28 MEMOIR OF JOHN HUNTER. 



a treatise entitled, " Observations on certain parts 

 of the Animal Economy ;" but these notices were 

 taken from the description prepared by Dr Smith in 

 1754. 



In 1755 or 1756, Mr Hunter made preparations 

 and drawings of the growth of the chick, in the pro- 

 cess of incubation. His extensive series of experi- 

 ments and observations connected with this subject 

 have never, so far as we know, been permitted to see 

 the light ; but we find him making some use of them 

 in illustration of another subject, to which he ap- 

 plied all the energies of his mind ; and they may be 

 seen noticed in his well known work " On the 

 Blood," &c. 



So eagerly did Mr Hunter at this time attach 

 himself to the study of comparative anatomy, that 

 he left no means unemployed to obtain possession of 

 the rarer kinds of animals, with the view of exa- 

 mining into their peculiarities. For this end, he ap- 

 plied to those who had the charge of the Royal Me- 

 nagerie at the Tower, for the bodies of the animals 

 that died there ; and he made similar applications to 

 all those who made a business of collecting and ex- 

 hibiting wild beasts to the public. He also pur- 

 chased any of the rarer animals which came in his 

 way ; and these, with such others as were presented 

 to him by his friends, he entrusted to the showmen, 

 to keep till they died, the more to encourage them 

 to assist him in his labours. 



After twelve years had been spent in the manner 



