#Museum Royal of Ontario

[fashionsfromhistory]

“Autriche” from the Longue Collection

Christian Dior

Autumn/Winter 1951-1952

Royal Ontario Museum (Object number: 2015.90.1.1)

[jonnysinsectcatalogue]

Madagascar Hissing Cockroach - Gromphadorhina portentosa

With this set of insect images, all pictures from the ROM for the year 2023 are proudly displayed on this blog for you to enjoy. I've already gone at length discussing these feisty beans and their habits, behaviors and routines. While many onlookers may not see these armored insects as appealing, I take great joy knowing the role that they play within their own ecosystems and the opportunities they provide for eager minds to learn (about nature and science), whether as pets or in exhibits. If you're not a Roach fan, it's worth remembering that it could be worse. Since this specie lacks wings, it can't suddenly startle you by becoming airborne and (unintentionally) buzzing towards you...and then subsequently slam on their terrarium's glass. They can run rather quickly, however! Nevertheless, there are many more exhibits to enjoy at the ROM if looking at exotic Roaches (and other arthropods) isn't your idea of a good time.

Having visited the ROM's "Natural World" exhibit many times before, it would be a great benefit to have additional information displayed regarding these curious insects. Although simple, there's so much to learn about them, and many myths that could be dispelled so as to not treat all Roaches as "dirty insects" (admittedly this specie does consume debris and rotting material as they are decomposers by nature). Decomposers play crucial roles within their ecosystems, and it would do well to remind people that forests, parks and jungles are born not just from their plant-life, but also the material that is broken down to sustain them. An interactive series of hissing samples would provide a lot of insight. Specifically for how these Roaches interact and communicate with each other and any other creatures they encounter. Recordings would suffice, even if hearing it live is more authentic, but in a carefully curated environment such as this one, agitating the exhibit denizens for spectacle isn't a good idea. Besides, a sudden hiss from such a small creature is quite startling the first time, especially if you're not expecting it. You may prod, but it's up to the Cockroach to determine how aggressively it will press air from its spiracles to spook you.

Pictures were taken on December 19, 2023 with a Google Pixel 4. Please go and visit the bugs.

[dianeaarts]

secretary bird (At the ROM)

[fashionlandscapeblog]

Daniel Libeskind

The Michael Lee-Chin Crystal at the Royal Ontario Museum, 2007

Photo: Source

[eggplantpurplemoves]

Streets of Toronto

[sad-clown]

i forget what dinosaur this is but i like the picture :3

[dwellerinthelibrary]

The beautifully drawn, stunningly gilded Book of the Dead of Amenemhat.

[An Egyptian papyrus, brown, with figures painted in black, red, and yellow. Anubis and Horus work the scales while the Devourer sits on a black and yellow plinth. Thoth stands before Osiris with his scribe's tools. Gold has been applied to the papyrus to highlight details such as Thoth's moondisc.]

When: Ptolemaic Egypt

Where: Royal Ontario Museum

[sheltiechicago]

One of Canada’s Most Hated Buildings is Beautifully Divisive

The Royal Ontario Museum (ROM) became one of the most divisive buildings in Canada when it was overhauled in 2007. With an old meets ‘super-new’ mishmash, the museum’s identity was forever changed. Let’s dive in.

Since the museum’s establishment in 1912, the ROM has evolved to become one of the largest museums in North America, housing a vast collection that spans natural history, art, and culture from around the globe.

[k-i-l-l-e-r-b-e-e-6-9]

At the Battle of Marathon, a vastly outnumbered force of Greek hoplites saved Athenian democracy and protected the course of Western civilization.  

Credit: Royal Ontario Museum

[harveyguillensource]

In 2019 while filming WWDITS season 2, Harvey paid a visit to the Royal Ontario Museum’s It’s Alive exhibit and enjoyed some spooky shenanigans.

[fashionsfromhistory]

Formal Dress worn by Gayle Roebuck to her sister Elaine’s Bat Mitzvah

Holt Renfrew

Spring 1957

Royal Ontario Museum (Object number: 2013.68.15)

[jonnysinsectcatalogue]

Zophobas Darkling Beetle (Superworm) - Zophobas morio

There's just something about today that warrants the showcase of "worms" and this particular specie of Darkling Beetle. Of course, the "worms" here aren't actual worms (referring to Annelids), there are the larval form of the armored individuals. This specie has already been covered before in detail; these pictures are actually part of the same set from a previous December post, so the information provided there also applies here. Although larvae and adults live together in the same terrarium, the latter will not eat the former. At least not while food is plentiful and there are no carcasses from expired Superworms to consider. Larvae however, are much more likely to eat each other, especially if some molt into defenseless pupae. Under the circumstances here, they aren't likely to molt while food and water are plentiful and many larvae are clustered together. Only when isolated from each other or placed in a secure environment will a larva turn into a pupa.

There are none here, but the Z. morio pupa are brownish-white, shrimp-shaped pupa and they eventually metamorphose into the adult Beetles you see before you. It's a staggering change, but the insect world is full of many astounding transformations as larvae/nymphs grow large, mature, and sprout wings. While the adult Beetles is heavily armored and can move around with greater locomotion, security and grip, they do lose certain advantages from their time as larvae. They can easily wriggle and navigate through the earth (or wood chips here), fit into small tunnels without needing to chew and expand them, and contour themselves along a surface as sleek-formed grubs. While these advantages may be missed, what is gained in adulthood (including the abilities to fly and reproduce) is more than worth it. If they would be told what was in store for them by an insect "Herald of the Change", would they accept?

Pictures were taken on December 19, 2023 with a Google Pixel 4. Check out the many insects of the Royal Ontario Museum if you happen to be in town.

[zoexanthellea]

when lorde said "supermodels all dancing 'round a pharaoh's tomb" that wasn't even a metaphor because why were people posing infront of literal mummy at the ROM

[romanceyourdemons]

kind of fucked up how i was reading about seventeenth century ming general zu dashou and how his surrender to the manchus is considered a significant moment in the fall of the ming dynasty and the establishment of the qing, and then i see that his tomb is in toronto

[hayzeydayzey]

Royal Ontario Museum (ROM) artifacts and mementos! Sketched in purple/pink ballpoint pen.