14 HUXLEY 



regard for his old teacher was shown in later years, 

 when he was instrmnental in obtaining for him a 

 pension. The scientific paper just mentioned is not- 

 able, for the reason that it contained an anatomical 

 discovery made by a boy of nineteen, as Huxley then 

 was. It described a membrane in the root of the 

 human hair, hitherto imknown, which was named 

 after him. 



His career as a student, despite what he said of 

 his idleness at times, was brilliant, and when, in 

 1845, he entered for his professional examination at 

 London University, he won the gold medal for 

 anatomy and physiology, and obtained honours. 

 His college classes, however, did mot give him the 

 means of a hvehhood, and in the spring of ISKi it 

 was suggested to liim that he should apply for an 

 appointment in the navy. Rather to his astonish- 

 ment, after making the apphcation, he received 

 notice to call at Somerset House on a given day. 

 An examination followed, which he passed, and thus 

 he entered her Majesty's service on the books of 

 Nelson's old ship, the Victory, for duty at Haslar 

 Hospital. Here his chief was Sir John Richardson, 

 the naturaUst and Arctic traveUer. It was he who 

 suggested to Huxley the position of assistant siu-geon 

 to the Rattlesnake, to which he was in due time ap- 

 pointed. The Rattlesnake was to go on an exploring 

 expedition to North Guinea, with the object of bring- 

 ing back a full account of its geography, geology, 

 and natural history, Wliile waiting for the ship 

 to sail, Huxley attended his first meeting of the 

 British Association at Southampton. 



And so we find him on December 3, 1846, sailing 

 on board the frigate Rattlesnake from Spithead, thus 



