Martian Botanical Device
2007
Sold (Private Collection)
During a peaceful period of diplomacy between Mars and Earth around the early 1850’s, the Imperial International Research Initiative, in the true style of any explorer, brought back a multitude of flora and fauna specimens. Keen exploration skills aside; none of these scientific minds appreciated the role of the life forms natural habitat and most species died quickly.
Observations of the myriad of exotic species at any zoological reserve soon triggered the key ideas in the minds of those who wished to display their finds back on earth, or at home.
The botanical preservation devices contained the exact mixture of chemicals present in the martian atmosphere. Small plant samples flourished within these specifically pressurized containers, and allowed one to display a multitude of samples without fear of any perishing in our cruel oxygen rich atmosphere.
Like the abandonment of tiny cages of London zoo, minds evolved, and soon larger more lush enclosures were designed to house the mammalian life of Mars; the Crellecorn beasts of Barsoom, the glagalac birds of the violet lakes.
Interplanetary exploration was the key to understanding the universe around us, the Victorians just did it with style.
Contents
This specific preservation device contains a juvenile “carnivorus muscipula” a flesh eating plant which can grow to 20 feet in height. At this size they draw their nutrients from the soil, which is kept rich by the device. If kept in a controlled environment the plant will never need feeding flesh as a form of sustenance.
A vacuum exists between the plant and the outside world, controlled and maintained by the complex filtration system which draws air in, adding and subtracting the necessary components. The small glass fronted charts display the key biological information regarding this specimen. A self contained ecosystem.