Blue-eyed Mary

The Exchange

This fascinating little specimen arrived at the Museum by way of Washington, D.C. The United States National Museum, later known as the Arts and Industries Building, was part of what we know as the Smithsonian Institution. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, it was common practice for some museums to “exchange” certain specimens between organizations. Museums traded specimens and artifacts that they had in abundance, with species that were not present in their collection.

Unfortunately, this specimen arrived in Buffalo with little associated data. We know it was found in 1881 at Block Island, an island in the state of Rhode Island. The sea mouse is found in the North Atlantic, the North Sea, the Baltic Sea and even the Mediterranean.

Look closely, the body of the sea mouse is covered in a dense mat of spines or setae (hairlike), this is one of its unique features. When light hits these spines, they shine green and blue, while they appear deep red when not illuminated. This is a defense mechanism to warn off predators. They look like man-made tinsel! Just another example of the marvelous engineering of living organisms.

Alberto Rey Reference Photography: Sea Mouse

Photo by Carly Guido

Blue-eyed Mary

Scientific Name...........................................Collinsia verna Description.................Collection of the Clinton Herbarium BMoS Catalog No.....................................................52866 Collection Site......................................Buffalo, New York Collection Date..............................................May 5, 1890 Acquired By.............................................................No Data Buffalo, New York United States

ARTIFACT SIZE: 4in. x 15in.

PAINTING SIZE: 32in. x 48in. Photo of artifact illustrates actual size in relation to the size of the finished painting shown at left.