A few days ago I bought a fascinating book at an Oxfam
shop in Manchester England is of significance to me as I was a
student at Oxford
Brookes University
So going through the whole book from front to back
cover,in page order,these are the items of zoological significance which include
photos:
Toy Snake .Made by stringing stamps,mainly penny
reds,together. 19th Century,Museums Resource Centre, Standlake.
(1)
Megalosaurus Bucklandi. First described by William
Buckland. Photo of part of jaw bone. The first bone from which the term
`dinosaur` arose. (2)
Photo of Oxford Sandy and Black pig. “Typical of the
rare breeds kept at Cogges Manor
Farm Museum
Kidlington lion`s head,Kidlington station,one of a
number of cast iron heads used to decorate roof awnings in Great Western Railway
stations in Cherwell Valley. The one in the photo dates from opening of the
Oxford to Birmingham
Oxford Dodo`s Head Mummified head and foot are all that
are left .”The `Oxford Dodo` was brought to London c. 1636 and was acquired by John Tradescant,gardener
to Charles 1.Tradescant`s collection was willed to Elias Ashmole and so came to
Oxford
Back cover.This isn`t actualy the same photo as on the
back cover of this book,but it`s the same skeleton at the same place, Oxford
University Museum of Natural History though. There`s an interesting story behind
it. I quote from the back cover text:“ Tunny Fish.The tunny fish was collected by Dr Acland (Dr Lee`s Reader in Anatomy,Christ Church) in 1847 in Madeira through the offices of the consul. The fish had been packed in salt and placed in an 8ft long box for the voyage back. During this return voyage,the crew and passengers of the steam ship
The Jourdain Society `A` Egg Collection. Totals 5000
eggs from birds in the Palaeorctic region,stored in a place called Hills Units
donated 2000-2001. Memorabilia and diaries also donated as well as information
on breeding sites for birds of prey in Scandanavia and the colour intensity of
blue tit eggs.()
REFERENCES
- Treasures of Oxfordshire
p.4
- Ibid
p.6
- Ibid p.
19
- Ibid p.
63
- Ibid p.
68
- Ibid Back
Cover.
