The Evening dispatch. [volume] (Provo, City, Utah) 1891-1895, 1894-11-24
SKELETON MARKET.
UNCLE SAM is THE CHAMPION soNF
COLLECTOR OF The WORLD.

(tNO-- OfNiN ~ IL MIAMI iN(tN DUNE
COLLECTOR OF THE WORLD.
specimens From the Lowest Fishes to the
Human Species Found In the Rational
Museum-BonesU seda as Fertilizers Mar.
ket Value of Skeletons.
Funk island-that is, part of it.
mas been reproduced for exhibition at
che National museum at Washington.
1t was on that lonely rock, 80 miles of
the coast Of Newfoundland, that the
now extinct great aux had its principal
roost. Fifty years ago the last individual
OF the species persisted. 1t is represented
low by skeleton, worth 5000, stand
ing by heap of bird remains such az
chiefly compose the surface soil of Funk
island, while alongside is an egg of the
fowl, valued at 81, 500, together with
the inner skin of another egg. The NJ
tional museum possesses nearly all o
the great aux bones in existence. They
are the most costly bones in the world
The finest collection of skeletons in
the world is also stored at the National
museum. They run upward from the
lowest fishes, through the reptiles and
birds, to man. Human bones are much
cheaper than those of many other ami
mails. One can buy nicely articulated
skeleton of a man for $40 or Of a woman
Cor $5O-sex makes some difference in
the price-whereas the skeleton of a
gorilla costs $500, of a whale $3.50. of
an elephant $500. of lion SIS, of a
horse $40, Of azoat $12 and of python
$50.
= The bones of a human being are near
ly one-quarter water during the life of
the individual. They are chiefly COM
posed of phosphate of lime, but contain
q good deal Of animal matter and other
dasis,nants IN oleton Of man are
nearly four pounds of the -Ts99sIIaI cav
cium, which is many times more va1t:-I
able than gold, being worth $500 an
ounce. Thus in the osseous framework of |
the average tramp may be found ms
terial with a market value Of about !
S1S, 600, if it could be separated
1t is only in bones that phosphate Of
lime is found in anything like a pure
state. Everybody knows the value OF |
that material as fertilizer, but it is
only recently that human skeletons
have been imported into this country to |
grow crops with. Not long ago a ship |
ment was made from Mexico 10 the |
Omitted States of 10 carloads of human
bones, said to have been obtained from |
ancient mounds in southern Mexico,
but more probably gathered from vari-
Gus old and abandoned cemeteries. As
these remains were fragments of unas.
sorted skeletons, it was estimated that |
30, 600 individuals were represented IN |
She lot.
This would not be considered novel
ty in Europe. Years ago English farm
ers used human bones to some extent to
fertilize their land. The battlefield of !
Waterloo was for time the base Of sup
plies, and this was supplemented by
icargoeS Of mumEies from Egypt ground |
to fine powder.
In ancient Egyptian tombs are found
great numbers of copper boxes, opening
at one end ~ slide, which contain
mummies Of cats, hawks, ibises and
now and then snakes and small croco.
diles MUmmies are a recognized com
mercial article in that country today
For long time locomotives were run
between Cairo and Suez with no Other
fuel. Corpses of royal personages 3, 00Q
years old and upward fetch high prices.
A year ago the Austrian bark Villa
was deserted by her crew. Later she
was picked up as a derelict off Cape
Hatteras. Her cargo was found to con-
sist in large part Of bones, and Of these
one-fourth were human. The rest was
composed mainly of the bones Of horses
snd cattle. In one corner Of her hol0
was great heap of human skulls No
body knows TO this day why the crew
deserted the vessel in midooean. She |
was worth $40. 000 including Ter /
freight The bCnes had been collected |
In deserts snd cemeteries of Egypt. The |
preparation Of human skeletons for par
:kes is quite an industry. The chief cen
ter for this branch of commercial actiy
ity is Paris, where three concerns are
engaged in the business on a considerable |
scale They obtain the requisite supplies
of raw material in the shape Of bodies |
from public institutions, most of them
being those of paupers and criminals
In the United States the existing laws |
would not permit the establishment Of
o factory for bleaching and preparing |
human skeletons. The only sort of |
skeleton produced here is of the family |
type which is kept 10 the closet.
To supply the demand in this country
about l, 500 skeletons are imported an
nually. This reckoning does not include
minor parts, such as skulls and thigh
bones. These are in great request by Sc
cret societies, being absolutely indis
pensable for initiatory ceremonies. One
may purchase a Uranium and crossbcnes
for only SO. But if you want some
thing really fancy in the way Of a skull
you must pay $40. It is worth the
money, however, being beautifully dis
srticulated, 50 that each particular pone
may be studied separately, including
even the little bones of the ear.
You can buy very good skeleton
complete for $40 A plain skull costs
only Sc. By students of obstetrics
there is a special demand for the pelvis,
which cones at 81. Clubs organized to
defy superstitious beliefs affect the use
of skulls for drinking cups, and young
men who are studying for the medical
profession indulge a CHASTITY humor BY
employing similar receptacles to hold
tobacco. The demand for human bones
always exceeds the supply.--New York
w