Reproduction
Object numberRCSHC/1362
Scientific nameTursiops truncatus
CollectionHunterian
CategoryWet preparations
DescriptionThe thoracic portion of the spinal cord from a dolphin.
The preparation is from the same animal as 1361 (see related records). It has been transversely dissected to show the central canal and the infolding of the pia mater into the ventral longitudinal fissure.
This is one of several preparations of bottle-nosed dolphin in John Hunter's collection. It is very likely that all were taken from the bodies of two animals - a mother and its offspring - sent to Hunter by Edward Jenner. Hunter's account of the dissection is included in his notes (later published in 'Essays & Observations', 1861) and his findings were incorporated into his paper on the Oeconomy of Whales, read to the Royal Society. In his notes and published paper Hunter referred to the animal as 'Delphinus delphis' or 'Bottle-nose whale'. However the skeletal remains (since destroyed) and the dimensions of the animals indicate that they were what are now known as bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus). It is possible that the dolphins were the 'porpasses' mentioned in John Hunter's letters to Jenner. These animals - also a mother and offspring - were sent by Jenner to Hunter in about 1777.
Production date Circa 1777
Preparator
Owner/user
Collector/excavator
presented
Related objectsRCSHC/1361
Physical Location
LocationOn display in the Hunterian Museum, Room 4: The Long Gallery
Physical Information
Physical descriptionWet preparation of tissue mounted in a rectangular perspex jar.
Materialperspex
Delphinus
Dimensions
whole height: 57 mm
whole width: 47 mm
whole depth: 32 mm
whole weight: 94 g
whole width: 47 mm
whole depth: 32 mm
whole weight: 94 g
Bibliography
SourceDobson 1970-71
Transcript1362: A transverse section through the thoracic region of the spinal cord of the same Dolphin, showing on the section surface the central canal and the infolding of the pia mater into the ventral longitudinal fissure. The membranes of the cord have been treated as in the preceding specimen.
SourceHunter 1861
Vol. 2, pages 106-108
NotesThe entry for 'Whale, from Mr Jenner' refers to the animals from which this preparation was probably taken. The notes were probably made by Jenner and sent to Hunter.
SourcePhys. Cat. Vol. 3/1 1835
Transcript1362. A transverse section of the dorsal portion of the spinal chord of the same Dolphin [as 1361], including the double origins of one pair of nerves, and showing the central canal and the three membranes of the spinal chord.
SourceHunter 1787d
NotesHunter refers to a sole specimen of the 'Delphinus delphis, or Bottle-nose whale' received from Edward Jenner. The detailed notes of the dissection (later published in 'Essays & Observations', 1861, indicate that this was in fact a bottlenose dolphin, and that Hunter possessed parts of at least two animals, one of which may have been the body of a young animal and the other parts of its mother.
