CHAPTER II 



AS CONSERVATOR OF THE MUSEUM OF THE COLLEGE 

 OF SURGEONS, AND HUNTERIAN PROFESSOR. 

 [1861-1884.] 



THE death, in 1 86 1, of the eminent histological 

 anatomist, Professor Quekett, rendered vacant the 

 important post of Conservator of the Museum of the 

 Royal College of Surgeons of England in Lincoln's Inn 

 Fields. This museum, it is almost superfluous to 

 mention, was founded by the great anatomist, John 

 Hunter, and is hence often known popularly, although 

 not officially, as the Hunterian Museum. 



" Originally a private collection," observed Flower 

 in his Presidential address to the Anatomical section of 

 the International Medical Congress, held in London in 

 the summer of 1 88 1, "embracing a large variety of 

 objects, it has been carried out and increased upon much 

 the same plan as that designed by the founder, with 

 modifications only to suit some of the requirements of 

 advancing knowledge. The only portion of Hunter's 

 biological collection which have been actually parted with 

 are the stuffed birds and beasts, which, with the sanction 

 of the Trustees appointed by the Government to see that 

 the college performs its part of the contract as custodians 

 of the collection, were transferred to the British Museum, 

 and a considerable number of dried vascular preparations, 

 which having become useless in consequence of the 

 deterioration in their condition, resulting from age and 



