He brought hundreds of plant specimens, which fascinated resident scientists.
Bernhard could not immediately identify the specimens, which was not in itself surprising.
All together, the team collected and brought back more than 500 plant specimens, which are being studied in Kew's Herbarium.
Most of the fossil feathers are only known to science as 2D preserved specimens, which obscures important details regarding feather anatomy and colouring.
These impressive specimens, which the Hoffmanns sell in the Union Square Greenmarket on Wednesdays, are delicious, with a mild but meaty flavor that suggests chicken.
Walter had a yen for the larger more impressive specimens, which, according to Margery, gave him "a good return for his money".
It is also home to the largest bird-egg collection in the world, with around two million specimens, which has made it a leading institution for researchers.
When he reproduced the experiment with the plaque of an old man, he found even wilder specimens, which "bent their body into curves".
The entomologist uses a butterfly net to catch specimens, which he then takes back to the laboratory to test for signs of the disease.
There was interest in specimens which were considered edible, and a few were being gathered up to take home, although I resisted this.
Of course, some structures can be studied in hand specimens, which were preferably oriented when collected in the field.
