COURT OF EDUCATION

Otago Witness, Issue 3743, 8 December 1925, Page 29

COURT OF EDUCATION

Two tuataras living in a glass case in the Court of Education are attracting much attention from both young and old visitors. It is asserted that the tuatara (sphenodon punetatus) is the oldest living reptile, and it has survived practically unchanged for many millions of years, while its contemporaries (Iclithyosauri, dinosauria) and other species have perished. It is found no'/hero in the world except or. a few small Ns off the coasts of New Zealand. The • • / -‘u tuatara in the court is a female, from Stephen’s Island, and the small black

■ -f is a male from the Hen and Chicken Islands, Auckland. The tuatara has a third or pineal eye, which, however, cannot be seen till the skin of the head is dissected away. The reptiles are fed on flies and worms about once a week or 10 days. They live to an age of 100 years and it is believed the pair at the Exhibition are 50 years old. By taking frequent observations and calculations every day, the manager of the Court of Education estimates that already over 50,000 people have examined the exhibits. It has been observed that parents do not hurry through the court, but spend much timtf'in examining the very fine and varied work in all departments of education.