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Natural History of the War by Bruce Bairnsfather
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Natural History of the War by Bruce Bairnsfather
Natural History of the War The Flanders Sea Lion (Leo Maritimus) An almost extinct amphibian, first discovered in Flanders during the Winter of 1914-15. Feeds almost exclusively on Plum and Apple Jam and Rum. Only savage when the latter is knocked off. A cartoon by Captain Bruce Bairnsfather in The Bystander Date: 1916
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Media ID 14141690
© Illustrated London News Ltd/Mary Evans
Apple Bairnsfather Bill Bruce Flanders Lion Maritimus Plum
EDITORS COMMENTS
Natural History of the War: A Rare Find - The Flanders Sea Lion (Leo Maritimus) Amidst the chaos and turmoil of the First World War, an extraordinary discovery was made in the battlefields of Flanders during the harsh winter of 1914-15. This was no ordinary find, but rather the remains of an almost extinct amphibian species, later named Leo Maritimus, or the Flanders Sea Lion. Captured in this humorous cartoon by renowned British satirical artist, Captain Bruce Bairnsfather, published in The Bystander in 1916, the Flanders Sea Lion is depicted as a curious and somewhat comical creature. With the appearance of a lion and the body of a seal, this mythical beast is shown to have a peculiar diet consisting of plum and apple jam and rum. The cartoon portrays the sea lion in its natural habitat - the muddy trenches of the Western Front. However, unlike the fierce and savage animals typically associated with the sea, this creature is only savage when its beloved rum is knocked off. Bairnsfather's witty and insightful commentary on the absurdities of war is evident in this illustration. The Flanders Sea Lion, a product of the artist's imagination, serves as a reminder of the unexpected and fantastical elements that emerged from the trenches of the First World War. This and whimsical image offers a unique perspective on the history of the war, providing a moment of levity and amusement amidst the gravity of the conflict.
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