The Evening dispatch. [volume] (Provo, City, Utah) 1891-1895, 1894-10-17
SKELETON MARKET.
UNCLE SAM is THE CHAMPION BONE
COLLECTOR OF THE WORLD.

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the National museum at Washington
1t was on that lonely rock, 80 miles of
the coast of Newfoundland, that tn,
now extinct great aux had its principa
roost. Fifty years ago the last individual
Of the species persisted. 1t is represented
now by a 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 Ma.
tional museum possesses nearly all Of
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 man for $40 or of woman
for $50-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 SO, of a
horse $40, of cat $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
a good deal Of animal matter and other
oil Tn, +1,n c1- Of
nearly four pounds Of the metal cal
cium, which is many times more valu-
able than gold, being worth $500 an
ounce. Thus in the osseous framework of
the average tramp may be found ma
terial with a market value of about
SIS, 900, 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 to the
United 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
80, 0G0 individuals were represented in
the 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
cargoes of mummies from Egypt ground
to fine powder.
In ancient Egyptian tombs are found
great numbers of copper boxes, opening
at one end by slide, which contain
mummies Of cats, hawks, ibises and
now and then snakes and small croco-
diles. Mummies are recognized com.
mercial article in that country today.
For long time locomotives were run
Cairo and Suez with no other
fuel Corpses Of royal personages 8, 900
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 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
mainly of the bones of horses
and cattle. IN one corner of her hold
was great heap of human skulls. No
body knows to this day why the crew
deserted the vessel in midocean. She
was worth $4,000, including Ter
freight. The bones had been collected |
in deserts and cemeteries Of Egypt. The
Of human skeletons for par
zet is quite an industry. The chief cen
Ter for this branch of commercial activ. |
ty is Paris, where three concerns are
in the business on a considerable
scale. They obtain the requisite supplies
If raw material in the shape of bodies
rom public institutions, most of them
being those of paupers and criminals.
In the United States the existing laws
would not permit the establishment of
/ factory for bleaching and preparing
human skeletons The only sort of
keleton produced here is of the family
ype, which is kept in the closet.
To supply the demand in this country
bout 1, 500 skeletons are imported an.
lually. This reckoning does not include
minor parts, such as skulls and thigh
zones. These are in great request by Sc
ret societies, being absolutely indis
,ensable for initiatory ceremonies. One
nay purchase a Uranium and crossbunes
or only $40 But if you want some
hing really fancy in the way of a skull
on must pay $40. 1t is worth the
money, however, being beautifully dis
so that each particular bone
nay be studied separately, including
ven the little bones Of the ear,
You can buy a very good skeleton
omplete for $40. A plain skull costs
My Sc. By students of obstetrics
here is a special demand for the pelvis,
,hich copIes at 81. Clubs organized to
ely superstitious beliefs affect the use
f skulls for drinking cups, and young
len who are studying for the medical
rofession indulge CHASTITY humor by
Employing similar receptaoles to hold
obacco. The demand for human bones
Ivy avs exceeds the supply. New York
World.
THEY made no mistaae when that
reat furniture house of Taylor Broth
IS company decided to carry stoves in
with furniture, and by OBJ
aiming the Universal" stoves and
anges success is doubly assured. Call
nd see their beautiful stock.
LADIES, for the latest improved curl
ng irons, call and see those just re-
eived at the Smcot Drug Co.
BATHING excellent at the Geneva
resort
CHEAP goodsl Good goodsl! Dura-
bic goods!l! Why, it is astonishing.
FOOD fall dress goods cents and up
Il