NATURAL HISTORY AT ST ANDREWS 289 



At St Andrews a general natural history collection seems 

 to have existed for a very long time in the University. Thus 

 what appears to be an armadillo was referred to in an old 

 publication of the seventeenth century. 1 The collection, 

 however, does not seem to have been extensive. When the 

 lecturer on natural history (Dr M'Vicar) was appointed in 

 1827, he exerted himself to increase the collection ; but it was 

 not till the formation of the Literary and Philosophical Society 

 in 1838 that steps were taken to secure proper accommodation 

 for the specimens. One of the aims, indeed, of the society 

 was to establish a museum in the University ; and for this 

 purpose a room was granted by the United College, and the 

 first cases were made at the expense of the society. Under 

 the vigorous leadership of Sir David Brewster, rapid progress 

 was made during the next ten years, so that the new hall of 

 the museum and adjoining apartments lately erected by the 

 Government, and fitted with cases, were soon fairly filled 

 by a general collection, consisting of minerals, geological, 

 zoological, and botanical specimens. As mentioned, the 

 influence of Sir David Brewster was of the utmost service 

 in the early days of the museum, and amongst others, Dr Buist 

 of India, Professor John Reid, Dr John Adamson, Dr Traill, 

 Professor Macdonald, Dr Heddle, Robert Walker, and 

 Dr Pettigrew deserve special notice during these and subse- 

 quent years. The Bruce collection of skeletons and prepara- 

 tions, the labour of a skilful local surgeon, was acquired by 

 purchase at an early date, as also were various collections of 

 fossils. A very fine series of Dura Den fossil fishes, the most 

 valuable in the country, was added by the courtesy of the 

 proprietor of the Den and the exertions of Dr Heddle, about 

 1860. 



Between 1853 and 1857 the museum contained a 

 miscellaneous collection, but was deficient in classification, 

 though in regard to local crabs, shells, starfishes, and a few 



1 By Robert Johnston, Scoto-Britanno, Amsterdam, 1655. 

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