Part I: Seals teeth and whales ears - Scott Polar Research Institute ...

that I had developed in me throughout my early years – reinforced by rigorous
Antarctic experience.
I haven’t yet mentioned Bunny Fuchs’ help, because he wasn’t a biologist,
but he was always very ready with help, guidance and good advice, a true
friend and mentor at that time. He was having a difficult time himself I think -
re-adjusting - and he also had the task of setting up the FIDS Scientific Bureau
from scratch and with little direct support. He was making arrangements for
the curation of specimens and data and for publication of all the scientific
results of the Survey. Although he didn’t undertake research leading to the
writing up the geological surveys undertaken on his long dog-sledge journeys
with Ray Adie, he did present and publish several general accounts of the
work of FIDS. His activities undoubtedly influenced the policy decision by the
Colonial Office to increase FIDS activities and provide funding for the
additional requirements – to the benefit of us all. It must have been particularly
frustrating for him dealing with the Governor and Secfids. Indeed when I had
problems with the Governor later that year over my new contract for work at
South Georgia, and an increased salary scale, Bunny was not involved. But,
overall, Ray and I and others that followed greatly benefited from Bunny’s
efforts. He was taking the first tentative steps towards setting up a professional
scientific organization.
Life was full and interesting for me too, and I was very busy on my
research. Occupying a large room in the University Museum of Zoology, I had
plenty of space to lay out my specimens. I completed my preliminary studies
on a new method of estimating the age of elephant seals, and other mammal
species, from seasonal rings in the dentine and cement of their teeth. For the
first time there was a way of studying age-related phenomena with some
degree of accuracy (see chapter 10). I wrote and submitted my first scientific
paper, on this topic. I also had other material to study. There was reproductive
material, ovaries, embryos, testes and other related observations to work up. I
analyzed my data on growth, made possible by the relationship between size
and age, and also on various aspects of behaviour from my field notes. I also
took the opportunity to read up on seal biology and related topics in
reproduction, not just of elephant seals, but covering the range of seal species
that had been studied up to then, as well as other mammals. It seemed to me
that much of the earlier work had been anecdotal and often incorrect, and
confirmed the absence until now of an accurate method of estimating age. I put
a small exhibit into the Cambridge Natural History Society’s Annual
Conversazione, which was well received. I also had visits from other workers
interested in my new method, including Colin Bertram of course, but others
too, including Professor Gustafson, a Swedish expert on tooth structure,
predominantly human material, who was particularly interested in my
discoveries in relation to forensic science.
Sydney Smith was my research supervisor, but had no experience or
knowledge of seal or mammal biology. He was helpful in pointing me in the
right direction on histological techniques, during my time in the Antarctic and
a source of advice now. And he was very helpful in advising me how to go
324