Genre:

Regular Feature—Letter, Spoof; Illustration, Drollery

Relevant illustrations:

wdct.

Subjects:

Palaeontology, Astronomy, Observation, Instruments, Time, Measurement

    The illustration (on 34) shows several 'Antediluvians' standing on a riverbank, and observing a comet (which has a head with a smiling face) with telescopes. The caption explains that this is meant to show how the age of the 1861 comet is 'ascertained to a Nicety', since it shows antediluvians recognising 'an Old Acquaintance of A. M. 1372'.