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Fwd: more on bacula (for the List?)
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----- Forwarded message from chaiselongue@earthlink.net -----
Date: Sun, 05 Dec 2004 09:58:41 -0800
From: Carolyn <chaiselongue@earthlink.net>
I had no idea - - it turns out that human males are singular among mammals
in not having a penis bone! In fact, for those who envy such things, you can
even buy baculae on the internet:
Peter I was an oddity in many ways; perhaps he was a throwback of some kind
or else, perhaps, an implant from a very large animal was the viagra of the
day?
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EDNOTE. As far as I recall, the Kunstkammer exhibition in question was not
Peter I's (most) person possession, although I vaguely recall reading a novel
centering on Napoleon's. NB, BTW, VN's interest in lepidoptera genitalia.
The technical term BACULUM (penis bone) offers some charming wordplay
possibilities. The plural is BACULA. BACULUS (with plural BACULI) is "a staff
of authority, esp. one that is symbolic of authority (as the pastoral staff of
a bishop." Compare VaN's ADA play on STIGMA (bad) vs its plural STIGMATA
(good).
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EDNOTE. SEE below for possible holiday gifts for the guy who has (ALMOST)
everything.
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Bacula
Number one question at The Bone Room? What is a Bacula?! A bacula is
essentially a penis bone found in many species of mammals. It is a large
very dense bone uniquely shaped for each species and often used as an aid in
classification of otherwise similar species. As could be expected, it is
found only in males. The baculum is one of several heterotropic skeletal
elementsëi.e., bones dissociated from the rest of the body skeleton. It is
found in all insectivores (e.g., shrews, hedgehogs), bats, rodents, and
carnivores and in most primates except humans. Such wide distribution
suggests that it appeared early in mammalian evolution.
Coyote Bacula $2.50 each
Fox Bacula $2.50 each
Mink Bacula $2.50 each
Otter Bacula $6.50 each
Raccoon Bacula $3.50 each
Seal (fossilized) Bacula $20-$35 each
----- End forwarded message -----