Objects on the Wall

Information about the objects mounted on the wall or featured in the photographs, listed by image number

1 to 7

Butterflies  

The tropical species of butterflies are part of the same collection as the tray of beetles on display. They were purchased by the donor to enhance his collection of local specimens. (2011.22)    

1. Specific type unknown, some type of nymphalid
2. Ulysses (papilio ulysses)
3. Southern Festoon (zerynthia polyxena)
4. Rajah Brooke's Birdwing (trogonptera brookiana) 
5. Horniman’s Swallowtail (papilio hornimani)         
6. Specific type unknown, some type of pieris
7. Giant Blue Morpho (morpho didius) 

8

Tooth

This tooth belonged to an African elephant. It was collected by the Museum for use as a comparison to other teeth, such as those of an ancient elephant species. The lozenge shaped enamel of the tooth is very different from the shape of the Asian elephant’s tooth. (1950.124)

Scorpion

This scorpion was collected in Ghana in West Africa probably circa 1943. There are nearly 2000 species of scorpion, of which 30 to 40 have venom strong enough to kill a person. (2008.51/16)

9

Gramophone

This Viva Tonal Grafonola No. 100 was made by Columbia, probably in the 1920s or 1930s. It has a metal case and was operated by turning the handle at the front. Gramophones used discs rather than cylinders for the first time. Discs were easily mass produced and became the dominant audio format for much of the 20th century until they were replaced by cassettes and CDs in the 1980s and 1990s. (1972.336)  

Nest with Eggs

We believe this nest contains the eggs of a song thrush. A nest can take three weeks to complete and is sometimes used for successive broods. The female lays one egg a day and then incubates them all for about two weeks. (3371)  

Beetle See insect collection on display.

10

Bag

This leather bag was made in Stroud, but we don’t know whose the initials are. It was most likely used as a doctor’s bag. (2012.45)

Guillemot

This bird was donated in the 1930s with a number of other common British birds. Guillemots like to breed in tightly-packed colonies on perilous ledges, cliff-tops and rocky outcrops around the coast. The female lays a single egg. Once the chick is three weeks old, it plunges into the sea with its father, who then cares for it in the water until it is independent. (2061)  

Butterfly  See insect collection on display.

11

Pufferfish

This pufferfish would have deterred predators by ingesting large amounts of water very quickly and making itself into this spikey ball. Most pufferfish contain tetrodotoxin which makes them unpleasant and sometimes lethal to eat. We don’t know how this object came to the Museum or who made its makeshift handle. (2008.51/1)  

Slag

This piece of slag came from a garden at Chaxhill near Westbury on Severn. Slag is a product of the smelting process in which metal ore is heated to separate the pure metal from any impurities. The slag is the mixture left behind when the metal is removed. (1970.96)

Contact Lenses

These early contact lenses date from the mid 20th century. They are made of glass and would have covered the whole eye. They have their own imitation shark-skin case with suction applicator. (1974.76)  

Crochet

This circular mat dates from circa 1880 and is made using hairpin crochet. In the Victorian era items such as bird cage covers, lamp mats and shades, tablecloths, purses, caps and waistcoats for men were made using crochet. (1951.85)

12

Helmet

This helmet dates from the late 19th century and was probably worn by a local fireman. It was made by Shand Mason & Co. based in Blackfriars, London, which also manufactured steam-powered fire engines and pumps. (2008.66/7)  

Stoat

The white fur of this stoat shows that it lived in a cold climate, possibly Scotland, having changed from brown to white for the winter. Stoats live in woodlands or other habitats where there is enough cover to avoid large predators, and hunt rabbits, rodents and birds. (2835/2)   

Dragonfly See insect collection on display.

13

Graphite

Graphite is pure carbon which means it has the same chemical composition as diamond. Due to their different molecular structure diamonds are very hard whilst graphite is soft. This makes it ideal for use in pencil leads when mixed with clay. (1930.53)

14

Stibnite

This sulphide mineral is sometimes called antimonite. When mixed with other materials in a paste, stibnite is used as an eye cosmetic called kohl. It was formerly used in flash photography and is currently used in pyrotechnics for theatre shows and in fireworks. (1930.128/1)

15

Hematite

This mineral is an iron oxide and is the most important ore of iron on Earth. It is also abundant in the rock and soils on the surface of Mars, which gives the landscape its reddish brown appearance, though this particular sample comes from the UK. Its red colouring enabled its use as a pigment in ancient cave paintings and in Renaissance era artworks. This example was donated by local collector V. P. Kitchin. (1930.136/7)

16

Pyrite

This mineral is an iron sulphide, more commonly known as Fool’s Gold, because it was mistaken by prospectors for real gold. It does form in similar conditions to gold and the two can occur together in the same rocks. It has been used as a gemstone in jewellery. This example was donated by local collector V. P. Kitchin. (1930.140/2)

17

Marcasite

Marcasite is an iron sulphide, but despite having the same chemical composition as pyrites its differing crystal structure means it is more unstable. ‘Marcasite’ jewellery was popular in the Victorian period, however very little of the mineral was used. ‘Marcasite’ jewellery was actually made from pyrite which is less brittle and less likely to tarnish. (1930.143/2)

18

Drawer of Labels

This drawer from a historic collector’s cabinet used to contain butterflies and moths. Insect pests have almost entirely turned them to dust. This happened many years ago, at which point somebody re-organised the labels. (Spd.5)

19

Drawer of Eggs

This drawer from a historic collector’s cabinet contains a variety of different bird eggs. It shows how museum practices have changed over the years. We no longer use materials such as cotton wool to protect our collections as it doesn’t meet current conservation standards. Unfortunately it is likely that this display was created by dividing up different egg collections. Today we take care to respect the integrity of a collection brought together by an individual. (Spd.9)

20

Dried Cat

When Wallbridge Mill was demolished in 1964 this dried cat was found on a ledge in the chimney. From medieval times up until the early 20th century, cats or shoes were put in walls or up chimneys, as people believed that they would protect the building from evil spirits or disease. (1980.17) 

21

Mole

Within the murky preserving liquid of this test tube, are the remains of a mole. (2008.51/18)

22

Lapwing

Male lapwings make their presence known to potential mates and rivals with a spectacular song flight of zigzags and dives. Largely due to changes in farming practice, lapwing numbers have declined by 80% since 1960 in southern England and Wales. This makes them a Red List species, of highest conservation priority. (2008.51/26)

23

Drawer of Shells

This drawer is from a scientific collection of land and fresh water shells, dating from circa 1895 to 1935. They were gathered by Reverend Robert Landemann Jones, probably during the time he was Rector of Shepton Mallet. (1980.19)

24

Drawer of Butterflies

In this drawer multiple examples of the same species of butterflies have been collected, displaying the front and back. If well documented, such historic collections have scientific value. They provide a record of species present in a certain area at a moment in time and can be used to compare to data recorded today. (Spd.7)