Spectator 2041

[Farrnorth]

I seem to have almost finished this without having any idea on the theme.
23d should do it. Tips from scientist about swindle concerning phase in protozoan (8) ???i?o?t. Help much appreciated.

[shaneystar2]

Schizont

[Farrnorth]

Thanks shaneystar2. As I said I don't really understand it. I now have 26a Record - what length? (5) as ca?em. The m coming from 27d maiduks. Right
Help!

[roslyn251254]

27d Haiduks not M ( aid inside hu(s)ks then you will have
26a CANEH can - synonym for record, eh -synonym for what

[Farrnorth]

Thanks roslyn25124. You stayed up longer then me! With your help I appear to have completed the grid but still have no idea about the five clues. Please explain! Thanks

[roslyn251254]

Use your answer to 1a
e.g.36d answer is KRAIT - defn is snake , cryptic bit R for river, then we need to add K (thousand) and AIT (island) to make krait.
Similarly for the other 4 specials 17a, 12a, 41a, 33d you have to add a "thousand" at the beg and an "island" at the end. You should be able to work back from your answers if you have them

[Farrnorth]

Good morning and thanks for the explanation Roslyn. It's all very weird because I had all the right answers even though I couldn't understand some of them. They were the only words that fitted!