Saturday, 14 January 2023

A Big Ask?

I am, myself, somewhat elongated, so I have some sympathy with the campaign to respect the recorded wishes of Charles Byrne, the 18th century 'Irish Giant' (https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2023/jan/14/he-did-not-want-this-one-mans-two-decade-quest-to-let-the-irish-giant-rest-in-peace). The 'Irish Giant' had an endocrine disorder, which caused his excessive growth. Although he made money by being displayed as 'a freak of nature', Byrne was adamant that he feared becoming a museum specimen after his death. In spite of his fears, his body was snatched by medics. His skeleton is now displayed in London's Hunterian Museum. Personality, of course, doesn't reside in the skeleton. Byrne's skeleton was, however, his property (not that of the medics). His wishes should be respected.
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Flowers of Oahu 64. Wikstoemia uva-ursi or Akia

The bark, roots and leaves of this plant release a narcotic that was used to stun fish.

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