JUNE 2008 ACTIVITIES
June 13, 2008 GENERAL MEETING
College of DuPage Bldg. K, Rm 131 8:00 P.M
Saber-tooth Cats by Dr. Virginia Naples, Ph. D. Department of biological Sciences, Northern Illinois University
I am presently studying Smilodon fatalis from Rancho La Brea, the most famous of the saber-tooths. I am not only comparing this animal to modern cats, but am also working with actual specimens, restoring the size, shape and position of the muscles as a means of building a portrait of the animals. To do this work, I examine the skeletons of the fossil and living species, study the soft tissue anatomy of living species, particularly the musculature. Once I have an understanding of what each muscle group contributes to the shape and movement capabilities of the animal, I can compare those results to the same skeletal elements in the fossils. To represent Smilodon in three dimensions, I model the muscles using clay and sculpt the previously unknown face of a saber-tooth.
Visitors are welcome. Refreshments will be served.
JUNE 14, 2008 MINERALOGY/MICROMOUNT STUDY GROUP
College of DuPage Bldg. K Room 161 7:30 P.M.
"Gold From Cripple Creek, Colorado"
Members will talk about collecting sites, the geology
and minerals. Visitors are welcome. Refreshments will be served
JUNE 21, 2008 PALEONTOLOGY STUDY GROUP
"NO MEETING"
Next meeting is Show and Tell in September.
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Last Updated 06/3/2008