34-796: Gef ( / ˈ dʒ ɛ f / JEF ), also referred to as the Talking Mongoose or the Dalby Spook , was an allegedly talking mongoose which inhabited a farmhouse owned by the Irving family, located at Cashen's Gap near the hamlet of Dalby on the Isle of Man . The story was given extensive coverage by the tabloid press in Britain in the early 1930s. The Irvings' claims gained the attention of parapsychologists and ghost hunters , such as Harry Price , Hereward Carrington , and Nandor Fodor . Some investigators of
68-504: A dog , or a baby. According to the Irvings, a creature named Gef introduced itself and told them it was a mongoose born in New Delhi , India, in 1852. According to Voirrey, Gef was the size of a small rat with yellowish fur and a large bushy tail. The Irvings claimed that Gef had communicated to them that he was "an extra extra clever mongoose", an "Earthbound spirit" and "a ghost in the form of
102-694: A baby's foot is from the large toe or adjacent to the large toe. It is not uncommon for military records of flight personnel to include bare foot inked impressions. Friction ridge skin protected inside flight boots tends to survive the trauma of a plane crash (and accompanying fire) better than fingers. Even though the US Armed Forces DNA Identification Laboratory (AFDIL), as of 2010, stored refrigerated DNA samples from all active duty and reserve personnel, almost all casualty identifications are effected using fingerprints from military ID card records (live scan fingerprints are recorded at
136-584: A dog". He did state that none of the markings had been made by a mongoose. The diaries of James Irving, along with reports about the case, are in Harry Price's archives in the Senate House Library , University of London . Upon visiting the Irvings, Price observed double walls of wooden panelling covering the interior rooms of the old stone farmhouse which featured considerable interior air space between stone, as well as walls, also made of wood, that "[made]
170-410: A large anal scent gland, used for territorial marking and signaling reproductive status. The dental formula of mongooses is 3.1.3–4.1–2 3.1.3–4.1–2 . They range from 24 to 58 cm (9.4 to 22.8 in) in head-to-body length, excluding the tail. In weight, they range from 320 g (11 oz) to 5 kg (11 lb). Mongooses are one of at least four known mammalian taxa with mutations in
204-420: A life-form; animal tracks are the footprints, hoofprints, or pawprints of an animal . Footprints can be followed when tracking during a hunt or can provide evidence of activities. Some footprints remain unexplained, with several famous stories from mythology and legend . Others have provided evidence of prehistoric life and behaviours. The print left behind at a crime scene can give vital evidence to
238-483: A mongoose" and once said, "I am a freak. I have hands and I have feet, and if you saw me you'd faint, you'd be petrified, mummified, turned into stone or a pillar of salt!" The Irvings made various claims about Gef: he supposedly guarded their house and informed them of the approach of guests or any unfamiliar dog; if someone forgot to put out the fire at night, Gef would go down and stop the stove; Gef would also wake people up when they overslept; and whenever mice got into
272-404: A story, and credulous paranormalists." Contemporary media scholar Jeffrey Sconce writes that the most likely explanation is that "this extra extra clever mongoose was an imaginary companion created by the Irvings' extra extra clever daughter." In 1937 Lambert brought an action for slander against Sir Cecil Levita , after Levita suggested to a friend that Lambert was unfit to be on the board of
306-523: The British Film Institute . Levita said that Lambert was "off his head" because he had believed in the talking mongoose and the evil eye . Lambert was pressured to abandon his action by Sir Stephen Tallents but persisted with it and won, receiving £7,600 in damages, then an exceptional figure for a slander case, awarded because Lambert's counsel managed to introduce a BBC memo which showed Lambert's career had been threatened if he persisted with
340-648: The Early Miocene and genetically diverged into two main genetic lineages between 19.1 and 18.5 ± 3.5 million years ago . The name is derived from names used in India for Herpestes species: muṅgūs or maṅgūs in classical Hindi ; muṅgūs in Marathi ; mungisa in Telugu ; mungi , mungisi and munguli in Kannada . The form of
374-544: The International Institute for Psychical Research , stayed at the Irvings' house for a week without seeing or hearing Gef. Fodor disbelieved any deliberate deception had occurred and moulded a complex psychological theory to explain Gef based on " a split-off part " of Jim Irving's personality. Although some psychic investigators thought that Gef was a poltergeist or another type of ghost , sceptics, including residents of
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#1732854740007408-515: The Viverridae . In 1864, John Edward Gray classified the mongooses into three subfamilies: Galidiinae , Herpestinae and Mungotinae. This grouping was supported by Reginald Innes Pocock in 1919, who referred to the family as "Mungotidae". Genetic research based on nuclear and mitochondrial DNA analyses revealed that the Galidiinae are more closely related to Madagascar carnivores, including
442-2349: The fossa and Malagasy civet . Galidiinae is considered a subfamily of Eupleridae . Phylogenetic research of 18 mongoose species revealed that the solitary and social mongooses form different clades . The phylogenetic relationships of Herpestidae are shown in the following cladogram: Bdeogale jacksoni ( Jackson's mongoose ) Bdeogale nigripes ( Black-footed mongoose ) Bdeogale crassicauda ( Bushy-tailed mongoose ) Rhynchogale melleri ( Meller's mongoose ) [REDACTED] Paracynictis selousi ( Selous's mongoose ) Cynictis penicillata ( Yellow mongoose ) Ichneumia albicauda ( White-tailed mongoose ) Herpestes ichneumon ( Egyptian mongoose ) Herpestes sanguinea ( Slender mongoose ) Herpestes pulverulenta ( Cape gray mongoose ) Herpestes ochracea ( Somalian slender mongoose ) Herpestes flavescens ( Angolan slender mongoose ) (including black mongoose ) Atilax paludinosus ( Marsh mongoose ) Xenogale naso ( Long-nosed mongoose ) † " Herpestes lemanensis " Urva brachyura ( Short-tailed mongoose ) Urva semitorquata ( Collared mongoose ) Urva urva ( Crab-eating mongoose ) Urva smithii ( Ruddy mongoose ) Urva vitticolla ( Stripe-necked mongoose ) Urva fusca ( Indian brown mongoose ) Urva edwardsii ( Indian gray mongoose ) Urva javanica ( Small Asian mongoose ) [REDACTED] Helogale parvula ( Common dwarf mongoose ) Helogale hirtula ( Ethiopian dwarf mongoose ) Dologale dybowskii ( Pousargues's mongoose ) Crossarchus alexandri ( Alexander's kusimanse ) Crossarchus ansorgei ( Angolan kusimanse ) Crossarchus platycephalus ( Flat-headed kusimanse ) Crossarchus obscurus ( Common kusimanse ) [REDACTED] Liberiictis kuhni ( Liberian mongoose ) Mungos gambianus ( Gambian mongoose ) Mungos mungo ( Banded mongoose ) [REDACTED] Suricata suricatta ( Meerkat ) [REDACTED] Atilax Cuvier , 1826 Herpestes Illiger , 1811 Leptoplesictis Major, 1903 Mongooses mostly feed on insects , crabs , earthworms , lizards , birds , and rodents . However, they also eat eggs and carrion . Some species can learn simple tricks. They can be tamed and are kept as pets to control vermin . In ancient Mesopotamia , mongooses were sacred to
476-412: The nicotinic acetylcholine receptor that protect against snake venom . Their modified receptors prevent the snake venom α-neurotoxin from binding. These represent four separate, independent mutations. In the mongoose, this change is effected, uniquely, by glycosylation . Herpestina was a scientific name proposed by Charles Lucien Bonaparte in 1845 who considered the mongooses a subfamily of
510-580: The English name (since 1698) was altered to its "- goose " ending by folk etymology . It was spelled "mungoose" in the 18th and 19th centuries. The plural form is "mongooses". Mongooses have long faces and bodies, small, rounded ears, short legs, and long, tapering tails. Most are brindled or grizzly; a few have strongly marked coats which bear a striking resemblance to mustelids . Their nonretractile claws are used primarily for digging. Mongooses, much like goats, have narrow, ovular pupils . Most species have
544-459: The Irvings' sheepdog, as were several photos which were claimed by the Irvings to depict Gef. Margaret and Voirrey Irving left the home in 1945 after the death of James Irving. They reportedly had to sell the farm at a loss because it had the reputation of being haunted. In 1946, Leslie Graham, who had bought their farm, claimed in the press that he had shot and killed Gef. The body displayed by Graham was, however, black and white and much larger than
578-496: The Isle of Man, believed the Irving family had colluded to perpetuate a hoax that was originated by daughter Voirrey. An Isle of Man Examiner reporter wrote that when he caught the girl making noises, her father tried to convince him the sound came from somewhere else. According to Joe Nickell researchers have suspected Voirrey used ventriloquism and other tricks "the effects of which were hyped by family members, reporters in search of
612-719: The action, which became known as "the Mongoose Case". Mongoose A mongoose is a small terrestrial carnivorous mammal belonging to the family Herpestidae . This family has two subfamilies, the Herpestinae and the Mungotinae . The Herpestinae comprises 23 living species that are native to southern Europe , Africa and Asia , whereas the Mungotinae comprises 11 species native to Africa. The Herpestidae originated about 21.8 ± 3.6 million years ago in
646-495: The deity Ninkilim , who was conflated with Ningirama , a deity of magic who was invoked for protection against serpents. According to a Babylonian popular saying, when a mouse fled from a mongoose into a serpent's hole, it announced, "I bring you greetings from the snake-charmer!" A creature resembling a mongoose also appears in Old Babylonian glyptic art , but its significance is not known. Pawprint Footprints are
680-409: The era as well as contemporary critics have concluded that the phenomenon was a hoax that the Irving family perpetuated by using ventriloquism . In September 1931, the Irving family, consisting of James, Margaret, and a 13-year-old daughter named Voirrey, claimed they heard persistent scratching, rustling, and vocal noises behind their farmhouse's wooden wall panels that variously resembled a ferret ,
714-473: The famous mongoose and Voirrey Irving was certain that it was not Gef. Voirrey died in 2005. In an interview published late in life, she maintained that Gef was not her creation. In July 1935 the editor of The Listener , Richard S. Lambert (known as "Rex"), and his friend, paranormal investigator Harry Price , went to the Isle of Man to investigate the case and produced the book The Haunting of Cashen's Gap (1936). They avoided saying that they believed
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#1732854740007748-496: The footprints may be given scientific names ( ichnospecies ). Grallator is one example of an ichnogenus based on ichnites. Strictly speaking, an ichnospecies is the name of the trace fossil, not of the animal that made it. An international team's discovery of a set of 1.5 million-year-old human ancestor footprints in Ileret, Kenya provides the earliest direct evidence of a modern human style of upright walking. The team believe that
782-501: The footprints they left in the snow leading from the crime scene to their home or hiding place. This is usually reported as a humorous story in news publications. Footprints can also allow the detective to find the approximate height from, footprint and shoeprint. The Foot tends to be approximately 15% of the person's average height. Individualistic characteristics of the footprints like numerous creases, flatfoot character, horizontal and vertical ridges, corns, deformities etc. can help
816-527: The forensic scientist in cases pertaining to criminal identification. In some forensic cases, the need may also arise to estimate body weight from the size of the footprints. Footprints have been shown to have determined the height and the sex of the individual. Friction ridge skin present on the soles of the feet and toes (plantar surfaces) is as unique in its ridge detail as are the fingers and palms (palmar surfaces). When recovered at crime scenes or on items of evidence, sole and toe impressions can be used in
850-400: The house, Gef supposedly assumed the role of a cat, although he preferred to scare them rather than killing them. According to the Irvings' words, they gave Gef biscuits, chocolates, and bananas, with food left for him in a saucer suspended from the ceiling which he took when he thought no one was watching. The mongoose regularly accompanied them on their trips to the market, but always stayed on
884-423: The impressions or images left behind by a person walking or running. Hoofprints and pawprints are those left by animals with hooves or paws rather than feet , while " shoeprints " is the specific term for prints made by shoes . They may either be indentations in the ground or something placed onto the surface that was stuck to the bottom of the foot. A " trackway " is a set of footprints in soft earth left by
918-460: The other side of the hedges, chatting incessantly. The story of Gef became popular in the tabloid press, and many journalists flocked to the Isle to try to catch a glimpse of the creature. Several other people, both locals and visitors, claimed to have heard Gef's voice, and two claimed to have seen it; however, physical evidence was lacking. Footprints, stains on the wall, and hair samples claimed to be evidence of Gef were identified as belonging to
952-403: The perpetrator of the crime. Shoes have many different prints based on the sole design and the wear that it has received – this can help to identify suspects. Photographs or castings of footprints can be taken to preserve the finding. Analysis of footprints and shoeprints is a specialist part of forensic science . Some detective work is relatively immediate, with criminals being tracked by
986-531: The prints were probably formed by the species Homo erectus . Footprints suggesting the first making of shoes or sandals due to having crisp edges, no signs of toes found and three small divots where leather tying laces/straps would have been attached have been in South Africa dating back to between 73,000 and 136,000 PB. Further, in September 2021, scientists reported the discovery of human footprints in
1020-476: The same manner as finger and palm prints to effect identifications. Footprint (toe and sole friction ridge skin) evidence has been admitted in courts in the United States since 1934. The footprints of infants, along with the thumb or index finger prints of mothers, are still commonly recorded in hospitals to assist in verifying the identity of infants. Often, the only identifiable ridge detail that can be seen on
1054-672: The state of New Mexico that are understood to be 23,000 years old, around the time of the last Ice Age . Later studies, reported in October 2023, confirmed that the age of the human footprints to be "up to 23,000 years old". The appearance of footprints, or marks interpreted as footprints, have led to numerous myths and legends. Some locations use such imprints as tourist attractions. Détailed article Petrosomatoglyph Examples of footprints in myth and legend include: The imagery of footprints has been used in many areas of popular culture. Several poems and songs have been written about them, with
Gef - Misplaced Pages Continue
1088-705: The story but were careful to report it objectively. The book reports how a hair from the alleged mongoose was sent to Julian Huxley , who then sent it to naturalist F. Martin Duncan , who identified it as a dog hair. Price suspected the hair belonged to the Irvings' sheepdog, Mona. Price asked Reginald Pocock of the Natural History Museum to evaluate pawprints allegedly made by Gef in plasticene together with an impression of his supposed tooth marks. Pocock could not match them to any known animal, though he conceded that one of them might have been "conceivably made by
1122-418: The time such cards are issued). When friction ridge skin is not available from military personnel's remains, DNA and dental records are used to confirm identity. Footprints have been preserved as fossils and provide evidence of prehistoric life. Known as " ichnites ", these trace fossils can give clues to the behaviour of specific species of dinosaur . The study of such fossils is known as ichnology and
1156-438: The whole house one great speaking-tube, with walls like sound boards. By speaking into one of the many apertures in the panels, it should be possible to convey the voice to various parts of the house." According to Richard Wiseman , "Price and Lambert were less than enthusiastic about the case, concluding that only the most credulous of individuals would be impressed with the evidence for Gef." Nandor Fodor , Research Officer for
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