A fossilised jaw discovered by Matthew Myerscough has been dated to 201 million years old, prompting reflection on the precision of such estimates. Alan Woodley of Northampton recalls a museum guide who claimed an exhibit was 100 million and 27 years old—when asked, he explained: 'When I started work here I was told that it was 100 million years old and I have been working here for 27 years.'
Soap as Shampoo: A Surprising Success
Maggie Hamilton from Oxford writes about losing her shampoo while traveling to South Sudan and refugee camps in Uganda and Kenya. With no shops available, she used soap to wash her hair for two months. Upon returning to the UK, her hairdresser remarked, 'What have you been doing to your hair? I've never seen it in such good condition.'
George Harrison's Taxman: A 1960s Protest
In response to Steve Penny's letter (24 July), Peter Lock of Liverpool notes that George Harrison was complaining about high taxes long before the 1980s. Harrison wrote the song 'Taxman' in 1966, highlighting tax burdens during the Beatles era.
Marmite Rating: A Democratic Average
Malcolm Reid of Danbury, Essex, comments on Lucy Knight's letter (29 July) about Marmite on toast. He suggests that Marmite can only be rated 10 or zero, and that Knight democratically awarded it an average of 5/10.
Washing-Up Water: Caution for Edible Crops
Graham Larkbey of London responds to Graham Jack's advice (26 July) on using washing-up water in the garden. Larkbey warns that while it is fine for ornamental plants, it should not be used on edible crops.
