Showing 62 items matching mammals
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Victorian Aboriginal Corporation for Languages
Book, Peter W Menkhorst, Mammals of Victoria : distribution, ecology and conservation, 1996
... Mammals of Victoria : distribution, ecology and...mammals ...Arranged in family (type) groups with photos and detailed descriptions of each mammal.Maps, colour photographs, b&w photographs, graphsmammals, fauna, victoria -
Ringwood and District Historical Society
Booklet, Mammals of Maroondah
... Mammals of Maroondah ...Details of mammals found in Maroondah -
Victorian Aboriginal Corporation for Languages
Book, Intechnics, Australian mammals : with Aboriginal perspectives and drawings
... Australian mammals : with Aboriginal perspectives and...mammals ...B&w illustrations, maps, word listseducation, australian fauna, monotremes, marsupials, mammals, primary school education, environmental education -
Robin Boyd Foundation
Book, Hans Hvass, Mammals of the World, 1961
... Mammals of the World ...Hardcover w/ Dust Jacketnature, walsh st library -
Kilmore Historical Society
Mammalia, Pre-1887
... Mammals ...Book on mammals and their behaviour awarded as a Matriculation English prize to William Dowling.Green cloth-bound hardcover book. Front cover decoration in black & gold. Embossed small central design on back cover. Worn corners and staining on cover. Binding failure with most sections loose. Title page and first twenty pages missing. Illustrated. 418 pp plus index. Poor condition.Label inside front cover, 'A.M.D.G./St. Francis Xavier's College/This Prize/for/English - /Matriculation Class/was awarded/by the/Superiors of the College/To/Patrick Dowling/December 15th,1887'.patrick dowling, mammals -
Surrey Hills Historical Society Collection
Book, The Whitehorse landscape as seen by the first settlers, 2011
This book describes the type of vegetation that covered the landscapes of the area, where streams flowed, when wetlands occurred and which species of mammals, birds, reptiles, fish & insects inhabited the area. Author: Gary Presland.This book describes the type of vegetation that covered the landscapes of the area, where streams flowed, when wetlands occured and which species of mammals, birds, reptitles, fish & isects inhabited the area. Author: Gary Presland.whitehorse region, natural history, vegetation, fauna, geology, (mr) gary presland -
Kiewa Valley Historical Society
Book - Non Fiction Australian Mammals, Furred Animals of Australia, 1946
This book was written before the "preservation of Australian Flora and Fauna" movement became a household edict. The book covers all the "known" marsupials of the time and coloured prints are provided where required to show physical and other distinguishing features. Time and extensive searches of hard to reach places in Australia has uncovered a greater range of marsupials than presented in this book. Rural Australia (1940s) had not been as developed and altered as the 1980s onward. This book was used in Primary schools as reference material. Although rural school children would have come across many "real life" encounters with some of the mammals referred to, the diversity and range of mammals presented in this book is quite extensive. Most "city" born children would have only seen the mammals presented in this book at animal zoos in the larger cities.This book details the Australian wide range of mammals, and not just those which school children in the Kiewa Valley could meet "face to face". However the rural based pupils would find the chapters and coloured prints more "real" than city located students because they are living day to day in the Australian bush, home to all the various mammals and marsupials presented in this book.This green coloured hard covered book has 178 double sided printed pages and twenty five plate detailing the appearances of native mammals. The first two pages are frayed and all pages show colouration (yellow) of age. The book has a clear plastic cover as protection placed at a later dateOn the spine "FURRED ANIMALS OF AUSTRALIA" and underneath "BROUGHTON" and at the bottom "ANGUS & ROBERTSON"australian mammals and marsupials, nature books, australia wild life -
Phillip Island and District Historical Society Inc.
Book, GEO Productions, Geo Australasia, 1994
GEO Magazine featuring eleven pages of Hector Goodall and his marine mammals.Stamped 'Phillip Island & District Historical Society'. Donor : Kevin Findlay 4.8.1999. Vol. 15, no. 1 (Feb./?Apr. 1993)-Vol. 23, no. 4 (Dec./?Feb. 2001/?2002)wildlife, conservation, australasia, periodicals, description, travel, southeast asia, hector goodall -
Stawell Historical Society Inc
Photograph, Stawell Field Naturalists – Mammal Survey in the Grampians -- 6 Photos -- Coloured
Stawell Field Naturalists – Mammal survey Grampiansstawell -
Victorian Aboriginal Corporation for Languages
Book, AJ Reid, Birds 6 : of Victoria : rare species, 1979
... mammals ...Colour illustrations, maps, colour photographsbirds, victoria, mammals -
Wangaratta High School
WSC Yearbook -Geronimo, 1994
White Yearbook with a full page art cover depicting a black and white class reunion photo with a non-descript brown mammal in a cap bursting though the page with a spray can, and orange text reading GERONIMO 94, as if it was sprayed on as graffitiGERONIMO 94 -
Dandenong/Cranbourne RSL Sub Branch
Memorabilia - Japanese Religious Object
Tri-fold cardboard item with Japanese script flanking central image of a cloaked male figure engulfed in flames and standing on a flying four-legged mammal-like animal, possible a dog or tiger. Black background with red border and gold text.Japanese printed text. -
Orbost & District Historical Society
fossil
This fossil was found by Peter Cook just west of East Cape at Cape Conran (east of Orbost),. Original correspondence re its identification came from Andy Murray - Conservation & Natural Resources, Orbost. It was on display at the Orbost Visitor Information Centre - the Slab Hut.A fossil tooth from a marine species. It may be from a an extinct ziphiid or beaked whale (Warneke Marine Mammal Services 20.10.1993). It may be a fossil from a large species of subadult seal (Ewan Fordyce Senior Lecturer in Geology, University of Otago 11.10.1993).fossil-tooth whale seal marine cape-conran -
Mont De Lancey
Mixed media - Book and Record, Australian Bush Sounds - book, Australian Bush Sounds, 1968
... Mammals ...A book and recording of Australian Bush Sounds from the Victorian border to Cape York. It is a follow-up to the previously very successful record of Australian Bird songs by Carl and Lise Weismann in 1957 - 58. All were recorded in their natural surroundings but for the Dingoes which they had to insert the howls of a group in a faunal reserve. The lyrebird was drawn from and excellent sequence by Harold Pollock. The book describes the Sound and Communication in Animals and Insect Sounds.A slim square hardcover book with text by Allen Keast and a record of Australian Bush Sounds. The cover has a photograph of a Black Swan nesting in open wetlands. Inside the left front cover is a pocket with an EP record by Carl and Lise Weismann. The book has explanations of the sounds recorded as well as black and white photographs of the creatures featured. p.20.non-fictionA book and recording of Australian Bush Sounds from the Victorian border to Cape York. It is a follow-up to the previously very successful record of Australian Bird songs by Carl and Lise Weismann in 1957 - 58. All were recorded in their natural surroundings but for the Dingoes which they had to insert the howls of a group in a faunal reserve. The lyrebird was drawn from and excellent sequence by Harold Pollock. The book describes the Sound and Communication in Animals and Insect Sounds.animals, insects, mammals, australian birds, australian animals -
Bialik College
Photograph (Item) - Various school events and incursions, colour photographs, no dates
Various school events and incursions, colour photographs, no dates, no names of staff or students. Shown are incursions with australian mammals and reptiles, school award events, belly dancer, blood donations, visiting adult speakers. For inquiries or access contact [email protected], events, awards, school, jewish school, bialik college, photographs -
Whitehorse Historical Society Inc.
Work on paper - Report, The Vegetation, fauna and management of Antonio Park, City of Nunawading, Victoria, 1/10/1987 12:00:00 AM
Photocopy of a detailed report prepared for the Nunawading City Council on the vegetation, fauna and management of Antonio Park.Photocopy of a detailed report prepared for the Nunawading City Council on the vegetation, fauna and management of Antonio Park. Lists of 320 plant species were made. A broad indigenous community: 'Grassy Open Forest' is described. Lists of butterflies, reptiles, birds and mammals. Weed infestation and degradation processes are identified. A range of management issues are identified and recommendations made. ca 120 pages. Photographs. Plans.Photocopy of a detailed report prepared for the Nunawading City Council on the vegetation, fauna and management of Antonio Park.antonio park, mitcham, animals, native plants, birds, wildlife -
Conservation Volunteers
Echidna: Taxidermal Animal, To be established, Echidna - real and stylised: Taxidermal Animal - overseas visitors to CVA's head office clamour to be photographed with it, To be advised
ACRONYMS: The name of the organisation is Australian Trust for Conservation of Nature (ATCV) from 1981 to 1999 and Conservation Volunteers Australia (CVA) from 2000 onwards.............................................Last used in 1999 the Echidna logo was used for 17 years. It was designed by John Zulic, then a young graphic designer at Sovereign Hill Outdoor Museum in Ballarat, and by 2010 the longest serving employee. John was briefed by Peter Hiscock, then director of Sovereign Hill and also President of ATCV, in 1982 to design ATCV’s first logo. Through the image of the echidna John Zulic tried to capture a unique Australian identity (a combination of uniqueness, strength, resilience, role in a balanced habitat and a national feel) for a fledgling local group with big plans. John presented concept to Tim Cox and Peter Hiscock – both were enthusiastic: the rest is history. For many years newly arriving volunteers were photographed with the mascot.The echidna was synonymous with ATCV for many years. The logo appeared on team vehicles and buses and on all publications until 2000. For many years new volunteers had their photograph taken with "Eddy". Even today overseas visitors to CVA's head office clamour to be photographed with it.This item is a taxidermal (preserved and stuffed) echidna. The echidna is an Australian marsupial animal resembling the porcupine or hedgehog found in other continents. It is a nocturnal, burrowing, egg-laying mammal of the genera Tachyglossus and Zaglossus of Australia, Tasmania, and New Guinea, having a spiny coat, slender snout, and an extensible sticky tongue used for catching insects. NOTE: The provenance of this item is not yet established but it has been the unofficial "mascot" of ATCV/CVA from soon after foundation till the present.australian, echidna, mascot, logo, wildlife -
Bendigo Military Museum
Administrative record - Army Survey Regiment - Mallee Country Project, Army Survey Regiment, 30.01.1987
This is a reconnaissance report for the Mallee Country Project supporting Operation Raleigh 4 Mar - 26 May 1987. Operation Raleigh is a scheme for International Venturers (Scouts) to develop leadership, self-reliance, initiative and team work while studying Mallee Fowl, Mammal Trapping and Cross Country Trekking. Four Annexes containing sketch maps, personnel lists, photographs and stores lists.A4 Report, soft covers front and back. Plastic ring bindingroyal australian survey corps, rasvy, fortuna, army survey regiment, army svy regt, asr -
Victorian Aboriginal Corporation for Languages
Book, Barbara Cameron-Smith, Wild guide : plants & animals of the Australian Alps, 1999
... mammals ...Complex little book with details on animals, birds, insects, etc. with clear descriptions of each item.Maps, colour illustrations, colour photographsplant identification, australian alps, plants, animals, parks victoria, national parks and wildlife service, insects, reptiles, mammals, thredbo, mount hotham -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Fur Stole, 1940-s - 1950s
The donors of the fur stole come from a local family in the Warrnambool area. They believe the fur stole is around 60 years old. The stole belonged to the donor’s mother, now deceased, who wore it to local balls and dances as an accessories and maybe for warmth too! The donors believe the fur could have been purchased in Melbourne or Toorak. The fur is likely to be from the Mustelidae family, which is the largest family of carnivorous mammals. They inhabit all continents except Australia and Antarctica. This species includes the weasel, badger, otter, marten, ferret, sable, mink, stoat (ermine) and wolverine. The fur is thick and dense close to the skin, indicating that it is the winter coat of the animal. This fur collar is representative of fashion accessories in Warrnambool and District in the 1940's - 1950'sFur stole, ladies; comprising two animals with heads and legs, stitched together to form a stole. The fur is believed to be the winter fur of animals from the mustel family and is not as soft as rabbit fur. The first head has only the nose, the second head has nose and eyes. The heads are dark brown, each animal has a dark brown stripe the length of its fawn coloured back. Tails are dark but not as dark as the head. The stole can be clasped together using a decorative knotted brown tie and hook, or by using the clip attached to the snout of the front animal. 1940-s - 1950s.flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, mustelidae fur stole, mustel fur, fur stole with body head and legs, fur stole made with animals, ladies clothing, fashion accessory of 1950’s, fashion of south west victoria -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Equipment - Whale Killing Hand Lance, Mid to late 19th century
A hand lance with a long iron shaft and a small oval or leaf-shaped tip was also known as a killing iron. It was designed to dispatch a whale quickly and efficiently, once the mammal came to the water surface for the last time. The hand lance was stabbed repeatedly into a whale’s thick neck arteries. The sharp leaf-shaped tip allowed easy removal for another thrust. Cutting these arteries prevented the whale from deep dives and hastened its bleeding to death. Normally, multiple hand lances were carried aboard a whaleboat, so that if one was lost it could be easily replaced without returning to the mother ship for a spare one. By the late 19th century, guns had replaced most hand-thrown harpoons and lances. They were more efficient, more accurate, and safer, for a whaler could shoot a dart at a greater distance from the dangerous whale than a harpoon could be thrown.An item that gives an insight into 19th century whaling practices that were carried out all along the southern coasts of Australia.Hand Lance or Killing Iron Noneflagstaff hill, warrnambool, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, whaling equipment, whaling, killing lance, whaling lance, harpoon -
Ringwood and District Historical Society
Flyer, Adult Education Courses, Autumn-Winter 1967 - Ringwood, Victoria
Brochure listing Council of Adult Education evening classes at Norwood High School and daytime classes at East Ringwood Community Centre Hall.Subjects and lecturers include: Australia 1967 - Dr. D.B. Waterson, M.A., Phd, Honest Doubt - Mr. C.R. Badger, M.A., Mammals in Australia - Mr. Jack Hyett, How to Read and Understand Music - Mrs. P.J. Rosewarne, L.Mus., Clarinet for Beginners - Mr. C. Boon, Recorder Classes - Mr. Alan Murphy, Mus.Bac., Dip.Ed., Practical Painting - Mr. Geoff Spruzen, The Modern Cinema - Mr. P.G. Hourigan, B.A. (Hons.) Woodwork for Beginners - Mr. P.J. Waring, German - Miss J. Juhasz, B.A. (Hons.) Dip.Ed., Spanish Guitar - Mrs. Susan Ellis, Basic Painting - Mr. Robert Grieve, French - Mrs. G. Bennett, B.A., Dip.Ed. -
The Beechworth Burke Museum
Animal specimen - Merlin
This Merlin specimen is large for the falco columbarius species. It is brown and white in colouring which suggests that this particular specimen is female. This is because male Merlin's are usually blue, black, silver or grey. This species is predominantly found in the Northern Hemisphere. They are small, fast and highly skilled in hunting. The Merlin is generally a solitary bird outside of the mating season when it will socialise with other Merlins. The Merlin will consume smaller birds, mammals and bugs. This specimen is part of a collection of almost 200 animal specimens that were originally acquired as skins from various institutions across Australia, including the Australian Museum in Sydney and the National Museum of Victoria (known as Museums Victoria since 1983), as well as individuals such as amateur anthropologist Reynell Eveleigh Johns between 1860-1880. These skins were then mounted by members of the Burke Museum Committee and put-on display in the formal space of the Museum’s original exhibition hall where they continue to be on display. This display of taxidermy mounts initially served to instruct visitors to the Burke Museum of the natural world around them, today it serves as an insight into the collecting habits of the 19th century.This specimen is part of a significant and rare taxidermy mount collection in the Burke Museum. This collection is scientifically and culturally important for reminding us of how science continues to shape our understanding of the modern world. They demonstrate a capacity to hold evidence of how Australia’s fauna history existed in the past and are potentially important for future environmental research. This collection continues to be on display in the Museum and has become a key part to interpreting the collecting habits of the 19th century.This female Merlin has a medium brown back with light brown and white speckled chest. The edges of her wings are dark brown and underneath her tail is white but also patterned in spots of light brown. It's bright yellow eyes are framed by tan coloured feathers and elaborate spotted patterns throughout it's body. Her small hooked beck ranges from orange to dark brown and feet are a faded yellow.Swing tag: 28 / Merlin / Catalogue, page 6 / Other swing tag: 56 / Falco / Cesalon Metal tag: 4033 /taxidermy mount, taxidermy, animalia, burke museum, beechworth, australian museum, skin, bird, northern hemisphere, falcon, falco columberius, merlin, pigeon hawk -
The Beechworth Burke Museum
Animal specimen - Weasel, Trustees of the Australian Museum, 1860-1880
The Weasel is the smallest carnivorous mammal in the world. They commonly reside in central and western Europe and in the Mediterranean region. They can also be found in North Africa, Asia and North America. This species was also later introduced to New Zealand. The Weasel prefers to live in locations which include grasslands, sand dunes, lowland forests, upland moors and towns which have a suitable food source. Collective nouns for a group of Weasels include a "sneak", a "boogie", a "gang" or a "confusion". This specimen is part of a collection of almost 200 animal specimens that were originally acquired as skins from various institutions across Australia, including the Australian Museum and the National Museum of Victoria, as well as individuals such amateur anthropologist Reynell Eveleigh Johns between 1860-1880. These skins were then mounted by members of the Burke Museum Committee and put-on display in the formal space of the Museum’s original exhibition hall where they continue to be on display. This display of taxidermy mounts initially served to instruct visitors to the Burke Museum of the natural world around them, today it serves as an insight into the collecting habits of the 19th century.This specimen is part of a significant and rare taxidermy mount collection in the Burke Museum. This collection is scientifically and culturally important for reminding us of how science continues to shape our understanding of the modern world. They demonstrate a capacity to hold evidence of how Australia’s fauna history existed in the past and are potentially important for future environmental research. This collection continues to be on display in the Museum and has become a key part to interpreting the collecting habits of the 19th century.A light coloured weasel standing on a wooden platform. Two identification tags are tied to one of the specimen's back legs. The animal has a long and slim body with a small and triangular shaped head. The teeth are visible from close-up and the eyes have been replaced by dark coloured glass. The snout is pointed and the weasel has long whiskers. The ears are small and rounded.A.4491 ?. Weasel sp. / Catalogue, page, 48 /taxidermy mount, taxidermy, animalia, burke museum, beechworth, australian museum, skin, reynell eveleigh johns, squirrel -
Coal Creek Community Park & Museum
Box, medicine, post 1930 after the new town of Leverkusen was named
Email from "Heike Dansard" -
Wooragee Landcare Group
Photograph
This photograph was taken in April 2004, on the field day in Mount Pilot-Chiltern National Park as part of a workshop on quolls, led by Andrew Murray, then president of the South East Forests Spot-Tailed Quoll Working Group. IThis event was prompted by a desire to find out if quolls still lived in Mount Pilot-Chiltern National Park, as there had been no confirmed sightings since the 2003 bushfires. Andy Murray helped lead the efforts to find them. Currently, landcare group efforts have found evidence of a small but present spot-tailed quoll population in the park. Reasons for the decrease in population include fox populations in the area and destruction of habitat. Pictured, L-R: unknown, Andy Murray, unknown, Jerry Alexander, Geoff Galbraith, Mary Prowse The spotted-tailed quoll, also called the Tiger Quoll, is an endangered Australian animal. It is the largest carnivorous mammal in Australia, and is native to Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland, and Tasmania. Slightly larger than a cat, the animals fur is normally brown, with black marking and white spots. Currently, there are approximately 14,000 spotted-tailed quolls in the wild.This photograph is significant as an example of events used by the Wooragee Landcare Group to inform the public on local environmental issues, and for its link to the hunt for the spotted-tailed quoll.Landscape colour photgraph printed on gloss paper. Reverse (partial) WAN -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Craft - Scrimshaw, After 1975
When scrimshaw is mentioned, most people think of carving on sperm whale teeth only. But scrimshaw also includes engravings on skeletal whale bone–such as the jaw bone, called panbone–and ivory from other marine mammals such as walrus. Although scrimshaw is widely associated with nautical themes and designs of the 19th century whaling industry, vintage scrimshaw was also produced as tribal art in many cultures. Today, scrimshaw is recognized as a unique medium in which present-day artists have developed their own modern themes. Scrimshaw reproductions may take several forms. There are - New carvings on genuine ivory or bone with the deliberate intent to create an "antique” - New carvings on genuine ivory or bone sold as signed and dated contemporary art - Clearly marked synthetic museum reproductions and mass marketed - Unmarked synthetic replicas Painstakingly carved deliberate replicas are directed towards the scrimshaw collector and seldom appear in the general market. Pieces of contemporary art and museum copies are usually clearly marked and openly sold for what they are. The biggest problems in the general antiques market are the mass produced synthetic reproduction pieces, such as this item, that can be mistaken for the genuine item. The scrimshaw is a modern reproduction of a typical scrimshaw scene and engraved onto a synthetic substance. It has been created as a decorative piece and is currently displayed as a representation of the craft of scrimshaw.Scrimshaw carved on a non-natural material in the shape of a whale tooth. Engraving depicts a grizzly bear with two cubs next to a fallen tree. Nonewarrnambool, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, craft work, carving on bones, whale bone carving, engraving, scrimshaw, carving, reproduction scrimshaw -
Wooragee Landcare Group
Photograph, 28th April 2004
This photograph was taken at Wooragee Hall on the 28th of April, 2004, during an general information event titled "Questions About Quolls." The event was hosted by Andy Murray, then president of the South East Forests Spot-Tailed Quoll Working Group. Information provided included quoll characteristics, habitats, and how to find them. This event was partially prompted by a desire to find out if quolls still lived in Mount Pilot-Chiltern National Park, as there had been no confirmed sightings since the 2003 bushfires. Andy Murray helped lead the efforts to find them. Currently, landcare group efforts have found evidence of a small but present spot-tailed quoll population in the park. Reasons for the decrease in population include fox populations in the area and destruction of habitat. The man pictured in the photograph is Owen Gemmill(?) The spotted-tailed quoll, also called the Tiger Quoll, is an endangered Australian animal. It is the largest carnivorous mammal in Australia, and is native to Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland, and Tasmania. Slightly larger than a cat, the animals fur is normally brown, with black marking and white spots. Currently, there are approximately 14,000 spotted-tailed quolls in the wild. This photograph is significant as an example of events used by the Wooragee Landcare Group to inform the public on local environmental issues, and for its link to the hunt for the spotted-tailed quoll. Portrait colour photograph printed on gloss paper. Reverse: WAN NA 0ANA0N0 NN2+ 1 1636 -
The Beechworth Burke Museum
Animal specimen - Platypus, Trustees of the Australian Museum, 1860-1880
The platypus is a semi-aquatic, egg-laying mammal endemic to eastern Australia. It is the sole living representative of its family and genus. They can grow up to 63cm in length and weigh up to 3kg, and their life span is typically 6-15 years. The unique mix of physical features of the platypus make it an important subject in the study of evolutionary biology, and a recognisable and iconic symbol of Australia. Furthermore, the platypus is culturally significant to several Aboriginal peoples of Australia. The animal has also appeared as a mascot at national events and features on the reverse of the Australian twenty-cent coin, and is the animal emblem of the state of New South Wales. This specimen is part of a collection of almost 200 animal specimens that were originally acquired as skins from various institutions across Australia, including the Australian Museum and the National Museum of Victoria, as well as individuals such amateur anthropologist Reynell Eveleigh Johns between 1860-1880. These skins were then mounted by members of the Burke Museum Committee and put-on display in the formal space of the Museum’s original exhibition hall where they continue to be on display. This display of taxidermy mounts initially served to instruct visitors to the Burke Museum of the natural world around them, today it serves as an insight into the collecting habits of the 19th century. This specimen is part of a significant and rare taxidermy mount collection in the Burke Museum. This collection is scientifically and culturally important for reminding us of how science continues to shape our understanding of the modern world. They demonstrate a capacity to hold evidence of how Australia’s fauna history existed in the past and are potentially important for future environmental research. This collection continues to be on display in the Museum and has become a key part to interpreting the collecting habits of the 19th century.A long, stocky platypus with a streamlined body and a flat bill. The platypus has four short limbs with webbed feet, and the front-right foot is positioned upright. The hair is short and dense; the upperbody fur has an auburn tint, and the underbody fur is a silver/cream colour. The platypus has two beady black glass eyes.On tag: BMM / 5899 /taxidermy mount, taxidermy, animalia, burke museum, beechworth, australian museum, skin, reynell eveleigh johns, platypus, monotreme, mammal, ornithorhynchus anatinus -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Weapon - Harpoon, Early to mid 19th Century
A harpoon is a long spear-like instrument used in fishing, whaling, sealing and other marine hunting to catch large fish or marine mammals such as whales. It accomplishes this task by impaling the target animal and securing it with barb or toggling claws, allowing the fishermen to use a rope or chain attached to the projectile to catch the animal. The earliest known harpoons, have been recorded as having been made and used 90,000 years ago. In the early whaling industry the two flue harpoon was the primary weapon used around the world. This two fluke harpoon tended to penetrate no deeper than the soft outer layer of a whales blubber. Thus it was often possible for the whale to escape by struggling or swimming away forcefully enough to pull the shallowly embedded barbs out backwards. This flaw was corrected in the early nineteenth century with the creation of the one fluke harpoon. By removing one of the flukes, the head of the harpoon was narrowed, making it easier for it to penetrate deep enough to hold fast. In the Arctic, the indigenous people used the more advanced toggling harpoon design and by the mid-19th century, the toggling harpoon was adapted by Lewis Temple, using iron. The Temple toggle was widely used, and quickly came to dominate the whaling industry around the world.A hand forged harpoon demonstrating the blacksmiths art for fashioning an item used during the early 19th century in the significant industry of whaling. Used during a time when the world depended on the natural resources derived from whales, oil for lighting, lubrication, margarine, candles, soaps and cosmetics as well as the use of the whales bones for various other items such as corsets, umbrellas,fertiliser and animal feed. The item is significant as it was probably made between 1820-1850 after which a single fluke and toggle harpoon began to be use extensively in the whaling industry. Also coming in to general use was a black powder gun to fire the harpoon rather than the early type that had to be manually thrown by a mariner from a row boat of which the subject item is an example.Hand forged double fluke steel whaling harpoon with an arrowhead tip atop a square shank that tapers to a narrow round shaft with a split metal cone to accommodate a wooden harpoon pole.Noneharpoon, whaling, whaling harpoon, fishing industry, whales, flukes, lewis temple, marine technology, flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road