NOTE ON RADIOGRAPHS of TWO MICE. 



Bv P:DGAR R. WAITE, F.L.S., Director, S.A. Mushum. 



(Plate xxxiii.) 



It is said that if twcj goats meet on a iiarrdw mountain path, wide enough for 

 one nnly, the resulting problem is S(_)lved by one of the animals lying down, 

 the other then passing over its back(i). 



Here is another problem : When two mice meet in a pipe whose diameter 

 is sufficient for the passage of one only, what happens? What may happen 

 and what has happened, is revealed by the accompanying radiographs. 



Twt) mice had entered an old piece of iron pipe from o])posite ends, and, 

 being unable to- pass each nther, died in the pipe: that the_\- had made 

 strenuous efiforts to pass is evident from the fact that the^• were almost 

 abreast, the head of each mouse having reached beyond the pelvic region of 

 the other. 



( )n first thoughts it might be presumed that both animals were stubborn 

 and that neither would give waj- and retreat ; it is ciuestionable, however, if 

 such action were ])ossible ; when once wdiolly within the pi]ie the long hinder 

 limbs would be almost useless for retrogression in the confined space and a 

 real hindrance, while the ruffled fin-, pressed against the rusty walls of the 

 pipe, would also interfere \^'ith a rearward action. 



The mass into which the mice were compacted was removed from the 

 pipe ])rior to being photographed, and the darker portions seen in the prints 

 are due to iron rust which adhered to the fur. 



The specimens were brought to my notice by Mr. E. W. Leunig, of the 

 Adelaide Botanic Gardens; and the skiagraphs were kindly taken by Sergt. 

 Arthur R. Riddle, Radiographer to the li)cal Military Hospital. 



Explanation of Plate xxxiii. 



Two radiograjihs each of two mice that died while attempting to pass in 

 a length of iron pipe. Natural size. 



(1) Garrod, Cassell's Natural History, iii, p. 10. 



