Scientists found the telegraph an irresistible way to announce a momentous event. In 1884, a meeting of biologists erupted in cheers when a telegram from W. H. Caldwell, a British biologist, told them that a great mystery had been solved: Platypuses lay eggs. Not only that, the news was delivered in Latin.
MONOTREMES OVIPAROUS, OVUM MEROBLASTIC.
"MONOTREMES OVIPAROUS"
(to the tune of "Supercalifragilisticexpialodocius") "MONOTREMES OVIPAROUS" and "OVUM MEROBLASTIC"? A furry beast that lays real eggs? It's really quite fantastic! Four words in a telegram, terse and enthusiastic: "MONOTREMES OVIPAROUS" and "OVUM MEROBLASTIC"!
