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 w'hich 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- 
chttsed any of the rarer animals which came in his 
w'ay ; 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 
