PROFESSOR'S BRAIN TO BE EXAMINED BY PHILADELPHIA SCIENTISTS
Salem, Massachusetts (JFK+50) On December 21, 1925, Associated Press reports that "the brain of Professor Edward Sylvester Morse*...was removed today and sent by express to the Wistar Institute of Anatomy and Biology in Philadelphia."
Professor Morse, "noted authority on zoology," passed away yesterday here in Salem. The professor left instructions to have his brain examined "to determine the relation between his brain and his hands which made him ambidextrous**."
*Edward Sylvester Morse (1838-1925) was born in Portland, Maine & educated at Gould Academy. ESM became a successful zoologist & curator of Portland Natural History Society. He is known as "the father of Japanese archaeology."
**ambidextrous: the ability to use both right & left hands equally well. It is estimated only 1% of the human population has this ability.
JFK+50 NOTE
Of the many quotes attributed to legendary NY Yankee catcher Yogi Berra one is the time he was called out to the mound by the pitcher as a new batter came up to hit. The pitcher said, "Yogi, is this guy a right hand or left hand hitter?" Without pause, Yogi replied, "He can hit from either side of the plate. He's amphibious!"
SOURCE
"Scientist Leaves Brain to Experts To Solve Problems," The Evening Star, Washington, D.C., December 21, 1925, Chronicling America, Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/
