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[whitespace] Exhibit

Chilly Willies

A museum in Iceland features a scientific collection of naughty bits

By Andrea Perkins

THANKS TO THE wonders of the web, one needn't book a flight in order to visit the only museum in the world that boasts an entire collection of phallic specimens from every mammal in Iceland. By just pointing the mouse to www.ismennt.is/not/phallus/ens.htm, one can visit the Icelandic Phallological Museum from the comfort of one's own home (better there than in public). But be forewarned, this is not a joke. The Icelandic Phallological Museum is for real.

Billed as an invaluable resource for those interested in the quite serious science of phallology, the museum is considered to be one of the biggest tourist attractions in Iceland. People come from all over the world to gaze up at the collection of "over one hundred penises and penile parts belonging to almost all the land and sea mammals that can be found in Iceland." The museum offers just a glimpse into the strange and often startling world of whale, walrus and polar bear private parts, but in this case less is indeed more. With simple (if somewhat indecent) icons and text available in six languages, this is a comprehensive and educational website that's not necessarily for the entire family.

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From the April 18-25, 2001 issue of Metro Santa Cruz.

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