A Catalog of Longings

'Mouse and Top Hat' (1937) by Takeuchi Seihō (1864–1942).

Colour woodcut.

It’s Fossil Friday! If you’re in the mood to hibernate, get inspired by the cave bear (Ursus speleaus). Although it’s related to the largest living bears of the Arctic, Ursus spelaeus lived only in Europe. Discoveries in the Alps suggest that its habitat extended up to altitudes of 6,300 ft (1,920 m). Most of the tens of thousands of remains found are of young and old animals that died during hibernation. Skull accumulations and depictions in cave paintings show that this species, which disappeared more than 14,000 years ago, was important to Ice Age humans.

"I shall like a soft grey walk."

~ Gustave Jean Jacquet, Portrait of a Woman Wearing Pearls (before 1889)