Case 1 These cases offer the perfect display for these objects as they originally belonged to the old Natural History Museum at Woodend. They were salvaged by Scarborough Library after the museum closed, but through this exhibition they are now reunited with animal objects once again.
Study Skins animal bodies, 19th-20th century
This form of preservation is typical of scientific collections. Unlike taxidermy, which seeks to recreate the animal form for display, study skins are for research. They can be used today to see how species have changed over time, including how climate change has caused certain adaptations in size or colourings. They are sealed in plastic bags to preserve them, but also to protect those handling them from the harmful chemicals that were used in the preserving process. These are examples of moles and finches, including siskins and greenfinches.
Oliver Goldsmith (1728-1744) A history of the Earth and Animated Nature Vol 1, 1774
This was one of the most popular natural history publications of the 19th century. It aimed to bring together a history of the earth based on divine creation with a description of its geographical features. It is unlikely that the illustrator had seen most of the animals depicted. Although not true likenesses, these illustrations were regarded as accurate because they appeared in a scientific publication. Curiously, the book’s spine is made out of leather, so one is not only consuming knowledge of animals, but also an animal itself.
Insect Display Case Date unknown
A display of caddisflies. Such displays are made by drying out insects before carefully pinning them to a surface, often made of cork. Caddisflies are useful as bioindicators, as they are sensitive to water pollution and are large enough to be assessed in the field.
Swallow Tailed Hummingbird Date unknown
This Hummingbird is named after its long and deeply forked swallow-like tail. The brightly coloured, iridescent feathers would sometimes be used decoratively in jewellery or clothing because of their distinct colourings.
Plecotus Auritus Bat Date unknown
The brown long-eared bat (plecotus auritus), has ears which are nearly as long as its body, and fold under its wings or curl up when they are resting. They are known as the whispering bat, due to their incredibly quiet voice.
Passenger Pigeon Egg Empty egg, c.1844 - 1921
An egg from a Passenger Pigeon. Its hollow interior and fragile shell offers a potent reminder of the now extinct species.