CHAPTER II 



EXPERIENCES AS A NAVAL SURGEON ON THE 

 ' ' RATTLESNAKE " [ 1 846-50]. 



The chance suggestion made by Huxley's fellow- 

 student Fayrer (afterwards Sir Joseph Fayrer) that he 

 should apply for a post in the Medical Service of the 

 Navy, determined his whole future career, and conse- 

 quently had a momentous influence on the progress of 

 scientific thought and research. Early in 1846 he entered 

 the Navy, and was appointed to the Victory, for duty at 

 Haslar Hospital, serving under Sir John Richardson, 

 through whose recommendation he was transferred after 

 some delay to the Rattlesnake frigate during October of 

 the same year, in the capacity of assistant surgeon. It 

 was also understood that he would co-operate with 

 Macgillivray, the naturalist to the expedition. The ship 

 was detailed for survey work in Australian and East 

 Indian waters. 



During the months that elapsed between the time 

 the appointment was promised him (May) and that of 

 departure (December), young Huxley with unremitting 

 energy took every opportunity of fitting himself for 

 the work of investigation before him. Owen, Gray, 

 and particularly Edward Forbes, gave him much in- 

 formation and counsel which afterwards proved invalu- 

 able. Forbes, a pioneer in the art of dredging for 

 scientific purposes, was especially friendly, sparing no 

 pains in explaining the technical methods employed for 

 the capture of marine animals. From him too Huxley 



