MUSEUM NOTES, NO. V.
31
sandy shingle, "sharp." The measure shown in the plate is a
foot-rule.
The pelvis was lying in the shingle, which, being very porous,
had allowed water to percolate, and in consequence the bone was
very fragile, saturated with moisture, and it was a difficult task
to get the fragments away safely. After treatment with glue,
Mr. Whitehead very skilfully put the pieces together, and
embedded the restored pelvis in a plaster slap, making a very
presentable specimen (Fig. 1).
The bone was exhibited at the meeting of the Club on
November 24th last, when Mr. E. T. Newton, F.R.S., examined
it. He said that it was very difficult to determine the species
from such a bone. The probabilities were in favour of its being
Fig. 1. Restoration of Part of Pelvis of Elephas. Nat. size.
a bone of a Mammoth (Elephas primigenius) rather than that of the
Southern Straight-tusked Elephant (E. antiquus).
The specimen is now exhibited in the Museum, and forms an
object lesson on the desirability of such "finds" being at once
reported to head-quarters, so that proper steps may be taken to
preserve the objects. In most cases, the specimens or fragments
are carried away piecemeal by irresponsible persons as "curios,"
and soon become broken or lost. The proper home of "finds"
of bones, flint implements, pottery, etc., is the local museum,
and the collector should seek his best reward in the knowledge
that the things will be there preserved for all time, and form
part of the slowly increasing material for a real history of the
county.