HISTORY FROM BONES

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21763, 31 March 1934, Page 3 (Supplement)

HISTORY FROM BONES

Scientists have deduced many amazing facts from bones exhibited in the museum of the Royal College of Surgeons, the new Curator of which, Dr. John Beattie, has now taken up his duties in succession to Sir Arthur Keith. Thus, the formation of the bone fragments of Saurians, a giant species of prehistoric lizard, is said to prove that these monsters suffered acutely from rheumatism. The vestigial hip bones of the sperm whale show that its ancestors roamed over the dry ground like wild beasts. And curious dents and holes in the skulls of Neolithic man afford conclusive evidence that our own prehistoric forefathers practised the art of trepanning, when their only instruments consisted of polished stones. This famous museum contains.a wonderful collection of complete skeletons. The most extraordinary are those of Charles Byrne O'Brien, an eight-foot Irish gi,ant, tiny Miss Caroline Crachami, who stood only one foot, seven inches high, the favourite dog of Sir Edwin Landseer, famous animal painter, and a pure-bred racehorse, Orlando, a former Derby winner.