Dromaeosaur

by Alex CF on May 24th, 2013

Status: For Sale
email: merrylinhouse@gmail.com for purchasing inquiries. Displayed in perspex case.

Thomas Huxley first considered the concept of birds as the evolutionary descendents of dinosaurs in 1868, after the discovery of a prehistoric fossilized feather. The anatomical similarities between dinosaur and modern bird were unmistakable. Yet with little evidence the theory would remain buried until the discovery of many fossilized dinosaurs preserved with feathers intact.

We can now confirm that dinosaurs never actually became extinct, although the majority of them did perish. Small theropod dinosaurs adapted and survived the KT extinction, possibly due to the insulation provided by their feather like down, and because of their size. Today 10,000 species of bird roam the skies, descendents of the ones who died in the aftermath of the Chicxulub metor impact 65 millions years ago.

The discovery of the transient temporal anomaly (or wormhole) in the Brazilian rain forest (see here) gave biologists a chance to examine specimens of transitional species. Of the most collected fauna from the Amazon, feathered dinosaurs were prized. They were small, and easily snared. They also justified these barbaric acts by pointing out the significance of the feathers and our need to understand the evolution of flight. Most specimens became the stuff of sideshows. Before the plateau was protected from poachers, a large number of specimens were caught and shipped out. No living specimens survived, despite best efforts.

This is one of many examples of the Dromaeosaurus albertensis, a small carnivorous theropod. Note the proto feathers on forearm and tail, the beak like face, and the “fuzzy” fur-like down that covered most of its body.

This specimen was bought by the Merrylin collection around 1912, by infamous Poacher Hoxton Butcher. Along with five or six other examples of Dromaeosaur, they were displayed alongside the infant body of a Triceratops. (see here)

Danse Macabre

by Alex CF on April 29th, 2013

Status: For sale
Please email me at merrylinhouse@gmail.com for purchasing inquiries

Part of Merrylins collection of infant human skeletons, some of which are peculiarly disfigured by various ailments, this particular diorama, a “danse macabre” features four very young healthy human infants, dancing around a decorated tree, with various religious artifacts, a key, pocket watch and ribbons tied within its branches, all of which represent the articles of death.

Dioramas of such infants were often used to show anatomy and organs structures within the human body, often as medical illustrations. This physical collection is rather rare, presented here in a perspex protective case. They are ethereal and although a sense of sadness permeates their tiny bones, they smiles of joy upon their toothless faces as they cavort for all time seems eerily playful.

Mounted Draco Alatus Infant skeleton

by Alex CF on March 22nd, 2013

Status: For Sale
Measurements: 18 inches tall x 38 inches long
Email: alex.cf@hotmail.co.uk

“The mounted skeleton of a young Draco Alatus, preserved at death”

Merrylin made great strides in understanding the anatomical and behavioral traits of the species that he identified. One species, that was on the brink of extinction during his years of research, is the Draco, a winged theropod, related to a subspecies of dinosaur that survived the KT extinction event. There is evidence of more than one subspecies of Draco, yet little physical examples. This very well preserved Draco is a young infant. Adult examples are of course cumbersome and more or less non existent. Within the Merrylin archive we have a number of younger specimens, this being one of the finest.

The basic anatomy is very similar to the dromaeosaur, not unlike Dienonychus or velociraptor. A bird like theropod, the forearm digits elongate into large wings which would support a membrane, like that of Pteranadon. Very little fossil evidence exists of this divergent species, that carried such a unique wing type, not found in other species of true dinosaur. What fossil evidence there is suggests that earlier forms of Draco Alatus had a downy covering, yet it appears that the species evolved to eventually shed these feather-like coats, and in place developed a thick horny epidermal adaptation, which not only provided some degree of insulation, but also the creation of keloid scarring in mating rituals. Draco Alatus are capable of producing a combustible secretion from the mouth. These displays created bizarre and unique markings to attract a mate.