Our first day in Boston, we arrived far too early in the day to check into the hotel. So, we hitched a subway ride to Cambridge, Mass and onto the Harvard University campus. As you might expect, and as many have heard me joke already, Jessie and I fit right in at Harvard. We toured Hahvahd Yahd and listened to some street music in Hahvahd Square. Unfortunately, we did not run across Click or Clack. Why is this unfortunate you ask? Because Jessie's air conditioning is definitely in need of help!
The highlight of the Hahvahd experience was the Hahvahd Museum of Natural History. Never before have I seen such an extensive selection of preserved animals. This museum had a lot of exhibits on evolution, which were prefaced by this disclaimer (Click on this photo and others for a larger view):
The museum was not terribly receptive to my camera work, so please bear with me as we go through the remaining photos. Being that Jessie and I are both in the business of bugs, we got a kick out of this display. Behold the trophic pyramid of beetles!
The highlight of the museum was definitely the glass flowers exhibit. The reminder of this post will be pictures of the glass flowers. These glass plants and flowers were developed in the early 1900's to teach plant anatomy and ID. All of the specimens are glass. I emphasize that because you may be in disbelief by the end of this. Again, I apologize for the photo quality and you can click the pictures to see them larger.
This image of a Penstemon species gives the general layout of each specimen, a large representation of the plant and flower and several cross sections of the plant and flower parts.
We started our tour in the orchid section. I suspect these are placed nearest the entryway on purpose. Very impressive.
They also had some plants that grow in our neck of the woods, including mountain laurel. We have one of these in our back yard, though it is not old enough to bloom yet.
They also had several specimens of plants common to flowerbeds nationwide, including dahlias. Unfortunately, the tubers were the only photo that turned out. Remember, all glass!
We almost got through the whole place before we came upon the wool sower gall, which is extremely common on oaks down here. The link will take you to an N.C. State University extension document showing the actual gall for reference. Here's the glass version.
The museum and the Hahvahd campus were well worth visiting. That's all for now! Stay tuned for our take on the Freedom Trail or Maine.
1 comment:
We have an idea for your flower bed on glass hill...how about stealing the exhibits out of the hahvahd glass flower show. they would be beautiful!
love mom, dad janet and roger
we thank them for letting us read your blog at their house...janet says people who walk through glass gardens shouldn't throw stones...hee..hee
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