is sparrow." Owing to its secretive and subject to numerous minor variations, but mostly nocturnal habits, the leopard is not BREAD FRUIT its general character remains the same and, often the special objective of sportsmen. Bread fruit, with which most people have like the wide-ranging American cougar, it Experienced hunters, however, have much made their first acquaintance as youngsters is probably best regarded as a single species respect for it and there are not a few who in reading Robinson Crusoe, is the subject of with numerous geographical races. would vote it the most dangerous animal an exhibit in the Hall of Plant Life (Hall 29). The leopard's beautifully spotted coat is to be found in the jungle. Presenting a The exhibit contains a leafing, flowering and similar to that of its American cousin, the relatively small mark and moving with fruiting branch of this Polynesian tree which jaguar, but the spots are more regular and incredible speed and agility, it is more supplied a staple item in the diet of Defoe's when they take the form of rosettes these likely to succeed in carrying through its hero on his desert island. do not inclose a central black spot. The charge than is the king of beasts himself. The exhibit includes also a cut section leopard has longer legs than the jaguar and, In the experience of Field Museum expedi- of bread fruit, showing the edible pulp; being more lightly built, is probably a tions, the leopard has more often threatened some resinous gum obtained from the bread better runner. The so-called black leopard fatalities than any other animal. During fruit tree, and used by natives of the islands or "panther" is not a distinct species but a the Museum's first African expedition Carl where it grows to caulk their canoes; and black phase due to melanism. Such black Akeley had a thrilling experience in which specimens of the related jack fruit. Page 2 FIELD MUSEUM NEWS June, 1935

Field Museum of Natural History THE CAP-BLANC SKELETON the powerful air currents generated by the trails Founded by Marshall Field. 1893 IS SUBJECT OF BOOK passage and behind forming the lumin- ous train seen behind RooseTelt Road and Lake Michigan, Chicago A monograph on the Magdalenian skeleton meteors and shooting stars. The melted surface film is renewed as from Cap-Blanc, which is exhibited in the fast as it is blown and THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES Hall of the Stone Age of the Old World away thus the sub- stance of the meteorite is consumed. Sewell L. Avery William H. Mitchell (Hall C) at Field Museum, was recently Nearly John Borden Frederick H. Rawson all meteorites that enter the air are com- published by the University of Illinois, William J. Chalmers George A. Richardson in this few Joseph N. Field Fred W. Sargent under the auspices of its Graduate School. pletely destroyed way. Very survive to strike the An Marshall Field Stephen C. Sums Dr. Gerhardt von Bonin, of the staff of ground. iron Stanley Field Jambs Simpson meteorite would have to from ten the department of anatomy at the university, weigh Ernest R. Graham Solomon A. Smith to for even a small core to Albert W. Harris Albert A. Sprague is the author. He made a profound study twenty pounds until it reached the solid earth and Samuel Insull, Jr. Silas H. Strawn of this specimen, which is the only Paleo- persist Cyrus H. McCormick Leslie Wheeler few of the meteorites that enter the lithic human skeleton in any American many John P,. Wilson institution. upper air are as large as this. The meteorites OFFICERS that have fallen are but the remnants of The skeleton is that of a girl, estimated Stanley Field Pretideni much larger bodies. Albert A. Sprague First Vice-President to have been about twenty years of age at which initial James Simpson Second Vice-President at the time of her death. It was found in The height the velocity of nine meteorites was overcome and from Albert W. Harris Third Vice-President the Cap-Blanc rock-shelter in the Dordogne Stephen C. Simms Director and Secretary which fell under the influence of of on the walls of which is they gravity Solomon A. Smith. . .Treasurer and Assistant region France, Secretary alone has been and found to be one of the most important examples of computed from about two and to sculpture of the Magdalenian period—a one-quarter twenty- FIELD MUSEUM NEWS nine fall famous frieze of horses. This rock-shelter miles. Even the by the pull of C. Director the Editor Stephen Simms, of Museum is retarded the resistance of the has been reproduced in one of the series gravity by CONTRIBUTING EDITORS air which checks the fall but in of dioramas in the Hall of the Stone Age, greatly vary- Paul S. Martin Acting Curator of Anthropology to the case the ing degrees dependent on the weight, size E. Dahlgren Curator adjacent containing original B. of Botany and shape of the meteorite. The few giant Henry W. Nichols Curator of Geology skeleton. meteorites thousands of tons each Wilfred H. Osgood Curator of Zoology Dr. von Bonin's monograph discusses all weighing H. B. Harte Editor which made craters described in Managing features of the skeleton in detail, as observed great (as the 1934, issue of Field Museum in his careful studies. The monograph is February, are Their enormous Field Museum is open every day of the year during illustrated with nine large plates of photo- News) exceptional. the hours indicated below: were sufficient to overcome in graphs and diagrams. It is dedicated to weights great Nov., Dec, Jan., Feb., Mar. 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. the of the late Dr. Berthold degree the retarding effect of the atmosphere. April, September, October 9 A.M. to 5:00 p.m. memory Laufer, May, June, July, August 9 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. former Curator of Anthropology at Field CHINESE HOUSEHOLD EXHIBIT Admission is free to Members on all days. Other Museum. Copies of the book are on sale adults are admitted free on Thursdays, Saturdays and at Field Museum. Price $1.00. Postage An exhibit of Chinese household objects, Sundays; non-members pay 25 cents on other days. additional on mail orders cents in . with a few Chinese scientific in- Children are admitted free on all days. Students and (7 Chicago) together faculty members of educational institutions are admit- struments, was recently added to the hall ted free any day upon presentation of credentials. AIR CUSHION PROTECTS EARTH of Chinese ethnology (Hall 32). The Museum's natural history Library is open for FROM MOST METEORITES Included are elaborate vanity boxes used reference daily except afternoon and Saturday Sunday. By Henry W. Nichoi^ by Chinese women, decorative hair combs, Traveling exhibits are circulated in the schools of Curator, of made of various materials such as Chicago by the N. W. Harris Public School Extension Department Geology pillows Department of the Museum. Meteorites, so many of which are shown pottery, rattan, or leather on a wooden Lectures for schools, and special entertainments in Hall 34, would be dangerous visitors were frame, hand warmers, incense boxes, pad- and tours for children at the are Museum, provided it not for the afforded the surface locks, combination locks, bed curtain hooks, by the James Nelson and Anna Louise protection Raymond made of rock a hat Foundation for Public School and Children's Lectures. of the earth and its inhabitants by the spectacles crystal, stand, a to Announcements of free illustrated lectures for the atmosphere. So numerous are the meteorites lamp especially designed keep mosqui- public, and special lectures for Members of the Museum, that enter the upper atmosphere and so toes away, soap, brushes, mariner's com- will appear in Field Museum News. sun dials. great is their velocity that if they reached passes and A cafeteria in the Museum serves visitors. Rooms the surface of the earth the The hard pillows are decorated with vari- are provided for those bringing their lunches. unimpeded, constant would ous kinds of designs, one having a picture Motor Coach No. bombardment make human Chicago Company 26 buses go of the a fabulous animal about which direct to the Museum. life perilous if not impossible. Fortunately Kilin, have a similar to ours Members are requested to inform the Museum the air interposes an obstacle or cushion the Chinese legend of promptly changes of address. through which few of them can pass and about the stork bringing children. those few with reduced For heating, in central and southern MEMBERSHIP IN FIELD only greatly speed MUSEUM and much diminished size. China, metal braziers filled with charcoal Field Museum has several classes of Members. It is to estimate with are placed in the room. The general Benefactors or devise impossible any give $100,000 or more. Contribu- tendency is to keep the body warm by the tors give or devise $1,000 to $100,000. Life Members pretense to accuracy the number of mete- addition of clothes rather than give $500; Non-Resident Life and Associate Members orites that enter the air, but this number is by heating pay $100; Non-Resident Associate Members the room. Pillows serve for the pay $50. known to be very large. Some estimates, largely All the above classes are exempt from dues. Sustaining based as support of the neck, and some have an Members contribute $25 annually. After six years upon such imperfect data can be they in one end so that be become Associate Members. Annual Members con- obtained, are as high as nearly a million opening they may tribute $10 annually. Other are filled with hot water in the winter and with memberships Corpo- an hour. Fortunately, most of these mete- rate, Honorary, Patron, and Corresponding, additions orites are with ice in the summer. under these classifications being made by special action very small, comparable grains of the Board of Trustees. of sand in size. It is believed that most Each Visitors Member, in all classes, is entitled to free meteorites enter the air at speeds between Distinguished admission to the Museum for his and himself, family and miles second. At visitors to Field house guests, and to two reserved seats for Museum eight forty-four per Among distinguished lectures provided for Members. Subscription to Field such enormous speeds even particles as Museum during May were Major-General Museum News is included all with memberships. The small as grains of sand become deadly Sir Francis Younghusband, M. Maxime courtesies of every museum of note in the United Colonel Theodore Roosevelt, and States and Canada are extended to all Members of projectiles. Ducrocq, Field Museum. A Member may give his personal card A meteorite that weighs only one pound, Dr. E. L. Gill. Sir Francis is well-known to non-residents of Chicago, upon presentation of moving at a speed of forty-four miles per for his explorations in India, Tibet, Turke- which they will be admitted to the Itluseum without second, would strike with a force of more stan, the Pamirs, Chitral, "Transvaal, and charge. Further information about memberships will be sent on request. than eight hundred million foot-pounds. elsewhere. He was British Commissioner to The of a meteorite of even Tibet for several and is the author AND smashing power years, BEQUESTS ENDOWMENTS moderately large size would be much greater. of numerous books. M. Ducrocq is a noted Bequests to Field Museum of Natural History may Even the extremely rarefied upper air opposes French sportsman, and President du Conseil be made in securities, money, books or collections. a resistance to bodies at such International de la Chasse. He visited They may, if desired, take the form of a strong moving memorial to the a person or cause, named by the giver. enormous speeds. The friction of passage Chicago in the course of a trip around Cash contributions made within the taxable year rapidly reduces the velocities to moderate world in the interest of promoting wild not 15 cent of exceeding per the taxpayer's net income values comparable with those of ordinary life protection. Colonel Roosevelt took the are allowable as deductions in computing net income under Article bodies. Sufficient heat is to inspect a number of the new 261 of Regulation 69 relating to the falling generated opportunity income tax under the Revenue Act of 1926. by this friction to heat the surface of the Asiatic groups in William V. Kelley Hall, Endowments may be made to the Museum with the meteorite to incandescence. The surface including several for which he had collected provision that an annuity be paid to the for life. patron melts and a film of molten matter covers it. specimens. Dr. Gill is Director of the South These annuities are tax-free and are guaranteed against fluctuation in amount. This molten film is rapidly blown away by African Museum at Cape Town. June, 1935 FIELD MUSEUM NEWS Pages

GROWING MEXICAN PLANTS gardens, but many are not inferior in beauty. the gardens and greenhouses of Chicago. IN CHICAGO GARDENS They are all of the single type, and particu- Some Mexican plants of notable beauty beautiful are the white are in botanical but By Paul C. Standley larly large, pure highly prized gardens, the of which often become offer difficulties in that Associate Curator of the Herbarium ones, plants propagation prevent shrubs or small trees. They produce an wider use. It is well known that basic economic many especially handsome effect when banked Some of the best known Mexican plants such as corn or plants of the United States along mountain roads and trails. In some are represented in the Hall of Plant Life and besides maize, beans, cotton, tobacco, parts of Centra! America where dahlias are (Hall 29) by accurate reproductions. other of minor peppers and plants impor- cultivated abundantly but are not native, in Mexico. That tance, originated country both single and double forms have become A loaf of bread baked in Egypt more than is the source also of ornamental many troublesome weeds, especially in corn fields. 3,000 years ago is exhibited among the col- in North American plants popular gardens. Besides the plants enumerated, many lections of food plants and products in the Early writers commented upon the fond- other Mexican ones occasionally occur in Department of Botany. ness of Mexicans for flowers, as evinced by beautiful gardens that existed in the Valley of Anahuac. Flowers were grown PAINTING BY KNIGHT SHOWS STRANGE WINGLESS MOAS in the and extensively neighboring country, By Bryan Patterson were small and chestnut colored with a brought in boat loads to the market. Aztec Assistant in Paleontology white tip. We owe this last piece of in- emperors established a botanical garden of New Zealand is remarkable among the formation to the excellent preservation, in rare plants from all parts of their realm. larger islands of the world for the fact that dry caves in South Island, of specimens Love of flowers is just as pronounced it possesses no native land mammals. This with the ligaments, dried skin and feathers among the Mexicans today as four hundred absence of mammals, particularly of the still adhering to the bones. years ago, and flowers are displayed as carnivorous forms, permitted the evolution The extinction of this once flourishing lavishly as ever in the markets. Even the of a number of peculiar flightless birds, of group seems to have been due to two causes. humblest homes are almost always sur- which the great majority are now extinct. New Zealand, in common with other parts rounded by gardens, with a great variety The illustration depicts an of the world, underwent a refrigeration of flowers of the kinds esteemed before the accompanying evening scene in South Island and shows of climate during the Pleistocene or glacial coming of the Spaniards, and in addition a number of the largest of these birds, period. This reduction in temperature must many others from the Old World, as well as Dinornis maximus, grouped about a small have greatly reduced the number of moas. some, like the California poppy and gail- valley stream. The survivors were exterminated by man. lardia, from the United States. The members of the extinct order to which At various places on the islands have been Some Mexican must have been plants Dinornis belongs are known collectively as found the so-called Maori ovens—old in cultivation centuries, for are many they moas, a Maori name handed down from the cooking pits where broken and charred moa no known in a wild state. It is now longer time when the birds were hunted and eaten bones and fragments of eggshell are mixed uncertain whether some had decidedly by the natives. Moas, to judge from the with stones and charcoal. The last moa their origin in Mexico or South America, for they seem to have been widely dispersed at the time of the conquest. Double- flowered forms, too, seem to have been as well established then as now. Mexican plants most common in our gardens are cockscomb, bachelor's-button or globe amaranth (Gomphrena) , four-o'clock, marigold, and zinnia. None of these grows at present in a really wild state. The zinnia is so popular in this region that it has been designated as the state flower of Indiana. Other Mexican plants are cosmos in its various forms and colors, tuberose, spider- flower (Cleome), the poinsettia that fills florists' shops at Christmas time, some of the begonias and many of the popular cacti, perhaps some of the fuchsias (although these are mostly South American), moon vine, the lantana that is so popular in park beds, the lavender-purple ageratum, and, above all, the dahlias. The poinsettia probably no longer exists in a wild state, but is a favorite shrub in Mexico and Central America. Those who know the poinsettia only as a potted plant can scarcely imagine its gorgeous effect when growing as a shrub or small tree. The lantana as it grows wild is a weedy shrub in most parts of the American tropics, giving little promise as a decorative plant, for the bush is a coarse and straggling one, Copyright Field Muse of Natural History Moas of New Zealand and the flowers are small and unattractive One of the mural by Charles R. in Ernest R. Graham Hall. In a these in color. Selective cultivation has paintings Knight general way huge improved wingless birds resembled the modern ostrich. Some reached a height of twelve feet. it greatly. The inhabitants of tropical America that all the were not regret plants immense numbers of their bones which have was killed before the discovery of New taken north, for they are pernicious weeds been found, were at one time exceedingly Zealand by white men. where native. numerous. The remains of more than Before the coming of man the moas had The which is to ageratum, too, planted twenty species belonging to five genera have natural enemies. Remains of a large eagle, such beds in of form handsome some the been distinguished. These ranged in size Harpagornis, which doubtless preyed on is a weed in Chicago parks, despised Mexico from the giant Dinornis maximus, which the smaller species and on the young of the and Central where it America, behaves probably attained heights of ten feet, larger forms, have been found on both much like daisies or dog-fennel in the down to small species of Anomalopteryx islands. The moas themselves fed on ferns. United States. the native When people are which was not over three feet high. The accompanying illustration has been told that it is cultivated for ornament in The moas were entirely flightless and taken from a mural by Charles R. Knight the north are amused. they greatly possessed only small vestiges of wings. in Ernest R. Graham Hall (Hall 38). In The truly wild dahlias of Mexico and They were ostrich-like in general appearance the same hall are exhibited the skeleton of Central America are far removed from the but the larger forms were relatively bulkier a small species of Dinornis and a life size innumerable "improved" forms of our and had more massive legs. The feathers restoration of Dinornis maximus. Pagei FIELD MUSEUM NEWS June, 19S5

MANY COLOR PLATES OF HAWKS little time for observation of habits under JUNE GUIDE-LECTURE TOURS ILLUSTRATE NEW BOOK natural conditions or in the laboratory. Conducted tours of exhibits, under the This affords a fascinating field for study. Field Museum has placed on sale an guidance of staff lecturers, are made every especially attractive book, The Hawks of afternoon at 3 p.m., except Saturdays, North America, recently published by The JAVANESE SCULPTURES Sundays, and certain holidays. Following National Association of Audubon Societies. is the schedule of and dates for Ancient Javanese stone sculptures of subjects Dr. John B. who has served as Director June: May, four of the most potent deities of Indian of of the Massachusetts Ornithology Depart- mythology, are on exhibition in Hall G, Week begianing June 3: Monday—Chinese Art; ment of and is a noted economic —General — Agriculture, devoted to the archaeology and ethnology Tuesday — Tour; Wednesday Hall —of Plant ornithologist and on birds of prey, Life; Thursday General Tour; Friday ,\ncient authority of Malaysia. The statues, which date to Burials. is the author. The book is illustrated with about the of the Christian beginning era, Week June 10: —.\nimal Habitat 37 color plates Allan Brooks, one beginning Monday by Major indicate a high degree of artistic develop- Groups; Tuesday—General Tour; Wednesday— Hall of the foremost of birds. It of — painters ment on the part of the sculptors. Races of Mankind; Thursday General Tour; contains also four black and white Friday—Fish and Reptiles. profile One represents Ganeca, god of wisdom and Week June 17: — plates by Roger Tory Peterson, range maps prudence, in the shape of an elephant as beginning Monday Amber, Tur- pentine and Rubber; Tuesday—General Tour; Wednes- for aU species showing breeding areas and a of Its symbol sagacity. trunk rests in a day—Prehistoric Life; Thursday—General Tour; limits, and flight in black — wintering patterns water jar, but it has two pairs of human Friday Pewter and Jade. and white which are of practical value in arms. This is one of the most popular of Week beginning June 24: Monday—Egyptian each in the field. — — identifying species Indian deities, and almost every act in a Exhibits; Tuesday General Tour; Wednesday of Birds; General — Copies the book may be obtained at life Thursday— Totir; Friday Cleology Hindu's begins with an invocation to Exhibits. the publication and card counters in post Ganeca. The wisdom it represents is not the at If desire a Museum, $1.25. you that of knowledge, but worldly wisdom of Persons wishing to participate should copy sent by mail, send your order with the kind which results in financial success. apply at North Entrance. Tours are free check or order for this and money amount, Therefore it is particularly the god of the and no gratuities are to be proffered. A new it will be mailed to you. shopkeepers. schedule will appear each month in Reld Another is the warlike and ferocious god- Museum News. Guide-lecturers' services ANIMALS THAT ARE EQUIPPED dess Durga, to whom bloody sacrifices were for special tours by parties of ten or more WITH TRAP DOORS offered. In another incarnation she is called are available free of charge by arrangement Kali, "the Black of death with the Director a week in advance. By Kakl p. Schmidt One," goddess and destruction. Thugs murdered their Assistant Curator of Reptiles victims in her honor. to The familiar Gifts the Museum sally about "crawling into a The third of the gods is the Buddha hole hole in is a list of some of the and pulling the after oneself" Amitabha, who was the personification of Following principal to in received the last comes mind connection with animals light in the first century of the present era. gifts during month: in which a of the is part body especially He is believed to preside over a paradise From B. A. Krukoff—25 samples of seeds and modified to close the hole or crevice in the in the west where faithful votaries will be fruits, Brazil; from Howard Scott Gentry—500 her- barium from School of ground in which they live or take refuge. reborn from lotus flowers specimens, Mexico; Forestry, to enjoy a state Yale —38 herbarium Colombia; Such devices are found as University specimens, hole-closing part of eternal bliss. He was the most popular of from Rev. Brother Elias—45 herbarium specimens, of the bodily structure of certain insects, Buddfaas in the Far East. Colombia; from Prof. Manuel Valerio—276 herbarium specimens, Costa Rica; from Dr. T. F. Seymour—a a few frogs, lizards and snakes, and even Last is shown and Civa, destroyer creator, specimen of foliated talc. Canada; from Miss Elizabeth (perhaps) one mammal. in the of a Brahman Oliver—a of depicted garb ascetic, —specimen pisolite, Illinois; from Stewart Numerous frogs and toads have the top holding a trident symbolic of divine power. Springer 11 lizards, Sardinia; from Dr. .\ubum B. Brower—2 from C. Blair Coursen— of the head developed into a bony casque. butterflies, Maine; 44 lizards and 2 frogs, Florida; from Chicago Zoological In certain South American tree frogs the —a short-headed New Flying Reptiles Society flying phalanger. Guinea; head can be pulled down nearly at right from Leslie Wheeler—17 hawks and 3 owls, Costa Rica and Canada. angles to the body, and this is interpreted In a panel-exhibit, a yard square and as enabling the frog to close the knot hole carefully sealed up under glass, in Ernest in which it lives. The most authentically R. Graham Hall (Hall 38), is the skeleton of NEW MEMBERS described case illustrating this relation a flying reptile. The bones are of a dark, The following persons were elected to between habit and structure is that of a brownish color, very thin and delicate. The in Field Museum the small Cuban toad which lives in short body is the size of an eagle's and the wings membership during period from April 16 to 15: vertical burrows in the ground. It retires had a similar spread. The skull is delicate, May into its burrow backward, and the bony and ends in a long straight beak. The wing Non-Resident Life Members top of its head is bent sharply forward, bones have been hollow, but now appear John Wyatt Gregg effectively blocking the hole. The extreme flattened like so many joints of reeds. 'There Associate Members development of spines on the tails of some were three fingers armed with slender claws Mrs. Gustavus Babson, Dr. Ralph B. Bettman, lizards perhaps may function in the same at the second joint corresponding to three Robert N. Golding, R. G. HoUingsworth, Mrs. Frank K. Hoover, George E. McGrath, George F. Mulligan, way. At any rate, it is difficult to fingers of the human hand; the fourth finger imagine Mrs. Lloyd F. Neely, Miss F. A. Reffelt, Benjamin a snake swallowing an Egyptian mastigure extended into slender bones to support a J. Rosenthal, Miss Shiriey Jane Short, Floyd E. or an American spiny-tailed iguana tail membranous wing. From this characteris- Thompson. Edward E. Voynow, Charles Weiner. foremost. Some of these lizards take refuge tic was derived the creature's name ptero- Annual Members in cracks between rocks and can bend their dactyl, or wing-finger. Comfort S. Butler, Mrs. Chester W. Chapin, Dr. tails sharply sidewise, which would effec- Such flying reptiles lived over the inland Bowman Coming Crowell, Joshua D'Esposito, L. J. Drake, M. Drake, Miss E. L. Drew, Mrs. tively close a crevice. seas of western Kansas during Cretaceous Lyman Thomas E. Duffy, Miss Ruth M. Engberg, Frank C. Even more remarkable are the creatures time, about one hundred million years ago. Huffman, Everett B. Michaels, Lorry R. Northrup, which live in burrows in the soil and have At death they fell into this old-time sea Patrick B. Prescott, Jr., William A. Rowley, E. B. Thurman, E. Vogel, Carl J. sharply truncated or spiny tails. The most and eventually their bones were covered Rudolph Zipprich. notable example is probably the burrowing by the sediments gathering at the sea bottom. snake Uropeltis of southern India, in which The Museum's specimen was found some Research by Noted Paleontologist the tail terminates in a single large rugose years ago lying in a bed of natural chalk Dr. William Berryman Scott, Professor shield at right angles to its axis and as where ages of storm and rain had washed Emeritus of Princeton University, recently broad as the body. It carries the rear door it bare.—E.S.R. spent several weeks at PMeld Museum, of its burrow with it. The a pichiciego, engaged in research on skeletons of fossil tiny burrowing armadillo of western Argen- Structural Cements Astrapotheres in the Museum's collections. tina, has so truncated a rear, covered with a Common the first cement used The results of his research are to be made special shield, that it is apparently a clay, by for is still the subject of a scientific publication. mammalian of this man structural purposes, the most example phenomenon. Professor Scott is the former Blair Professor This relation between animal structiire used of all. A collection of the various substances used for structural of Geology and Paleontology at Princeton, and life in holes or burrows has been called cement may be seen in Hall 36. and is well-known as one of the world's phragmosis. It much further requires authorities in his fields of study. observation to establish the extent to which leading it ocCTirs and to verify its usefulness. Rough diamonds from nearly all the im- Naturalists have hitherto been so much portant fields of the world, as well as several Specimens showing all stages in the manu- occupied with collecting and describing the finely cut large specimens, are exhibited in facture of lead pencils form an economic rich life of the tropics that there has been H. N. Higinbotham Hall (Hall 31). exhibit in the Department of Geology.

PRINTED BY FICLO MUSCUM News Published Monthly by Field Museum of Natural History, Chicago

Vol. 6 JULY, 1935 No. 7

BLACKBUCK AND CHINKARA, ANTELOPES OF INDIA, MAKE ATTRACTIVE GROUP Wilfred By H. Osgood is neither black nor a buck. The species slowest animal in the herd, they would come Curator, Department of Zoology is one of the oldest known to civilized man in a solid mob well in front of the horses The third group to be completed in and it is not unlikely that it was brought and, given anything in the nature of jumps William V. Kelley Hall (Hall 17) during captive to Europe in the time of Alexander or uneven ground, the relative speed of the the present year, and the fourteenth in the the Great. It thrives in captivity and is buck and the horse would be further hall, is one in which two species are shown. often seen in zoos and private parks. Its accentuated." Besides speed and endurance, These are the Indian antelope or blackbuck natural home is open grassland of which the blackbuck has unusual agility and and the Indian gazelle or chinkara, which there is more in central India than generally flashing quickness of movement which have inhabit similar semi-arid parts of India and supposed. given it distinction as a high-jumper as well at least occasionally as a runner. The

_ __ exercise of may be found closely _ playful associated. are these is often They \ qualities in highly characteristic ,»: ^r-- seen undisturbed Indian animals for, al- j herds on their feeding though several other grounds when one antelopes reach the after another springs northern and western lightly over the backs borders of the country, of its companions. these two are the only The chinkara is so- representatives of called by natives, al- their kind throughout though in books it is peninsular India ex- more often nominated cept the much larger as the Indian gazelle nilghai and the shy, or Bennett's gazelle. skulking four-horned It reaches a weight of antelope. The ante- only fifty to sixty lopes of India do not pounds and is a compare in numbers delicately formed with those of Africa, creature of nearly uni- but much interest has form tan color. It been concentrated on ranges somewhat more them during the long extensively than the British occupancy. blackbuck and is in- The two species clined to frequent exhibit several con- light scrub rather than trasts, the most nota- grassgrown plains. In ble being in the such places drinking secondary sex charac- water is often scarce ters, one showing or quite absent, but much difference be- Graceful and Fleet of Foot the chinkara seems to of small common to India. tween the sexes and The blackbuck (on the right), and the chinkara (left), two species antelopes suffer no discomfort. Note the spiral horns, especially those on the blackbuck, which are the most corkscrew-like found on any antelope. the other very little. A certain minimum of In the blackbuck, the moisture is essential male is conspicuously different in color from Like other animals of the plains it is but, like some other antelopes and rodents, the female, and the male has well developed keen of sight and swift of foot. In fact, it obtains enough from the herbage it eats. horns while the female has none. In the it is claimed by some that it is the swiftest The Museum's group, for which speci- chinkara, the sexes are alike in color and of all four-footed animals. Whether this mens were collected by the James Simpson- both male and female have horns. Among claim can be substantiated or not is doubtful, Roosevelts Asiatic Expedition, and by the antelopes there is great variation in such for it is unlikely that a test for the champion- late Colonel J. C. Faunthorpe of Bombay, characters, whereas in the deer family, ship with other claimants to the title can includes a male and two females of the with very few exceptions, the males are ever be arranged. Anglo-Indians, however, blackbuck and a male and female of the horned and the females hornless. who have also hunted in Africa, insist that chinkara. It was prepared by Staff Taxi- The name blackbuck, originally applied it is faster than any animal of that continent. dermist Arthur G. Rueckert, assisted by Mr. only to the males, is now in general use One writer (Dunbar Brander) very seriously William E. Eigsti. The background was for the species and it is not uncommon to says: "I believe that if it were possible to painted by Staff Artist Charles A. Corwin see or hear the contradictory expression enter a herd of blackbuck for the Derby from studies made through the cooperation "female blackbuck," although the female and their pace were to be regulated by the of the Bombay Natural History Society.

Cave Scenes Shown cave roof. Instead of the water freezing Meteorites Seen Falling to form an icicle it As it is Six colored transparent pictures of the evaporates. Fifty-two per cent of the more than 700 interior of the Luray Caverns of Virginia hard water it leaves, when it evaporates, a meteorites in the Museum collection were residue of carbonate of lime which is the have been placed in windows near the actually seen to fall. The others were exhibit of cave formations in Clarence stalactite. water that does not evapo- Any identified as meteorites through peculiarities Hall These rate drips from the point of the stalactite Buckingham (Hall 35). explain of structure and composition not found in the nature and occurrence of the exhibited to the cave floor where, upon continued anything of earthly origin. stalactites and stalagmites better than the evaporation, it builds upwards a column of labels can. They show multitudes of stalac- carbonate of lime which is a stalagmite. The mariner's of which several tites hanging from the cave roof like icicles, The varied, fantastic and beautiful shapes compass, are in and stalagmites growing upwards from the produced are strikingly illustrated by the Chinese examples displayed George cave floor below. transparencies. These transparencies, and T. and Frances Gaylord Smith Hall (Hall The stalactites look like huge icicles a number of stalactites and stalagmites, 24), is an ancient Chinese invention which because they are formed in much the same were recently presented to the Museum by was brought to Europe by the seafaring way, by water dripping through the leaky the Luray Caverns Corporation. Arabs. Page 2 FIELD MUSEUM NEWS July, 1935

Field Museum of Natural History EXHIBIT OF FOREIGN BIRDS that may be. For that reason, government are now in effect to control the Founded by Marshall Field. 1893 INTRODUCED IN AMERICA regulations wholesale introduction of birds or RooseTelt Road and Lake Michigan, Chicago By Rudyerd Boulton any Assistant Curator of Birds animals. THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES In the May issue of Field Museum News Mitchell RARE BOTANICAL WORK Sbwbll L. Avery WnxiAH H. there was announced the installation of an John Borden Frederick H. Rawson ADDED TO LIBRARY WnxiAu J. Chalhers George A. Richardson exhibit of extinct North American birds in Joseph N. Field Fred W. Sargent Hall 21. Eight of the twelve species that By B. E. Dahlgren Marshall Field Stephen C. Sihus have ceased to exist are from of Stanley Field James Simpson totally shown, Curator, Department Botany the last recorded in to the Ernest R. Grahau Solomon A. Smith great auk, 1844, In the work of Field Museum on plants Albert W. Harris Albert A. Spragub heath hen, which became extinct on Martha's Jr. Silas H. of the American tropics the library of the Samuel Insull, Strawn in 1932. Cyrus H. McCoruick Lesub Wheeler Vineyard Department of Botany has gradually P. the of the John Wilson To complete picture changing acquired most of the publications of im- bird fauna in a similar exhibit OFFICERS America, portance in that particular field. of introduced birds was Stanley Field Praident foreign recently A recent addition, Velloso's Flora flumin- Albert A. Sprague Fir$t Vice-Pretideni installed in the same hall by Staff Taxi- curious James Simpson Second Vice-President ensis, is sufficiently voluminous and dermist Hine, who has since resigned. Albert W. Harris Third Vice-Pretideni Ashley to deserve special mention and has, besides, In six after the first American Stephen C. Simms Director and Secretary 1850, years an unusual history. With its eleven volumes Solomon A. Smith . . . Treasurer and Assistant Secretary the became bird, great auk, extinct, English of folio size plates it is inferior in bulk only were and released in sparrows imported to Martius' great Flora of Brazil (long in FIELD MUSEUM NEWS for their value in con- Brooklyn supposed the library) with which it naturally invites C. Director the Museum Editor Stephen Simms, of trolling insect pests of agriculture. It is comparison. But the well-known work CONTRIBUTING EDITORS true that an occasional swarm of army which bears the name of Martius is the Paul S. Martin Acting Curator of Anthropology worms has been exterminated by English result of the labor of dozens of specialists B. E. Dahlgren Curator oj Botany sparrows, and during the nesting season in institutions during Henry W. Nichols Curator working European of Geology the young birds are fed largely on insects, Wilfred H. Osgood Curaior of Zoology the latter half of the nineteenth century. but the plans of the persons responsible for H. B. Harte Managing Editor Velloso's flora, published in 1825, is a the introduction have gone far astray. product of the century preceding, having Disease is spread on poultry farms by Field Museum is open every day of the year during been written before 1790. It was the work the hours indicated below: sparrows, economically valuable native birds of a Franciscan brother occupied with the Nov., Dec., Jan., Mar. 9 A.M. to 4:30 P.M. are harassed and driven away, and damage Feb., collection and description of plants in Minas April, September, October 9 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. to agriculture exceeds the benefits. May, June, July, August 9 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Gteraes and later in the Rio de Janeiro region. It is a surprise to many people to know Admission is free to Members on all days. Other The sixteen hundred odd plates that form that the or house is not adults are admitted free on Thursdays, Saturdays and English sparrow the bulk of the publication were largely non-members 25 cents on other related to our own native Sundays; pay days. closely sparrows. the work of his Soldano, like- Children are admitted free on all Students and companion days. He actually belongs to the great family faculty members of educational institutions are admit- wise a Franciscan, but various other drafts- of weaver all of whose members have ted free any day upon presentation of credentials. birds, men are also listed as contributors. After their native home in the Old World. The Museum's natural history Library is open for the death of the chief author these plates reference daily except Saturday afternoon and ^mday. The other obvious most foreigner among were preserved in the National Library Traveling exhibits are circulated in the schools of our native birds is the European starling. where have remained un- Chicago by the N. W. Harris Public School Extension they might Introduced in New York in it did Department of the Museum. 1890, published indefinitely but for the appearance not become well established for some time, of Lectures for schools, and special entertainments of some parts of a botanical publication and tours for children at the Museum, are provided and only in recent years has it become Martius that were brought to the attention the James Nelson and Anna by Louise Raymond common in the Chicago area. Its food of Dom Pedro I. Foundation for Public School and Children's Lectures. of the young emperor Brazil, habits recommend it more to our tolerance Announcements of free to a story, told illustrated lectures for the of house but as According contemporary and for than those the sparrow, public, special lectures Members of the Museum, by Martius himself, Dom Pedro is said to will in Field Museum News. the starling is partially migratory (the house appear have exclaimed: "Must foreigners come to A cafeteria in the Museum serves visitors. Rooms sparrow is a resident) it is potentially a describe our plants? Could we not do this are provided for those bringing their lunches. source of widespread danger. The starling's for ourselves?" Informed by his father Chicago Motor Coach Company No. 26 buses go habit of gathering in huge flocks in fall and direct to the Museum. confessor of the existence of Velloso's manu- winter and using city buildings for its Members are requested to inform the Museum script he immediately ordered its publica- promptly of changes of address. roosting places has caused much damage. tion, authorizing the embassy in Paris to Both and are here to sparrow starling arrange for the engraving and printing of the MEMBERSHIP IN FIELD MUSEUM stay. There is no possibility of eliminating plates by one of the foremost lithographic Field Museum has several for their numbers are and classes of Members. them, legion they houses of Europe. Benefactors give or devise $100,000 or more. Contribu- occupy very extensive territory. tors give or devise $1,000 to $100,000. Life Members While this work, begun on a sumptuous Non-Resident Lite Two birds, the ring-necked pheasant give $500; and Associate Members game scale, was still under way the political Non-Resident Associate are well estab- pay $100; Members pay $50. and the European partridge, forced abdication All the above classes are from dues. situation the emperor's exempt Sustaining lished in regions. They will never Members contribute $25 After six many and return to his native land, Portugal. annually. years they become economic because the become Associate Members. Annual Members con- problems Velloso's flora was forgotten for the time tribute $10 annually. Other memberships are Corpo- annual toll taken by fall hunting will keep and being and the flow of funds for its publication rate, Honorary, Patron, Corresponding, additions their numbers within bounds. It is unfortu- under these classifications being made by action interrupted. The mill furnishing the paper special nate that the thousands of dollars of the Board of Trustees. many had apparently not then been paid in full Each Member, in all is entitled free in and classes, to spent transplanting propagating and on the strength of its claim the entire admission to the Museum for himself, his family and these birds could not have been spent in house guests, and to two reserved seats for Museum edition was seized from the engravers. A conserving our own native game birds which, lectures provided for Members. Subscription to Field considerable part of the still unbound plates Museum News is included with all without furnish better from memberships. The question, sport is said to have been sold for cartridge paper courtesies of museum of in every note the United the true sportsman's point of view, as well which was States and Canada are extended to all Members of to the government of France, as being economically more valuable to Field Museum. A Member may give his personal card then engaged in a war in Algeria. to non-residents of Chicago, of upon presentation agriculture. is one of a number which will be admitted to Field Museum's copy they the Museum without The Chinese spotted dove and the ringed charge. Further information about memberships will which were salvaged and presumably turtle dove have been introduced in Cali- be sent on request. delivered in the course of time to the fornia, the skylark on Vancouver Island, Brazilian government. It is in an excellent BEQUESTS AND ENDOWMENTS the European goldfinch on Long Island, the state of preservation. The very high grade Bequests to Field Museum of Natural tree near St. Louis, and History may European sparrow it is be made in of handmade paper on which printed securities, money, books or collections. the crested mynah in British Columbia. They may, if desired, take the form of a a hundred and ten memorial to as become economi- remains, after years, a person or cause, named the None of these have yet by giver. almost as perfect and fresh in appearance Cash contributions made within the taxable year cally important. Many other attempted as if it were off the not exceeding 15 per cent of the taxpayer's net income introductions have failed. just press. are allowable as deductions in computing net income The belated publication of this work, under Article 251 of If an exotic form is able to establish itself Regulation 69 relating to the more than after income tax under the Revenue Act of 1926. in a new home, it generally means that it undertaken thirty-five years said to have cost the Endowments may be made to the Museum with the is escaping some controlling factor in its it was written, is provision that an annuity be paid to the for life. a million patron original environment that kept its numbers Brazilian imperial government These annuities are tax-free and are guaranteed against fluctuation in amount. within reason. No one can predict what francs, a very large sum for its day. July, 19S5 FIELD MUSEUM NEWS Pages FIELD MUSEUM EXHIBITS WORLD'S ONLY ARTICULATED SKELETON OF ASTRAPOTHERIUM

By Elmer S. Rigcs nose and a prehensile upper lip which filled rests upon the ground. The foot is so Associate Curator of Paleontology out the open space above the lower jaw slender and the bones so weak in proportion One of the most treasured specimens of and served the animal in grasping its food. to the size of the animal as to indicate that South American fossil mammals has been The lower incisor teeth are broad and have the weight was borne upon a pad which added recently to the collections in Ernest rounded, chisel-shaped crowns. The evi- enveloped the entire sole of the foot. R. Graham Hall (Hall 38). It is a unique dence of wear on these teeth shows that they The unusual features in the structure skeleton of the strange beast Astrapolherium were opposed by some part of the mouth of this animal are receiving detailed scientific magnum. This is the first articulated skeleton not preserved in the bony structure—prob- study from well-known paleontologists, not- of this animal known, and the first to be ably the prehensile upper lip. The molars ably Dr. William Berryman Scott of Prince- placed on exhibition in any museum. Also, are similar to those of certain river rhinoc- ton University, an eminent authority on it is the first specimen of the entire order, eroses, and adapted to feeding upon fleshy South American mammals. His forthcoming Astrapotheria, to become so fully known. plants. The back of the palate is not publications may be expected to throw much

Astrapotherlum Magnum, a Unique and Important Fossil Exhibit A skeleton of an extinct South American mammal which is of extreme interest to paleontologists, now on view in Ernest R. Graham Hall. In mounting the skeleton it has been posed to represent the position of the animal lying down. AstTa-potherium, in standing position, was about five feet in height, and nine and one-half feet in length.

From this specimen it becomes possible to bridged over by the bony structures common light on the systematic position and the establish definitely the relationships of this in animals which feed under water. relationships of this most bizarre animal. group of animals to other great orders of The neck of Asirapotherium was moder- In general it may be said that Asirapo- extinct South American mammals. ately long for an animal of its stature. The therium was a low-ground or a river-fre- The Astrapotherium lived during the body was rather long and slender with a quenting animal which fed upon fleshy, Miocene period, about twelve million years deep, narrow chest. Twenty-four body moist plants such as canes or rushes, ago. The skeleton shows that it stood vertebrae are present in the skeleton and much as the modern hippopotamus does. nearly five feet in height and was nine and nineteen pairs of ribs. The forelegs are It may have swum in lakes or rivers. The one-half feet long. The head was massive, rather long and strong as is consistent with animal was first reported nearly eighty years and the mouth was armed with four strong a deep and well-muscled shoulder. The ago and has since become known from tusks somewhat like those of the wild boar. forefoot had five toes which were enclosed various specimens consisting of teeth, jaws The upper tusks, triangular in cross- apparently in a fleshy pad like that of and a considerable number of entire skulls. section, curved downward to meet a shorter the elephant. The hind legs were much These specimens have been found most pair in the lower jaw. The nasal opening more slender than the forelegs and the abundantly in formations of Miocene age was wide, and opened upward and forward entire hind quarters were relatively light. in southern Argentina. More recently speci- much like that of the modern tapir. Appar- The hind foot was of the plantigrade struc- mens of related animals have been found in ently it was surmounted by a large pouchy ture in which the entire sole of the foot Uruguay, Colombia and Venezuela.

FAMILY TREE OF REPTILES ancient waters; while dinosaurs were the It is thus apparent that reptiles stand at By D. Dwight Davis predominating land animals. Although one of the great crossroads in the history Assistant, Department of Zoology some of these animals, such as the well of life on the earth. Although they them- known Broniosaurus, reached the size and selves represented a distinct advance over The of reptiles is a long one, genealogy weight of a railroad locomotive, most of their amphibian ancestors, their descendants, back into the earth's more extending history them were small. Indeed, some of the most birds and mammals, far outstripped them, than two hundred million years. They interesting were no larger than a chicken. and even brought about their undoing. reached the peak of their struggle for The dramatic rise and fall of the reptile Birds and mammals, with their superior supremacy long ago, and now, reduced in line is in itself, a fascinating topic that has intelligence, their warm blood, and their numbers, only a handful of mostly small attracted many students. From the evolu- higher organization, rapidly usurped the and highly specialized types remains. tionary standpoint, however, this is over- dominating position so long held by reptiles, The actual of the line beginning reptile shadowed by the still more interesting part and have since reduced them to a few small is a secret that never will be known. — probably they have played in the history of verte- and relatively unimportant survivors the It taken time must have place some during brates. Just as the amphibians grade crocodilians, lizards, snakes, and the tur- the Carboniferous or Coal but Era, Age, almost imperceptibly into the reptiles in tles. the fossil record is not clear. very During the Carboniferous, so do certain reptilian An exhibit depicting the central place the Mesozoic or "middle in the Era, age" groups gradually take on the characteristics in vertebrate history held by reptiles has earth's history, reptiles underwent an of mammals and birds at a later time. The recently been installed in Hall 19, together extraordinary differentiation. An abundance famous Karoo beds of South Africa have with skeletons of each of the surviving of fossils shows that they dominated the yielded fossils which, although true reptiles, groups. This exhibit was prepared by Mr. entire animal world. Grotesque pterodactyls are more like mammals in nearly every E. N. Gueret and the writer from data occupied the air before there were any feature of their anatomy. Some of the small recently published by Dr. A. S. Roraer. birds; fishlike ichthyosaurs, together with dinosaurs, on the other hand, become in- Many of the extinct forms are exhibited in mosasaurs and turtles, inhabited the creasingly birdlike. Ernest R. Graham Hall (Hall 38). Page U FIELD MUSEUM NEWS July, 1 9S5

HISTORY OF LEMONADE cloth of silk with designs in gold and silver GUIDE-LECTURE TOURS thread. On her head and about her neck With the season for iced drinks here, it During July and August the conducted she wears the typical ornaments of a bride, is interesting to find that lemonade has a tours of the exhibits under the guidance of honorable in the Orient. while her wrists support huge bracelets long and history staff lecturers will be given on a special covered with thin gold plate in design. On According to an article by the late Dr. schedule, as follows: the fifth of her is a Berthold Laufer, former Curator of Anthro- finger hand long golden —a result of Chinese Mondays: 11 A.M., Halls Showing Plant Life; 3 p.m., pology, lemonade was a favorite beverage fingernail protector General Tour. influence. of the Mongol emperors in China, and they Tuesdays: H a.m.. Halls of Primitive and Civilized The is dressed less than •were so fond of it that they appointed a groom elaborately Peoples; 3 p.m., General Tour. the bride, but his show some of special official of high rank to take charge garments Wednesdays: 11 A.M., Animal Groups; 3 P.M., the best of the tribe. The lower General Tour. of its constant preparation. Dr. Laufer weaving Thursdays: 11 A.M. and 3 General Tours. wrote, in part: p.m., "Mar a Nestorian who Fridays: 11 A.M., Minerals and Prehistoric Exhibits; Sergius, Christian, 3 P.M., General Tour. founded a Nestorian church at Chenkiang in A.D. 1281, was reputed, as were his an- There are no tours on Saturdays, Sundays, cestors, for his ability to prepare sherbets or the July Fourth holiday. and the (including lemonade), emperor Persons wishing to participate in the tours bestowed him a in the form upon diploma should apply at the North Entrance. The of a him the gold tablet, granting privilege tours are free, and no gratuities are to be of himself to that especially applying occupa- proffered. Guide-lecturers' services for tion. Mar was to send to Sergius obliged special tours by parties of ten or more are the court of sherbet annually forty jars available free of charge by arrangement with prepared from the juices of lemons, grapes, the Director a week in advance. quinces and oranges. These beverages were believed to have curative powers. On various occasions this official lemonade Gifts to the Museum maker was ordered to make special journeys Following is a list of some of the principal haste to various in post points the empire gifts received during the last month: to prepare the drinks for special functions. From Helmuth Bay— 15 specimens of woods, Nor- "Of the numerous useful fruits that we way; from School of Forestry, Yale University —37 owe to India the lemon is the most demo- herbarium— specimens, Ecuador; from Robert M. cratic and most known. It has Zingg 21 herbarium specimens, Mexico; from Pro- widely fessor Manuel Valerie—25 herbarium become a denizen of the with specimens, world, and, Costa Rica; from Leslie Wheeler—43 owls, 11 hawks, its Indie name, has penetrated even into and a vulture; from J. H. Dekker—a fox and a badger, from —6 the darkest parts of Africa and the tropical Iraq; Henry Dybas snakes, Indiana; from Chicago Zoological Society —4 lizards, 2 sand of South America. Next to the snakes, jungles Menangkabau Bride and Groom a caracal, and a desert monitor; from Bruno Schoemann word 'tobacco' the word 'lemon' is the most —3 snakes, Brazil; from Dr. W. E. Hoffmann—8 Life-size models of native Sumatrans in the elabo- turtles, South China; from H. B. Conover—a mallard universal, reverberating with only slight rate worn on the exhibited in trappings wedding day, duck and a ground dove, Illinois and Brazil; from Sir modifications from of the Hall G. every tongue Charles Belcher—an orange-crested manakin, British globe. Guiana; from General Biological Supply House—2 borders of his and sleeves "The earliest references to lemons in jacket have salamanders, Portugal; from Lincoln Park Zoo—a designs woven in gold thread, while similar polar bear skeleton; from Howard Cleaves—a bob- India on the part of European travelers are from Otto Aubert—a designs appear on the trousers and belt. white, Wisconsin; porcupine by a Friar Odoric of the fourteenth century, skeleton, Wisconsin; from Frank L. Thomas—a native Thrust into his belt is the kris or who on a visit to Ceylon described a pool fighting copper glacial boulder, Indiana. knife, traditional of the full of precious stones, and abounding in weapon Malay. leeches. The king, he related, allowed the NEW MEMBERS poor to search the water for the stones once SPHERICAL CONCRETIONS The following persons were elected to or twice a year, and to take whatever they Visitors sometimes some of inquire why membership in Field Museum during the could find. But in order that they might the concretions in the large collection in from 16 to June 15: be able to enter the water in period May safety they Clarence Buckingham Hall (Hall 35) are bruised lemons and anointed their Associate Members copiously spheres. Concretions assume many fantastic bodies with the to the leeches juice keep forms, but when grown under ideal condi- Mrs. Clarence A. Burley, Walter L. Cherry, Jr., from them." W. S. Clithero, Miss Elsa W. Junker, Sigmund Kun- biting tions they are spheres as is illustrated a by stadter, Mrs. William P. Martin, Samuel R. Noble, recent addition to the collection presented Samuel J. Walker. SUMATRAN WEDDINGS Mr. A. F. of by Sitterle, Chicago. A study Annual Members Among the Menangkabau tribe, of central of this sand-calcite concretion, partially Horace White Armstrong, Edward Buker, Miss is a serious matter. embedded in its sandstone Sumatra, marriage really matrix, may M. M. Capper, Carroll G. Chase, Samuel T. Chase, Contrasted to the spur-of-the-moment wed- make the reason for the ideal form easier James F. Clancy, Mrs. Schuyler M. Coe, R. Cooper, dings contracted in perfunctory ceremonies to understand. Jr., Leonard S. Florsheim, D. B. Fulton, Mrs. Cora S. Warren C. Horton, Morton D. Mrs. at some of our Gretna Greens, where a few This concretion was formed in a sandstone Hirsch, Hull, Franklin Marling, Jr., Jesse L. McLaughlin, Alfred C. hours' or even a few minutes' acquaintance bed by growth, from the center, of a Meyer, J. H. Millsaps, Montrose Newman, Mrs. H. Dr. William may be a couple's only preliminary to mass of minute calcite crystals which fill Leslie H. Nichols, W. Parker, Raim, Mrs. W. W. Cranston Mrs. Leslie the between the of sand. The Rice, Spray, Berwyn rnatrimony, Menangkabau go through spaces grains Steven. eight solid days of elaborate and solemn sandstone is of the variety called freestone, ceremonials, culminating in a grand finale made up of uniform grains with the porosity Noted Orientalists Visit Museum of feasting and dancing on the final day. equal in all directions. The concretion grew In Hall G (devoted to ethnology of the by the deposition of carbonate of lime from Three of the world's most noted authori- Malay Peninsula and Malay Archipelago) hard water which slowly percolated through ties on Chinese art and archaeology, so- there are exhibited life size models of a the porous stone. This deposit from hard journing in Chicago recently, visited Field Menangkabau bride and groom, dressed in water is not unusual —it accounts for the Museum on June 12 to inspect the Oriental the elaborate garments used on such an occa- scale formed in steam boilers and tea kettles. collections of this institution. These visitors, sion. The trappings for these figures were col- The concretion started as a single crystal all from England, are Mr. George Eumor- lected for the Museum by the Arthur B. of minute size or by the coating of a small forpoulos, founder of the famous Eumor- Jones Expedition to Malaysia. nucleus and grew outwards. The reason for forpoulos Collection recently purchased by A Menangkabau wedding is strictly an its spherical form is merely the absence of the British nation for the Victoria and Albert affair of the matriarchal family. A repre- any reason for another shape. With con- Museum; Mr. Robert Lockhart Hobson, sentative of the family negotiates the ditions uniform on all sides of the growing Keeper of the Department of Ceramics and match, sets the time, and prepares the mass there is no reason why it should grow Ethnography in the British Museum, and wedding feast. The garments worn by the faster in one direction than another. If it cataloguer of the Eumorforpoulos Collec- bride are family possessions, and are used grows equally in all directions the shape is tion; and Mr. Oscar Raphael, a well-known for generations. necessarily that of a sphere. The reason private collector. A fourth member of The dresses shown on the Museum's why more concretions are not spheres is their party, Sir Percival David, who has models are typical of those worn by the that ideal conditions are as seldom en- published many important catalogues of bride and groom on the final day. The countered where concretions are growing Oriental art, was unable to accompany the bride wears skirt, jacket, and shoulder as they are elsewhere. —H.W.N. others on the Museum visit. PRINTC9 Br FIELD MUSEUM r>RCSS News Published Monthly by Field Museum of Natural History, Chicago

Vol. 6 AUGUST, 1935 No. 8

SKELETON OF HUGE MEGATHERIUM, GREATEST OF GROUND SLOTHS, EXHIBITED By Elmer S. Riggs standing position they turn outward in an originated there about 40,000,000 years ago, Associate Curator of Paleontology awkward manner unlike that of any modern and was confined to that continent until In any collection of ground sloths, a mammal. The weight was thus borne land connections were established between specimen of the great Megatherium naturally upon the side of the foot and upon the North and South America at the Isthmus takes first place. Not alone his great size great projecting heel. The single massive of Panama. Later, many species of these and peculiar characteristics command for and strongly curved claw was apparently animals came northward and have left their him that position, but his early discovery used as an anchorage to the ground when fossil remains abundantly in the asphaltum on the pampas of Argentina and his wide the animal reared upright in feeding. The pools of Los Angeles and less numerously in distribution over the two Americas have tail served as a third support in that position. other parts of the United States. made him the best- In South America known of the ground at least one species of sloths. ground sloth is be- A mounted skeleton lieved to have sur- of Megatherium ameri- vived until after the canum, the largest appearance of man on species of this animal, that continent. Fresh has just been placed bone of one species of on exhibition in Ernest these animals {Glosso- R. Graham Hall (Hall therium listai Ame- 38) of Field Museum. ghino) as well as quan- This skeleton replaces tities of dried skin a plaster cast, copies with hair intact, of which have been ordure, and other evi- exhibited in many mu- dences of animal pres- seums. From these ence, were found casts, as well as from forty years ago in a figures reproduced in cave-shelter at Last many text-books, this Hope Inlet, Patagonia. animal has become The presence in the widely known. same shelter of quan- The skeleton as tities of cut grass has mounted has a length been taken as evidence of eighteen feet from that man and sloth the nose to the end of inhabited the cave at the tail. The body is about the same time. very broad in propor- Megatherium lived tion to its length, about 20,000 years much broader than ago. was represented by The skeleton of the older casts and Megatherium recently figures. The head, placed on exhibition nearly a yard in in Field Museum was length, is deep and collected by the massive in propor- Second Marshall Field tions. The lower jaw Paleontological Ex- in the portion which pedition to Argentina supports the molar and Bolivia in 1927. teeth is especially It was found in a high, massive. The jaws, eroded bank of the both above and be- River Quequen Salada low, are armed with at the south coast of great prismatic molar Megatherium Americanum, a Giant Eighteen Feet Long the Province of Buenos teeth, eight inches in Probably the only complete skeleton in any North American museum of this largest species of fossil South Aires, Argentina. length and deeply set American ground sloths, this specimen was collected by the Second Marshall Field Paleontological Expedition to Portions of the hind Argentina, It has been assembled by Preparator Phil C. Orr and placed on exhibition in Ernest R. Graham Hall. in their sockets. These legs, pelvis and tail teeth grew continu- had been eroded away. ously throughout the life of the animal and The ground sloths were plant-eaters, feed- These have been replaced by parts of a were pushed out from below to compensate ing upon the leaves and fruit of trees and somewhat more slender animal from another for the wear at the crown. The great length upon roots and tubers. The strong, claw- locality. The original skull belonging to of tooth was made necessary by the entire bearing forefeet were equally well adapted this skeleton is exhibited in a neighboring lack of the hard enamel coating which to pulling down branches of trees and to case along with specimens of seventeen other serves in protecting the teeth of most other digging in the earth for food. The accom- species of South American ground sloths. mammals. There were no front teeth either panying photograph of the skeleton shows above or below. The arches are the animal reared the hind while temporal upon legs The processes of printing and wood en- extended into which furnished the forefeet are a branched long processes resting upon graving employed in China and Tibet are surface for attachment of the tree. In this greater position Megatherium may illustrated by exhibits in the Department of the source of in have often fed the sweet and much- temporal muscles, power upon Anthropology. grinding the food. prized seed pods of the algaroba tree which The forefeet are prehensile and are armed is widely distributed through the regions it An exhibit of the fibrous minerals from with three long claws each. The hind legs inhabited. which asbestos is made, with specimens of are relatively short and massive, measuring More than fifty species of ground sloths a wide variety of asbestos products, is in- fourteen inches across the knee-joint. The have been reported from various sections of cluded among the Museum's economic hind feet are so constructed that in the South America. The entire sloth tribe geology collections. 2 Page FIELD MUSEUM NEWS Atigxist, 19S5

Field Museum of Natural History COLLECTION OF REEF FISHES In color, these fishes show the most amaz- Founded by Marshall Field. 1893 FROM THE SOUTH SEAS ing combinations of reds, blues and yellows, set off and RooMTelt Road and Lake Michigan, Chicago By Alfred C. Weed accented by black and white. The alcoholic for Assistant Curator of Fishes specimens the study THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES collection show none of this brilliant color Field Museum has Ssn-ELL L. Avery William H. Mitchell received, from the and would hardly be recognized as the same John Borden Frederick H. Rawson recent expedition of the John G. Shedd fishes. Wnxtui J. CHAUists George A. Richardson Aquarium to the South Seas, a large and Joseph N. Field Fred W. Sargent So far, the Museum has received about valuable collection of fishes taken in Marshall Field Stephen C. Simms very sixty species collected on the reef at Suva, Stanxey Field James Simpson Hawaii and Most of the was Kji. collecting Fiji, and about the same number from Ernest R. Graham Solomon A. Smith done on the reef at Suva and around the Albert W. Harris Albert A. Sprague Hawaii. Since many of the species found coral beaches and shores near Samuel Iksull, Jr. Silas H. Strawn reefs, rocky at one place were not taken at the other, Cyrus H. McCorhick Leslie Wheeler Honolulu. there will be nearly a hundred species in John P.'. WasoN of collectors fishes The work of is often the entire collection. OFFICERS thought of as fishing with hook and line or Stanley Field President nets, or else buying specimens caught by Albert A. Sprague Firtt Vict-Pretident market fishermen. On this there SUN'S James Simpson Second Viee-Praidenl expedition RAYS BREAK ROCK Albert W. Harris Third Viee-Pretident was a large amount of more violent exercise. By Henry W. Nichols Stephen C. Sdims Director and hours were in Secretary Many spent turning over large Curator, Department of Geology Solomon A. Smith . . . Treaturer and Amiitant Secretary blocks of coral to find the small, brilliant A collection installed in fishes that had hidden under them during recently Clarence Hall FIELD MUSEUM NEWS low tide. Large coral heads were broken Buckingham (Hall 35) illustrates a destructive action of the sun's Stephen C. Simms, Director of the Muteum Editor up with hammers to get out fishes that had rays upon rock which seems to be little to CONTRIBUTING EDITORS taken refuge inside. known others than geologists. This destructive Paul S. Martin Acting Curator of Anthropology Some little rock skippers were found in action is evident in western B. E. DAHLGREN Curator of Botany tide pools on the lava shores. When the especially Henry W. Nichols Curator of Geology Iraq and eastern Transjordania, where Wilfred H. Osgood collectors came near these pools, some of Curator of Zoology most of the specimens shown were collected H. B. Hartb Managing Editor the fishes would rush across the rocks and Mr. leader of the Marshall dive into the sea. The only way they could by Henry Field, F^eld North Arabian Desert be taken was by having one man stand in Expedition of Field Museum is open every day of the year during 1927-28. the hours indicated below: the surf to catch them in a hand net after had been herded into the water Insolation, which means exposure to the Nov., Dec., Jan., Feb., Mar. 9 a.m. to 4:30 P.M. they by influence of the sun's in April, September, October 9 AJI. to 5:00 P.M. the others. It is reported that they traveled rays, has, some May, June, July, August 9 A.M. to 6:00 P.M. over the wet rocks faster than a man climates, a destructive action upon surfaces Admission is free to Members on all days. Other could run. of rock. The destruction is greatest in adults are admitted free on and Thursdays, Saturdays Of there was also with hook regions where the sunshine is hot, where Sundays; non-members pay 25 cents on other days. course, fishing there is a difference Children are admitted free on all days. Students and and line and some species could only be great between the faculty members of educational institutions are admit- caught on the smallest hooks in the most temperature of day and night, and where ted free any day upon presentation of credentials. violent surf. Not much fishing was done the air is dry. The Museum's natural is for history Library open with nets because of the but Naked rock surfaces are heated reference daily except Saturday afternoon and Sunday. long coral, dip strongly nets used when to the sun's and cool Traveling exhibits are circulated in the schools of were freely. exposed rays Chicago by the N. W. Harris Public School Extension Besides the labor of getting the fishes out rapidly by radiation at night. The rock of the Museum. Department of their hiding places, the men had to be surface expands when heated and contracts Lectures for and schools, special entertainments careful not to be injured by the specimens as it cools during the night. Strains induced and tours for children at the are Museum, provided were of the eels were the continual and contractions by the James Nelson and Anna Louise Raymond they taking. Some by expansions Foundation for Public School and Children's Lectures. vicious and made savage attacks when may become greater than the rock can Announcements of free illustrated lectures for the driven from the holes where they had taken endure. Fragments break away from the and public, special lectures for Members of the Museum, refuge. surface in the form of sand, gravel and will appear in Field Museum News. Many with dangerously poisonous chips. Even large fragments are broken A cafeteria in the Museum serves visitors. Rooms ^species were back. them from the rock in this This are provided for those bringing their lunches. spines brought Among parent way. are: the lion with as destruction is particularly evident in desert Chicago Motor Coach Company No. 26 buses go fish, long spines thin, direct to the Museum. stiff and sharp as the finest needles, each regions on account of the unusually favorable Members are requested to inform the Museum with a poison gland near its tip; a black conditions there. The difference between promptly of changes of address. catfish marked with white stripes, that is as the temperatures of day and night is ex- as of the mad toms of our the sunshine is and the MEMBERSHIP IN FIELD MUSEUM dangerous any treme, hot, dryness brooks; a fish that looks just like a lump of the air favors both rapid heating during Field Museum has several classes of Members. of wave-washed coral covered with a the and rapid radiation of the heat Benefactors give or devise $100,000 or more. Contribu- growth day tors give or devise $1,000 to JIOO.OOO. Life Members of all manner of marine plants and animals, during the night. give $500; Non-Resident Life and Associate Members and a row of deadly spines along its back; Coarse-grained rocks like granite acquire pay $100; Non-Resident Associate Members pay $50. and a fish that is sometimes called "stinging- a surface from the breaking of All the above classes are exempt from dues. Sustaining rough away Members contribute $25 annually. After six years they fish." Most of these are simply called individual crystals. Dense, flinty rock sur- become Associate Members. Annual Members con- "poison-fish" by the natives and all are faces are often covered with pits of a tribute $10 Other annually. memberships are Corpo- avoided. characteristic form called conchoidal because rate, Honorary, Patron, and Corresponding, additions strictly under these classifications being made by special action There are also many scorpion-fishes, with the curved, often ridged, depressions suggest of the Board of Trustees. sharp, dangerous spines on head and back; impressions left by shells or fragments of Each Member, in all is entitled free classes, to surgeon-fishes, with sharp, knife-like spines shell. admission to the Museum for himself, his and family the sides of and that house guests, and to two reserved seats for Museum on the tail; tangs, Other places where the effects of insolation lectures for sides of the tail provided Members. Subscription to Field carry in sheaths at the are especially evident are exposed mountain Museum News is included with all memberships. The spines like small knife blades, that in rarefied courtesies of museum of note sharp peaks where the atmosphere the every in the United can be out and used as States and Canada are extended to all Members of opened dangerous heating effects of the direct rays of the sun Field Museum. A fishes Member may give his personal card cutting weapons. Many of the other are great and the cooling at night extreme. to non-residents of Chicago, upon presentation of had sharp teeth or spines which they tried of loose rock which mantles the which they will be admitted to the Museum without Much the to use on the collectors. charge. Further information about memberships will tops and slopes of such peaks is due to insola- be sent on brilliant request. In the collection are many species tion, although much of it is a consequence of AND butterfly-fishes, wrasses, parrot-fishes, of the action of frost. BEQUESTS ENDOWMENTS squirrel-fishes, trigger-fishes, file-fishes and Bequests to Field Museum of Natural History may others that have no names in English. be made in books securities, money, or collections. There are several of a The collection of gems and jewels in They may, if desired, take the form of a memorial species Amphiprion, to Hall includes a person or cause, named by the giver. small reef fish that lives in close company H. N. Higinbotham (HaU 31) Cash contributions made within the taxable year with a sea-anemone. Every few minutes a cut brown-pink gem tourmaline weighing not 15 exceeding per cent of the taxpayer's net income one of these fishes will settle down onto 58 carats. are allowable as deductions in computing net income under its anemone and rub its sides the Article 251 of Regulation 69 relating to the pet along income tax under the Revenue Act of 1926. mass of tentacles. When the fish wishes Of unusual interest among the reptile Endowments may be made to the Museum with the to rest it will lie in the center of the sea- exhibits is the rare giant dragon-lizard of provision that an be to the annuity paid patron for life. anemone, which will then curl its filaments Komodo, which may be seen in Albert W. These annuities are tax-free and are guaranteed against fluctuation in amount. around it. Harris Hall (Hall 18). August, 19S5 FIELD MUSEUM NEWS Pages

OSAGE ORANGE WOOD PRIZED Pacific to carry messages like homing COLLECTION OF WOODEN MODELS BY INDIANS FOR BOWS pigeons. FROM EGYPTIAN TOMBS Also of special interest is the flightless By Llewelyn Williams How the ancient Egyptians visualized cormorant which is found only on the Assistant Curator of Economic Botany the of the normal activities of Galapagos Islands and which in consequence projection life on earth to the hereafter is well illustrated When the early French settlers landed in of its isolated habitat and lack of any in a collection of wooden model groups of Louisiana in the seventeenth century and necessity or inclination to travel has wings people and various objects of every-day use, explored the surrounding territory they dis- of very much reduced size, making it a on exhibition in Hall J. These models were covered many plants and trees that were parallel in development to the extinct great buried in graves of the Old Kingdom new to them. West of the Mississippi, near auk. Shown also is the species of cormorant (2500 B.C.) and the Middle Kingdom (2000 a village of the Osage Indians, they found which the Japanese train to catch and B.C.). a number of small, thorny trees with retrieve fish, a ring being placed around the Starting in the Old Kingdom time with globular, golden-colored fruit. Perhaps bird's neck to prevent it from swallowing single figures of the dead themselves, their with scornful reference to the inedible the fish. The late Dr. Berthold Laufer, children, and their household servants, qualities of the fruit, they called it Osage former Curator of Anthropology, wrote a which, it was believed, would serve in orange or mock orange, although it has no monograph on this subject issued by the another world as substitute bodies if the botanical relationship to the citrus fruits. Museum in the Anthropological Series of original mummies should perish, there The elastic wood of the publications. compact, Osage developed during the Middle Kingdom a orange tree was the Indians for All of these sea birds are more or less prized by custom of placing in the tombs elaborate making war clubs and bows—hence the or of low rank in the scale of primitive groups representing in part people at their French name bois d'arc now evolution, it is stated Mr. Boulton. (bow-wood), by household duties, and partly the ceremonies to bodark. Chroniclers relate The exhibit was Staff Taxi- corrupted prepared by conducted for the benefit of the dead. As that the of a bow was a horse and dermist John W. A wide range of price Moyer. food was fundamental, figures representing blanket. The wood is known in different the making of bread and beer, and showing localities various other names such as by ovens and baskets of food, were prominent. bodeck, yellow-wood, Osage apple tree, or On the religious side, many of the models tree. The scientific is hedge designation represented boats transporting the dead to Madura in honor of William aurantiaca, the tomb of Osiris at Abydos, since all of Maclure, an eminent geologist. this god's subjects wished to visit him in of is limited to The natural range the tree person or in proxy. Often the actual mum- southern Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Texas, mies were transported to this tomb. the region of its greatest abundance being the valley of the Red River. In the south ANCIENT DEITIES OF MEXICO it was formerly planted to mark the boundaries of plantations and it is still A collection of stone statues representing used in the middle west for hedges. various deities of the ancient aboriginal Although the mock orange belongs to the inhabitants of Mexico has been placed on same family as the mulberry and fig, its exhibition in the hall of Mexican and wood does not share the characteristic of Central American archaeology (Hall 8). beliefs softness found in their woods. Osage I lu' Wandering Albatross Curious sidelights on the religious orange wood is exceptionally hard and Largest of all flying birds. This specimen is in- of the Aztecs, Toltecs, and related peoples, heavy, noted for its strength and durability, cluded in new exhibit of ocean-ranging birds in Hall 21. are reflected in the symbolism of these its resistance to atmospheric changes, and carvings, some of which are crudely executed, its in with others of which are of a virtual incorruptibility contact habitats, from extreme polar to extreme and examples high the soil. The is brilliant of artistic skill. heartwood yellow, tropical regions, is represented. Some of degree were con- but turns brown upon exposure. It takes the birds were collected by Museum expedi- Some of the gods represented a lustrous nected with rites of polish. tions, among them the Rawson-MacMillan especially revolting sacrifice. There is Osage orange wood is in demand for felloes Subarctic Expedition, Cornelius Crane human Huehueteotl, god of to human victims were offered of wagons used in sandy regions, insulator Pacific Expedition, Marshall Field Chilean fire, whom into a furnace pins, fence posts, and bridge piling. The Expedition, and the two expeditions by throwing them and, just bark of the root yields a yellow dye used by sponsored by Mr. Leon Mandel, one to before they expired, withdrawing them, a knife the early pioneers on homespun cloth, and Venezuela and one to Guatemala. Other cutting the breast open with stone heart. was now employed as a substitute for dyes specimens were obtained through the and removing the Then there Coatlicue of obtained from fustic. courtesy of the Chicago Zoological Society. ("Snake Skirt"), goddess rain, whose human victims were or An exhibit of Osage orange, showing decapitated and then had their skins removed to trunk, a wheel section, and typical boards, flayed, be worn as in a ritual with photographs of a tree and fruiting EAR DEFORMATION IN AFRICA garments by priests branch, has been added to Charles F. of rain. The aesthetic ambition in the life One hollowed out to hold Millspaugh Hall of North American woods great head, liquids, of a man or woman of the Akikuyu tribe one of the of the "four hun- (Hall 26). represents gods in Kenya Colony, East Africa, is to make dred kinds of drunkenness." Mr. J. Eric OCEAN BIRDS SHOWN the lobes of his ears touch his shoulders. Thompson, former Assistant Curator of Cen- An exhibit of the devices used for this tral and South American Archaeology, says Specimens of the largest bird that flies, purpose is included among the African that the ancient Mexicans used the term the most powerful of flying birds, various ethnological collections in Hall E. "four hundred" in the same sense that we rare birds, and some very strange birds, are This process of "beautification" of the use the expression "a thousand and one" included in a new exhibit of ocean-ranging ears, like many other deformations practised in making an off-hand statement. These winged creatures recently placed on exhibi- by primitive peoples, is begun in early aboriginals delighted in innumerable ways tion in Hall 21 among the systematic bird childhood, when small perforations are made of becoming intoxicated, and they celebrated collections. The new exhibit includes in the ear lobes of boys and girls. The ears each method by placing it under the tutelage twenty-seven species of loons, grebes, alba- are gradually extended to greater and of a separate deity. trosses, petrels, shearwaters, boobies, peli- greater length by the periodical introduction The goddesses of maize, and other cans, tropic birds, cormorants, and frigate of larger and larger ornaments. Disks of agricultural deities such as those of other birds. wood, heavy spirals of copper wire, gourds, crops, of the fields, and of rain, were nearest There is a fine specimen of the wandering cane peg, and many other objects are hung to the hearts of the Mexicans. One of the albatross, an inhabitant of cold southern from the perforated ear lobes and worn statues represents the principal one of these, seas, which is the largest of all flying birds. year after year. The museum collection Chicomecoatl ("Seven Snakes"). The Mexi- This is the bird made famous by Coleridge in consists of examples of the various objects cans, like many other American aboriginals, The Ancient Mariner. It is rivalled by an- thus used. Photographs of natives, taken linked the serpent closely with the idea of other species in the exhibit, the frigate bird, in the field by a Museum expedition, showing rain. Also shown are stone frogs which which, although somewhat smaller, is rated how they appear with their huge ear likewise were symbols of rain. Other deities as in many ways the most powerful bird pendants and other paraphernalia, are like- represented include Chalchiutlicue, Aztec Also are artifacts of water and sister of I that flies, according to Rudyerd Boulton, wise exhibited. displayed goddess running Assistant Curator of Birds. Frigate birds relating to other phases of the primitive Tlaloc the rain god, and Xochipilli, the fat are trained by natives of islands in the South life of these people. squatting patron of music and flowers. Page i FIELD MUSEUM NEWS August, 1935

SPECIMENS OF RARE BUFFALO all of the North American moths of the GUIDE-LECTURE TOURS PHILIPPINES collection of the late O. C. Poling are also RECEIVED FROM the conducted represented. During August tours of Field Museum has received a the exhibits under the of staff highly Among the Museum's 40,000 specimens of guidance valued of four tamarao skins, presented lecturers will be given on a special schedule, gift beetles, more than half of which are species Mr. A. W. Exline of San Mindoro as follows: by Jose, found in the United States and Canada, in the Mr. Exline is 11 Island, Philippines. are the private collections made by George Mondays: a.m., Halls Showing Plant Life; 3 p.m.. a friend of Colonel Theodore Roosevelt. General Tour. P. Wells, E. B. Chope, R. W. Gilbert, Seth While Colonel Roosevelt was Governor- Tuesdays: 11 a.m., Halls of Primitive and Civilized Lindahl and George F. Curtis. Peoples; 3 General Tour. General of the Philippine Islands he sug- p.m., In addition to the briefly enumerated Wednesdays: 11 Animal 3 gested to Mr. Exline the desirability of a a.m.. Groups; p.m.. private collections, the flnal of General Tour. group of tamarao for the Museum, and disposition which is worthy of record, there are likewise Thursdays: 11 A.M. and 3 P.M., General Tours. Mr. Exline kindly acted on this suggestion, available for study thousands of specimens Fridays: U A.M., Minerals and Prehistoric Exhibits; hunted the animals, and the present gift 3 P.M., General Tour. to other orders of like has resulted. belonging insects, bees, wasps, bugs, grasshoppers and dragon- There are no tours on Saturdays and The tamarao is a quite rare animal—a flies. Sundays. small species of buffalo found nowhere in Persons wishing to participate in the tours the world in the of the except jungles EXHIBIT OF LOOUAT should apply at the North Entrance. The island of Mindoro. It is much smaller tours are free, and no gratuities are to be than the common Asiatic water buffalo The loquat or Japanese meddler is a small proffered. Guide-lecturers' services for to which it is related, but is considered a plum-like fruit which is beginning to appear special tours by parties of ten or more are dangerous animal to hunt. Its horns lie sporadically in our markets. It is originally available free of charge by backwards above its head instead from eastern central China where it is still arrangement straight with the Director a week in advance. of flaring out like those of its Asiatic cousin. found in a semi-wild state. It has long been The tamarao is black and tan in color. The cultivated in Japan and in northern India specimens received include a bull with horns where it is greatly esteemed for its agreeable, Gifts to the Museum eighteen and three-quarters sweet-acid flavor. measuring Following is a list of some of the principal inches, to available data, The fruit is rather in which, according inconspicuous gifts received during the last month: probably are the largest on record. The appearance, being smooth, ovoid, pale yellow From Cork — 10 other three are a female, a Armstrong Company samples of specimens young cork and a photograph of cork oak; from Professor G. young bull and a calf. Plans are being Eifrig— 153 herbarium specimens, California; from formed for the preparation of a habitat James Zetek— 17 herbarium specimens, Barro Colorado from Rev. Brother Elias—70 herbarium group with these specimens. Island; speci- mens, Colombia; from Philadelphia Quartz Company —14 specimens silicate of soda and material from which it is made; from Roy Dubisch—a fox snake, Illinois; MUSEUM'S INSECT COLLECTION from F. J. W. Schmidt—a fox snake and a painted turtle, Wisconsin; from Henry Dybas—7 green snakes, EXCEEDS 150,000 SPECIMENS Wisconsin; from A. W. Exline—4 tamarao skins and Bv William J. Gerhard skulls, 4 crocodile skulls, and a gecko, Philippine Islands; from Chicago Zoological Society—3 study skins Associate Curator of Insects of birds; from Henry Field—75 ethnological objects, and from Walter —9 ethno- Visitors to Field Museum are Iraq Syria; Ellery (deceased) generally logical objects, southeastern Asia. unaware of the fact that many of the extensive exhibits are supplemented by large series of specimens that serve as study or NEW MEMBERS reference collections. These collections, The following persons were elected to which in number of and species specimens membership in Field Museum during the exceed those on are available may exhibition, period from June 17 to July 9: for study or examination by students or Associate Members those seeking information not supplied by the exhibits. Dr. Edward A. Brucker, Harry L. Diehl, Joseph Regenstein. One of these reference collections com- Annual Members prises the insects, and their allies such Dr. Alfons R. Mrs. R. J. W. C. as scorpions, centipedes and spiders. More Bacon, Beatty, Buethe, Owen L. Coon, L. Thomas Kelley, Joseph H. than are contained in 150,000 specimens Kirk, Dr. Alvin W. La Forge, Mrs. George D. this collection. Most of them are pinned, McLaughlin, Mrs. J. W. Moore, George F. Pond, labeled so as to indicate when and where James E. Rowland, Hi Simons, Mrs. William Waller, Jr., Addison W. Warner, William J. White. they were collected, and arranged in glass- drawers in cabinets that topped protect Branch of Loquat them from destruction insect Double Refraction Illustrated by living Reproduction prepared in the laboratories of the and the of pests fading tendency light. Department of Botany and placed on exhibition in The phenomenon of double refraction of are all of these ob- the Hall of Plant Life. "How . specimens light is well illustrated in the exhibit of tained?" is a common question. They are calcite in Hall 34 of the Department of to orange in color, with a downy, tough skin. the gifts and purchases of single specimens Geology. Its flesh is somewhat firm in texture but or entire collections during a period of forty Calcite, because of its molecular structure, as well as the returns of juicy, white with a tinge of buff or orange. years, numerous divides every ray of light into two rays. A variable number of rather local field trips and the partial results of a large seeds, These are refracted or bent at different of to usually five, is enclosed. number expeditions foreign countries. angles, so that images produced by the The is a small tree The Museum's series of butterflies and loquat produced by rays are separated. In the exhibit this is with a dense crown of and clusters of moths, which exceed 75,000 in number, foliage illustrated by a large calcite crystal on the scented white flowers. There are includes, in addition to many other acquisi- pleasantly back of which is a card containing some horticultural tions, the specimens of five acquired private many varieties, forty-six being printed words in one line of type. Seen enumerated from collections. The largest and most valuable Japan. through the calcite these appear as two recent the of these private collections consists of 50,000 Within years loquat has been lines of type, thus illustrating the double butterflies and moths from various parts introduced into most of the subtropical and refraction phenomenon. of the world. They represent the life work warm temperate regions of the world. It is Many minerals have this same property, of the late Dr. Herman Strecker, who was now grown successfully in the Mediterranean but the divergence of the two rays is in Central a noted authority on this order of insects. countries, and South America, especially wide in calcite. Besides the 14,217 species and varieties in and has been introduced into southern this there are also 772 California. collection, irreplace- Dinosaur Bone able types, cotypes and paratypes of 443 A reproduction of a fruiting branch of species and varieties described as new to the loquat tree has been added to the exhibit The bones of the great dinosaur in Ernest science by Strecker, Behr, Reakirt and of the rose family in the Hall of Plant Life R. Graham Hall (Hall 38) appear to be others. Other private collections of butter- (Hall 29). —B.E.D. converted wholly to chalcedony, but enough flies and moths in the Museum's possession of the original bone persists so that when a are those made by J. G. Sorup, A. J. Snyder, The principal by-products of coal are splinter is burned in a gas flame, the offen- August Sala and George F. Curtis. Nearly exhibited in the Department of Geology. sive odor of burning bone can be detected. News Published Monthly by Field Mitseum of Natural History, Chicago

Vol. 6 SEPTEMBER, 1935 No. 9 THE FOUR-TUSKED MASTODONS AND RIVER-RHINOCEROSES OF NORTH AMERICA

S. Riggs By Elmer jaw. This characteristic has given rise to ceras fossiger. Specimens including the head, Associate Curator of Paleontology the name "longirostrine" or long-jawed legs and feet of this animal are exhibited in Of all migrations to America of man or mastodons. In some related animak the Graham Hall. beast in historic or ^jrehistoric times, the lower tusks were broad and chisel-shaped Teleoceras, or the "true horned" beast, coming of the elephant family was one of and, fitting closely together, formed a lived and has left his fossil remains in various the most far-reaching. The mastodon shovel-like projection. These animals, re- old river channels of the Great Plains region branch of the family came first, and long cently discovered in America as well as in along with those of the four-tusked masto- afterward the true elephants followed. Mongolia, are known as the shovel-jawed don, but more abundantly. A single sand- This movement affords unmistakable ftiastodons. The head in all of these animals pit at Long Island, Kansas, excavated by evidence that there must have been a land was longer than that of the elephant and the many collectors during the later eighties and route of migration from Asia to North forehead was less sloping. The body was the early nineties has produced skulls and America. No other means could account likewise longer in proportion. other parts of more than one hundred for the coming of these great beasts which Fossil remains of the Miocene mastodons animals. Cornfields now grow over the site are entirely unknown in the earlier history are found in sandbars along old river of this old river channel which had afforded of life on this continent. No waifs cast up channels and in wind-blown sands of them burial place. by the sea, no victims of mischance drifting Nebraska, Kansas, Texas and of the south- Greater elevation of the continent and in on ice-floes or on natural log-rafts, could west generally. Specimens are exhibited in increasing cold of Pliocene time marked the

Giants That Roamed America Ages Ago The four-tusked mastodon Trilophodon (in the center), and the rhinoceros Teleoceras (on the left), which lived on the Great Plains of North America at the close of the Miocene period (about fifteen million years ago). From a mural painting by Mr, Charles H. Knight. The small animals at the right are oreodonts or contemporary pig-like animals. account for the transport of such substantial Field Museum; entire skeletons are pre- disappearance of the entire rhinoceros beasts. They came after trekking across served in museums of Nebraska and family in North America. Not so with Asia from their earlier African home— Colorado. the mastodons. Whether hardier by nature came in such numbers as to establish here The great river-rhinoceros, Teleoceras, or better adapted to upland life, it is certain permanent colonies which in time grew and shown in the same illustration, has a very that descendants of this line continued to spread over two American continents and different history. It is descended from a live in North America through the rigorous gave rise to a stock of animals which became long line of North American ancestors which period of the Ice Age, growing stronger and thoroughly established in the Western date back to middle Eocene time, forty sturdier during this period of hardship, and Hemisphere. million years ago. This continent was the sending wandering branches of the family The accompanying illustration shows a early home of the rhinoceros family although over most of South America. Some of them pair of the four-tusked mastodons (Trilo- some members are also known from the survived there until well within the Christian phodon) on the banks of a broad and shallow Middle Eocene of Europe. era, although the main stock died out in the a few river near the close of the Miocene period, Their fossil remains are preserved more central states of North America fifteen million years ago. It is a photograph and more abundantly in each succeeding thousand years ago. of a painting by Mr. Charles R. Knight geological period from Eocene to Pliocene. — in Hours one of the series of twenty-eight murals Members of the family branched out, taking Change Visiting of prehistoric life exhibited in Ernest R. on new characteristics and adapting them- Field Museum visiting hours, which have Graham Hall (Hall 38). selves to new habits. There had been among been 9 A.M. to 6 P.M. daily during the Mastodons such as Trilophodon stood six them a line of slender animals, evidently summer months, will change to the autumn or seven feet in height at the shoulders and fleet-footed runners; there had been various schedule—9 a.m. to 5 p.m.—on Tuesday, were armed with a rather short trunk and more conservative lines whose members September 3, the day after Labor Day. two pairs of tusks. The tusks were enlarged were fitted for life in forest lands; finally These hours will continue until October 31. incisor teeth and had only a narrow band of came the short-limbed, heavy-bodied animals On November 1 the winter hours, 9 a.m. enamel which extended throughout the which, like the hippopotamus of the Old to 4:30 p.m., will go into effect, continuing greater part of their length. The upper World, were at home in the rivers and until March 31. During this period, how- tusks curved downward and met the lower capable of slow and laborious progress on ever, the Museum will be open until 5 p.m. pair, which were set in a long, curved lower land. Such is the river-rhinoceros, Teleo- on Sundays. Page 2 FIELD MUSEUM NEWS September, 1935

Field Museum of Natural History "LIVING FOSSILS" as well as pagan art are included, among them decorative vases, Founded by Marshall Field, 1893 The queer forms of life which inhabited jars, cups, flagons, and other vessels. Rooserelt Road and Lake Michigan, Chicago the earth in prehistoric times are not quite pitchers Glass was invented in whence its all extinct. In the depths of the seas are Egypt, manufacture to cities THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES to be found, alive, the last lingering rem- spread Sj^a. Two in the latter Sidon and Sgwell L. Av^y William H. Mitchell nants of great groups of fishes and their coimtry, Tyrus John Bokden Frederick H. Rawson (Tyre), achieved a all relatives, of the types that filled the oceans great reputation William J. CHAUiEais George A. Richardson over the ancient world for the of Joseph N. Field Fred W. Sargent millions of years ago. An exhibit of these quality their which was traded to Asia Marshall Field Stephen C. Simms so-called "living fossils" is a feature of the glassware, Stanley Field Jambs Simpson collections of fishes in Albert W. Harris Minor, Greece, Italy, Persia, China, and Ernest R. Graham Solomon A. Smith other countries. the first a.d. Albert W. TTAnpTg Albert A. Spragub Hall (Hall 18). By century glassware was common in Italy, and glass Samuel Ihsuu, Jr. Silas H. Strawn Among the species of "living fossils" Cyrus H. McCobiock Leslie Wheeler drinking cups had superseded those of gold shown are various gars, limgfishes, and John P.. Wn^oN and silver. Glass factories were then lampreys, the paddlefish "bowfin" or OFFICERS established in Italy and in the Roman "dog-fish," and the bichir of the Nile. Stanley Fielo Pretident colonies in Spain, Gaul, Belgium, and the Albert A. Scientific of the structure and life Spkague Pint Vice-Praidtnt study Rhineland. One of the chief attractions of Jahbb Simpson Second Viee-Pretidtnt history of the lampreys—a kind of eel with Albert W. Harris Third Viee-Pretident ancient glass, as shown in the Museum's a round sucking mouth and a skeleton of Stephen C. Sdois Direetor and Secretary exhibit, is its iridescence, which is —leads to belief produced Solomon A. Smith . . . Treasurer and Attutant instead of bone the Secretary cartilage by chemical action under ground, exposure that were the world's first defin- they among to dampness, and oxidation of metals used itely fish-like creatures. The gars are the last FIELD MUSEUM NEWS in producing colored glass. Nearly all of the tribe of armor-plated Stephbn C. Snots, Director of the Museum EdUor representatives technical processes of essential importance fishes which once swam the seas in vast CONTRIBUTING EDITORS in glass manufacture were mastered in multitudes. Today they are the wolves Paul S. Martin Aettng Curator of Anihropoton ancient times. of fresh destructive B. E. Dahlgren Curator of Botany water, being viciously Henry W. Nichols Curator of Geology to other forms of aquatic life. In salt water, Wilfred H. Osgood Oldest Pewter Piece Curator of Zoology which they also inhabit, there are other H. B. Harte Managing Edilor creatures just as predatory. In compara- What is believed to be the oldest piece recent times, sf>eaking of in existence is on exhibition in ' tively geologically pewter Field Museum is open every day of the year during (which means regarding hundreds of thou- the Edward E. Ayer Pewter Collection in the hours indicated below: sands and even millions of years ago as Hall 23. It is an inscribed tablet bearing Nov., Mar. 9 A.M. to 4-.30 p.m. Deo., Jan., Feb., "recent"), the waters of the world were in Chinese a date the a.d. 85. April, September, October 9 AJl. to 5:00 P.M. indicating year May, June, July, August 9 a.m. to S:00 p.h. filled with fishes of various shapes and sizes, It was found in a tomb in Lo-yang, province shell-like such as the Admission is free to Members on all days. Other all carrying armor gars of Honan, China. This pewter document is adults are admitted free on Thursda>-s, Saturdays and wear today. a relic of the Han dynasty, and is executed Sundays; non-members pay 25 cents on other days. The shown in the exhibit, are as a deed or grant of land for the burial ChOdren are admitted free on all days. Students and lungfishes, faculty members of educational institutions are admit- believed to be direct descendants of fishes place of the governor of Tung-kiin, who was ted free any day upon presentation of credentials. which were probably the ancestors, during a great scholar highly esteemed by his The Museum's natural history Library is open for the course of evolution through the ages, contemporaries. reference daily except Saturday afternoon and Sunday. of all later and higher forms of life. They Traveling exhibits are circulated in the schools of Abbott Dies Chicago by the N. W. Harris Public School Extension were the great, great, great (and great Preparator Department of the Museum. multiplied perhaps a billion times) grand- Mr. John B. Abbott, highly skilled pre- Lectures for schools, and special entertainments fathers of, first, the amphibians, now repre- parator of fossil skeletons in the Division and tours for children at the Museum, are provided sented by our frogs, toads and salamanders; of of the of by the James Nelson and Anna Louise Paleontology Department Raymond of which forsook Foundation for Public School and Children's Lectures. then the reptiles definitely Geology, died on August 6. Mr. Abbott, for habitation on and from Announcements of free illustrated lectures for the the water land; who was 61 years old when he died, had and direct ancestors public, special lectures for Members of the Museum, them of the birds, whose been employed at Field Museum since 1901, will in Field Museum News. appear were reptiles; and finally of the mammals, and, except for a few intervals on leave of A cafeteria in the Museum serves visitors. Rooms also derived through the reptiles. absence, had worked here continuously since are provided for those bringing their lunches. Of the paddlefishes, so-called because of that time. He was a member of several Chicago Motor Coach Company No. 26 buses go direct to the Museum. their long paddle-like snouts, very little is Museum expeditions to the western United Members are requested to inform the Museum known. They are found in various waters, States, Canada and South America. A great pnMiq>tly of changes of address. notably in the Mississippi Valley, and are number of the articulated skeletons and other valuable for their roe which makes excellent specimens of fossil animals in Ernest R. Gra- MEMBERSHIP IN FIELD MUSEUM caviar. Of their habits, and the use they ham Hall were prepared for exhibition by him. Field Museum has several classes of Members. make of their long snouts, scientists have Benefactors give or devise $100,000 or more. Contribu- to been able to learn tora nve or devise $1,000 to $100,000. Life Members date practically Death of F. J. W. Schmidt give $600; Non-Resident Life and Associate Members nothing. The Nile fish called bichir, shown received pay $100; Non-Residcnt Associate Members pay $50. in the seems to be related to the With deep regret news has been All the above exhibit, classes are exempt from dues. Sustaining of the tragic death of Mr. F. J. W. Schmidt, Members contribute ancestors of most of the higher vertebrates, $25 annually. After six years they and Mrs. W. Schmidt, his become Associate Members. Aimual Members con- but not closely to living forms. George mother, tribute $10 annually. Other memberships are Corpo- in a fire which destroyed a farmhouse belong- rate, Honorary, Patron, and Corresponding, additions to the Schmidt near under ing family Stanley, these classifications being made by special action EXHIBIT OF ANCIENT GLASS of the Board of Trustees. Wisconsin, on the night of August 7. Each Member, in all classes, is entitled to free The Museum's extensive exhibits of Mr. Schmidt was mammalogist of the Leon admission to the Museum for himself, his famUy and ancient glassware from Syria, Rome, Mandel Guatemala Expedition of Field house guests, and to two reserved seats for Museum Pompeii, Gaul, Mesopotamia and other Museum in 1933-34, and was a brother of lecturee provided for Members. Subscription to Field have been im- Mr. Karl P. Assistant Curator of Museum News is included with all memberships. The centers of early civilization, Schmidt, courtesies of every museum of note in the United proved and reinstalled in Edward E. and Reptiles, who was leader of the expedition. States and Canada are extended to all Members of Emma B. Hall (Hall 2). Four large In recent years Mr. F. J. W. Schmidt had Field Museum. A Member may give his personal card Ayer been in for to non-residents of Chicago, upon presentation of cases and part of another are devoted to employed special work the which they will be admitted to the \Iuseum without this material. rare and unique Wisconsin Conservation Commission and Further Many diarge. information about memberships will are included. The the of Game of be sent on request. specimens objects range Department Management in age from the first to the fifth century a.d. the University of Wisconsin. He had BEQUESTS AND ENDOWMENTS That trade marks were employed in specialized in the study of mammals and to Field is indicated the name of was an authority on those of his own state. Bequests Museum of Natural History may ancient times by be made in securities, money, books or collections. a manufacturer, "Froti," which appears in In 1924-25-26 he was employed as a special They may, if desired, take the form of a memorial to raised letters on the bottom of an oil assistant in the Division of Reptiles at Field a person or cause, named by the giver. bottle made in Gaul in the second Museum. Cash contributions made within the taxable year century not exceeding 1 5 per cent of the taxpayer's net income A.D. Many of the bottles and other vessels are allowable as deductions in computing net income of various were designed to hold A large collection of highly artistic fans, under Article 251 of 69 shapes Regulation relating to the of income tax under the Revenue Act of 1926. cosmetics and perfumes, and are comparable made peacock, goose and eagle feathers, Endowments may be made to the Museum with the to modern vanity equipment. Others were of painted and gilded gauze, and of other that an be proviaioQ annuity paid to the patron lor lile. used for beverages, and some as amulets. materials, is an interesting feature of the Tbcae annuitiea are tax-free and are guaranteed against Articles with Christian symbolical motifs Museum's Chinese exhibits. September, 1935 FIELD MUSEUM NEWS Page 3

RARE PLANT IS FOUND and meteors become luminous in the upper EGYPTIANS' MORAL CODE AT JOLIET, ILLINOIS air. The science of meteorites is called REVEALED BY PAPYRUS meteoritics. By Paul C. Standley A good key to the standards of morality Associate Curator of the Herbarium existing in ancient Egypt is found in the Several of the rarest plants of the world THE STRANGE NESTING HABITS pleas to the gods contained in a "book of grow in the Chicago region. Because of OF RHINOCEROS HORNBILL the dead" belonging to a lady named Isty their limited and curious distribution they who lived about 1000 B.C. This funeral An of successful are of great interest to botanists. example companionate papyrus is one of a collection on exhibition the birds is found in the In June the writer, with Dr. Charles marriage among in Hall J at Field Museum. Dr. T. George life hornbill. This Baehni of the Botanic Garden of Geneva, of the rhinoceros large Allen, Assistant Curator of Egyptian Archae- and which has a Switzerland, through the courtesy of Mr. peculiar bird, grotesque ology, deciphered it. It describes Isty as sort of is native to the H. Forrer, visited Joliet to see one of these beauty, Malay "the housemistress, the chantress of Amon." and Sumatra. rare plants, whose Latin name is Actinea Peninsula, Borneo, That the moral ideals of the Egyptians The habits of this herbacea. A member of the sunflower extraordinary nesting were similar to those of Christianity is bird are illustrated in an exhibit in the family, it is a low tufted perennial, with a revealed in the denials of sins made by Isty bird series in Hall 21. After dense cluster of silky, silvery leaves, from systematic in her manuscript, which is about eight feet the hornbills select a hollow tree which rise short stems, each with a single pairing, long, and about half of which is devoted to which the female enters. with the golden-yellow flower head. It is a handsome Then, these denials. The papyrus depicts forty- assistance of the who remains and decorative plant, well worthy of cultiva- male, outside, one divine judges, to each of whom is the female walls the entrance with mud tion, although it is rather improbable that up addressed one denial of a specific sin. and other materials until a small slit it would thrive in an ordinary garden. only Most of these sins would classify as such is left which she can thrust The party was successful in finding the open through under the Christian code. Isty denies, her narrow bill. the entire plant still in blossom, although most of the long During among other things, that she has been clumps had passed the flowering stage. It guilty of murder, stealing, uttering false- is rather plentiful on the low glacial moraines hoods, sacrilege, wrathfulness, cruelty, near Joliet, growing among rocks where adultery, violence, rebellion, extravagance, there is little soil. plundering, lust, blasphemy, uncleanliness, This rare plant has been found in but one nagging, quarrelsomeness, causing sorrow, other locality, near Sandusky, Ohio, where or hasty judgment. Even the Christian idea it is called "lakeside daisy." Its interest of "turning the other cheek" and forgiveness lies in the fact that the other Actineas, which seems to have been anticipated, as one of are rather numerous, all grow on the prairies Isty's pleas reads, "I have not harmed an of the Great Plains, on the hills and plains evil-doer." of the Rocky Mountains and the Great The papyrus is accompanied in the exhibit Basin, or along the western coast of South by a line-by-line translation and explanation isolated America. How this one happens of the hieroglyphics. Isty's burial was to inhabit the Mississippi Valley is one of found in a great cache at Deir el-Bahri, part the mysteries of plant distribution. of the cemetery of Thebes, which was uncovered by archaeologists in 1891. The IMPORTANT BIRD COLLECTION burial document was presented to the BY MUSEUM Museum by the late Martin A. Ryerson. ACQUIRED It is half in colored vignettes, and half in A significant addition to Field Museum's hieroglyphics. Pictures represent incidents study collection of birds has recently been connected with the death and posthumous made through the acquisition of part of the adventures of Isty among the magical powers Henry K. Coale Collection. This addition of the land of the dead. The sacred phoenix, to the Museum's already notable research and the gods Nut, Osiris and other deities material consists of approximately 2,500 appear. The papyrus ends with a spell specimens representing more than 1,000 supposed to enable the deceased to join species. It is especially rich in Old World Re, the sun-god, in his daily journeys birds, and includes about 200 species from across the sky. Madagascar, Asia and Australia which Rhinoceros Hornbill in the collec- hitherto were unrepresented Exhibit in Hall 21 showing male bird on outside tions of this institution. of hollow tree in which his mate has been sealed during NEGRO CULTURE IN GUIANA Her bill can be seen The late Kelso Coale of nesting period. protruding through Henry Highland hole in trunk. Eight objects from Dutch Guiana, South assembled three Park, Illinois, important America, recently presented to the Museum collections during more than fifty years. period of laying and incubating the eggs, by Mr. and Mrs. Maurice Berkson, of High- The first was acquired by the British Mu- and the growth of the young to the flying land Park, Illinois, are of especial interest seum in 1880. The second came to Field the survival of age, the female remains imprisoned in the because they show Negro Museum in 1900. The last, a truly early trunk. The male, free on the outside to crafts that have persisted in the West Indies representative world-wide collection, was of slaves do as he pleases, remains nevertheless faith- and Guiana since the importation built up by purchase and exchange of ful to his mate, returning frequently with from West Africa several centuries ago. Illinois specimens for exotic birds with food which he deposits in her bill through Research has indicated that much of the collectors in foreign countries. the slot in the tree, and otherwise assidu- culture of West Africa—for instance folk- At his death in 1926, Mr. Coale's collec- ously attending to her needs. lore, magical practices, religious beliefs, and tion numbered about 11,000 specimens. — a This peculiar habit is undoubtedly re- artistic designs has survived despite Half of them were American birds and have sorted to as a for the and foreign and hostile environment. This collections protection eggs been dispersed to many through- is the young from the marauding squirrels and observation confirmed by inspecting out the country. The remainder has been which abound in the tropical wood carvings from Mr. and Mrs. Berkson. divided Field Museum and the University monkeys by forests. The Museum's exhibit of the 'Included are a barrel-shaped drum with of the latter taking the birds of Michigan, rhinoceros hornbill shows the male charac- a pegged membrane, and a stool which has the New World. Field Museum's share was on the outside of a a decorative design in the form of a figure the Crane Chad- teristically perched purchased through Emily hollow tree and the bill of his mate both of which are characteristic of bourne Fund. —R.B. trunk, eight, protruding through the slit from the inside, West African art. A stirrer and spoon preparatory to receiving food. carved from one piece of wood and fastened Meteorology and Meteoritics The rhinoceros hornbill is so-called because together by four wooden links could be in West Africa but as The meteorites of the meteorite collection it has a large hornlike casque above its bill matched not only far south as Zululand. An excellent wooden have no relation to meteorology, the which gives its head a resemblance to that weather science. The two names are similar of a rhinoceros. Specimens of other horn- hair comb is typical of those worn by Negroes of West and Central Africa. because they are both derived from the bills with the same general characteristics, same Greek word which means phenomena but differing in size, color and shape of the These objects provide an impressive even of the upper atmosphere. Meteorology, horn, are also on exhibition. Among them example of the vitality of a culture are torn the weather science, is largely based on such are species from Asia, Africa, the Philippines, when the roots of that culture soil. —W.D.H. atmospheric phenomena as winds and rains, and New Guinea. from their native Page i FIELD MUSEUM NEWS Seplember, 1935

STRANGE AUSTRALIAN MAMMALS The same species of pepper plant is the SEPTEMBER GUIDE-LECTURETOURS source of both the common black and white Australia is the land of some of the Conducted tours of under the peppers in general table use, the white exhibits, queerest animals on earth. One of the most guidance of staff are pepper being made from the same berries lecturers, made every interesting zoological exhibits in the Mu- afternoon as the black but with the husks removed at 3 p.m., except Saturdays, seum is the collection of strange Australian and certain before grinding. Sundays, holidays. Following mammals in Hall 15. Among these is the is the schedule of and dates for The favorite intoxicating beverage of the subjects answer to the old zoological conundrum, September: natives of Polynesia is a pungent sort of "What is it that has a bill like a duck, grog made from the root of the kawa, a Week beginning September 2: Monday—Labor Day webbed feet like a duck, lays eggs like a holiday, no tour; Tuesday—General Tour; variety of pepper. This they often drink — Wednesday duck, and yet is not a duck?" It is a Primitive Peoples: Thursday—General Tour; Fri- until they fall unconscious. Another day— Habitat platypus, a furry amphibian mammal of variety Groups. of pepper, called "cub6," is used by aborig- Week beginning September 9: which the Museum has several specimens. — Monday—Egyptian inal people in Peru to poison rats, and to Hall; Tuesday General Tour; Wednesday—Races of Other odd creatures on display from this Mankind: Thursday—General Tour: Friday—Plants stupefy fish. The Javanese and other betel of Economic zoological Alice's wonderland are the Value. nut chewing peoples wrap the nut in the Week — echidna, a sort of combination porcupine beginning September 16: Monday Crystals green leaves of a pepper vine. Cubebs, and Their Uses; Tuesday—General Tour; Wednesday and ant-eater, which also lays eggs; the —China and — used in cigarettes made for people with Tibet; Thursday General Tour; Friday spotted dasyure, a cat-like animal which, —Deer and Antelopes. respiratory ailments, is a pepper plant however, is no relative of the true cat family; Week beginning September 23: Monday— Hall of product from the East Indies. Indians of — the Tasmanian devil which preys upon Plant Life: Tuesday General Tour; Wednesday- the west coast of America have found a Mexico; Thursday—General Tour; —Fish and the banded anteater; the Friday sheep; marsupial similar useful in their native Reptiles. which resemble both pepper plant flying phalangers medicines. Monday, September 30—Geology Exhibits. squirrels and opossimis; the rabbit bandi- Persons coot; and various types of the more familiar wishing to participate should but none the less queer kangaroo. Of Prices Cut on Picture Portfolios apply at North Entrance. Tours are free interest is the a curious tailless and no gratuities are to be proffered. A new special koala, The portfolio Taxidermy and SculptuTe— with tufted ears a schedule will appear each month in Field marsupial and comical The Work of Carl E. Akeley in Field Museum on its which looks almost Museum News. Guide-lecturers' services expression face, of Natural History, containing 47 large like a bear for special tours by parties of ten or more exactly toy teddy and may have photogravures of Akeley's well-known work, are available free of charge by been the inspiration for that popular play- is now on sale at the Museum at 25 cents arrangement All of these animals are with the Director a week in advance. thing. distinctly a copy. This is a drastic reduction in to Australia. The and peculiar platypus price, as it was originally published several the echidna are the extant only mammals years ago at $2.00 a copy. Likewise, another Gifts to the Museum that lay eggs, and are the most primitive of attractive Birds picture portfolio, Abyssinian Following is a list of some of the mammals, coming closest in appearance, principal and Mammals, from Paintings by Louis received the habits and to creatures of gifts during last month: development Agassiz Fuertes, originally priced at $3.00, La From Mr. and Mrs. Maurice Berkson—8 ethno- prehistoric days. fact, these two mam- is now available at $1.00. It contains 32 mals have structural resemblances to logical specimens of the Djukas, Dutch Guiana; from many colored reproductions of paintings by the Potlatch Forests, Inc.—a log section and a wheel reptiles. man who before his death was probably section of Idaho white pine, Idaho; from Dr. C. A. —65 herbarium from In no other land are there found so America's foremost bird artist. On mail Purpus specimens, Mexico; Iraq many Petroleum Ltd. — 102 herbarium which their Company, specimens. marsupials (animals carry newly- orders the cost of postage must be added to Iraq: from Professor A. O. Garrett—30 herbarium spec- born young in a fur-lined pouch) as there are the above prices; this varies according to imens Utah: from Mrs. R. K. Smith—82 herbarium from — in Australia. Zoologically, Australia is a destination and be learned specimens, Korea; Dr. Earl E. Sherff 176 may by inquiry herbarium from A. E. Lawrance— world from the rest of the earth. specimens, Hawaii; apart to the Museum. Within the city limits of 20 herbarium specimens, Colombia: from Mrs. Yoes all its mammals are Mexia—64 Practically marsupials, Chicago postage is 9 cents. herbarium— specimens, Brazil; from Dr. whereas this primitive order is scarcely repre- Hazel Schmoll 15 herbarium specimens, Colorado; from A. H. Sullivan —a fossil fish; from James Quinn sented elsewhere except by various opossums Rainbow —^ specimen of diatomite, Nebraska: from Stanley in the Americas. The reason for Agate Field —a of the specimen — glauconite. New Jersey; from evolution of Australia's animals taking a In iris or rainbow agate the various C. D. Woodhouse a specimen of augelite and a specimen of dumortierite, California and Nevada: different course from that of animals in bands or of color or trans- layers differing from Gordon Pearsall —3 hoary bats, Illinois; from other parts of the world probably lies in lucency which characterize all agate are Dr. A. Bechara—a night heron, a snipe, and a sand- the fact that for millions of years that so minute and so closely spaced that they Syria: from P. R. J. Cazaly—a lizard, Iraq; fiiper,rom Dr. Y. S. Shuwayhat — 10 and 6 snakes, continent was isolated. Thus diffract and scorpions completely light passing through produce Palestine: from Dr. P. S. Manasseh—a snake, Iraq: without any competition from invading a play of rainbow colors. These colors from Walter A. Weber—a Texas fence lizard; from H. C. Hanson—a forms the Australian animals have developed appear only in transmitted light and when juvenile painted turtle, Illinois: from R. S. Sturgis—a plains garter snake, Illinois; their own lines. the is held in the along unique agate proper position from Edward Schaack—a vesper rat and a mouse relative to the eye. Under other conditions op>o68Um, Honduras: from J. T. Carney—2 alligator the iris stone has the appearance of ordinary lizards, a black-tailed rattlesnake, and a green rattle- MANY USES OF PEPPER snake, Texas: from Leslie Wheeler—5 4 hawks, so that the rainbow effect can seldom eagles, agate 2 owls, 35 birds of prey and 142 miscellaneous small A for killing rats, a narcotic to be poison be seen in specimens in museum cases. birds, India and West Africa; from Wallace in water to thus — placed drug fish, making There are several specimens of iris agate Craig original records and natural history notes of James Oregon Dunn, 1887-1907; from Zoo- them easy to catch, a highly intoxicating in the collection in H. N. Chicago gem Higinbotham logical Society —a gaboon skeleton, a side-necked drink, a local anaesthetic used in the crude viper Hall (Hall 31). turtle, and a mullet—skink, Africa and Australia; from surgery practised by primitive peoples, a Marlin R. Perkins —13 snakes,- Brazil and Arkansas; wrapper for the betel nut pulp which is from Henry Dybas a common water snake; from C. C. Liu—3 China. the chewing tobacco of many tribes in Museum Men at Botanical Congress bats, tropical countries, and ointments,— cubebs, Professor Samuel J. Record of Yale Uni- and other medicinal materials these are versity School of Forestry, who is Research NEW MEMBERS all of products pepper plants, usually thought Associate in Wood Technology for Field The following persons were elected to of as the source of a mainly only seasoning Museum, and Mr. Llewelyn Williams, membership in Field Museum during the for foods. Assistant Curator of Economic Botany at period from July 10 to August 15: An exhibit a vine as "it the are in to attend the showing pepper Museum, Europe Associate Members appears in life, and a collection of some International Botanical Congress which is Samuel N. Lebotd, Fred A. Pettersen, Leslie M. important pepper products, constitute one to be held this month at Amsterdam. Wheder. of the features of the Hall of Plant Life Annual Members (Hall 29). Much of the material in the exhibit was collected the Marshall Amber from Redwood J. W. Embree, Jr., James H. Harper, Mrs. Louis by A. Thomas J. Frank D. Field Brazilian Hebert, Leary, Mayer, Harry Expedition. A fine piece of amber from Manchukuo, S. McCracken, Dr. Henry C. A. Mead, Mrs. Julian There are approximately 1,300 species of recently placed on exhibition in Hall 34, is J. Rankin. peppers in the world. About one-half of fossilized resin of an ancient redwood tree. these are indigenous to South America; the Most of the amber in use is the fossil gum Very complete Chinese vanity boxes, rest to the Old World, particularly the of a variety of pine. The amber from fitted with mirrors, and containing compart- Oriental tropics. The American green and Manchukuo is found in the Fushun coal ments for face powder, rouge, powder puffs, red peppers, so-called, are not members of mines, where nearly 8,000 tons are mined hairpins, combs, brushes, and other toilet the true pepper family at all, but belong with the coal every year, although only a articles, are exhibited in George T. and to the potato family. very small part of it can be recovered. Frances Gaylord Smith Hall (Hall 24).

PRINTED »Y FIELD MUSEUM PRCS* Published Monthly by Field Museum of Natural History, Chicago

Vol. 6 OCTOBER, 1935 No. 10

RARE HIMALAYAN SNOW LEOPARDS, MOST BEAUTIFUL OF CATS, IN NEW GROUP

By Wilfred H. Osgood region, probably finds living not so hard been applied, leaving for most of the smaller Curator, Department of Zoology as might be expected. It preys on the cats the older and better known term Felis, With the recent installation of a group of various species of wild goats and sheep, which is typified by the common house snow leopards, the central section of William including the tahr, markhor, ibex, and the cat. In a still more refined classification V. Kelley Hall (Hall 17) is completed. This famous Marco Polo's sheep. Birds doubtless it would be removed as unique under its section, which is devoted to carnivorous take a large place in its menu, and of these own generic name Uncia, based mainly mammals of medium size, includes three none could be more toothsome than the on the peculiar shape of its skull. other groups, the giant panda, the sloth large handsome pheasants, such as the Skins of snow leopards are regularly bear, and the common leopard. The snow moonals or impeyans, the tragopans or sent in small numbers to the fur markets leopard group is of where they command exceptional beauty a fairly high price and interest not only for use as rugs, coats, because of the charm- and trimmings. Since ing qualities of the they cannot be animal itself, but also supplied in large num- on account of the bers, they are inde- stupendous grandeur pendent of fashion of the scene in which and not well known. it is displayed. Natives, scattered Most beautiful and over a wide area, who least known of all the doubtless capture larger cats, the snow them by trapping one leopard inhabits the or two in a season, "roof of the world" in are the only source of the vast mountainous supply. The skins in area of central Asia. the Museum's group The high Himalayas, are of this sort, ob- the Tibetan plateau, tained through traders the in Altai, and other _ _ northern India. high ranges are its ."ar'Wl The animals shown it are only habitat, and .jj an old female rarely descends below and two half-grown an altitude of 9,000 kittens. The old cat feet. In India it is sits on a fallen log found on the south with a freshly-killed side of the Himalayas, tragopan pheasant but it is more common lying before her, on the Tibetan side. while the kittens Another name for it approach expectantly is "ounce," probably in anticipation of the derived from an old Snow Leopards in Their Timberline Habitat play that precedes French word originally New group in William V. Kelley Hall of the rare large cats sometimes known by the name "ounce.' Mounted the meal. A few applied to the lynx by Staff Taxidermist C. J Albrecht. Background by Staff Artist Charles A. Corwin. stalwart timberline and later transferred trees stand near-by, to this animal, perhaps via Persia where it horned pheasants, the blood pheasants, and and beyond is the magnificent front of was once erroneously thought to occur. It the rare snow cock, all of which are partial the Himalayas swathed in their eternal is sometimes also called by the name "moun- to the highlands. In winter it descends, snows reaching down to banks of morning tain panther." at times, far enough to encounter human clouds which fill the deeper canyons. Within its range it is perhaps not especially habitations and then it raids the barnyard The group was prepared by Staff Taxi- rare, but the region is one so difficult and pasture, carrying off poultry, sheep dermist C. J. Albrecht, with painted back- of access that the animal is very little and other domestic animals. ground by Staff Artist Charles A. Corwin. known except through native sources. It Owing to its spotted markings and its is so shy and elusive that hunters rarely similar size, the snow leopard is often AIR PURIFIER INSTALLED get even a fleeting glimpse of it. If one thought to be only a light-colored and is shot by a white man, it is usually by long-haired mountain variety of the com- FOR SIMPSON THEATRE accidental encounter when seeking other mon leopard. This, however, is not the To increase the comfort of audiences at- American it is a game. sportsmen who have case, for very distinct species with tending lectures, children's programs, and hunted in the Himalayas have occasionally many characters quite its own. Its thick, other affairs held in the James Simpson seen its tracks and have expressed the soft pelage, its long slender form and, above Theatre of Field Museum, an "ozonator" opinion that it might be successfully brought all, its unusually long and heavily-furred or air purifying machine has been installed. to bay by the use of well-trained hounds. tail, combined with the delicate color and This apparatus keeps the air fresh and However, the very high altitude and the markings of its coat make it one of the pleasant without causing chilliness or drafts. rough terrain make it unlikely that the most beautiful of living mammals. Its Tests made show that with the ozonator in hunters could follow the dogs very far on muzzle is rather short and the forehead operation the air in the entire auditorium horseback, so it probably remains a tempting high in conformity with the structure of can be cleared in a very few minutes, and for some ambitious is exploit adventurer with the skull, which somewhat different from all chance of accumulation of impurities in confidence in the powers of his own lungs that of other cats. As in the lion, tiger, the air is eliminated. and legs. jaguar, and leopard, the bones in its throat, The vicinity of timberline in the Hima- at the base of the tongue, are constructed layas, although forbidding to man except so as to preclude the act of purring. There- An exhibit in the mineralogical section of in the short summer season, is by no means fore, in a primary division of the cat family, the Department of Geology illustrates the devoid of life. The snow leopard, being its place would be with these large forms remarkable range of colors and forms of the principal predaceous animal of the to which the generic name Panthera has quartz. PageZ FIELD MUSEUM NEWS October, 19S5

Field Museum of Natural History NARWHAL SPECIMENS RECEIVED in "The Footprint Series" which includes also four titles issued a — Founded by Marshall Field, 1893 FROM CAPTAIN BARTLETT previous year ago The Lion, The Bear, The Deer, and Wild Rooserelt Road and Lake Michigan, Chicago Three specimens of narwhal, strange Sheep and Goats. Arctic sea mammal, obtained by Captain The borders contain sketches of the THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES Robert A. Bartlett, famous veteran explorer page of the various and silhou- Sewbix L. Avery WiLLiAU H. Mitchell of the far north, were received last month footprints animals, John Borden Frederick H. Rawson ette them in characteristic at Field col- drawings showing William J. Chauiers George A. Richardson Museum. Captain Bartlett actions. The text of the books is by H. B. Joseph N. Field Fred W. Sargent lected the animals from his schooner Effie Harte of the Field Museum and has Marshall Field Stephen C. Sihhs Morrissey while conducting his most recent staff, Stanley Field JAHBS Simpson been prepared in a style suitable for children Ernest R. Grahau Solomon A. Smith expedition on the west coast of Greenland from about eight to fourteen years of age. Albert W. Harris Albert A. Spragub during the past few months. Funds pro- Sauubl Insull, Jr. Silas H. Strawn vided by Mrs. Crane Chadbourne The publishers report that these books Cyrus H. McCorhick Leslie Wheeler Emily had enabled FMeld Museum to commission are being widely taken up as supplementary John P.'. Wilson Captain Bartlett to collect the narwhals. reading in schools, and in a number of states OFFICERS the official lists of such Included in the is a male with a have been placed on Stanley Field Pretident shipment about nine feet a tusk about material recommended to principals and Albert A . Sprague Pint Viee-Prendent body long, and teachers. In order to assist teachers in James Simpson Second Vice-President four feet in length; a female about twelve Albert W. Harris Third Vice-Pretideni the best use of two manuals feet long, and a young narwhal. The speci- making them, Stephen C. Sihms Director and Secretary mens will be at the museum for for teachers, illustrating various ways in Solomon A. Smith . . . Treaaurer and Aesietant Secretary prepared be to school- use in a proposed new group to be installed which the books can adapted room have been issued. This of in the Hall of Marine Mammals (Hall N). use, plan FIELD MUSEUM NEWS the into the schools" has Narwhals are whale-like creatures, and "bringing museum Stephen C. Simms, Director of the Muteum Editor evoked much favorable comment in educa- belong to the dolphin family. They form CONTRIBUTING EDITORS tional the state. one of the most peculiar species of animal circles, publishers S. Martin Curator Paul Aetirig of Anthropology in the order of which includes The books are obtainable at Field Mu- B. E. Dahlgren Curator cetaceans, of Botany seum at 25 cents The Henry W. Nichols Curator of Geology whales, porpoises, and other large ocean each, plus postage. Wilfred H. Osgood Curator of Zoology mammals. Male narwhals have a unique teachers' manuals are sold at 10 cents each. H. B. Harte Managing Editor development of one front tooth which grows sometimes to almost half the length of the Gift of Hevea Specimens Field Miiaeum is of the entire a open every day year during animal, forming cylindrical spear- Dr. Adolpho Ducke, veteran explorer of the hours indicated below; like tusk projecting horizontally from the the Amazon forests, who has described many Nov., Dec, Jan., Feb., Mar. 9 A.M. to 4:30 p.m. head. This tusk, which is about two to April, September, October 9 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. hundreds of new trees from that region, three inches in diameter at the and a May, June, July, August 9 A.M. to 6:00 P.M. base, has presented to Field Museum an important much smaller tooth also Admission is free to Members on all days. Other lying horizontally, series of plants of his collection. The adults are admitted free on and are the dental narwhal Thursdays, Saturdays only equipment the material illustrates the variations of non-members 25 cents on other chiefly Sundays; pay days. has. The tusk is ivory of a high quality Children are admitted free on all days. Students and the Hevea trees of the Amazon valley, which but because it is so twisted it has little faculty members of educational institutions are admit- produce most of the rubber of commerce. ted free of credentials. commercial use. The female narwhals are any day upon presentation Dr. Ducke's sending includes also specimens The Museum's natural history Library is open for toothless. practically of some of the new species that he has reference daily except Saturday afternoon and Sunday. Little is known of the narwhal's and life, described recently in other families of plants. Traveling exhibits are circulated in the schools of the function of the long tusk is particularly the N. W. Harris Public School Chicago by Extension a Wilfred H. Department of the Museum. mystery, states Dr. Osgood, Curator of the of SPECIAL NOTICE Lectures for schools, and special entertainments Department Zoology. and tours for children at the Museum, are provided Apparently the animals are not dangerous, All Members of Field Museum who the James Nelson and Anna Louise by Raymond and not prone to use their tusks for attack or Foundation for Public School and Children's Lectures. have changed their residences are in the manner of the swordfish. Narwhals Announcements of free illustrated lectures for the planning to do so are earnestly urged are found almost exclusively in the Arctic of their public, and special lectures for Members of the Museum, to notify the Museum at once will appear in Field Museum News. regions, and it is difficult to obtain specimens new addresses, so that copies of Field A cafeteria in the Museum serves visitors. Rooms of them, although they travel in schools Museum News and all other com- are for those provided bringing their lunches. like porpoises. They are a mottled gray in munications from the Museum may Motor Coach No. 26 buses Chicago Company go color, and attractive in direct to the Museum. appearance. reach them promptly. Bartlett, one of the most ex- Members are requested to inform the Museum Captain promptly of changes of address. perienced of Arctic sailors, has made many voyages to various parts of the Arctic. He Native Copper Boulder MEMBERSHIP IN FIELD MUSEUM was shipmaster for Robert E. Peary on A boulder of native copper recently pre- Field Museum has several classes of Members. two expeditions including the one on which sented by Mr. Frank L. Thomas, of Bremen, Benefactors give or devise $100,000 or more. Contribu- the North Pole was reached. On November Indiana, has been added to the collection tors or devise to Life Members give $1,000 $100,000. 30 he will as a lecturer at Field boulders in Clarence give $500; Non-Resident Life and Associate Members appear of glaciated copper pay $100; Non-Resident Associate Members pay $50. Museum, to give an account, illustrated on Buckingham Hall (Hall 35). This boulder All the above classes are from exempt dues. Sustaining the screen, of his forty adventurous years was found in the glacial drift of Marshall Members contribute After six $25 annually. years they in seas. for become Associate Members. Annual Members con- icy County, Indiana, and is noteworthy the tribute $10 annually. Other memberships are Corpo- long distance it has traveled. It was picked rate, Honorary, Patron, and Corresponding, additions FOUR MORE ANIMAL BOOKS up from the native copper deposit at under these classifications being made by special action of the Board of Trustees. PUBLISHED FOR CHILDREN Keweenaw Point on Lake Superior by an Each in all is ice sheet of the period Member, classes, entitled to free Four new books for children, designed to advancing glacial admission to the Museum for himself, his family and and transported over four hundred miles to house guests, and to two reserved seats for Museum bring authentic pictures and stories about Indiana where it was left the melting ice. lectures provided for Members. Subscription to Field animals into the homes and schools, were by Museum News is included with all memberships. The issued last month the Orthovis Company courtesies of every museum of note in the United by of Field States and Canada are extended to all Members of of Chicago, with the cooperation Chinese Household Objects Field Museum. A Member his card small books are illustrated may give personal Museum. These had little to non-residents of The ancient Chinese furniture, Chicago, upon presentation of with "three-dimensional" pictures of habitat which they will be admitted to the Museum without and squatted on the ground as the Japanese of mammals exhibited in the Mu- charge. Further information about memberships will groups still do. Mats were also used for sleeping. be sent on request. a considered seum, development important During the first centuries of our era, tables, in the advancement of visual education. chairs, and wooden bedsteads were gradually BEQUESTS AND ENDOWMENTS Each book contains several of pictures introduced. Examples of Chinese house- Bequests to Field Museum of Natural History may museum groups with scenic backgrounds, are exhibited in T. and be made in securities, money, books or collections. hold objects George the "Orthovis" process which They may, if desired, take the form of a memorial to printed by Frances Gaylord Smith Hall (Hall 24). a person or cause, named by the giver. makes the illustrations stand out from the Cash contributions made within the taxable year page and appear to be in three dimensions not 15 cent of the exceeding per taxpayer's net income like the depict, when they are The plants of the yam family are repre- are allowable as deductions in net income groups they computing viewed an sented in the Hall of Plant Life (Hall 29) under Article 251 of Regulation 69 relating to the through the "ortho-scope," opti- income tax under the Revenue Act of 1926. cal device which accompanies each copy. by an exhibit including specimens of the Endowments may be made to the Museum with the Titles of the books are Giants of the Animal vines as they appear in life, and of tubers provision that an annuity be to the for life. paid patron Strange Animak, Monkeys and of the various species from Florida, West These annuities are tax-free and are guaranteed against Kingdom, fluctuation in amount. Apes, and Wild Oxen. They are published Virginia, Java, Trinidad and elsewhere. October, 1935 FIELD MUSEUM NEWS Pages

DIORAMA OF BRAZILIAN COFFEE PLANTATION IS EXHIBITED washing, with some subsequent fermentation to By B. E. Dahlgren destroy any remaining fragments, leaving All of the early supply came from Arabia only the parchment or silver skin to be Curator, Department of Botany or the Arabians. through The Dutch, removed mechanically after drying. Some Coffee has long been represented in the wishing to make themselves independent of countries export their coffee "in parchment" this source exhibits of Field Museum by samples of of supply carried seeds or plants which is then removed only at the port of coffee beans to where soon flourished. from various parts of the world, Ceylon, they destination. This is done to preserve the by reproductions of fruiting and flowering From there plants were taken to greenhouses coffee from contamination by odors to which branches of Arabian and Liberian in Amsterdam and thence sent to Paris. coffee it may be exposed. It may aid also, perhaps, and of From Paris coffee were to trees, by photographs the growing plants brought to increase its keeping qualities, but those of coffee in in 1723. That island thereafter and preparation various countries. Martinique are in any case excellent, for unroasted A recent addition to the coffee exhibits furnished plants for other West Indian coffee beans are said to improve with age is a diorama small islands and for various of the presenting on a scale parts tropical and to keep very well for many years. a view of a coffee plantation of a type American mainland. The Dutch had by existing in large numbers in the state of this time also introduced coffee directly Sao Paulo, Brazil, where more coffee is into Surinam. AUTUMN LECTURE COURSE grown than anywhere else in the world. The commonly cultivated, so-called COMMENCES OCTOBER 5 Almost three-quarters of the world's annu- Arabian, coffee tree is of African, particularly The Free Lecture Course al coffee crop is produced in Brazil. Nearly Abyssinian origin. The word "coffee" is Sixty-fourth to be Field Museum will all the rest comes from Colombia, Guate- derived from "Kahfeh," the name of an presented by open on October 5. There will be nine lectures mala, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Abyssinian city and kingdom now part of on science and illustrated with Mexico, Haiti, Puerto Rico, and a few other the Ethiopian empire. travel, motion pictures and stereopticon slides. countries of Central and South America and The genus Coffea to which coffee belongs These will be given on Saturday afternoons the West Indies, leaving only a very small includes about thirty species of bushes or through October and November. All the part of the coffee industry to the Old World small trees of the Old World tropics, of lectures begin at 3 o'clock, and will be given in the James Simpson Theatre of the Museum. Well-known explorers and natu- ralists have been engaged for the series. Of special timely interest will be the lecture on October 19, when Dr. Wilfred H. Osgood, Curator of the Department of Zoology, who was leader of the Field Museum-C/ticag'o Daily News Ethiopian Expedition, will speak on "The Ethiopians and Their Stronghold." The complete schedule of dates, subjects and lecturers follows: October 5—Animals of the Rocky Moun- tains Dr. Wendell Chapman, Berkeley, California October 12—Our Fascinating Southwest Major James C. Sawders, Nutley, New Jersey October 19—The Ethiopians and Their Stronghold Dr. Wilfred H. Osgood, Curator, Department of Zoology, Field Museum; Leader of the Field Museum—Chicago Daily News Ethiopian Expedition October 26—FVom to the Cape of Coffee Plantation In Miniature Egypt Good Hope This model of a Brazilian has been on exhibition in Hall 25. It is the work of large plantation placed Preparator Captain Carl von Hoffman, New York City John R. Millar of the staff of the Department of Botany. Background by Staff Artist Charles A. Corwin. November 2—The Second Byrd Antarctic This seem remarkable in view which tropics. may eighteen are west African, six of Expedition of the Old of the World origin plant, but southeast Africa and African islands, four Dr. Thomas C. Potilter, Mount Pleasant, Iowa; may be explained by the fact that the of southern Asia, India, Bengal and the East Second-in-Command of the Expedition introduction and in of and one native to New Guinea. growth popularity Indies, November 9—Africa in South America coffee occurred at the time of the settlement of these be Although many may potential Hendrik de Ijceuw, New York City and opening in the western hemisphere of sources of coffee beans, and actual crops — — of large areas possessing favorable conditions have been produced from some east African November 16 Tibet Forbidden Land of soil and climate for its cultivation. Cheap species, the only one besides the so-called Magic and Mystery Harrison New York slave labor on the New World plantations, Arabian coffee that has come to be of any Forman, City and the almost total destruction by a leaf- economic importance is the Liberian, a low- November 23—Plants Without Soil and blight of the British and Dutch plantations land coffee planted somewhat extensively Other Miracles in Nature in the eastern tropics were other factors of in western Africa. It thrives at a lower Arthur C. Pillsbury, Berkeley, California importance favoring the development of elevation than the Arabian coffee and pro- November 30—Sails Over Ice coffee-growing in the New World. More duces a larger bean. Captain Robert A. Bartlett, New York City than two billion coffee trees are said now The practical importance of Arabia as a to be in bearing in tropical America, and coffee producer came to an end long ago. No tickets are necessary for admission with ample areas still existing for extension, The term "Mocha" now applies generally to these lectures. A section of the Theatre coffee production is limited only by demand. to a certain form and small size of coffee is reserved for Members of the Museum, As to the early history of coffee as a bean, regardless of place of production. each of whom is entitled to two reserved beverage, little or nothing is known beyond In the foreground of the diorama in Hall seats on request. Requests for these seats the tangle of fable and fiction constituting 25 may be seen the drying field, a tiled or may be made by telephone or in writing the story of its introduction into the south- cemented area on which the crop is prepared to the Museum, in advance of the lecture, western corner of Arabia where it was grown for the market. In some places the coffee and seats will then be held in the Member's in the highlands of Yemen on the Red Sea berries as gathered from the trees are allowed name until 3 o'clock on the day of the perhaps as early as a thousand years ago. to dry and the seeds or "beans" to shrink lecture. Members may obtain seats in the The practise of roasting the bean is said to before being freed from the husk, usually reserved section also by presentation of have originated in Persia, but even this by some kind of mechanical device or their membership cards to the Theatre is doubtful. Its use first became general machine. The modern method is to pass attendant before 3 o'clock on the lecture early in the sixteenth century, in the cities the berries as soon as picked through a day, even though no advance reservation of the Levantine seaboard, especially Con- hulling machine which removes most of the has been made. All reserved seats not stantinople, whence within a hundred years pulp from the green kernels or seeds. This claimed by 3 o'clock will be opened to the it spread to the rest of Europe. is followed by maceration in water and general public. Patei FIELD MUSEUM NEWS Od<*er, 1935

RAYMOND FOUNDATION OFFERS Family; Wrongstart Meets a Porcupine; OCTOBER GUIDE-LECTURE TOURS FOR CHILDREN Shooting the Rapids. PROGRAMS Conducted tours of exhibits, under the October 12—Feeding the Fisheaters; Co- The James Nelson and Anna Louise guidance of staff lecturers, are made every lumbus Crosses the Atlantic. Raymond Foundation for Public School and afternoon at 3 p.m., except Saturdays, October 19—'Neath Poland's Harvest ChUdren's Lectures will present its autumn Sundays, and certain holidays. Following Skies; The Mam- series of free motion picture programs for Dainty Hummingbird; is the schedule of subjects and dates for mals in Old Trouble. children beginning on Octobier 5. Nine Strange Form; Man October: on which will be a October 26—Among the Igloo Dwellers; — programs, presented Week begiiming —September 30: Monday Gedoor total of thirty-four motion pictures, will be Winter in an Arctic Village; Odd Hoofed Exhibits; Tuesday South American Archaeolccy: —Asiatic — on Animals; Elephants at W^ork and Play. Wednesday Animal life: Thursday Genera] given Saturday mornings throughout Tour; Friday—Trees and Their Uses. October and November. There will be two November 2—Jungle Giants; The Veldt; Week begiiming October 7: —Life in the of films on The The Prowlers. Monday showings the each program, one Wrestling Swordfish; Far North; Tuesday—Bird Families of North .\merica; commencing at 10 a.m. and one at 11. November 9—The Jenolan Caves; The Wednesday—Prehistoric Plants and Animals: Thurs- —General — and -^Gt. All will be presented in the James Simp>son Declaration of Independence. day Tour; Friday Eg>*pt Its Week — Theatre of the Museum. Children from all November 16— of the beginning October 14: Monday Indians of Winners West: The the — — of and suburbs are invited Southwest; Tuesday Marine Life; Wednesday parts Chicago Departure of the Covered Wagons; Men of the Old Stone Age; Thursday—General Tour; to attend. come in They may alone, groups Indians at Home; Buffalo Bill; The Pony Friday—The Story of Coal. schools other from and centers, or with Express; Within the Stockade. Week beginning October 21: Monday—Gems and of — teachers, parents, or other adults. November 23—Mt. Vesuvius and Its Jewelry Many Lands; Ttiesday Game Animals; Neigh- Wednesday— of the South — The titles of the films to be shown on Peoples Seas; Thursday bors; Small Cats and Monkeys; Glimpses General Tour; Friday—Uses of Plant Juices, Fruits each date will be found in the following of Rome; Turtles of All Lands; Kangaroos. and Fibers. schedule: November 30—The Lapps and Their Rein- Week begiiming October 28: Monday—Types of Mankind; Tuesday— Hoises, Past and Present; October 5—Adventures of Wrongstart, deer; Wearers of Fur and Quills; Pre- Wednesday—Chinese .\rt; Thursday—General Tour. the Dog: The Mountain Goats; The Bear historic Lake Dwellers; Falling Snow. Persons wishing to participate should TYPES OF RACES TO BE PICTURED IN FIELD NEWS apply at North Entrance. Tours are free MUSEUM and no gratuities are to be proffered. A new The Races of Mankind sculptures by eastern section is continued the display of schedule will appear each month in Field Malvina Hoffman, exhibited in Chauncey Asiatic types, the diverse peoples of that Museum News. Guide-lecturers' ser%-ices Keep Memorial Hall (Hall 3), have aroused continent requiring many more types to for special tours by parties of ten or more such great interest that it is planned to represent them adequately than any other are available free of charge by arrangement publish a series of reproductions of them geographical region. The fourth section of with the Director a week in advance. in FiEM) Museum News. Of the 91 figures, the hall, a sort of annex, contains supple- groups, busts and heads in Chauncey Keep material of value in the of mentary' study Gifts to the Museum Following is a list of some of the principal gifts received during the last month: From William T. Hewetson—10 herbarium spea- mens, Illinois; from Dr. A. Ducke—47 herbarium specimens, Brazil; from Harold Vernon— 19 trilobite specimens and a specimen of brachiopod, Canada; from Andrew Andrews—a specimen of zinc-lead-silver ore, Britisfa Columbia; from American Doucil Com- pany—2 specimesis doucil; from Mias EUiabeth Olivo' —4 mineral speamess and 3 concretioiis, Michigan; from Henry Field—250 heitaiiiim specimeBs, 129 fni^, lizards, and snakes, 29 qwdmens of bate, boar skalb. and gazelles, a fox skin, and a grey heron skin, Iraq; from Dr. Erich F. Schmidt—a l^ena skull, Iran; froa Dr. C. C. liu—43 frogs, lizards, turtles, and nakes, China; from Gordon Grant—38 tree-toads, toads, snakes, and lizards; from Austin Eastwood—a bear skeleton, Transcaucasia; from James Mooney—a tree snake; from Sam Sakin—a turtle and 5 snakes, Chicago recion; from Leslie Wheeler—a dusk>' homed oirt, Oregoti; from Dr. Minna E. Jewell — 15 specimens of fresh-water sponges, Wisconsin; from Dr. L. A. Hodsdon—5 frogs, 13 lizards, and 9 bats, Bahamas: from Mr. and Mrs. Herman Gesswein—a banana salamander; from Miss Catherine D. Hauberg—5 herbarium specimens, California.

Where Races of Mankind May be Studied NEW MEMBERS View of a aectioD of Chauncey Keep Memorial Hall in which are exhibited the noteworthy racial portraitures in bronze and stone by €he sculptor Malvina Hoffman. More than ninety figoies, groups, busts and heads are The following persons were elected to included in this unique series. membership in Field Museum during the period from August 16 to September 14: Hall, six were shown in illustrations printed physical anthropology—types of skulls; in the June, 1933, issue of the News, and samples of hair from various racial groups; Life Members five more appeared in the November, 1934, types of facial features; types of hands, feet, Emanuel J. Block issue. Others will now be published from etc.; casts of brains; examples of head and Associate Members time to it for interested deformation time, making possible body practised by various J. P. Brunt, Barney Ctjshman, J. Roberts Hann, readers to assemble a representative collec- peoples, and other exhibits relating to racial H. K. Humphrey, Lester M. Jones, Edward D. Loring. Miss H. tion of these pictures. characteristics. Hedwig Mueller. In this issue appears a photograph of a The sculptures showing in the photo- Annual Members section of Chauncey Keep Hall. Physical graphs of the hall herewith are (from left H. Kirke Becker, Mis. C. M. Brant, Dr. WlUiam conditions of its construction and the to right) those of an Australian bush F. Briney, Mrs. George Owens Clinch, Mra. Louis E. Fischer. L. F. Hallett, E. A. Henne. W. J. HoUiday, arrangement of the exhibits make it possible woman and child, a Semang of the pygmy W. R. Kemper, Mrs. Walter C. Leitch, .Mrs. .Ubert to obtain with a camera only a partial \new Malay Peninsula, a Solomon Islander Cotter Levis, Miss Marie Tioomis, Dr. Maurice L. of the hall and only a few of the sculptures. climbing a tree, a Hawaiian riding a surf- Richardson, Lee Walker. The hall is di\ided into four sections, and board, the symbolical "Unity of Mankind" the exhibits are which a central in systematically arranged group occupies position Museum Papers at Science Congress according to geographical and racial rela- the hall, a group of pygmies of the Ituri tionships. forest in the Belgian Congo, a Shilluk The program of the Seventh American The west section of the hall (part of which warrior of Africa, and a Senegalese drummer. Scientific Congress, held in Mexico City last is shown in the foreground of the accompany- A close-up view of the Unity of Mankind month, included a botanical paper by Asso- ing illustration) is devoted to the races of group will be published in the next issue of ciate Curator Paul C. Standley. Africa and Oceania. The central section, the News. Professor A. C. No6, Research Associate which is octagonal in shape, contains sculp- in Paleobotany, took part in the proceedings tures of types of the races of America and Types of orchids are illustrated in the Hall of the congress by special invitation and Europe, and some of Asia. In the adjoining of Plant Life. delivered an addr^.

MIIMTC9 mr riCLD muscum press News Ptiblished Monthly by Field Miiseum of Natural History, Chicago

Vol.6 NOVEMBER, 1935 No. 11

GROUP OF NILGAI, LARGEST OF ASIATIC ANTELOPES, ADDED TO KELLEY HALL Wilfred H. Osgood By tree {Butea frondosa) which is said to have found good sport in riding it down on horse- Curator, Department of Zoology much attraction for this animal. The back, but this can be done only under es- a Unlike Africa, Asia does not have in its Museum's group, therefore, includes hand- pecially favorable conditions. some of of these trees bear- rich fauna a large variety of handsome and reproduction one At the present time this animal is restrict- masses of flowers sur- graceful antelopes. The list of those now ing great deep orange ed to central India, from the base of the the of its lower living is a comparatively short one, includ- mounting green foliage Himalayas to the province of Mysore on branches. The animals as in mid- ing a few small gazelles, several rather aber- appear the south, and from eastern Punjab to parts the shade of the tree. rant types, and one large, clumsy and some- day, enjoying of the Bombay Presidency. Apparently what bovine antelope known as the nilgai. The nilgai is not a favorite with sports- it has occupied this region for a very long This large animal, time since its fossilized although it would at- remains are found tract but little atten- in India not only in tion in Africa, takes Pleistocene formations on considerable im- but also in the more portance in India. It ancient Pliocene. It has therefore been bears some relation- given a place in Wil- ship to large African liam V. Kelley Hall antelopes such as the of Asiatic Mammals eland and the koodoo, (Hall 17), where a and perhaps it is a group of three animals, survivor from a time male, female and in southern Asia when young, has just been many other species of completed. this type existed there. The word nilgai, It is absent from Cey- which is variously lon and all similar spelled (nilghai, nyl- forested areas, since gai and nylgau), is its preference for dry, formed from native open country is words nil (or HI) marked. It is inde- meaning blue and gau pendent of water, al- meaning cow. 'The though, like many name blue bull is also other antelopes, it frequently used. This drinks regularly when is fairly appropriate, water is available. It for the male animal is preyed upon by the is rather bluish or Nilli-.li or lilue Hull tiger, the leopard, and blackish gray in color, There is a striking color diiTerenee between male (on right) and female (on left). The animals in this new packs of wild dogs. and although it is group were collected by the late Colonel J. C. Faunthorpe, and mounted by Staff Taxidermist Julius Friesser. As far back as 1767 classified with the one of these antelopes antelopes, it has simple, untwisted horns and men, partly because it is easy to stalk and was sent to England and successfully kept a somewhat broad, bovine nose suggesting partly because its short, simple horns do for exhibition. Since that time it has been a the cattle and buffaloes. The females and not provide imposing trophies to grace the common animal in zoological gardens. It young are plain brown in color, very different walls of the hunter. Old bulls may reach breeds and thrives in captivity. from the male, but both sexes have a short, a weight of six hundred pounds but their The specimens for the Museum's group bristly mane on the neck, and conspicuous, horns rarely exceed eight inches in length. were collected by the late Colonel J. C. white rings above and below the fetlocks. The longest on record had the relatively Faunthorpe, of Bombay, and prepared by Semi-arid plains or rocky ground with insignificant length of eleven and three- Staff Taxidermist Julius Friesser, assisted sparse and scrubby tree growth are the quarter inches. The nilgai is said to be by Mr. W. E. Eigsti. The dhak tree re- haunts of the nilgai. A common tree in able to gallop at good speed over rough production is by Mr. Frank Letl; the back- such regions is the brilliantly flowered dhak ground, and in some cases hunters have ground by Staff Artist Charles A. Corwin.

QUININE chewing the bark of cinchona trees to cure cinchona, returned to Spain with quantities By Paul C. Standley their fevers. Another tale is that it was of the bark, and distributed it among the Associate Curator of the Herbarium discovered by an Indian drinking the sick on her husband's estates. It soon waters of a lake into which a cinchona tree became widely known in Europe, and it It is singularly appropriate that tropical had fallen. was not long before it was an article of America, where malaria is the greatest Apparently the Indians had been aware commerce. Louis XIV of France Sir plague, should first have produced quinine, paid of the medicinal value of cinchona bark for Robert an the best remedy for this malady. Almost Talbor, English doctor, 2,000 some hundreds of years before the arrival louis a conferred a every person in that region is stricken d'or, large pension, and of the Spaniards, but had been largely sooner or later with malaria. The loss of title upon him, for the secret of preparing indifferent to or even prejudiced against is incalculable, while death is quinine. Thenceforth it became recognized efficiency use of the drug. frequent the poor where proper as the most efficacious remedy for inter- among In 1638 the Countess of Chinchon, wife treatment is not always available. mittent fevers. of the Spanish viceroy of Peru, was cured the exhibits in the Hall of Plant Among of a severe fever by the use of this bark. Life devoted to the of (Hall 29) family This cure, regarded as miraculous, made a Stencils cut from birch bark by the Rubiaceae is a of cinchona specimen bark, tremendous impression on Europeans in Naskapi-Montagnais Indians of Labrador, the source of quinine. There are mythical America. It even inspired the writing of and used in painting designs on skin and as stories current of the virtues of quinine a novel, "Zuma," by Mme de Genlis. The guides in making embroidery, are on ex- having been discovered by watching the Countess of Chinchon, from whose name hibition in James Nelson and Anna Louise pumas or mountain lions of South America was later derived the name of the tree, Raymond Hall (Hall 4). Pagei FIELD MUSEUM NEWS November, 1935

Field Museum of Natural History MODEL SHOWS CHICAGO AREA writer, were sunning themselves in open Founded by Marshall Field. 1893 SUBTERRANEAN STRATA places, and tracks in the loose sand showed that in of old Rooserelt Road and Lake Mlchi^n, Chicago By Henry W. Nichols they had gone and out wood- chuck burrows. had climbed into Curator, Department of Geology Many THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES bushes where they lay extended on horizontal In the other Sbwell L. Avbsy William H. Mitchell tropics, semi-tropics, and branches. The average size was between not reached ice John Borden Frederick H. Rawson regions by the of the glacial four and five feet, and all had the glossy WnxiAM J. Chauibrs George A. Richard60N period, the soil often changes so gradually fresh Joseph N. Field Fred W. Sargent appearance of snakes which had into the rock that tell Marshall Field Stephen C. Simms below no one can recently shed their skins. The surrounding Stanley Field Jambs Simpson where the soil ends and the rock begins. dune areas seemed to be free of blue racers. Ernest R. Solomon A. Smith Graham In glaciated regions such as the country Occasional blue racers be observed Albert W, Harris Albert A. Spragub may around conditions are dif- Samuel Insull, Jr. Silas H. Strawn Chicago, very throughout the Dunes region during the ferent. Cyrus H. McCormick Lesue Wheeler The advancing continental glacier summer, but it is most unusual in the John P. Wilson scoured away the original soil and any experience of Chicago naturalists to see OFFICERS unsound weathered rock, leaving a smooth more than one or two of these handsome Stanley Field Pretident hard rock surface. When the ice of the active snakes in the course of a Albert A. Spragub Fint Vict-Praidtnl day. retreating glacier melted, it left a cover of Jambs Simpson Second Viee-Pretideni The aggregation of snakes into hibernating ALBERT W. Haeris Third Vwe-Pre*idtnt gravel, sand and mud over the rock surface. colonies is a matter of considerable scientific Stephen C. Simms Director and But this cover was not it was thick Secretam even, interest, and very little is known about it, Solomon A. Smith . . . Treaturer and Aaittant Secretary in some places and thin in others, so that although it is suspected that this fall con- the top surface of the new soil has no centration of blue racers may have been FIELD MUSEUM NEWS relation to the contour of the hard rock observed by old residents of the Dunes and Stephen C. Simms, Director of the Muteum Editor below. hill A on the surface may be over hikers who frequent the region. a in the or a in the CONTRIBirriNG EDITORS valley rock, depression As a means of studying the numbers of Paul S. Mabtin AeUng Curator of Anikropolosy soil may overlie a peak in the rock. snakes involved and the distances to which B. E. Dahlgren Curator of Botany This is shown a model in Henry W. Nichols Curator strikingly by and from which they travel, twenty-six of Geology Clarence Hall This Wilfred H. Osgood Curator of Zoology Buckingham (Hall 35). specimens of the colony discovered in the H. B. Harte Managing Editor model represents surface farmland in the Dunes were marked by the writer, and country near Chicago with its green fields, Messrs. L. L. W^alters and E. G. Laybourne, farm and fences. The farm Field Museum is open every day of the year during buildings repre- by a system of scarring individual scales the hours indicated below: sented is on stony glacial gravel which has beneath the tail. More important observa- a Nov., Dec., Jan., Feb., Mar. 9 a.m. to 4 :30 p.m. gently rolling surface and lies on a sharply tions will accrue from the study of living April, September, October 9 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. defined rugged limestone surface below. in the wild state than from the May, June, July, August 9 A.M. to 6:00 P.M. specimens The form of the surface of the ground is accumulation of further museum Admission is free to Members on all Other specimens days. seen to have no relation to the rock adults are admitted free on Thursdays, Saturdays and rugged preserved in alcohol, although the total Sundays; non-members pay 25 cents on other days. surface with its ridges and valleys below. number of specimens of blue racer in the Children are admitted free on all Students and days. collections of Field Museum and the facility members of educational institutions are admit* Chicago ted free any day upon presentation of credentials. STUDY OF SNAKE MIGRATION Academy of Sciences together is only eleven. The Museum's natural history Library is open for Specimens found dead on the roads in reference daily except Saturday afternoon and AND HIBERNATION BEGUN Sunday. the Dunes region, if not too much crushed, exhibits are circulated in the schools Traveling of By Karl P. Schmidt will still be welcome additions to the the N. W. Harris Public School study Chicago by Extension Assistant Curator of Department of the Museum. Reptiles collections of either of these institutions, Lectures for schools, and special entertainments One of the most interesting subjects in however, and persons finding them are and tours for children at the Museum, are provided zoology is the means various animals em- requested to send them. Living specimens by the James Nelson and Anna Louise Raymond for the winter. All of the blue which is an harm- Foundation for Public School and Children's Lectures. ploy passing reptiles racer, entirely and in northern countries be- less creature, beneficial to agricul- Announcements of free illustrated lectures for the amphibians actually ture in the of public, and special lectures for Members of the Museum, come dormant during this season. Hiber- general economy Nature, will appear in Field Museum News. nation requires a refuge from the cold where should not be molested. Local naturalists, A cafeteria in the Museum serves visitors. Rooms complete freezing of the body cannot occur. by repeated visits to the places of hiberna- are provided for those bringing their lunches. insects, on the other hand, can freeze tion, will be able to fill out the unknown Motor Coach Many Chicago Company No. 26 buses go of the life of the snakes. direct to the Museum. solidly without injurj'. A number of reptiles, parts history Members are requested to inform the Museum such as turtles, may have their extremities promptly of changes of address. frozen, but none can survive freezing of the Change in Visiting Hours heart. Aquatic reptiles, frogs, and salaman- IN MEMBERSHIP FIELD MUSEUM ders gather in swamps and ponds where they Effective November 1, and continu- Field Museum has several classes of Members. hibernate in the mud, while toads and many ing until March 31, winter visiting Benefactors or devise give $100,000 or more. Contribu- snakes, the box turtle and all hours—9 A.M. to 4:30 P.M.—will be tors give or devise $1,000 to $100,000. Life Members hibernating on at Field Mu- give $500; Non-Resident Life and Associate Members mammals take refuge in dry places. observed weekdays Non-Resident Associate 9 A.M. to 5 P.M. on pay $100; Members pay $50. Among cold-blooded reptiles a gathering seum; Sundays. All the above classes are from dues. exempt Sustaining from a wide area to a hibernation Members contribute $25 annually. After six years they specific become Associate Members. Annual Members con- den may take place in the fall. This is Post Card Sets tribute $10 annually. Other memberships are Corpo- especially well-loiown of rattlesnakes, cop- rate, Honorary, Patron, and Corresponding, additions Educational series of photogravure post under these perheads, and water moccasins. The eastern classifications being made by special action cards different of anthro- of the Board of Trustees. blacksnake is said to have the same illustrating phases habit, and Each Member, in all classes, is entitled to free and to share the dens of the timber rattle- pological, botanical, geological zoological admission to the Museum for are and sold Field himself, his family and snakes and copperheads. At the time of subjects, published by house guests, and to two reserved seats for Museum Museum. These have proved to be a lectures provided for Members. to Field going into hibernation these snakes seem to Subscription valuable medium of scientific Museum News is included with all memberships. The be completely indifferent to each other's disseminating courtesies of of six to every museum note in the United the blacksnake the information. Each set contains from States and Canada are extended all presence, although during to Members of thirty cards with picture and instructive Field Museum. A Member may give his personal card summer may make an occasional meal of a to non-residents of text. Prices range from 10 cents to 50 cents Chicago, upon presentation of rattler. which they will be admitted to the Museum without depending upon the number of cards in the Further information about In the middle west the well-known blue charge. memberships will set. A list of the subjects may be obtained be sent on request. racers take the place of blacksnakes, and ap- from the Museum on request. parently gatherings into a winter den occur BEQUESTS AND ENDOWMENTS them also. A remarkable among aggrega- Swanflower Bequests to Field Museum of Natural History may tion of this sort was discovered in the Indi- be made in securities, money, books or collections. ana Dunes about the middle of Octo- At the same time one of the most strik- They may, if desired, take the form of a memorial to region a person or cause, named by the giver. ber by the writer, accompanied by Mr. ingly attractive in appearance yet most dis- Cash contributions made within the taxable year Bryan Patterson of the Department of gustingly malodorous of tropical plants is not 15 exceeding per cent of the taxpayer's net income Geology. Among the old oak-covered dunes, the huge swanflower of Central America are allowable as deductions in net income computing within an area not than an an and the Antillean islands. A under Article 251 of Regulation 69 relating to the greater acre, reproduction income tax under the Revenue Act of 1926. extraordinarily large colony of blue racers, of it, and a model showing its structure, are Endowments be may made to the Museum with the numbering between fifty and one hundred on exhibition in the Hall of Plant Life (Hall provision that an annuity be paid to the patron for life. individual snakes, was found. These snakes, 29). It is the largest flower of the region These annuities are tax-free and are guaranteed against fluctuation in amount. never seen in such numbers before by the to which it is native. November, 1935 FIELD MUSEUM NEWS Page S

FIVE LECTURES TO BE GIVEN these boats are like a hollow hemisphere. ADDITIONS MADE TO EXHIBIT DURING NOVEMBER The one on exhibition is about five and one- OF FROGS AND SALAMANDERS half feet in diameter, and three feet high. Five more lectures in the autumn course The boatman kneels on the bottom of the The frogs, toads, and salamanders in the for adults, remain to be given on Saturday exhibit of and am- boat and directs it, by means of a short systematic reptiles afternoons during November. All the Hall paddle, to the opposite shore. phibians in Albert W. Harris (Hall 18) lectures at 3 and are to be Complica- begin p.m., pre- tions arise from the drift downstream caused have recently been reinstalled. Eleven new sented in the James Simpson Theatre of Staff Leon by the current. These boats are capable models, prepared by Taxidermist the Museum. are illustrated with They of carrying three or four men or two men L. Walters, have been added. motion pictures and stereopticon slides. and about two hundred pounds of goods. The additions include two handsome Following are the subjects, and speakers Generally, there are two or three such species of North American tree frogs, as dates: only boats available at a ferry station, and conse- well as the large green Australian tree frog, November 2—The Second Byrd Antarctic quently it may take a large caravan a whole and the very remarkable African clawed Expedition day to effect a crossing. frog which is entirely aquatic. The last of Dr. Thomas C. Poulter, Mount Pleasant, Iowa; The boat on exhibition was used several these represents one of the most distinct of Second-in-Command of the Expedition times by the late Dr. Berthold Laufer while the families into which the frog group is November 9—Africa in South America traveling in Tibet as leader of the Blackstone divided. Hendrik de Leeuw, New York City Expedition to China, 1908-10. He later Five additions to the salamanders of the purchased it for the Museum. It is a United States include specimens of the November 16—Tibet—Forbidden Land of notable addition to the collections, as such marbled, two-lined, red-backed, and Great Magic and Mystery boats are rarely exhibited in this country. Smokies salamanders, and the extraordinary Harrison Forman, New York City Coracles were once widely distributed large eel-like species known as "Congo eel" Novemiber 23—Plants Without Soil and over the northern part of the Old World. which is one of the strangest of American Other Miracles in Nature They were used in Britain at the time of animals. A model of the handsome banana Arthur C. Pillsbury, Berkeley, California salamander of Guatemala was made possible which November 30—Sails Over Ice by the receipt of a living specimen in a commercial Captain Robert A. Bartlett, New York City reached Chicago shipment of bananas. For the first time there is No tickets are necessary for admission exhibited also a specimen of the Mexican to these lectures. A section of the Theatre axolotl. The axolotl is a strange salamander is reserved for Members of the Museum, which lives in the lakes near Mexico City each of whom is entitled to two reserved as a "permanent larva," breathing by means seats on for these seats request. Requests of large external gills. In captivity it has may be made by telephone or in writing been known to transform into a salamander to the Museum, in advance of the lecture, of the ordinary land type, much like the will be in and seats then held the Member's common tiger salamander. until 3 o'clock the of the name on day The occasion of rearranging this case was lecture. Members obtain seats in the may utilized for a complete revision of all labels reserved section also of by presentation concerning the amphibians. These are now their cards to the Theatre membership printed in larger and more legible type and attendant before 3 o'clock on the lecture Tibetan Coracle are provided with individual maps showing day, even though no advance reservation of boat made of the seams caulked the distribution the species. has been made. All reserved seats not Strange yak skins, with butter. Used for crossing rivers. On exhibition claimed by 3 o'clock will be opened to the in Hall 32. ANCIENT SPRUCE IN ILLINOIS general public. the Roman invasion, as well as in western Two spruce cones found embedded in LAMAIST CEREMONIAL APRON Asia and many parts of India. Alexander marl at a depth of twenty feet from the sur- the Great availed himself of such boats on face of a thick deposition of peat on the mar- curiosities from Among interesting mysteri- his expedition in the Orient. The so-called gin of Grass Lake in Lake County, Illinois, ous exhibited in the of Tibet, Department "bull boats" used by the Mandan Indians and recently presented to Keld Museum, is a rare ceremonial bone Anthropology, of the Upper Missouri River were con- afford opportunity for an interesting ecologi- used in sacred rites of Tibetan Lamas apron structed in a similar fashion. Even today, cal note. They testify to the presence in for demons. It is on view at the exorcising coracles are still extensively employed as early post-glacial times, from 25,000 to north end of the East Gallery. fishing boats on the Severn and other 30,000 years ago, of spruce forests in this This of sacred is seldom seen type object Welsh rivers. region. Today the southern limit of spruce outside "Tibet because it is considered as a is some three hundred miles to the north, of the treasure part temple and, accordingly, HOW URUGUAYAN AGATE FIELD spruce forests not occurring farther south kept well guarded. The example exhibited than northern Michigan and Wisconsin. in the Museum consists of twenty-three WAS DISCOVERED Certain pollen analyses of northern Illinois large oblong pieces carved, supposedly, Most of the world's of comes supply agate peat bogs corroborate this evidence of the from human thigh bones, and eighteen from a remote and difficult of region, access, former presence of spruce forests in the rhomboid pieces of bone, fastened together in the north of There the Uruguay. rough Chicago region. The abundance of spruce by cords. The oblongs are decorated with now on in Hall 34 were agates display pollen indicates that this tree was possibly figures of strange deities, and the others collected the Marshall Field Brazilian by the predominating coniferous tree in early with emblems of the Lamaist cult. The of 1926. A member of the Expedition post-glacial times. carving shows great beauty and excellence was told Mr. Julio expedition by Schuch, The cones received at the Museum are a of technique. That the apron is probably the largest operator in the district, the gift from Mr. C. N. Ackerman, of Chicago quite old is indicated by various signs of story of the discovery of this agate field. and Antioch, Illinois, an Associate Member wear and tear it displays. to Mr. Schuch were dis- According agates of the Museum. The cones have been ten- covered in about 1860 a German Uruguay by identified as those of Picea cana- who came from a center of tatively A TIBETAN BOAT boy Oldenburg, densis. —B.M.S. MADE OF SKINS the German agate industry. This boy had been fighting in the Brazilian army. When By Paul S. Martin Dr. Baehni Returns to Geneva the war or revolution was over foreign Acting Curator, Department of Anthropology soldiers were no longer wanted in the After fourteen months spent at Field A Tibetan boat made of animal skins has Brazilian army and they were removed in Museum, Dr. Charles Baehni, of the Con- been placed on exhibition in Hall 32. the most informal manner. This boy was servatoire et Jardin Botaniques of Geneva, This type of boat, which is the only kind conducted across the border into Uruguay Switzerland, returned to Europe recently. made and used by the Tibetans, is called a and told not to come back. Wandering Dr. Baehni had been engaged here in studies coracle (a word derived from the Welsh through the Catalan district of Uruguay he of the American flora and in research upon corwgl, "a carcass" or "boat"). It is made noticed agates in the stream beds. As he the Sapotaceae or sapodilla family. In of yak hides which are stretched over a had been reared in an agate-working com- addition, he assembled duplicate material frame of bent willow twigs. The hides are munity he recognized the value of the to be sent to the Geneva Herbarium, as sewed together by means of rawhide ropes, material and wrote to his uncle in Germany the result of a cooperative project arranged and the holes created thereby are plugged about it. His uncle came to Uruguay and by the Museum with Dr. B. P. G. Hoch- with butter to prevent leakage. In shape established the industry. —H.W.N. reutiner, Director of the Geneva institution. Pageh FIELD MUSEUM NEWS November, 19S5

CHILDREN'S PROGRAMS OFFERED and now occupies almost every habitable NOVEMBER GUIDE-LECTURE TOURS BY RAYMOND FOUNDATION area. Conducted tours of exhibits, under the This monumental group is a gift to the The autumn series of free motion picture guidance of staff lecturers, are made every Museum from Mrs. Charles H. Schweppe, programs for children on Saturday mornings, afternoon at 3 p.m., except Saturdays, of Chicago, who is the donor also of various provided by the James Nelson and Anna Sundays, and certain holidays. Following others of the sculptures in Louise Foundation for Public Chauncey Keep is the schedule of and dates for Raymond Hall. subjects School and Children's Lectures, will con- November: tinue November. There will be Chosen as models for this group were the throughout Friday, November 1 —Glimpses of African Life. two of the films on each finest physical typ^ available of the three showings program, Week November 4: — principal racial divisions, white, black and beginning Monday Fishes, one beginning at 10 A.M., and one at 11, Past and Present; Tuesday—Races of Mankind; Each of these in the James Simpson Theatre of the Mu- yellow. portraitures displays, Wednesday—Plants and Animals of the Past: Thurs- in the excellent work- —General —Palms and Cereals. seum. Children from all parts of Chicago noteworthy degree, day Tour; Friday and suburbs are invited to attend. They Week beginning November 11: Monday—Indians of Woods and —Unusual come in from schools Plains; Tuesday .\nimal3; may alone, groups Wednesday—Etruscan and Roman Exhibits; Thurs- and other centers, or with parents, teachers day—General Tour; Friday—Rocks and Minerals. or other adults. Week beginning November 18: Monday—.\mber. The titles of the films to be shown on Turpentine and Rubber; Tuesday—Bird Exhibits; —Jades; —General will be found in the Wednesday Thursday Tour; Friday each date following —HaU of Plant Life. schedule: Week beginning November 25: Monday—North American — Wednes- November 2— The Veldt; Archaeology: Tuesday Skeletons: Jungle Giants; day—Moon and Meteorites: Thursday—Thanksgiving The Wrestling Swordfish; The Prowlers. holiday, no tour; Friday—Egyptian Hall. 9—The Jenolan The November Caves; Persons wishing to participate should Declaration of Independence. apply at North Entrance. Tours are free November 16—Winners of the West: The and no gratuities are to be proffered. A new Departure of the Covered Wagons; schedule will appear each month in Field Indians at Home; Buffalo Bill; The Pony MusEtlM News. Guide-lecturers' serv-ices Express; Within the Stockade. for special tours by parties of ten or more November 23—Mt. Vesuvius and Its Neigh- are available free of charge by arrangement bors; Small Cats and Monkeys; Glimpses with the Director a week in advance. of Rome; Turtles— of All Lands; Kangaroos. November 30 The Lapps and Their Rein- Gifts to the Museum deer; Wearers of F\it and Quills; Pre- is a list of some of the historic Lake Dwellers; Falling Snow. Following principal gifts received during the last month: From E. C. Grossman—2 shrunken human heads, A NEW FUND FOR PUBLICATIONS from Professor A. O. Garrett —66 herbarium Peru; — ON AMERICAN ANTHROPOLOGY specimens, Utah; from William A. Schipp 77 her- barium—specimens, British Honduras; from George L. In 1886 Dr. Frederick Webb Hodge made Fisher 88 herbarium specimens, Mexico: from School of Forestry, Yale University— 128 herbarixtm speci- his first archaeological expedition. His mens, Colombia: from D. C. Peattie—657 herbarium career in anthropology reaches its fiftieth specimens, southeastern United States; from Professor Manuel Valerio—72 herbarium Costa Rica; in 1936. The occasion is to be specimens, anniversary from W. T. Hewetson—5 herbarium specimens and a marked by creation of the Hodge Anni- water-color painting, Illinois; from Professor G. W. versary Publication F\ind, under the guid- Graves—cones of Araucaria, California; from David and Hubert Beddoes— 5 homed ance of a committee of eminent anthro- Waddington toads, Colorado: from Wallis Hmdekoper—3 wolf skins, An editorial board will select — pologists. Montana; from Chicago Zoological Society— 6 snakes for publication works on American anthro- and 10 lizards; from Leslie Wheeler an eagle, a and 2 from Edward J. Southwest Museum, of which Dr. kite, hawks, Panama: Brundage pology. —56 insects, Connecticut: from Charles N. Ackerman is director, will administer the fund. — of on and two of fossil Hodge one specimen vivianite day — Publications will be sold at approximate cones, Illinois: from George H. Hawes a fossil cepha- Illinois: from Innis Speiden Company—a cost. Contributors who desire will receive lopod, tnlobite and 3 specimens of silica,— Illinois: from West pro rata credit in publications to the amount Coast Mineral Association —9 specimens of ore, of their contribution in dollars. Contribu- Washington; from K. Ogaki 12 fossil leaves and a of fossil turtle, Manchukuo; from Herbert tions should be sent to fragment Hodge Fund, South- C. Walther—7 specimens of fossil fern leaves and one west Museum, Los Angeles. of pyrite crystals, Illinois; from Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific Railroad Company—21 of Dr. Hodge is a pioneer of American reels_ motion picture films; from Resources Corporation anthropology. A founder of the American International —21 boards of hardwoods, southern Anthropological Association, he edited its Mexico; from Dr. Alfred Emerson— 17 bats, Panama; from .\merican Institute for Persian .\rt and .\rchae- journal, the American Anthropologist, for and Black Man Unity—white. Yellow, ologj- —8 pottery objects, Kish, Iraq. fifteen He has made years. many important Bronze group by Malvina Hoffman, occupying the studies of aboriginal America. The fund center of Chauncey Keep Memorial Hall (Hall of the bearing his name offers friends and admirers Races of Mankind). The group, which is a gift from NEW MEMBERS Mrs. Charies H. the basic uni- to honor and to Schweppe, symbolizes opportunity him, help formity of mankind despite racial differences. The following persons were elected to increase the meager existing facilities for membership in Field Museum during the publication of research in American pre- manship and fine artistry for which Miss period from September 16 to October 15: history. re- Hoffman is so noted, and which was Associate Metnl>er8 for her selection to out the sponsible carry Jerome J. Kanter, John H. Merrell, Miss Janet "THE UNITY OF MANKIND" long and difficult task of preserving in O'Brien, Herbert S. Ullmann, Mrs. Edward Kenneth bronze and stone of all the world's Welles. The bronze group "Unity of Mankind," types races—some of them dying races Annual Members by the sculptor Malvina Hoffman, shown in principal of in soon to these Mre. R. Mrs. the the which years come sculp- Harry Applegate, Joseph Henry Biggs, accompanying illustration, occupies Fritz Nathan S. Dr. M. D. K. tures may be especially important records. Blocki, Blumberg, center of Chauncey Keep Memorial Hall Bremner, Oscar B. Depue, Henry C. Dosch, John and H. A. Miss (Hall 3), where it strikes the keynote of the Original photographs, photogravure W. Evers, Jr., Owen O. Flory, Mrs. Frick, Annie Mrs. T. Dr. M. T. entire Races of Mankind series of post card views of this, and most of the Goldfinger, Morgan Jones, sculptures. Dr. N. J. Waller other Races of Mankind MacEachern, Hugh MacKechnie, This group consists of three bronze statues sculptures, may Marshall, Robert W. Martin, Webb W. Martin, L. H. be at the Museum. Mail orders in heroic size, representing a white, a yellow, purchased Matthews, Mrs. George J. Meyer, Clarence Morgan, Mrs. Michael F. Harold W. and a black a circle around a promptly handled. By special arrangement Mulcahy, Hugh Newman, man, forming C. W. Miss Edith Walter A. in bronze also be Norman, Perkins, Rea, pilaster which is surmounted by a globe reproductions may Rogers, John Rudin, Miss E. C. Stanley, Miss Louise upon which are outlined in high relief the purchased. A. Stift. five continents as the habitat of humanity. The group symbolizes the unity of mankind Ancient Egyptian pottery on exhibition A remarkably large cut aquamarine, as a well-defined, fundamentally uniform in Hall J ranges in date from about 2400 weighing 341 carats, is exhibited in H. N. species which has spread all over the earth B.C. to A.D. 400. Higinbotham Hall (Hall 31). NTED BY riCLO MUSEUM PRESS News Published Monthly by Field Museum of Natural History, Chicago

Vol.6 DECEMBER, 1935 No. 12

ANCIENT VOTIVE PYRAMID OF TOLTECS IN MEXICO IS REPRESENTED BY MODEL

By Paul S. Martin full-length feathered snakes sculptured in Other ceremonies were rendered for the Acting Curator, Department of Anthropology low relief. gods of corn, flowers, maguey, beans, and A miniature model of the Pyramid of On the west face is a broad stairway of the soil. There were also special ceremonies Quetzalcoatl, recently obtained from the fifty-eight steps, its balustrade ornamented for each of the eighteen months into which National Museum of Mexico, is now on with serpent heads. All decorations were the Toltecs divided the year. view at Field Museum in Hall 8. It is a stucco-covered and painted in bright colors. The largest structure at San Juan Teoti- strikingly accurate reproduction of the Construction of such a pyramid must huacan is the Pyramid of the Sun, on the original, and makes a most attractive exhibit. have been a gigantic task for a people whose east side of the Street of the Dead. It The Pyramid of Quetzalcoatl is in the building methods were primitive. After is 215 feet high and has a frontage of 716 ancient town now called San Juan Teoti- the ground was cleared of all vegetation, feet. The summit is a level platform about huacan, a few miles northeast of Mexico crude walls were erected to enclose the 130 feet square. A temple formerly stood City. On this site are also the Pyramids area. The space within was filled with on the platform, but has long since rotted of the Sun and the Moon, and a straight stone and earth. This mass was then away. There is no evidence that this struc- roadway—the Street ture was devoted to of the Dead. sun worship—its Near one end of the name was applied Street of the Dead is after the Spanish con- a spacious quad- quest. The ceremo- rangular plaza sur- nies were probably the rounded by fifteen same as those held small flat-topped on the Pyramid of pyramids. This group Quetzalcoatl. is known as the The third well- Citadel, although the known building at buildings probably Teotihuacan is the formed a sacred unit. Pyramid of the Moon, In the center is the located at one end of recently excavated the Street of the Dead. Pyramid of Quetzal- It is rectangular rather coatl (a name derived The Pyramid of Quetzalcoatl than square, measur- from Aztec words Miniature model of a great monument of the ancient Toltecs, now on exhibition in Hall 8. Human sacrifices ing about 400 by 500 to the of rain and other deities were made on this edifice. meaning birdr-serpent gods feet; and it stands or plumed serpent). approximately 140 Quetzalcoatl was a deity of great importance, cased with large hewn stones forming the feet high. This structure has been only worshipped throughout middle America. outer sloping walls. The big serpent-heads partially explored and little is known about Primarily god of the winds, he was also were attached by long stone pegs or tenons. it. That it was not devoted to worship of the deity of agriculture, and of the planet The large slabs with which the building the moon, however, seems certain. Venus. was veneered were held in place by a kind About the Toltecs, credited with erecting The pyramid is about fifty-four feet of concrete. these structures, few facts have been learned. high; its base is square, measuring about The Pyramid of Quetzalcoatl, as well The word Toltec—used by the Aztecs to 210 feet on a side. On the summit formerly as the pyramids of the Sun and Moon, describe their predecessors who were, sup- stood a temple, but no traces of it survive. is classed as a votive monument. The small posedly, founders of Mexico's "Golden Age" Probably this pyramid was erected by the sanctuary on the summit was secondary to —actually means "a skilled worker." Aztec Toltec Indians about A.D. 1100. the massive structure which supported it legends described these people as skilled The structure is divided into six sections and symbolized for the people their gods workers of turquois and jadeite. by set-backs in the sloping walls. These of work, pain, blood, and tears. Here, The traditional capital of the Toltecs was set-backs form narrow terraces around within or in front of the sanctuary, were Tula, situated just north of Teotihuacan. which processions of priests once wended performed dramatic ceremonies which some- Legends refer to a "Toltec Empire," over- their way in ceremonial ascents or descents. times included human sacrifice. During thrown in the thirteenth century. This may The decoration of the framed panels beneath the dry season rituals were dedicated to have been merely a federation of communi- each terrace consists of conventionalized the rain gods, to aid crops. The month in ties. Tula may have been the civil capital, masks of the rain god, Tlaloc, alternating which these ceremonies were held was and Teotihuacan the principal religious with feathered serpent-heads. Each head given a name meaning "the buying of the center and source of culture for the Valley projects from a feathered rufHe, and displays rains." Children were occasionally sacri- of Mexico. Pending further excavations a terrifying set of fantastic teeth. Aprons ficed, and it was believed that if the victims or discovery of hieroglyphic inscriptions, below the panels are ornamented with wept excessively, heavy rains would fall. Toltec history must remain largely unknown.

CHRISTMAS SHOPPING MADE EASY prepaid addressed— envelope. L>rop it into a high compliment from you through its BY MUSEUM MEMBERSHIP PLAN a mailbox all other details will be taken implication that you consider him to be a per- care of for you by the Museum. You are son of those qualities of intellect which would As in Field Museum has made past years. saved from the jostling Christmas shopping make him appreciate and value member- its Members special arrangements whereby crowds, and the burden of preparing and ship in a scientific and cultural institution. easily solve some of their Christmas may sending packages is eliminated. It is a gift that will bring you to the recip- gift problems. The Museum will send an attractive ient's mind many times a year, as the in the You may present memberships Christmas card to whomever you propose, monthly issues of Field Museum News to friends and relatives with Museum your bearing notification that, as a gift from you, reach him, and as he obtains his reserved a of time and effort. Just fill in minimum a membership has been taken out in his or seats for Museum lectures, and avails him- the name and address of the Mem- proposed her name. It will also inform the recipient self of the other membership privileges. ber, and your own name and address, on the of your gift as to what the privileges of It is advisable to send in applications application blank enclosed with this issue membership are. before December 17 to assure delivery of of Field Museum News, and insert it A Museum membership is a distinctive the greeting and notification cards to the with check in the accompanying postage- type of gift, which conveys to the recipient recipients of your gifts by Christmas Day. PageX FIELD MUSEUM NEWS December, 1935

Field Museum of Natural History MANY RARE BOOKS PRESENTED of the Old World (Hall C), Mr. Rawson contributed toward the Founded by Marshall Field, 1893 BY PRESIDENT FIELD $18,000 preparation of the groups restoring types of prehistoric Roosevelt Road and Lake Michigan, Chicago A collection of rare and val- extremely man. Altogether his contributions to the uable one hundred vol- books, numbering Museum total more than $93,000. As a THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES had formed of the umes, which part library Trustee he served as a member of the L. Avery William H. Mitchell ably Sewgll of Mr. Stanley Field, President of Field John Borden George A. Richardson important Finance Committee of the Board. Museum, was recently presented by him William J, Chalmers Fred W. Sargent His fellow Trustees join in wishing him Joseph N. Field Stephen C. Simms to the Library of this institution. These health and happiness. Marshall Field Jambs Simpson books, most of them very old, long out of Stanley Field Solomon A. Smith —STEPHEN C. SIMMS, print, and difficult to obtain, are especially Ernest R. Graham Albert A. Sfragug Director and Secretary Albert W. Harris Silas H. Strawn important as source material for use in con- Samuel Insull, Jr. Lesue Wheeler nection with research work. Cyrus H. McCorhick John P. Wii^ON Famous records of voyages and discoveries HENRY FAIRFIELD OSBORN OFFICERS from the eighteenth and early nineteenth 1857-1935 Stanley Field Prttident centuries are especially well represented, Albert A. Sprague Pint Vice-President while a few of the books date back to the In the passing of Dr. Henry Fairfield James Simpson Second Vice-Presidenl Osbom, Honorary President of the American Albert W. Harris Third Vice-President seventeenth and sixteenth centuries. Many Museum of Natural History, New Stephen C. Simms Director ond Secretary of them are remarkable examples of fine York, the sciences of have lost one Solomon A. Smith . . . Treasurer and Assistant Secretary printing, illustration, and binding, as well as earth-history of their most active He was not being important for their textual content. exponents. FIELD MUSEUM NEWS Some are illustrated with excellent color only a great teacher and a tireless worker, but a of museums and of scien- Stephen C. Sdims, Director of the Museum Editor plates, others with fine woodcuts and steel promoter tific CONTRIBUTING EDITORS engravings. There are beautiful examples activity. Dr. Osborn was a writer. Paul S. Martin Aeting Curator of Anthrojmloay of finely-made decorative covers, the work prolific Nearly B. E. Dahlgren Curator of Botany of skilled hand-craftsmen who have prac- one thousand scientific articles, lectures and Henry W. Nichols Curator of as well as a number of Geology tically no successors in the present mechani- addresses, outstand- Wilfred H. Osgood Curator of Zoology cal ing books, bear his name. He dealt with H. B. Harte Managing Editor age. One of the most important items in the fossil animals as the material evidence of collection consists of volumes of Cook's animal history and evolution. He popular- Field is eight Museum open every day of the year during ized the — it to the interest the hours indicated below: (Captain James) Voyages, accompanied by subject brought and the understanding of the layman. In Nov., Dec, Jan., Feb., Mar. 9 am. to 4:30 P.M. an additional volume of illustrations, dating later life he a tide of criti- April, September, October 9 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. from 1768 to 1784. Five beautifully bound challenged rising June, 9 A.M. to 6:00 P.M. cism of the Darwinian doctrines and remain- May, July, August volumes of Hakluyt's Collections of the Early Admission is free to Members on all Other ed their to the end. days. Voyages (1809-12) constitute another out- champion adults are admitted free on Thursdays, and Saturdays item. Others of Dr. Osborn died November 6. His death Sundays; non-members pay 25 cents on other days. standing special interest, Children are admitted free on all days. Students and to mention only a few, include The Kafirs is a loss which will be felt at Field Museum members of educational institutions are admit- faculty Illustrated (1840), by George French Angus; as at all other institutions devoted to science. ted free any day upon presentation of credentials. Round the World in the Years 1 7iO-ilt, —E. S. R. The Museum's natural is for Voyage history Library open Indes-Orien- reference daily except Saturday afternoon and Sunday. by George Anson; Voyage aux Traveling exhibits are circulated in the schools of tales (1825-29), by Charles E61anger; Notes Chicago by the N. W. Harris Public School Extension on a Journey in America (1818), by Morris MUSEUM TO CLOSE CHRISTMAS of the Museum. Department Birkbeck; Chronological History of Voyages AND NEW YEAR'S DAY Lectures for and schools, special entertainments and Discoveries in the South Sea (1579), by and tours for children at the are For the first time in Museum, provided James William many years, by the James Nelson and Anna Louise Raymond Burney; Dampier's Voyages Field Museum will be closed on Foundation for Public School and Children's Lectures. A New a Vast (1729); Discovery of Country Christmas and New Year's day. Announcements of free illustrated lectures for the in America— New France L. (1698), by is to and lectures for Members of the This action being taken permit public, special Museum, Hennepin; America (1671), by John Ogilby; will appear in Field Museum News. as many guards, janitors and other and A Voyage Round the World (1789), by A cafeteria in the Museum serves visitors. Rooms as to these Nathaniel Portlock. employes possible spend are provided for those bringing their lunches. Captain holidays with their families. Only Chicago Motor Coach Company No. 26 buses go such watchmen as are necessary direct to the Museum. TRUSTEE RAWSON RESIGNS for will remain on Members are requested to inform the Museum safety duty. of of address. Hitherto the Museum has remained promptly changes Because of ill health and the fact that every day of the year, includ- he is spending considerable time in Pasadena, open MEMBERSHIP IN FIELD MUSEUM all holidays, but has California, Mr. Frederick H. Rawson has ing experience Field Museum has several shown that so few visitors come on classes of Members. resigned from the Board of Trustees of Benefactors give or devise $100,000 or more. Contribu- Christmas and New Year's that tors give or devise to Life Members Field Museum. His resignation was regret- $1,000 $100,000. closing on those days should cause give $500; Non-Resident Life and Associate Members fully accepted at the meeting of the Board little if inconvenience to the pay $100; Non-Resident Associate Members pay $50. held October 21. any All the above classes are exempt from dues. Sustaining of public. Members contribute $25 annually. After six years they Mr. Rawson had been a member the become Associate Members. Annual Members con- Board since August, 1927. He has con- tribute Other $10 annually. memberships are Corpo- tributed most generously of his time and rate, Honorary, Patron, and Corresponding, additions PEANUT WALNUT under these classifications made effort, as well as large amounts of money, being by special action received a of the Board of Trustees. toward the welfare of the institution. Even Field Museum recently gift Each in all is from Mr. of curious "peanut Member, classes, entitled to free prior to his election as a Trustee, in 1926, Ralph Throp admission to the Museum for his and a himself, family he and financed the First Rawson- walnuts," produced by tree growing on house guests, and to two reserved seats for Museum organized his farm near Greensburg, Indiana. Only lectures provided for Members. Subscription to Field MacMillan Subarctic Expedition of Field is one other similar somewhere in Ohio, Museum News included with all memberships. The Museum. The following year he furnished tree, courtesies of museum of note in the United every funds for the Second Rawson-Mac- is known. States and Canada are extended to all Members of larger The walnut is a freak form of the Field Museum. A Member may give his personal card Millan Subarctic Expedition which spent peanut to non-residents of Chicago, upon presentation of some fifteen months in Labrador and Baffin- common black walnut of the United States. which will they be admitted to the Museum without Viewed from the outside, there is nothing Further information about land. Both of these expeditions, under the charge. memberships will about the of the be sent on request. leadership of Lieutenant-C ommander remarkable appearance Donald B. MacMillan, noted Arctic ex- nuts, but when opened, the kernel or meat AND falls out or be removed in a BEQUESTS ENDOW.MENTS plorer, resulted in valuable collections for may easily kernel is half of an Bequests to Field Museum of Natural History may the Departments of Anthropology, Geology single piece. The only be made in securities, money, books or collections. and Zoology. In 1929 a third expedition ordinary kernel, in form, but is larger. They may, if desired, take the form of a memorial to the Fred- The of such a kernel, which a person or cause, named by the giver. was sponsored by Mr. Rawson: advantages are and Cash contributions made within the taxable year erick H. Rawson-Field Museum Ethnol- can be removed whole, apparent, not 15 cent of the exceeding per taxpayer's net income ogial Expedition to West Africa which ob- it would be highly desirable to propagate are allowable as deductions in computing net income tained extensive collections in Angola (Port- th§ tree commercially. Grafting experi- under Article 251 of Regulation 69 relating to the income tax under the Revenue Act of 1926. ugese West Africa) and Nigeria for the De- ments, however, have so far been unsuc- Endowments may be made to the Museum with the partment of Anthropology. When the cessful, and it is questionable whether a that an provision annuity be paid to the patron for life. Museum undertook the creation of its freak or sport of this kind would be repro- These annuities are tax-free and are guaranteed against fluctuation in amount. unique and important Hall of the Stone Age duced in seedlings. December, 19S5 FIELD MUSEUM NEWS Pages

NO EXTRA-TERRESTRIAL LIFE meteorite powder. The systematic position substance, namely, meteorite, as the basis FOUND IN METEORITES of the organisms (a rod and a coccus) iso- of his investigations. The composition and lated from these was then deter- structure of meteorites directly to their By Sharat K. Roy growths point mined by observing their morphology, as igneous origin. Fires must have glowed in Assistant Curator of Geology well as their cultural, staining and fermen- cosmic furnaces of some sort in order to How and whence came life on earth? This tation reactions. These tests established impart to meteorites the structure which problem has kindled man's imagination for the rod to heBacillus subtilis, and the coccus, they present to us. Further, stony meteorites generations, but due to lack of precise facts Staphylococcus albus. commonly exhibit signs of partial refusion it has remained unsolved. Many noted in- Of the three control plates exposed in the of certain of their constituents—an appear- vestigators of physical and biological phe- inoculating chamber, two developed two ance comparable with the metamorphism nomena have studied the question. Richter distinct types of colonies. The organisms produced in terrestrial rocks by intense speculated on the possibility that micro- from these colonies were subjected to an heat. Obviously then, meteorites, unlike organisms pervaded all space. Following appropriate series of tests and were found sedimentary rocks, cannot harbor bacteria the same line of thought, Arrhenius reasoned to be also Bacillus subtilis and Staphylococcus while they are being formed or being recon- that under certain favorable conditions the albus. solidated, for neither molten magma nor pressure of light could drive spores from The logical conclusion, therefore, is that the heat of metamorphism is inviting to outer space to our planet and thus seed it the growth found in the three tubes inoc- living bodies. with life. Von Helmholtz and Lord Kelvin ulated with meteorite powder was the result These arguments, together with the ex- suggested that meteorites might have been of contamination with Bacillus subtilis and perimental results obtained by the writer, responsible for bringing the original forms Staphylococcus albus, and not of meteoritic strongly indicate that the alleged living of life to the earth. bacteria. bacteria found in meteorites by Lipman This last suggestion has been raised to the It would seem to this writer that Lipman were probably contaminants, and not of dignity of a theory by Professor Charles B. could hardly have chosen a more unlikely extra-terrestrial origin as he claimed. Lipman, of the University of California, who, in 1932, reported the finding of living bacteria in stony meteorites and interpreted ETHIOPIAN TYPES INCLUDED AMONG SCULPTURES OF RACES the to be of extra-terrestrial organisms Types of three of the races which tory waves in a remote period long before This alleged discovery was received origin. compose the population of Ethiopia are the dawn of history. Intermixture with with by laymen philosophical interest, exemplified by sculptures in the Races of Negroes gradually produced many new and and with by geologists bacteriologists Mankind series by Malvina Hoffman on racial divisions of varying degrees of but because of its skepticism, spectacular exhibition in Chauncey Keep Memorial difference from their ancestors on both nature it was accorded wide publicity. sides. In general it Without either accepting or denying the may be said that the plausibility of Professor Lipman's theory, Hamites possess dark Field Musem, along with other scientific brown or black hair, institutions, made available to him material curly or wavy in from its meteorite collection upon which form; skin varying in to conduct experiments. An account of the color from reddish to results reported by Professor Lipman was dark brown; and written for Field Museum News by average stature of the late Dr. Oliver C. Farrington, former about five and one- of Curator of the Department Geology, and half feet, with slender appeared in the March, 1933, issue. Dr. build. The typical Farrington therein commented that "far Hamite has a long more investigation is necessary before sat- head, oval elongated isfactory conclusions can be drawn." face without forward The interpretation proposed by Lipman protrusion, thin lips, is of such fundamental significance that be- pointed chin, and a fore its acceptance, it should be shown to prominent well- rest on indisputable evidence. For this shaped narrow nose. reason, the present writer undertook to re- Photographs copyright Field Museum of Natural History. The sculptures of peat Lipman's experiments, closely follow- Ethiopian Types Shown In Chauncey Keep Hall the Somali and Ham- culture media so that ite are in bronze ing his technique and Left to right: a Hamite, an Abyssinian girl, and a Somali. Three sculptures by men ; the two results might be directly compara- Malvina Hoffman in the Races of Mankind series. that of the Abyssi- ble. Four stony meteorites, (1) Holbrook, nian girl is in black (2) Mocs, (3) Pultusk, and (4) Forest City, Hall (Hall 3). They are a Hamite man, Belgian marble. Original photographs, and were used for the purpose, the first three of an Abyssinian (or Ethiopian) girl, and a photogravure post card views of these and which belong to the same falls as three of Somali man. most of the other Races of Mankind sculp- the five falls used by Lipman in his final The physiognomy of the Hamite shows tures may be purchased at the Museum. experiments. features far removed from those typical Mail orders are given prompt attention. The method of investigation was as fol- of the Negroes. Especially is this evident Reproductions in bronze may be purchased lows: The exterior of each meteorite was in the refinement of the nose and mouth. by special arrangement. first sterilized, then dropped in a flask con- Farther testimony to this man's Caucasian taining sterile culture media and incubated derivation is found in the hair which, ETHIOPIAN PLANTS IN HERBARIUM aerobically (i. e., in the presence of air) for while frizzly, is not woolly like that of Field a collection of twelve weeks, and anaerobically (in a Negroes. Museum possesses because of cur- vacuum) for sixteen weeks. Under these A high type of African beauty is reflected plants having special interest rent world events. The collection was made conditions, if the surfaces of the meteorites in the carved portrait of an Abyssinian girl. in the mountains and of one were not sterilized, growth would appear. Here again we find features which show the plains Ethiopia Wilhelm But in all cases no growth appeared. Inside influence left on the racial strains of Ethiopia hundred years ago by Schimper, several a sterile chamber, each specimen was then by the Hamitic invaders. An interesting an Alsatian botanist who spent years there. He collected thousands of crushed separately in an especially devised mode in hairdressing may be observed here plant the first sterile mortar, and the powder from each —one which obviously must require con- specimens, and was probably was distributed with a thoroughly flame- siderable time and skill for its preparation. European to become acquainted with the sterilized spoon into three tubes, each con- The Somalis, who inhabit parts of rich Abyssinian (or Ethiopian) flora. taining a different kind of culture medium. Ethiopia, as well as other regions of north- Schimper was the discoverer, so far as of of The tubes (twelve in all) were then incubated east Africa (British, Italian, French Somali- science is concerned, many the most aerobically for four weeks and anaerobically land, etc.) are of Hamitic extraction. Un- curious East African plants. Among them for eight weeks. To provide for checking like true Negroes, the Somali are charac- may be mentioned especially the giant of the results, three control plates were exposed terized by wavy hair and oval faces. Their lobelias. In America the lobelias, one by passing them through the atmosphere of facial features are a little more delicately which is the brilliant cardinal flower, are the inoculating chamber several times. formed; the brown color of their skin is low herbs, but those of the African moun- size of small and are In the foregoing experiments bacterial lighter. They rank among the taller tribes. tains attain the trees, growth appeared in a total of three of the 'The Hamitic invasion of northeastern of striking and almost fantastic appearance. twelve tubes of media inoculated with Africa is believed to have occurred in migra- —P. C. S. L Page U FIELD MUSEUM NEWS December, 19S5

MEASURING TIME their boats they often carry buckets of water DECEMBER GUIDE-LECTURE TOURS in which float coconut shells. It takes an With the recent adoption of Eastern Conducted tours of exhibits, under the hour for the water, coming up through a Standard in place of Central Standard time guidance of staff lecturers, are made every small hole in the bottom of the shell, to fill for Chicago by the city council after con- afternoon at 3 p.m., except Saturdays, and sink it. When it sinks a watchman siderable discussion of the matter between Sundays, and certain holidays. Following calls the time, and sets the shell afloat to advocates of the change and those of the is the schedule of subjects and dates for measure the next hour. status quo, some of the methods of time December: in other lands and ages, as — measuring Week beginning— December 2: Monday Eskimo illustrated in the exhibits of the Depart- THE OKAPI —Life: Tuesday Plants Native to America;— Wednesday ment of Anthropology, are of special interest. Animal Habitat Groups; Thursday General Tour; One of the rarest animals in the world is Friday— Melanesia. of the merits or demerits of Regardless the okapi, of which a specimen is on exhi- Week December 9: —Prehistoric as standard and beginning Monday "daylight saving" against bition in George M. Pullman Hall (Hall 13). Exhibits; Tuesday—Makers of Totem Poles; Wednes- we nevertheless are still —Animals of the — sun time, basically The okapi is the only extant relative of the day Chicago Region; Thursday the sun—the same master clock General Tour; Friday—The Gem Room. guided by giraffe. It is said that hunters find it the ever since first Week December 16: —China that has been used people difficult of all African animals to ob- beginning Monday most and — of — to count time. Some of the oldest Tibet; Tuesday Story Coal; Wednesday began tain. The specimen in the Museum was Valuable Fur Bearers: Thursday—General Tour; in existence have been found in — timepieces speared by pygmy natives in the Ituri forest Friday Economic Botany Exhibits. These are the tall stone obelisks or — Egypt. of the Belgian Congo, and was obtained Week beginning— December 23: Monday Ancient pillars, made originally not as time measur- the Marshall Field African Burials: Tuesday Indians of the Southwest; Wednes- from them by Museum ing instruments but as records of the day—Christmas holiday, ctoged; Thursday Expedition. —.General Tour; Friday—Man Through the Ages. triumphs and honors of the Pharaohs. The okapi is a forest animal of shy, December 30—African while studying the heaven- Monday, Animals; Tuesday Egyptian priests, secretive and noctural habits and is found —Interesting Geology Exhibits. noticed that shadows from the ly bodies, only in a limited area of the Congo, inhab- obelisks in with the changes Persons wishing to participate should changed length ited mainly by pygmy black men who are in the sun's between rising and at North Entrance. Tours are free position extremely hostile to white people. Members apply setting. By marking off the surface on and no gratuities are to be proffered. A new which the shadows were cast, a very simple schedule will appear each month in Field form of sun dial was obtained. The Roman Museum News. Guide-lecturers' services emperor, Augustus, had an Egyptian obelisk for special tours by parties of ten or more brought to Rome for this purpose. Among are available free of charge by arrangement the Egyptian collections at Field Museum with the Director a week in advance. (in Hall J) are a small bronze obelisk with a of the lion goddess at its front, and figure Gifts to the Museum an obelisk with the falcon-headed Horus before it. The first of these is hollow, and Following is a list of some of the principal is believed to have once contained a small gifts received during the last month: animal. mummified From Miss Julia T. Martin—a small grass basket Even before the Egyptians began to and a birch bark needle— case, Alaska and Michigan; measure time, wise men of the East, in from Henry Field 6 basalt blocks with Safaitic from Dr. E. W. K. Andrau and were inscriptions, Trans-Jordan; Babylonia, Assyria, Persia, working —2 basalt blocks with Safaitic inscriptions, Trans- out systems of measuring time by years, Jordan; from Dr. E. E. Burr—2 colored anatomical seasons, months and days. They, too, made models of a human head dissected to show muscles and structures of from School of Yale use of shadows cast by the sun, and there is bones; Forestry, —94 herbarium specimens. Ecuador and sun dial was University evidence for a theory that the Colombia; from Ralph Throp—sample of nuts of the a Babylonian or Chaldaean invention. When peanut walnut, Indiana; from Dr. Bento Chermont— from R. M. Jr. the Babylonian priests made calendars they a herbarium specimen, Brazil; Tryon, —41 of from Illinois State marked letters with a specimens ferns, Indiana; usually wedge-shaped Geological Survey—samples of vitrain, clarain, and bone pencil or stylus on slabs of wet clay. fusain, Illinois; from Robert R. Lipman—a crystal of Some ancient clay tablets, used for record, pyrite, Colorado; from Norton Company—2 specimens were obtained the Field Museum-Oxford of boron carbide and five of norbide, Niagara Falls, by New York; from Dr. Alfred Emerson— 17 bats, 8 frogs, Joint to University Expedition Mesopo- 7 snakes, a lizard, and a caecilian—Panama; from tamia. Karl P. Schmidt—50 specimens of snakes, frogs, and turtles—Indiana and Illinois; from The Greeks probably learned about the salamanders, G. Laybourne—4 bird skins, Colorado; from in the sixth Edgar sun dial from the Egyptians Leslie Wheeler—a golden eagle, Illinois; from Mrs. century B.C., when many Greeks studied in Giraffe's Only Extant Relative Harnett Harris—62 insects, Zululand; from Chicago its use from Zoological Society —a kangaroo, 2 monkeys, and a Egypt, and the Romans learned The okapi, one of the world's rarest an_d_ m(^t lesser koodoo. New Guinea, Africa, South America, The Greeks were not satisfied peculiar animals. This specimen is on exhibition in the Greeks. and from Stewart Springer—4 mole skins George M. Pullman Hall. captivity: however, because the sun dial could be used with 6 skulls, and a bat, Florida: from Miss Winifred — of natives of only when the sun was shining, so a Greek SmeatoQ 206 negatives, portraits Iraq. inventor devised a water clock. Water of the expedition had to spend several weeks will on the of these clocks were first used in Athens and Rome building up good part MEMBERS before could be NEW to time speakers in law courts. Large jugs, pygmies they approached with a to obtain their aid in The following persons were elected to called amphorae, were used to pour water proposition their assist- in Field Museum during the of these bronze getting an okapi specimen, and membership into these clocks. Examples 15: ance is almost indispensable in hunting this period from October 16 to November and pottery amphorae are on exhibition in elusive creature. Edward E. and Emma B. Ayer Hall (Hall 2). Associate Members The okapi is a striped animal, and its ex- The water clock, or clepsydra, as the Allen Grawoig, W. Homer Hartz, Mrs. Louis istence was not suspected until as recently Mrs. Morris S. Rosenfield. Greeks called it, has been used in China for Tallmadge Jaqucs, as 1900, when some strips of its skin were centuries. The Chinese tradition is Members many obtained from natives by Sir Harry Johnston, Annual that one of the first emperors, S. Hwangti, a British colonial administrator. At first Harry Anderson, Dr. Arthur C. Bachmeyer, invented it. Part of an old Chinese Charles Beresford, Mrs. Edward clep- these were to be of the skin Frank Beatty, Evelyn thought pieces F W. W. Chandler, Soly Cini, Dr. Charles C. sydra is to be seen in George T. and Frances an Carry, of a new type of zebra, but subsequently Clement, Mrs. Arthur H. Compton, Mrs. William W. Gaylord Smith Hall (Hall 24). It operated Wentworth G. entire specimen (skin, skull and skeleton) Darrow, Walter I. Deffenbaugh, Mrs. of from a vessel into Alexander Goodkin, by the pouring water animal was then Field, Miss Kathryne Frankhauser, was obtained, and the W. Mrs. a tube connected with a covered cup. Little Miss Bertha F. Gordon, William Haerther, found to be kin to the giraffe. It resembles Mrs. William Kirchheimer, holes in the bottom of the let water George F. Henneberry, cup more closely certain prehistoric ancestors of Mrs. H. B. Kuhns, I. Archer Levin, Miss Lydia down another tube into an Mrs. James J. McCarthy, Miss Gladys through open the giraffe, with whose fossil skeletons it has Lichtenstein, dish in which a float with a was Alizabeth McCreight, E. E. Moore, Merritt S. Moore, pointer been compared, than it does the modern Moray Munroe, J. W. Newey, Miss Grace Georgette placed. As the pointer rose, it touched a and are much Ober- giraffe. The okapi's neck legs Noee, Mrs. James J. Nolan, Mrs. Abraham M. scale on the side of the thus Mrs. L. B. dish, measuring shorter than those of a giraffe, but its teeth man, I. Oesterblom, Mrs. Marie S. Orb. Mrs. O. M. Perrenot, the passage of time in ratio to the flow of and horns are very similar. So far as records Patterson. Mrs. Robert G. Peck, Miss Louise M. Purrucker, Stephen F. Roche, William water. one or two white men have ever M. show, only F Slade, Mrs. Wilmer M. States, Miss Katharine Malays among the islands south and east seen this mysterious animal alive in its Stevens, William E. Tewson, Mrs. C. P. VanSchaack, of China may have copied the idea, for in native habitat. Mrs. Edward H. Warszewski. FRINTKO BY FtCLO MUSCUM PRESS