Reproduction
Object numberRCSHC/P 772
Scientific namePanthera leo
CollectionHunterian
CategoryDry preparations
DescriptionA left femur from a lion, sectioned longitudinally. This bone shows a very similar pattern of new bone development over the shaft to that seen on the right femur in the previous two preparations.
The deposits range from a fine porous layer to much thicker 'nodulated' new bone of a finely porous nature, produced by chronic inflammation of the periosteum. A clear line remains between the new bone and the cortical surface on which it has been deposited. While these changes indicate that the bone was chronically inflamed, it is not clear by what means.
This is one of ten specimens of bones from the same animal (see related records). The source is not recorded by Hunter, but he is known to have received animals from the Royal Menagerie and from private menageries in London. These specimens were in Hunter's collection before 1789.
Production date Estimated 1760 - Estimated 1789
Preparator
Owner/user
presented
Related objectsRCSHC/P 768RCSHC/P 769RCSHC/P 770RCSHC/P 771RCSHC/P 773RCSHC/P 774RCSHC/P 775RCSHC/P 776RCSHC/P 777
Physical Location
LocationNot on public display: contact museum for access conditions
Physical Information
Physical descriptionDry preparation of bone un-mounted.
Dimensions
whole weight: 234 g
Bibliography
SourceProger 1966-1972
Vol. 2, page 64.
TranscriptSections of the left femur of the same Lion. Like the right femur, and with an exactly similar arrangement, a large portion of the surface is covered with new bone, the structure of which is nodulated, hard, and minutely cancellous. In the sections of the boundary between the new and the old bone is quite distinct.
Page 14.
NotesListed in William Clift's catalogue of the drawings of morbid anatomy as Drawing No. 14, page 14. Attributed by Clift to William Bell, so before 1789. Described as 'Plate 5' but no source given.
SourceClift 1830 Part 2
NotesCatalogue number is 81.
TranscriptA longitudinal section of the right femur of the same animal, in a similar state. [This femur had been steeped in an acid, in order to make the section without injury to the delicate texture of the newly formed bone. No 193 Pathological Preparation in Spirit is the counterpart of this specimen.]
