Plate XCIV.

The Underground Raver

Raverus subterraneus (Castlemorton, 1992)
Order Repetitivus · Family Soundsystemidae · Conservation status: not extinct. Somehow.
Fig. 1 — the specimen, camouflage, bottle raised
  1. Fig. 1a.Ocular displayFully dilated in 10 of 10 recordings. Cause undetermined; the collector declined to ask.
  2. Fig. 1b.HearingReduced. Formerly stood beside the rig. See s.63, below.
  3. Fig. 1c.The beardContinuous growth since the sound system was seized. Field estimate 28 cm; unverified — the specimen would not hold still.
  4. Fig. 1d.The vesselGlass, amber contents. At the ready position from the first frame; recording began late.
  5. Fig. 1e.CamouflageWoodland pattern. Deployed indoors, against a white wall. Ineffective. Persists.

Range & history — from the field to the settee

1988 Emergence. Second Summer of Love. 1992 Castlemorton Common. Peak colony, c. 20,000. Specimen carried the speakers. 1994 Criminal Justice & Public Order Act, s.63. “a succession of repetitive beats.” Habitat lost. Sound equipment seized (s.64). 2023–26 Specimen relocated indoors. Range contracted to one settee. Still feeding. Ten recordings. 0 —— 1 bottle
  1. 1988Emergence. Second Summer of Love.
  2. 1992Castlemorton Common. Peak colony, c. 20,000. Specimen carried the speakers.
  3. 1994Criminal Justice & Public Order Act, s.63. “a succession of repetitive beats.” Habitat lost. Sound equipment seized (s.64).
  4. 2023–26Specimen relocated indoors. Range contracted to one settee. Still feeding. Ten recordings.

Field specimens, 2023–26 — ten recordings, one behaviour

Fig. 2. At large, woodland edge. Navy rum. Rare sighting outside the den.
Fig. 3. The pout. Vessel drained in 4 s and presented to the lens.
Fig. 4. Post-event rehydration, floor-level. Contents presumed water.
Fig. 5. Horizontal feeding. An advanced technique; do not attempt.
Fig. 6. Nocturnal, under red light. Draught in progress.
Fig. 7. Tankard emptied. Display posture; eyes at full aperture.
Fig. 8. In transit. Hip flask. Not driving, the collector was assured.
Fig. 9. Pint of something dark. The camera did not keep up.
Fig. 10. Pale liquid, unidentified. The specimen did not pause to check.

Vessel, by type

4bottle 4glass 2flask One of the bottles was rum. The rest went unread. The flask is the collector’s chief concern.

Habitat, of ten sightings

8den 1woodland 1vehicle Three sightings horizontal (Figs. 4, 5, 7). Ten garments; none worn twice.

The feeding cycle

iiiiiiiv i. present the vessel ii. consume, one draught iii. display the empty iv. the pout Mean cycle 7.7 s. Repeats.

Adopt a Raver

For the price of one bottle a month, you can support a specimen in his natural habitat.

Your adoption provides shelter (the settee), sustenance (see Vessel, by type), and a modest quantity of red light. In return you will receive a Certificate of Adoption, and nothing else. The specimen will not write.

Nothing is sent anywhere; the certificate is drawn on your own screen.

Junior Fellow.
Aged 9 (disputed).
Collected & described by
Two Fellows of the Repetitive Society
Identities withheld at their own request. The nostrils are on record.
Senior Fellow.
Aged (undisputed).
The Repetitive Society · No.

Certificate of Adoption

Raverus subterraneus — one (1) specimen, as figured in Plate XCIV

This is to certify that

has this day adopted the above specimen for a term of one year, and undertakes to keep him in bottles, out of fields, and away from the rig.

Adopter 
Witness: Senior Fellowaged (undisputed)
Witness: Junior Fellowaged 9 (disputed)
Issued . Not transferable. Not redeemable against bottles.