Dear Steve,
In the 18th Century, it would have been quite acceptable for a gentleman to suggest that someone should obtain a Deer’s head and dissect it to see if what Gilbert called “The Spiracula” could be used by the deer to breathe whilst its nose and mouth are under water (which was the belief at the time).
I was slightly shocked by the casual way in which Gilbert asked for the dissection.
It is safe to say that since Gilbert’s query, it has been confirmed that Deer couldn’t breathe in the way it was believed.
Changing the subject, I want to mention an observation I had during the week.
I was putting out some food for the birds, and as is my wont, I sprinkled a few on the garden path for the crow, which is hopefully now a regular visitor to the garden. A couple of minutes later, I walked along the path again, and this time saw one of the mealworms moving. Since I knew they were all dried, it couldn’t be alive. Whilst I couldn’t see why it was moving, I don’t think it was unreasonable to presume that it was the ants carrying it back to their nest. Absolutely fascinating.
It makes me consider a future experiment, with another mealworm or other, different foods.
All the Best
Bill.
Bills Posts 