Reproduction
Object numberRCSHC/2792
Scientific nameBalaenoptera acutorostrata
CollectionHunterian
CategoryWet preparations
Object nameovary, fallopian tubes, Uterus, Organs of Generation, Mounted wet tissue
DescriptionThe ovary, fallopian tube and start of the uterine horn of a minke whale.
A bougie has been passed through the fallopian tube.
This is one of 32 surviving preparations from a minke or 'Piked Whale' dissected by John Hunter. The animal, a young female, was caught off the Dogger Bank in the North Sea in January 1787. It was brought to London where it was exhibited at the John O'Groats public house near St George's Fields in South London on 17 January. It was subsequently purchased by John Hunter.
Production date 1787
Preparator
Owner/user
presented
Related objectsRCSHC/2793RCSHC/2794
Physical Location
LocationOn display in the Hunterian Museum, Room 4: The Long Gallery
Physical Information
Physical descriptionWet preparation of tissue mounted in a cuboid perspex container.
Materialperspex
Balenoptera
Dimensions
whole height: 355 mm
whole width: 107 mm
whole depth: 70 mm
whole weight: 2896 g
whole width: 107 mm
whole depth: 70 mm
whole weight: 2896 g
Bibliography
SourceDobson 1970-71
Transcript2792: The ovary, Fallopian tube and beginning of the corresponding horn of the uterus of a Piked Whale (Balaenoptera acuto-rostrata). The ovary resembles that of the Dolphin in its elongated form and superficial markings, but is more compressed. Beneath the ovary the broad ligament forms a wide and shallow recess bounded dorsally by the attachment of the ovary and the ovarian ligament and ventrally by the Fallopian tube and the free margin of the broad ligament. Anteriorly the recess is bordered by the Fallopian funnel. The funnel is of great extent; it is attached by its posterior end to the ovary and by the other to the free edge of the broad ligament. The margins of this wide aperture are almost entire, but the inner surface of the funnel is increased by many wrinkles, folds and processes; the latter are largest and most numerous near the ovary and around the entry to the Fallopian tube. The commencement of the Fallopian tube is dilated into a small membranous pouch; it however soon contracts; for a short distance it is slightly wavy and then is continued straight to the horn of the uterus: a bougie has been passed through it.
SourceHunter 1861
Vol. 2, pages 113-118
NotesHunter's notes on the anatomy of the piked (minke) whale.
SourceHunter 1787d
NotesThe animal from which this preparation was taken is illustrated in Plate 20, and details shown in Plates 21-22. In his introduction Hunter states that he has studied one example of this species, an animal 17 feet long. Further details of its source are given in the caption to Plate 20 (below).
TranscriptFig. 1: The Balaena Rostrata of FABRICIUS, or Piked Whale. It was caught upon the Dogger Bank. It had met with some accident between the two lower jaws under the tongue, in which part a considerable collection of air had taken place, so as to raise up the tongue and its attachments into a round body in the mouth, projecting even beyond the jaws. This rendered the head specifically lighter than the water, so that it could not sink, and therefore was easily caught. It was seventeen feet long, and was brought to St George's Fields, where I purchased it. The dorsal fin having been cut off close to the back, is therefore only marked by a dotted line. Fig 2. A view of the tail, to shew its breadth.
