Extinct Mussel

Unusual Pets

For over two thousand years, the people of China have been engaged in an appreciation of crickets. True crickets belong to the insect family Gryllidae, with over 800 species. The tradition of favoring crickets for their “song” and their fighting ability developed into a host of material culture designed for the care and maintenance of a family’s pet crickets.

This finely carved ivory cage would have housed a cricket. Beginning in the Tang dynasty (AD 618–907), people appreciated crickets for their powerful song and they were housed in elaborate cages so people could enjoy their singing. Under the Song dynasty (AD 960–1279) another hobby involving crickets gained in popularity, cricket fighting flourished as a popular sport.

The life cycle of a cricket usually spans no more than three months, necessitating the frequent replacement of aging pets. Crickets are most active between midnight and dawn and the best season for trapping is August and September.

Extinct Mussel

Scientific Name..................................Epioblasma haysiana Description..............................................................No Data BMoS Catalog No................................................M365A-7 Collection Site..............................Alabama, United States Collection Date.....................................................No Data Acquired By.............................................................No Data

Alabama United States

ARTIFACT SIZE: 1.75in. x 1.5in.

PAINTING SIZE: 48in. x 72in. Photo of artifact illustrates actual size in relation to the size of the finished painting shown at left.