Specimen Collection (#73)

Rhodium. Sample of the transition metal rhodium (Rh) in a Petri dish. Rhodium is a rare, silvery-white, hard, and chemically inert transition metal and a member of the platinum group

Thulium. Sample of the rare earth metal Thulium (Tm). The rare earth metals, or rare earth elements, are a set of seventeen chemical elements in the periodic table

Beryllium. Sample of the alkaline earth metal Beryllium (Be). Beryllium is a grey metallic element that is extracted from the mineral beryl (Beryllium aluminosilicate)

Potassium
Rubidium. Vial containing a sample of the alkali metal rubidium (Rb). Rubidium compounds are sometimes used in fireworks to give them a purple colour

Zirconium
Iron. Samples of the transition metal iron (Fe). Iron is the most common element (by mass) found in the Earth, forming much of the planets outer and inner core

Tantalum. Sample of the element Tantalum (Ta). Tantalum is a hard, blue-grey transition metal, that used to be known as tantalium. It is used in alloys, capacitors and resistors

Calcium. Sample of the alkaline earth metal calcium (Ca) on a watch glass. Calcium is the fifth most abundant element in the Earths crust

Aluminium. Sample of the metal aluminium (Al). Aluminium is a lightweight metallic element that is used in many different applications, including food packaging and engine components

Terbium. Sample of the rare earth metal Terbium (Tb). The rare earth metals, or rare earth elements, are a set of seventeen chemical elements in the periodic table

Chlorine. Vial containing a sample of chlorine (Cl) gas. Chlorine has many applications including as a constituent of bleach and in water as a disinfectant. It is toxic

Ytterbium. Sample of the rare earth metal ytterbium (Yb). The rare earth metals, or rare earth elements, are a set of seventeen chemical elements in the periodic table

Zinc

Freshwater dinosaur fossil. Fossilised remains of a young Keichousaurus hui dinosaur. This animal was a Pachypleurosaur, an aquatic freshwater reptile that lived around 229-217 million years ago

Fossilised pterosaur footprint. Fossilised remains of a footprint made by a Pterodactylus cerinensis pterosaur during the Jurassic period (around 200 to 145 million years ago)

Fossilised prehistoric aquatic organism. Fossilised remains (circles) of Cyclomedusa radiata from the Proterozoic era, around 2500-542 million years ago

Prehistoric perch fossil. Fossilised remains of a Priscacara liops fish from the Eocene epoch (around 56-34 million years ago). Found in the Green River formation, Wyoming, USA

Prehistoric brittle star fossils. Fossilised remains of Sinosaura kelheimense brittle stars from the Jurassic period (around 200-145 million years ago). Found in Bavaria, Germany

Sodalite. The larger specimens are in their natural state, the two smaller specimens have been polished. Sodalite is a rare silicate (sodium aluminium silicate chloride) mineral

Engraving of fossil crocodile
Fossil crocodile. 18th century engraving depicting a fossil skeleton of a crocodile. This was discovered at Whitby, Yorkshire, in the alum shales in 1758 by Captain William Chapman

Quartz. The specimen at bottom is in its natural state the other specimens have been polished. Quartz is a form of silica (silicon dioxide). It is colourless and transparent when pure

Ruby. The specimen at top has been polished the specimen at bottom is in its natural state. Ruby is a variety of corundum (aluminium oxide)

Tiger eye. Specimens of polished tiger eye. This gemstone is a form of silica (silicon dioxide)

Tourmaline. The specimen at bottom left is in its natural state, the other specimens have been polished. Tourmaline is a silicate mineral that can occur in several colours

Malachite. Cut and polished samples of the secondary copper mineral malachite

Amber. The smaller pieces have been polished, the two larger pieces are unpolished. The amber at bottom right has an insect fossilised in it

Jasper. Close-up of a section through Jasper. Jasper is an opaque variety of quartz (silicon dioxide)

Citrine. Cut and polished specimens are at top right, a polished specimen is at bottom left and specimens in their natural state are at bottom right and centre

Fluorite. The specimens at bottom right and middle right are in their natural form, the specimen at centre had been polished and all the other specimens have been cut and polished

Opal. The specimens at top right and middle right are polished and the specimens at left are in their natural state. Opal is a form of hydrous silicon oxide

Carnelian agate. Polished specimens of carnelian agate, silica (silicon dioxide) that precipitated from liquid inside existing rock

Preserved sheeps kidney
Sheeps kindey. Dissected sheeps kidney preserved in a jar

Termite nest preserved in a case

Amethyst. The specimen at left is in its natural state, the specimen at bottom right has been polished and the specimen at top right had been cut and polished

Lapis lazuli. Cross section through a specimen of lapis lazuli. This complex mineral contains a mixture of blue lazurite, white calcite and pyrite

Blue lace agate. Cut and polished specimens are at top left, polished specimens are at right and a specimen in its natural state is at bottom left

Cut and polished jasper in various shapes. Jasper is an opaque variety of quartz (silicon dioxide)

Stick insect specimen
Green nymph stick insect specimen, from Malaysia

Embryonic development. Comparison of fish, amphibian, bird and mammal embryos at the same stage of development

Azurite crystals. The specimen at top right is polished, the specimen at bottom is in its natural state. Azurite is a hydrated copper carbonate mineral. Its name refers to its colour, azure

Preserved sheep brain

Ensisheim meteorite fragment. Piece of the Ensisheim meteorite that fell on 7th November 1492. This was the earliest recorded European meteorite

Fossil fish, SEM
Fossil fish, coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM). Fossils appear as rock slowly forms around objects buried in mud

1849 John Obadiah Westwood entomologist
C. 1849 Lithograph by Maguire from the friends of the Ipswich museum collection showing John Obadiah Westwood (22 Dec 1805 - 2 Jan 1893) holding a goliath beetle

Case of Blue Morpho Butterflies
A case of Blue Morpho Butterflies including, closest to us, Morpho rhetenor helena, largest on top Morpho menelaus, and smallest (pale blue) lower middle, Morpho sulkowski

1855 Wallace & Rajah Brookes Birdwing 1855 Wallace & Rajah Brookes Birdwing
Rajah Brookes Birdwing male (Trogonoptera brookiana) shown with a steel engraving of Sir James Brooke, the famous White Rajah of Sarawak who Wallace named the butterfly for

Blue Morpho Butterfly wing
Morpho menelaus wing close up. Morpho wings have no blue pigment, and gain their iridescent colour by reflecting incident light repeatedly at successive layers leading to interference effects

Panagaeus cruxmajor Darwins lost beetle
From Donovans " Natural History of British Insects" (plate by Donovan, volume circa 1806). Greater crucifix beetle, Panagaeus cruxmajor, on a grass stem

Iron meteorite fragment. Fragment of an iron meteorite, a type of meteorite that originates from the core of protoplanets that were created and destroyed in the early history of the solar system

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"Exploring the World of Specimens: Unveiling Nature's Treasures" Step into a world where gold meets science, as we journey to Carbon Stream Works in Perranarworthal, Cornwall, England. Here lies a hidden gem for all enthusiasts of entomology specimens and natural history. Delve into the captivating Case of British Butterflies Lepidoptera, where vibrant wings flutter gracefully on display. Each delicate specimen tells its own story, showcasing the intricate beauty found in nature's creations. But our exploration doesn't stop there; prepare to be amazed by the Archaeopteryx fossil known as Berlin specimen C016/5071. This ancient relic takes us back millions of years, bridging the gap between dinosaurs and birds. In contrast to prehistoric wonders, let us introduce you to Captain Berry's dachshunds frolicking joyfully in the park. These adorable creatures remind us that even within scientific pursuits, there is room for playfulness and companionship. As we continue our journey through this diverse collection of specimens, behold the sea green swallowtail butterfly with its ethereal hues dancing upon petals. Its elegance captures hearts effortlessly. Witness speed personified with Falco peregrinus - the peregrine falcon soaring high above cliffs with unmatched grace and precision. A true marvel of nature's design. Marvel at the crowned hairstreak butterfly (Picture No. 11091681), adorned with regal patterns fit for royalty. Its presence reminds us that even small creatures can possess grandeur beyond measure. Enter a realm filled with color as you encounter painted lady butterfly C016/2299 – an exquisite masterpiece painted by Mother Nature herself. Let its delicate charm leave you breathless. Prepare yourself for an encounter like no other as we unveil Malacosteus niger -the enigmatic stoplight loosejaw lurking deep beneath ocean depths. Its mysterious allure captivates the imagination.