Recollections

When the old scientist cherisshes his winged friends, the old fossils watch him amiably, like Russian refugees looking back on a precious past. In the National Museum of Natural History in Leyden, the animal world is filed in cases. Dead. Collected in the name of science in order to gain insight into the lives of animals --- from beetle and butterflay to bird and whale. An ossuarium which is invaluable to life , both human and animal. Every year there are still thousands of new and as yet unknown species of animal life being found. Mankind knows a lot, but there is even more he does not know. Diakonoff used to be a custodian retired 13 years ago. He could enjoy a peaceful life at home , or elsewhere, but science calls. A great deal has yet to be done.