The De la Beche archive at Amgueddfa Cymru Tom Sharpe, 20 April 2009 Sir Henry Thomas De la Beche (1796-1855) The first geological map of Jamaica Duria Antiquior - A more Ancient Dorset. A watercolour painted in 1830 by Henry De la Beche. This was the first portrayal of a fossil environment in its entirety, showing the interactions of the various elements of the fossil fauna and flora, in particular the large marine reptiles of the early Jurassic Period. De la Beche and his daughters in Swansea, 1853 The Department of Geology at Amgueddfa Cymru houses one of the most important geological archives in the world. It contains over 2,000 items - letters, diaries, journals, sketches and photographs - of one of the leading geologists of the early 19th century, Sir Henry Thomas De la Beche (1796-1855). During the first half of the 19th century De la Beche played an important role in the new science of geology. In addition to his own scientific contributions, he established geology as a profession and founded several of Britain's major geological institutions, including the British Geological Survey the Museum of Practical Geology (later the Geological Museum and now part of the Natural History Museum in London) the School of Mines (now part of Imperial College London) and the Mining Record Office (now part of the Coal Authority). De la Beche was born in London and brought up in Devon and in Lyme Regis in Dorset, where he developed an interest in geology through his friendship with a local fossil collector, Mary Anning (1799-1847). Jamaica His family wealth came from slavery, and a sugar plantation in Jamaica, and in 1823-4 he spent 12 months on the estate. He toured the island, examining its rock outcrops. On his return to England he published the first description of the geology of Jamaica and its first geological map. De la Beche is regarded as the 'Father of Jamaican geology'. De la Beche began mapping the rocks of Devon in the early 1830s. However unrest in Jamaica, related to the abolition of slavery and the collapse of the sugar market, left him in financial difficulties and unable to continue his work. He wrote to the Board of Ordnance offering to complete the geological mapping of Devon for the Government for £300. His application was successful and he was appointed Geologist to the Ordnance Trigonometrical Survey. Founding the British Geological Survey Once the Devon work was completed, he successfully applied to continue with the geological mapping of Cornwall, and in 1835 the Ordnance Geological Survey was established. From this grew today's British Geological Survey. When most geologists were clerics or interested amateurs of private means, De la Beche was one of the first professionals. In 1837, De la Beche moved his Geological Survey to Swansea, recognising the economic importance of the Welsh coalfield. He soon became involved in the local scientific scene as a member of the Swansea Philosophical and Literary Institution and a friend of the Swansea naturalist Lewis Weston Dillwyn. De la Beche was accompanied by his 18-year-old daughter Elizabeth (Bessie). She soon got to know one of Dillwyn's sons, Lewis Llewelyn Dillwyn , and they married in August 1838. It is from their descendants that the Museum acquired the bulk of the De la Beche archive in the 1930s. Spectacular fossils discovered The papers contain a wealth of information about the developing science of geology in the first half of the 19th century. The names of the geological timescale (Cambrian, Ordovician and so on) that we now take so much for granted were being proposed and argued over, new and spectacular fossils were being discovered and evidence of the Ice Age was being recognised for the first time. De la Beche himself worked on the first descriptions of the large fossil marine reptiles, the ichthyosaurs and the plesiosaurs, and there is much in the papers on the formation of the Geological Survey and the other organizations he established. Darwin writes to De la Beche De la Beche corresponded with the leading geologists of the day and, with his experience of Jamaica, was often called on for advice relating to that island. One letter of 1842 in the collection quizzes him about the colours of horses, cattle and other animals bred for a number of generations on the island, and how they had changed. The author was Charles Darwin, at that time formulating his theory of evolution. De la Beche was a skilled draughtsman and this is evident in the archive, for in addition to faithful landscape views, fossil illustrations and geological cross-sections, he sketched many caricatures and cartoons. Through these he would comment on developments in the science, or on his activities and those of his contemporaries. The archive is an important resource for the history of geology and is frequently consulted by researchers from Britain and abroad - to arrange a visit, please contact us . Editor's note: this article was amended on 28/06/17 to remove a reference to de la Beche being a "fair slave-owner".
The Quilt Collection 17 April 2009 The collection of quilting and patchwork at Amgueddfa Cymru contains examples of bedcovers from the eighteenth to the twentieth centuries, together with smaller items such as cushion covers, linings from christening baskets, eighteenth-century petticoats and a christening gown worn by Peter Morgan of Golden Grove in 1722. The quilt collection at the Museum dates back to the 1930s. Although a few examples of quilts had been donated to the Museum in 1914, no systematic collecting had been undertaken prior to the establishment of the Department of Folk Culture and Industries in 1932. The collection is available to view by appointment. If you would like further information, please contact the curator using our Email Form. Scroll down through our collection of quilts which are listed in the following categories: Commemorative quilts Patchwork and appliqué quilt made by Mary Lloyd of Cardigan in 1840. A marriage quilt made by Mary Miles of Berthlwyd Farm, Quakers Yard, in 1886. Detail of a wholecloth marriage quilt made by Mary Miles of Berthlwyd Farm, Quakers Yard, in 1886. A sateen quilt decorated with printed signatures. It was sent to the Welsh War Relief Committee in 1942 from Edmonton, Canada. Detail of a sateen quilt decorated with printed signatures. It was sent to the Welsh War Relief Committee in 1942 from Edmonton, Canada. Detail of a marriage quilt made in Maesteg in the 1920s. A wholecloth wedding quilt made in Maesteg in the 1920s. A quilt made from a range of printed cottons. The central panel contains a portrait of Caroline of Brunswick, consort of King George IV. Made in Brecon in about 1820. An unlined patchwork bedcover. Made by the Richards family of Darowen, possibly to commemorate the building of their new parish church in 1863. Detail of a wholecloth quilt from Abergwawr made to commemorate Queen Victoria's Golden Jubilee in 1887. A wholecloth quilt from Abergwawr made to commemorate Queen Victoria's Golden Jubilee in 1887. Hexagonal patchwork A patchwork table cover used at Llwyn Onn Hall, Wrexham. Made from cotton dress fabrics and chintzes which date from about 1780-1820. A cotton patchwork bedcover made by a dairy-maid at Llanharan House, near Llanharan, in 1886. A bedcover of predominantly red and lilac cotton prints. Made mid-to-late 19th century by Esther David of Llanfabon. A 19th century patchwork bedcover from Cardiff. Mostly made from cotton chintzes. A bedcover of hexagonal cotton prints arranged in cables. Given as a wedding present in 1874 to A. C. Humphreys-Owen of Glansevern House, Welshpool. Detail of an unlined patchwork bedcover. Made in Llantrisant in 1886. An unlined patchwork bedcover made in 1886 in Llantrisant. A 19th century patchwork quilt from Wick. Made from a range of printed cottons. A quilt of red and white hexagons arranged in diagonal bands. Made by Elizabeth Edwards of Cardiff in 1870. Patchwork: Work in progress Detail of a 19th-century patchwork bedcover from Cardiff. Mostly made from cotton chintzes. An unfinished late 19th century patchwork bedcover from Port Talbot. Made from plain and printed cotton hexagons. The paper templates remain in parts. Detail of an unfinished late 19th century patchwork bedcover from Port Talbot. Made from plain and printed cotton hexagons. The paper templates remain in parts. An unfinished late 19th century patchwork from Cardiff. The 'log cabin' pattern has been achieved by dividing strips of cotton into light and dark shades. An unfinished late 19th century crazy patchwork of satin, velvet and ribbed silk. Oversewn with feather stitches and French knots. Made in Maentwrog. The reverse of an unfinished patchwork. The paper templates and tacking remain in position. Made in Mountain Ash in 1880. An unfinished patchwork of hexagonal printed cottons. The paper templates and tacking remain in position. Made in 1880 in Mountain Ash. An unfinished early 19th century patchwork from Dinas Powys. Made from printed cotton pieces arranged around an oval central panel. Prize-winning quilts A programme containing details of events and exhibitions held at St Fagans in conjunction with the Festival of Britain in 1951. A programme containing details of events and exhibitions held at St Fagans in conjunction with the Festival of Britain in 1951. A quilted bonnet made by Jane Davies of Pontardawe for the 1951 quilting competition held at St Fagans. A prize-winning poplin quilt made by Jessie Edwards, a quilting teacher from Merthyr. Exhibited at the Fagans during the 1951 Festival of Britain. Detail of a poplin quilt made by Jessie Edwards of Merthyr. The quilt won first prize at the 1951 quilting exhibition held at St Fagans. Quilts for children A silk cot quilt made by Miss Mabel Owen of Aberdare. It won first prize at the Royal Welsh Show held in Aberystwyth in 1933. A cot quilt made in 1987 at St Fagans National Museum of History by Katy Lewis of Caerphilly. Peach coloured cotton with polyester filling. A red and white patchwork cot quilt. Made and used in Carmarthen in 1914. A patchwork cot quilt from St David's, Pembrokeshire. A patchwork cot cover used in about 1850 by the infant William Hely Llewelyn of Cwrt Colman, Bridgend A cot quilt made from printed cotton and chintz squares. Made in 1856 for William Hely Llewelyn of Cwrt Colman, Bridgend, as a seven year old child. A cot cover of plain and ribbed silk patchwork arranged in the 'falling blocks' design. Made and used in St Asaph in 1870. Quilts: Earning a living Village quilters from Solva posing with a frame in 1928. Central motif of a wholecloth quilt made in 1933 by a group of quilters from Porth, Rhondda. A cream cotton poplin quilt with carded wool filling. Made in 1933 by a group of quilters from Porth, Rhondda. A notebook filled with notes, pencil drawn patterns and payments for quilting. Complied by Irene Morgan (nee Davies) of Abderdare in the 1920s-30s. A notebook filled with notes, pencil drawn patterns and payments for quilting. Complied by Irene Morgan (nee Davies) of Abderdare in the 1920s-30s. A notebook filled with notes, pencil drawn patterns and payments for quilting. Complied by Irene Morgan (nee Davies) of Abderdare in the 1920s-30s. A reversible wholecloth quilt of pink and green cotton with a flounced edge. Made by Phoebe Walters, a professional quilter from Bancyfelin, in about 1906. Detail of a wholecloth quilt of pink and green cotton. Made by Phoebe Walters, a professional quilter from Bancyfelin, in about 1906. Quilts: Make do and mend A 19th century geometric patchwork quilt made from off-cuts of flannel from Ogof Woollen Mill, Drefach-Felindre. Probably made by the weaver Benjamin Jones, or a member of his family. A quilt made by the Borth based artist Becky Knight in 2006. Constructed from recycled Guinness cans, machine stitched to form the traditional 'drunkards path' design. Detail of a quilt made from recycled Guinness cans. Designed and made by Becky Knight of Borth in 2006. A 19th century patchwork quilt made from off-cuts of flannel from Ogof Woollen Mill, Drefach-Felindre. Probably made by the weaver Benjamin Jones, or a member of his family. An early 20th century bedcover. Made in Blaenau Ffestiniog from scraps of tweed and worsted suits worn by quarrymen. A patchwork quilt made from a range of printed cottons. Made by an unknown quilter from Rhydlafar in about 1850. A mid 20th century quilt from Cardiff. Made from rouched up silk ties. Lined with larger pieces of silk, possibly suit lining. A reversible late 19th century quilt from Llangamarch. Made from two recycled woven and printed paisley shawls. A patchwork quilt made from multicoloured printed cotton squares. The filling is probably an older quilt. Made by Esther David of Llanfabon. Mid to late 19th century. A bedcover made by James Williams, a tailor from Wrexham, between 1842-52. Made from 4,525 pieces of woollen cloth, mainly off-cuts from military uniforms.
The rarest plants in Wales 1 April 2009 Scientists at Amgueddfa Cymru have been researching the possibility that the Perennial Centuary (Centaurium scilloides) colonised Britain by sea. For its size, Wales has a rich flora. The variation in rock types and landscapes from the limestones of the Gower Peninsular to the mud-stones and volcanic rocks of Snowdonia support many different and special plants. Wales is home to a number of rare plants. Some rare species are endemic to Wales and occur nowhere else in the world, such as Ley's Whitebeam or the Black Mountain Hawkweed. Other rare plants occur elsewhere but in the British Isles only occur in Wales, such as the Snowdon Lily or Yellow Whitlow Grass. Others are rare on an international basis, such as Perennial Centaury or Wild Asparagus. The Welsh Rare Plants Project aims to help conserve threatened Welsh plants by providing a firm scientific basis for their conservation. The advice is provided by collecting information on the size and location of rare plant populations, assessing threats to their survival, collecting ecological information, analysing genetic variation and making recommendations for habitat management. It is a joint project between Amgueddfa Cymru — National Museum Wales and the National Botanic Garden of Wales, with part funding from the Countryside Council for Wales. Click on the thumbnails below for information on each rare plant: Rare Plants Project Hieracium radyrense, Radyr HawkweedRadyr Hawkweed is a very rare Welsh endemic, recorded from two sites in Glamorgan. In Radyr in 1998, a total of nine plants were found in one garden where it grows on grassy banks and lawns, often in shade. It was not found at the type locality of Radyr Quarry, near where it was last seen in 1985. Neither the species nor the sites have any legal protection, and it could be under significant threat of survival in the long term from inappropriate gardening. Seed has been sent to the Millennium Seed Bank, and plants are being cultivated at National Botanic Garden of Wales. The work has been carried out in collaboration with Cardiff County Council. Download publication: http://archive.bsbi.org.uk/25_4_HutchinsonHieracium.pdf Hieracium pseudoleyi, Purple-flushed HawkweedReviews of historical data were combined with field surveys to assess the status of H. pseudoleyi, a rare endemic of North Wales. It has been recorded historically in three sites, and there are doubtful or erroneous records from four sites. In 2006, 798 plants were found on the Great Orme and 53 plants on the Little Orme. It was not refound at another site. It occurs on limestone rocks and in crevices in open vegetation. Under the IUCN (2001) threat criteria it is probably best regarded as 'Vulnerable'. Hieracium neocoracinum, Craig Cerrig-glaisiad HawkweedThis is a very rare, endemic plant, confined to Craig Cerrig-gleisiad National Nature Reserve in the Brecon Beacons (V.c. 42), Wales. It was first found in 1895 and has occurred in at least two places within Craig Cerrig-gleisiad. In 1975, its population was estimated to be 60 plants in one population. Field surveys in 2003 revealed 147 plants at the same place, and it was not refound in the second site but one plants was refound there in 2007. The population increase is probably due to colonisation of bare ground created by a landslip, and relaxation of grazing. Seed was collected for the Millennium Seedbank, and it is being cultivated at the National Botanic Garden of Wales.Download publication: http://archive.bsbi.org.uk/25_3_RichHieracium.pdf Hieracium holosericeum, Beautiful HawkweedHieracium holosericeum, Beautiful Hawkweed, is a British endemic alpine plant which is widespread and locally frequent in the Scottish Highlands but occurs more rarely in southern Scotland, the Lake District and Snowdonia. Historical records indicated between five and seven sites in Snowdonia, and it was locally abundant in at least some of those. Field surveys in 2000 and 2002 revealed only three remaining sites, but several more sites have come to light since. The most likely cause of the decline is over-grazing. The shyness of flowering in the wild may be a consequence of sub-optimal climatic conditions, and longer-term there may be significant implications for its survival from global warming. It does not grow well in cultivation. Hieracium asteridiophyllum, Llangattock Hawkweed Llangattock Hawkweed is a rare endemic species confined to cliffs around Craig y Cilau National Nature Reserve, Brecon in South Wales. In June 2000 surveys were carried out of the entire populations to assess its requirements for conservation. 512 plants of were found. Compared with population sizes in the National Nature Reserve in 1975, fewer of H. asteridiophyllum were found but the differences are probably due to the problems of recording. It is 'Critically Endangered' under the I.U.C.N. criteria, but is probably not at significant risk. Seeds have been sent to the Millennium Seed Bank, and plants are being cultivated at National Botanic Garden of Wales. Download publication: http://archive.bsbi.org.uk/2409Rich.pdf Sorbus minima, Least WhitebeamSorbus minima is a very rare Welsh tree, endemic to the Llangattock escarpment in the Brecon Beacons. It was first found by Augustin Ley in 1893 'in great abundance' at Craig y Cilau, where 744 trees were counted in 2002, and also at Blaen Onneu where it appears to have been destroyed by quarrying. One tree is also known at Craig y Castell and 27 at Cwm Claisfer. Quarrying of the Llangattock Quarries has probably also reduced the Craig y Cilau population markedly; populations on the quarried areas are c. 40% of those on intact cliffs. None-the-less it is regenerating and spreading back, and with time may recover its former population size. It is believed to have arisen as a cross between Mountain Ash (S. aucuparia) and possibly the Rock Whitebeam (S. rupicola). It is poorly fertile. Download publication: http://archive.bsbi.org.uk/25_4_WelshSorbus.pdf Sorbus leyana, Ley's WhitebeamThis species is only found in the wild in South Wales, on two steep limestone cliffs in the Brecon Beacons where it was first discovered in 1896. The total known population in the wild is probably no more than 16 adult trees. In August 1998 it was described as "Britain's rarest tree" and placed it in the highest category of threat: a "Critically Endangered" species. National Botanic Garden of Wales has collections in cultivation from a number of wild trees in the Brecon Beacons either as seedlings or grafted collections. Further research is being carried out into its genetic variation in collaboration with the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Download publication: http://archive.bsbi.org.uk/25_4_WelshSorbus.pdf Sorbus leptophylla, Thin-leaved Whitebeam Thin-leaved Whitebeam was first described by E. F. Warburg in 1952, and is known from only two in the Brecon Beacons, Craig Rhiwarth (29 trees) and Craig y Cilau (45 trees). It is thus a very rare Welsh endemic. It occurs on Carboniferous Limestone and volcanic rocks, usually rooted directly into crevices, or occasionally on small ledges. Like other whitebeams it varies in fruit production, 1999 being a poor year and 2000 and 2002 being good years. Most fruits contain 2 or 3 large seeds which are highly fertile. Trees previously referred to this species from Craig Breiddan in Montgomeryshire are to be described as a new species. Download publication: http://archive.bsbi.org.uk/25_4_WelshSorbus.pdf Hieracium tavense, Black Mountain HawkweedBlack Mountain Hawkweed, is a very rare species endemic to Wales. It is restricted to one site in the Upper Tawe Valley, Brecon. It grows on base-rich ledges of a where thirteen plants were counted by climbing in 1998. The only real threat to its survival is a rock fall. Seed has been deposited in the Millennium Seed Bank, and it is being grown in cultivation at National Botanic Garden of Wales. Download publication: http://archive.bsbi.org.uk/Wats23p311.pdf Hieracium snowdoniense, Snowdonia HawkweedSnowdonia Hawkweed is a rare Welsh endemic restricted to Snowdonia. It was known historically from seven sites in Snowdonia, but it was last seen in 1967. After a number of unsuccessful searches it was feared extinct, but finally in July 2002 one plant was refound on a steep, north-facing, rocky cliff. Seeds were collected and 26 seedlings are now being cultivated at the National Botanic Garden of Wales. Download publication: http://archive.bsbi.org.uk/2438Rich.pdf Hieracium riddelsdellii, Riddelsdell's HawkweedRiddelsdell's Hawkweed is a very rare, Welsh endemic plant, confined to the western Brecon Beacons. It was first found in 1899. Field work in 2003-4 revealed about 870 plants in three localities, and it has either been lost naturally or destroyed in another three sites. Seed has been deposited in the Millennium Seed Bank and it is being cultivated at the National Botanic Garden for Wales.Download publication: http://archive.bsbi.org.uk/Wats26p139.pdf Hieracium pachyphylloides, Carboniferous HawkweedA review of historical data combined with field surveys were out to assess the status of H. pachyphylloides, which is endemic to the Wye Valley. It has declined from six sites to one site, and is 'Critically Endangered' under the IUCN threat criteria. The main threats are rock climbing, closure of woodland canopies and spread of alien plants. Hieracium linguans, Tongue HawkweedHieracium linguans, Tongue Hawkweed, is a very rare endemic Welsh species. It was first found in 1898 by A. Ley in the Brecon Beacons, Wales. The historical herbarium and literature records were somewhat confusing, but indicate three localities in the Tawe Valley. In 1999 and 2000, only one population of 80 plants was found, and it was not refound in the other two localities. It is a perennial which flowers in July-August, and regenerates readily from wind-dispersed seeds. Seed has been deposited in the Millennium Seed Bank and it is being cultivated at the National Botanic Garden for Wales. Download publication: http://archive.bsbi.org.uk/Wats23p517.pdf Hieracium cyathis, Chalice HawkweedHieracium cyathis, Chalice Hawkweed, is a rare British endemic recorded from eight sites in Somerset and Brecon. Between 2000 and 2002 its sites were surveyed to establish its current status and determine its need for conservation. A total of 1304 plants were found in 8 sites. It is probably extinct in Carmarthenshire, has declined markedly at Cheddar Gorge, and may have declined at Craig y Cilau. Field, cultivation and genetic investigations of its variation give little support for the suggestions that plants from the Mendips differ from those in Brecon.Download publication: http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/journal/119394264/abstract Hieracium cillense, Craig y Cilau Hawkweed Craig y Cilau Hawkweed, is a rare endemic species confined to cliffs around Craig y Cilau National Nature Reserve, Brecon in South Wales. It was first found in the 1890s and named as a variety, and was later raised to species status. In 1975, 253 plants were reported from the NNR. In June 2000, 204 plants were found. The decline might be due to differences in recording, or may be real and attributable to sheep grazing. However, another 263 plants were found in an extension of the population to the east outside the NNR. Seeds have been sent to the Millennium Seed Bank, and plants are being cultivated at National Botanic Garden of Wales. Download publication: http://archive.bsbi.org.uk/2409Rich.pdf Hieracium cambricogothicum, Llanfairfechan HawkweedHieracium cambricogothicum has been recorded from four, disjunct localities in England, Scotland and Wales but a review of its status by Sawtschuk & Rich (2006) indicated that it was only known with certainty from its type locality in Llanfairfechan (V.c. 49), and doubt exists about the identification of material from Kent (and possibly Forres in the absence of a specimen). No plants were refound in 2004 or 2006 and, sadly, it is currently regarded as extinct in the wild. Hieracium cacuminum, Summit HawkweedThis is a rare endemic Welsh hawkweed which has been confused with H. siluriense. A review of the records and fresh field work showed that 240 plants are known in three sites; it was not refound in three other sites. It occurs on Old Red Sandstone cliffs and rocks in the Brecon Beacons. It is 'Endangered' under the IUCN Threat Criteria. Hieracium cambricum, Welsh HawkweedHieracium cambricum, Welsh Hawkweed, is a rare species endemic to Wales. Its three known sites were surveyed in 1998. It is probably extinct at Treorchy due to a rock fall. 38 plants were refound at Llangollen (the first time it has been recorded since 1907) and on the Great Orme, the population is estimated to be c. 300 plants. Seed has been deposited in the Millennium Seed Bank, and it is being grown in cultivation at National Botanic Garden of Wales. Download publication: http://archive.bsbi.org.uk/Wats23p305.pdf Centaurium scilloides - Perennial CentuaryCentaurium scilloides, Perennial Centaury, is a western European endemic with a very restricted distribution in the Azores, Portugal, Spain, France, England and Wales. To date, data have been compiled to provide the first distribution map of this species, field studies have been carried out on its ecology and its genetic variation is being investigated.Download publications: http://archive.bsbi.org.uk/25_4_RichCentaurium.pdf http://archive.bsbi.org.uk/Wats25p275.pdf Asparagus prostratus, Wild AsparagusAsparagus prostratus is a Red Data Book species and is listed as a Priority Species under the UK Biodiversity Action Plan. Historical records have been researched and collated with recent field surveys for Britain. It has been recorded from at least 34 sites but has not been recorded recently in six sites (18% decline). It is extinct in West Sussex and Anglesey and is on the verge of extinction in Dorset. Of the 28 extant populations, nine have fewer than ten plants and only three sites have more than 100 plants. Download PDF Publication: http://archive.bsbi.org.uk/2414Rich.pdf Request Publication
Gas-guzzling clams 1 April 2008 The new species and Genus Spinaxinus sentosus, collected from the organic cargo of the sunken ship Francois Vieljeux. The genus bears little resemblance to other known thyasirids and remains the only record of this species. Thyasira methanophila, a clam new to science from a methane seepage area off Concepción, Chile. Its name suggests its dependence on methane. An extreme magnification of the exterior shell covering of Spinaxinus sentosus, recovered from the organic cargo of the sunken ship Francois Vieljeux. The spines witnessed at this magnification lead scientists at the Museum to name the new genus 'Spinaxinus'. Deep beneath the sea floor there are large reservoirs of oil and natural gas, but it is only relatively recently that methane has been discovered to seep from the surface of the sea bed. These areas are known as 'gas seeps' and certain animals have evolved specifically to take advantage of this unique environment. A diet of methane and sulphur Found alongside these methane gas seeps are communities of clams that use the gas as a source of food. They don't actually eat the gas but they have evolved to harbour bacteria in their tissues that do the job for them. These organisms are known as 'chemosymbiotic' and a few groups of clams have been very successful in adapting to this environment. The same group of clams can also exploit sulphur and these are found living in areas where there are layers of rotting vegetation, around decaying whale carcasses, at hot vents and even on mud contaminated with diesel oil. Because these clams come from unusual environments and often from deep water, many have yet to be studied in detail. A number of these gas guzzling clams were sent to Amgueddfa Cymru - National Museum Wales for identification and description. Several scientific papers have now been written on these species new to science Clams from Chile Clam shells and whole specimens were sent to the Museum following the discovery of a methane seep off the coast of Chile at a depth of 700-900m. One of these species, belonging go the genus Thyasira, was new to science and has been described in a scientific paper. The bacteria in the gill tissue of the clam were studied using a scanning electron microscope. This confirmed the symbiosis (reliance) between the bacteria and the clam. A species of the genus Lucinoma was also discovered to be new to science but only shells have been found so far. It is likely that the majority of species living at this site are endemic (restricted to this location) and found nowhere else in the world. The Pakistan Margin From the other side of the world, we were sent a small species from the same group as the Chilean bivalve - Thyasira - but from the Indus Fan, off the coast of Pakistan, collected while investigating the unusual fauna that live in the very low oxygen waters of this region. The Museum worked with the Natural History Museum, London to investigate the DNA alongside describing the anatomy and shell of this bivalve. A clam with a taste for shipwrecks Man-made sources of methane and sulphur are also exploited and one of the strangest was the cargo of the sunken container ship Francois Vieljeux. This ship sank off the north coast of Spain in 1,160m of waters, taking with it its cargo of castor beans and sunflower seeds. During attempts to salvage the vessel it was noted that clams had settled and grown on the cargo. All the clams belonged to chemosymbiotic groups and were exploiting the sulphur released by the rotting cargo. One clam was a Thyasira, similar to the specimen from Chile. Cascadia Basin, off Washington State The Baby Bare Seamount in the north-east Pacific Ocean is a hot spring and home to a new species of Axinus (similar to Thyasira). This site is unusual in that no other species of bivalve typically found at other methane seeps and hot vent sites are found here. Methane and Hydrogen sulphide levels are low, so initially it was a mystery as to what these animals were using as nutrition. Cadiz Mud Volcanos Off the Southern coast of Portugal there are numerous marine mud volcanoes created by stresses on the African and Eurasian tectonic plates. These stresses cause hot, methane and sulphur rich fluids to eject from deep within the volcanoes out into the sea bed above. By the time the fluids reach the sediment surface they are cold, so the mud volcanoes are classed as cold-seeps. Many species of Thyasira clams are found at some of these sites, but only a few are known to harbour the chemosymbiotic bacteria that help them to extract nutrition from sulphur and methane. A collaboration between the Museum and Cadiz University, Spain has resulted in the newly described species Thyasira vulcolutre , meaning 'belonging to mud volcano'. Finally, in conjunction with Bangor University, the Museum is carrying out the taxonomic work on a Thyasira collected from a mud volcano in the Arctic and a mussel of the genus Idas which was collected from diesel contaminated mud beneath an oil rig in the North Sea. This work by Amgueddfa Cymru - National Museum Wales is helping research the possibility of using these clams to clean up contaminated areas of the sea bed.
St Teilo's 12 March 2008 A selection of images from St Teilo's Church Decoration The screen from the west door. The carpenter’s signature, and the date the church was opened. It reads ‘XIIII Oct A.D. MMVII RJS fecit’. Translated from Latin, this means ‘14 October 2007 A.D. RJS (Ray J. Smith) made this’. This is a collection of all the so-called 'Passion', or Easter symbols. They tell the story of Jesus Christ's crucifixion, showing only the tools used. Aspects of daily life were reflected everywhere in this building in Tudor times. In our interpretation, we have added some local characters of our own. Here's Ray, the carpenter, again, surrounded by his tools! This is also a corrupted Pagan symbol. The hare, as symbol of fertility, is turned into a Trinity symbol. Their ears are all joined and the simple hare becomes a symbol of resurrection. Worshipper's lives in Tudor times were strongly linked to the natural world. As a consequence, symbols like the green man — the Pagan spirit of the forest — were acceptable in church. In the same way medieval church had many different functions, it also had many different messages and symbols conveyed through the building. This is a royal symbol, the Tudor Rose, bringing together the York and Lancaster roses. The apostles were painted by an artist called Fleur Kelly. She worked with our own historic painters to decorate the rest of the screen. The three saints hold an object in their hands, so that we can tell who they are. Philip was crucified for his beliefs, so he holds a cross. John was made to drink poisoned wine — and lived — so he holds a cup with a snake in it. Peter holds the keys to the gates of heaven, so he holds a key. Teilo's life is depicted in great detail on the loft. You can view it in full by clicking here . This panel shows the story of Teilo escaping from hounds, after trying to establish a community on the Count's land in Dol, Brittany. A closer view shows us how much is displayed on the Loft, too. Here are four of the twelve Apostles — Saints held in special view by Christians for their work spreading Jesus' message. Underneath is Teilo's life story, carved into oak. A closer look at the screen and loft. These fixtures would have been common all over Wales and England until the mid 16th century. The screen was built to separate the ordinary people from the priests who held the service. The loft on top was used for display, rather than as a minstrel's gallery or choir loft. Here's Ray Smith, Head Carpenter at our Historic Buildings unit, standing in front of the screen he made. The tools in his hand are what were used to make it — a hammer and chisels.
