Western Washington University Libraries
516 High Street
Bellingham, WA 98225-9103
(360) 650-3050 (office)
(360) 650-7528 (Library Information System information)
Comments or questions: Andrea.Peterson@wwu.edu
Some years ago, I demonstrated to a group of first graders how a croc'
could swallow an animal whole and not get plugged-up from the bones. (in
retrospect, considering the youthful innocence and impressionability of
a 6 year-old, perhaps I should have chosen a less intense topic
regarding how animals eat...but ANYhow...).
I hauled into the classroom a small rock tumbler, into which I proceeded
to throw some chicken bones (I recall they were the humerus, femur, and
a couple tibias). I then added about 5 quartzite pebbles, closed the
door, and turned the tumbler on. After nap time and milk and crackers
(I indulged in the graham crackers, but passed on the nap), and a recess
period thrown in for good measure, I pulled the plug on the tumbler.
After reminding the children why I had brought in the rock tumbler into
their classroom in the first place (about 3/4 of the children had
already forgotten the point of the demonstration), I dramatically opened
the door to the rock tumbler, and slowly pulled out the contents. Some
bone fracturing/pulverization had taken place, but not enough to impress
the audience, so I dutifully plugged the tumbler in again and let it run
all night and into the next morning. The next day was a complete
success. I even managed to impress the students' stunningly attractive
teacher (who, the previous day, seemed to intimate that I was nuts).
I never did try the stage act by adding vinegar, but I would think that
a gastric juice analog such as vinegar should produce some interesting
results if one attempted it (most rock tumblers have rubber liners, and
are *generally* fluid-tight).
Of course, a rock tumbler with pebbles and vinegar is probably a poor
analogy for the stomach/gastrolith-action of a 'croc, but that's another
topic altogether.
<pb>
--
"Using a feather during romance is quite sensuous. But using a live
chicken, although innovative, is probably over-kill."
Anon.
Title: Western Washington University Libraries
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Western Washington University Libraries 516 High Street Bellingham, WA 98225-9103 (360) 650-3050 (office) (360) 650-7528 (Library Information System information) Comments or questions: Andrea.Peterson@wwu.edu |