Moonstone fragment

This fragment of the Moon’s surface was brought to Earth by the crew of Apollo 11 in1969.  It was presented to the people of Malta by Richard Nixon, President of the United States of America.  The flag of Malta accompanying the fragment was carried to the moon and back on the same lunar expedition.

Butterflies of Gozo (detail)

‘Bath white’ Pontia daplidice is white with black and grey spots on the wings, it is a migratory butterfly, and a frequent visitor. The Clouded Yellow butterfly Colias crocea has dark edges on its yellow wings and is also a frequent migratory. Its caterpillars feed on leguminous plants. ‘Cleopatra’ Gonepteryx cleopatra is a frequent species, bright yellow in colour, with orange dabs on the hind wings.

Loggerhead Turtle : Caretta caretta

This marine reptile used to breed in the Maltese islands and in Gozo it used to be bred at Ramla l-Ħamra up to the 1930s. In usually grows up to 70cm and may weigh up to 180 kg. Its reddish-brown carapace is heart-shaped. In deep waters it feeds on jellyfish and other animals but near the shore it even feeds on crabs, sea-urchins and molluscs. Although still a frequent visitor in our waters, its population is on the decline.

Stalactites and Stalagmites

Stalactites and stalagmites are mineral formations found in caves and natural hypogea. Their formation is due to deposits of limestone from dissolved calcium carbonate in water percolating through rock and dripping slowly from cave roofs onto the floor. Stalagmites form as columns on the cave floors, while stalactites hang down from roofs. Two well-known caves in Gozo are Ninu’s Cave and Xerri’s Grotto in Xagħra.

Conus sp. fossil

This large snail fossil originates from the Lower Coralline limestone layer of Maltese geology. This rock layer is between 30 and 25 million years old. Other common fossils from this layer are snails and sea urchins of various sizes and shells.

Fish skeleton fossil

This interesting fossil of a fish skeleton comes from the Globigerina limestone layer. This layer consists of Upper, Middle and Lower Globigerina layers, with the latter being used abundantly for the construction of local buildings. Fish skeletons and shells of various types are very common in this layer and are very evident in the building blocks of local houses.

Shark teeth

Fossil sharks’ teeth are not uncommon in limestone layers and can be quite large in size. These particular specimens originate from the clay layer, and are between 16 and 15 million years old. Their presence is a further indicator that the water in which the mud was deposited was shallow and coastal sea. In past centuries, sharks’ teeth were often worn as amulets to ward off evil-eye.

Fan Mussel, Pinna nobilis

This shell is the largest bivalve to be found in the Mediterranean. It can grow up to a meter and lives half buried in sand or mud, standing on its pointed end. Excessive collecting, trawling, anchoring of yachts, and various pollutants, have all contributed to the accelerating decline of this species.

Malta Fungus : Cynomorium coccineum

The Malta Fungus Cynomorium coccineum is a very rare but locally common parasitic herb consisting of a dark purple stem with tiny flowers that open in spring. Long thought to be a fungus because of its strange shape, it was believed to have medicinal and magical powers, and the Knights of St John enjoyed a monopoly on its harvesting and distribution. For a long time, it was thought to grow exclusively on the General’s Rock at Dwejra, Gozo.

Common dolphin-fish : Coryphaena hippurus

The common dolphin-fish is commercially important in Malta and Gozo and is a very popular local dish. It can grow up to 100cm and swims at the surface in large shoals. It likes to stay under floating objects, and during the fishing period (regulated by local legislation and starting around mid-August each year), palm fronds are popularly used to attract this fish by providing shade.