Catalogues of physiology
TitleCatalogues of physiology
ReferenceRCS-MUS/7/11
Level of descriptionseries
Datec1800-1971
Admin./ biographical historyRichard Owen, appointed assistant conservator in 1827, prepared the initial catalogue of the physiological series with the assistance of conservator William Clift, who provided input based on his knowledge of Hunter’s theories. This catalogue was very detailed; each volume was illustrated (mostly with engravings from drawings of William Bell, who was John Hunter’s assistant from 1777-1791, the rest being drawings by Clift and Owen themselves).
Owen’s catalogue consisted of 5 volumes, and was the only complete catalogue printed prior to the one of 1970. Its publication was as follows:
1832: 1. Organs of Motion and Digestion
1834: 2. Absorbent, Circulatory, Respiratory and Urinary Systems
1835: 3. Part 1. Nervous System and Organs of Sense
1836: 3. Part 2. Connective and Tegumentary Systems
1838: 4. Organs of Generation
1840: 5. Products of Generation
In 1894, the Museum Committee requested a new edition of the physiological series catalogue, considering it long overdue. This project was undertaken by the conservator Charles Stewart, who decided the whole section needed to be rearranged. The catalogue had previously had a system of consecutive numbering but the increased numbers of specimens had made this impractical and confusing. Stewart merged Hunterian and non-Hunterian specimens and subdivided the first part of the physiological series into small groups of preparations, designated alphabetically, with each group relating to an anatomical system (e.g. A – skeleton, B – ligaments, C – muscles). However, this project was never completed, as Stewart’s health began to fail, leading to his death in 1907. Only the first 3 volumes of the catalogue were ever printed. In 1899, Dr. Elliot Smith was employed to assist with sections on brain and nervous systems, and when called away, his work was completed by W.L.H. Duckworth.
Stewart’s catalogues were published as follow:
1900: Vol. I Series A (Endoskeleton), B (Joints), C (Muscles)
1902: Vol. II Series D, part (Nervous System)
1907: Vol. III Series D, part, and E (Special Senses)
Richard Higgins Burne, previously assistant to Stewart, became assistant conservator in 1908 and continued the work on the physiological series until 1934, although only typescript copies of this remained, which never saw publication. These were as follows:
Series F Integument
Series G Electric Organs
Series H Locomotion
Series I Food Stores
Series J Digestive System
Series K Organs of Circulation
Series L Ductless Glands
Series O Organs of Excretion
Series Q Reproductive Organs
Although thousands of specimens were destroyed during the bombing of the College in 1941 most of these were non-Hunterian specimens. The following series remained almost entirely intact: Organs of Digestion, Nervous System & Products of Generation. Conversely, Urinary and Respiratory Organs, Connective Tissue, Absorbent and Tegumentary Systems suffered the most.
When the Hunterian Museum was re-opened in 1963, the Hunterian and non-Hunterian specimens were separated. A new catalogue was created by Museum Curator Jessie Dobson, going back to Hunter's original plan and Owen's original numbering system and descriptions as far as possible. Where specimens had been destroyed during the war, the new catalogue makes mention of non-Hunterian specimens to fill in the gaps, and retain the overall theme of Hunter’s teachings and his views on the world of natural history.
Owen’s catalogue consisted of 5 volumes, and was the only complete catalogue printed prior to the one of 1970. Its publication was as follows:
1832: 1. Organs of Motion and Digestion
1834: 2. Absorbent, Circulatory, Respiratory and Urinary Systems
1835: 3. Part 1. Nervous System and Organs of Sense
1836: 3. Part 2. Connective and Tegumentary Systems
1838: 4. Organs of Generation
1840: 5. Products of Generation
In 1894, the Museum Committee requested a new edition of the physiological series catalogue, considering it long overdue. This project was undertaken by the conservator Charles Stewart, who decided the whole section needed to be rearranged. The catalogue had previously had a system of consecutive numbering but the increased numbers of specimens had made this impractical and confusing. Stewart merged Hunterian and non-Hunterian specimens and subdivided the first part of the physiological series into small groups of preparations, designated alphabetically, with each group relating to an anatomical system (e.g. A – skeleton, B – ligaments, C – muscles). However, this project was never completed, as Stewart’s health began to fail, leading to his death in 1907. Only the first 3 volumes of the catalogue were ever printed. In 1899, Dr. Elliot Smith was employed to assist with sections on brain and nervous systems, and when called away, his work was completed by W.L.H. Duckworth.
Stewart’s catalogues were published as follow:
1900: Vol. I Series A (Endoskeleton), B (Joints), C (Muscles)
1902: Vol. II Series D, part (Nervous System)
1907: Vol. III Series D, part, and E (Special Senses)
Richard Higgins Burne, previously assistant to Stewart, became assistant conservator in 1908 and continued the work on the physiological series until 1934, although only typescript copies of this remained, which never saw publication. These were as follows:
Series F Integument
Series G Electric Organs
Series H Locomotion
Series I Food Stores
Series J Digestive System
Series K Organs of Circulation
Series L Ductless Glands
Series O Organs of Excretion
Series Q Reproductive Organs
Although thousands of specimens were destroyed during the bombing of the College in 1941 most of these were non-Hunterian specimens. The following series remained almost entirely intact: Organs of Digestion, Nervous System & Products of Generation. Conversely, Urinary and Respiratory Organs, Connective Tissue, Absorbent and Tegumentary Systems suffered the most.
When the Hunterian Museum was re-opened in 1963, the Hunterian and non-Hunterian specimens were separated. A new catalogue was created by Museum Curator Jessie Dobson, going back to Hunter's original plan and Owen's original numbering system and descriptions as far as possible. Where specimens had been destroyed during the war, the new catalogue makes mention of non-Hunterian specimens to fill in the gaps, and retain the overall theme of Hunter’s teachings and his views on the world of natural history.
Scope and ContentContains 52 catalogues of the museum collections of physiological specimens, including the first edition (1833-1840), the partial second edition (1907-1909), the unpublished third edition and the published fourth edition (1970-1971) as well as drafts and supplementary material. Many of the catalogues are annotated.
Extent53 volumes, 1 file, 32 folders
LanguageEnglish
Conditions governing accessBy appointment only. See College website for contact details of the Archives.
Related objectsMS0446
