davies & hull 1976 - the zoological collections of the oxford university museum

8/17/2019 Davies & Hull 1976 - The Zoological Collections of the Oxford University Museum

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The Zool

Collecti

of the O

niver

Museu

Hiitorical Re


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THE ZOOLO

COLLECTIONS

OXFORD UNI

MUSEU

Historical Re

General h u n

Comprehensive Do

t

the year

O M P I L E D

K

C

D A V I E S A N D


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Oxford University M


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F O R E W O R

TH

eview which follows is intended

for a concise account of the Zoological

University Museum. T h e work was

Curator K . C. Davies and the Head T

been undertaken and compiled by them w

of the C urato r of the Zoological Collect

review constitutes a collation of data f

sources relating to the history nature

Collections.

An original comprehensive Donor I

have been added which it is anticipated

and value in themselves. Used by resea

in conjunction with the preceding accou

records the Index will provide an essent

lating to the collections of zoological m

University of Oxford.

I n th e first part of the text which d

original Collections information has bee

published works and accounts which are

bibliographical sections a t the end of this


5/146

ON T E N

Tables of

Keepers of the Ashmolean Museum

Dr. Lee s Readers in Anatomy, Chri

Linacre Professors

Curators of the Zoological Collection

Synopsis

T h e History of the Zoological Collectio

T h e Fu ture of the Zoological Collectio

Summary

T h e M useum court, and problems asso

T h e Accommodation and Curation of t

T h e Records and other documents rela

Collections

Guide to some of the Named Coll

material


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KEEPERS OF THE

ASHMOLEAN MUSEUM

1683

Robert Plot

1690 Edward Lhwyd

1709 David Parry

1714

John Whiteside

1729 George Shepheard

730

George Huddesford

I

7 5 5

William Huddesford

I

772

William Sheffield

I 796 William Lloyd

I

8

I

5

Thomas Dun bar

I

8

2 2 William T. Phillips

1823

John Shute Duncan

I 826 Philip Bury Duncan

I 854 John Phillips

REA

(C

1767

78 5

790

8

I

6

845

857

CHRONOLOGICAL TABLE OF L

AND CURAT

H A V I N G RE S P O N S I BI L

THE ZOOLOGICAL COLLE


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SYNOPS

T H oological Collections form a part

of the U niversity of Oxford which al

specimens and material of an entomologi

logical nature. These Scientific Collec

together in the University Museum dur

one hundred and fifteen years though s

material in the Museum is of much earlie

wealth of specimens and material represe

expeditions to different parts of the world

to foreign lands the donations of scient

tations from scientific bodies and institut

public purchases and material obtained

institutions. Some of the natural history

oldest public collection ever formed in

the donors and benefactors were famous

or strong associations with Oxford as for

Elias Ashmole Dr. F rank Buckland the

chell one of the earliest travellers and e

South American continents.


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S Y N O P S S

Hayter. T h e prime responsibility of this

general oversight over all the Collections

Systematic and tutorial exhibits on zo

in and around allotted areas of the M useu

upper arcade. These are prepared with th

of the teaching staff of the D epartm ent of

the curatorial staff, and although they a

undergraduate student with the intentio

instruction, an a ttem pt has also been mad

interest in certain zoological topics. Som

taken in their production to encourage an

general public who now visit the Mu

numbers, as testified by the number of

risen from 8,344 in 19 63 to 40,686 duri

of this increase has been due to th e progr

of organized school-parties visiting the

T h e numbers of student members of Ox

M useum are not recorded.

T h e Zoological Collections supply

departmental teaching, various practical

exhibits. T h e y also afford specimens for

and material is loaned to other institu

purposes. T h e presence within th e Collec

historic material is of particular signific

research and studies in the history of sc


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S Y N O P S S

the large quantities of hitherto unaccess

wise unclassified material now present in

Serio us criticisms o f th e progress ach

following Lankester s ambitious plans

strongly expressed by the seventh Lin

Hardy, in 1956 when,

as

chairman of

Com mit tee, fo rward ing the Q uinqu enni

following:

In their present state, the University Mus

of the University. T h e Museum contains (i)

which should be protected, (ii) collections ess

mology, Zoology, Geology and Mineralogy wh

mented and properly exhibited, and (iii) larg

which are of unique importance since the int

nom enclature depends upon such material.

A

tions is properly housed, catalogued or read

research, yet together they form a body of re

importancewith the manuscripts and rare book

treasures of the Ashmolean Museum . There ar

arranpem ent, docum entation and display to be

of e last fifty to eighty years, and replacement

-for much of the material in order to prevent o

T h i s s ta t emen t a rose ma in ly

as

a result

fo r th e grave danger t o t h e C ollections t


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S Y N O P S S

purpose would be to discuss the general

which should govern any reorganization o

chief aim in calling together a wide-ba

attempt to regenerate a new corporate ent

sibility for the court exhibits and the v

T h e Chairman of this Committee, H.

K

to October 1969 he control and organiz

tions had always been in the hands of 'am

ment was to lecturing and teaching rathe

I t may be of interest here to note that Dr

British Museum, Natural History) was th

of the Zoological Collections who had no

of the staff of the Department of Zoolog

became the first appointed to the positi

University Museum.

As indicated previously, the steady ama

lections for over a century has led to prob

arrangements and accessibility of specim

Curator of the Zoological Collections, in

considered tha t 'Since so much of the coll

sible for lack of space, and so remain effe

of visiting specialists is not surprising.'

was sunk beneath the floor of the M useum

bility of providing additional cellar space;


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S Y N O P S S

I n 976 additional space was obtain

ment of Entomology for housing dry c

transferred to the care of the Zoological

work proceeds with these and other co

increasing use will be made of them fo

gation and research.

T h e future development and use of t

discussed elsewhere in this review but i

it is now removed from the environs of th

of Zoology will continue to value and m

Zoological Collections which have bee

historical association and shared interests


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T H E H I S T O R Y O F T H E

C O L L E C T I O

TH

arliest record of an accumulation

Oxford is probably that of two visitors t

Jean Fontaine and Louis Schsnbub,' who

old 'Anatomy School' which occupied a fi

side of the Bodleian Quadrangle, a roo

Schools built in I

6 13

on the east side of the

the objects observed by Fontaine and Schan

ten feet long and a specimen of white c

cabinet of natural curiosities had been

during the early part of the seventeenth

in the L ibrary a Gallery provided for obje

viewed the contents of the old Anatomy

have seen num bers of the

300

o r so items

an employee of the Bodleian, Thomas

also produced a List of Benefactors2 M an y

housed in the Anatomy School were proba

Library where they would have been ac

from various donors, though some wer


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T H E H I S T O R Y O F T H E Z O O LO G

Science in Oxford . By this tim e the c

though it seems probable that at least so

been transferred to the old Ashmolean M

T h e fate of many later natural histo

foreshadowed when in August 7

o

Uff

and diarist, visited the Schola Anatom

(Junior Librarian) was the custodian. U

mens as being in great confusion and full

Hearne noted in his Diary his great con

specimens, and described a similar state

In 1677 the famous antiquary, poly

Ashmole (1617-9z), a former membe

sented his collection of curiosities to the

the University would provide a suitabl

them. As a result of this condition the As

of which has been attributed to Sir Ch

in Broad Street between 1679 and 16

mason Th om as Wood, T h e building w

the q u k e (later K ing James 11) and

Lad ylA nne to become the earliest publi

o f j e earliest in Europe..

Ashmole s collection comprised a l

of natural history material together w ith

of ethnographical and antiquarian inter


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T H E H I S T O R Y O F T H E Z O O L O G

provision that the donor and his wife sh

trust for Ashmole whilst they lived, bu

1661

Tradescant had complicated the le

wife sole executrix with the option, at her

the collection to Oxford or Cambridge Un

death of Tradescan t, Ashm ole took Mrs.

to obtain possession of the collection by

1664

the co urt found in favour of A

collections to be held in trust by M rs. Tr

After the court s award the widow excee

tion by selling some of the rarities to

in order to safeguard his legacy, built a h

and became involved with the widow in

quarrels and other disputations relating

obtaining her permission to remove the m

own house in

1674

This sad episode en

Mrs. Tradescant was found drowned in h

afterwards Ashmole removed the remain

her house.

I n

1683

twelve cartloads of rarities a

museum in Broad Street, having been tra

from London. Ashmole had added to the

sive antiquarian collections, and upon th

Oxford could profess a unique building


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T H E H I S T O R Y OF

T H E

Z O O L O G I

and preserved, and that 'One could wish th

bad

as

they are, were published, or be

description of this museum could be made

David Parry, M.A., the Proto-Custos, w

in the inns, so that one scarcely ever m

T h e more perishable specimens fell into

and in 1755 the V ice-Chancellor and Proc

by fire of the most badly afflicted mater

cluded the stuffed Dodo which had been

century. Fortunately for posterity, an astu

and a foot of the Dodo, and these remai

Museum today12 as do also a number of

definitely attributable to Tradescant and

O f the remainder of the natural his

catalogue of 1656, Musaeum Tradescantia

Hunterian Museum, Glasgow University

of th e conch shell Strombus listeri; this is

from a number of shells listed in the Tra

represented by a t most a dozen specimen

hands of John Fothergill in the eighteen

William H unte r and thence to the Hunter

T h e Musaeum Tradescantianum itself h

before the death of Tradescant, with the


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During the eighteenth century various

specimens were added to the Ashmolea

alleged cranium of Oliver Cromwell. T h

made to the collections in the n ineteenth

Duncan brothers, who were successively

M useum from 182 3 to 1854. Apart fro

of zoological material, the younger D

remnants of the Tradescant Collection, r

catalogued the contents; the latter work, A

Museum, published in 836, describes th

tiquities, coins, and miscellaneous curiosit

In the text, Duncan makes special referen

contributors to the zoological departme

whose names appear those of William

explorer) and Professor W illiam Bucklan

Dr. Mathew Lee of Christ Church C

Readership in Anatom y associated with th

1757 a laboratory was built on the south

back of the Dining Hall, for dissections,

was known as the Ana tom y~School, r,

Corner . I t was to become a new centre

studies in Oxford, ultimately making r

School in the Bodleian Schools Quadrang

of the Schools taken over for library p


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gloomy, musty room where a human ske

its head to an old brown cord was consp

and ornament. Scarcely anyone ever came

inspect the anatomical preparations whi

advanced physiology. 16 Acland devoted h

tion of a wide range of anatomical and ph

being th e fruits of his expeditions to the W

these and others being arranged after th

celebrated anatomist and founder of th

College of Surgeons in London. By

8

prised I

000

osteological specimens, 7

500

specimens illustrating the anatomy

nucleus of a pathological and histological

I n his M emoir of Henry Acland,

several amusing episodes in A cland s spe

attempted to build up the zoological ma

Museum: in

I

845

he travelled to the O rk

Edward Forbes the naturalist to dredge

marine fauna, returning to Oxford at th

T e r m to await the arrival of the fourtee

pickled specimens which were to be se

but they did not appear as planned. T h

custody at the London docks, and th e co

suspicion of attempting to smuggle whisk


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T H E H I S T O R Y O F T H E Z O O LO G

to Dr. Acland, Oxford . During the voy

had become convinced that the box cont

which in their superstitious minds was

storm in the Bay of Biscay, and they

Captain gave notice to Acland tha t he in

overboard. Acland had to threaten legal

specimen. However, the crew and the p

vinced of the true con tents of the box, an

that they refused to speak to him.

I n this intolerable situation, Acland

the coffin by the ship s carpenter who

assembled company to reveal the tunny f

of the Tyne

took place, the sailors, feelin

suspicions, worked double tides to save

and it was eventually delivered to the

perfect condition, the skeleton being l

Charles Robertson in the Anatomy Scho

A sequel took place with regard to t

when it was removed from the Christ C

the new University Museum in

1860

an

in its present glass case it was supplied

Latin inscription. This inscription beca

University jest attributed to Charles

L.

his friends who produced a spurious Con


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T H E H I S T O R Y OF TH Z O O L O

A ED E X T I P R A E L E

E X M A DE IR A I N S

Q U O H E N R I C U M C . L I D D E L L A E

I N P l R M A V A L E T U D I N E L AB OR AN

P R AETE R OM N EM S P EM OXONI AM

TYNA E NI M NAVE VAP OR ARI A I N Q U

AD S C TI ALBANI P R OM ONTO R I UM I N C OM

QUUM I P S E VI X S OS P ES E F LU

HI C P I S C I S I N NAVE R ELI C TUS P ER V

AD TERRAM ADVECT

DEI NDE I N M US AEO AEDI S

PER ARTEM CAROL1 ROBERTSON

abrogare

et

in eorum

locum

quae

sequuntu

T H U N N U S Q U E M

MENSE IU N I I A. S. M

A B H E N R I C O W . A CLA ND N U N C T E

ACAD. OXON. PROFEW O

EX M USAEO ANAT

D E Q U O H E N R I C U M C. L I D D E L L

AETER NA M ANS U ETUDI NE P ER O

P R A E T E R

O M N l U M S P E M O X ON l E N SI U

ORATlONE EN lM VAPORARIA IN Q UO

AD S C T I ACLANDI C LOR IAM I N C ONC R

I NI EC TA

Q U U M M US AEUM I P S U M V I X SOSP E


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whither he had taken Henry

G.

Liddell, D

suffering from poor health. For when the stea

the Reader was returning was cast upon th

Dorset and he himself barely escaped from

behind on board and was brought to land

sailors. Then at last it was placed in the

skeletonized by the skill of Charles Robertson

and to substitute in their place

T h e tunny you are sneering a t exceeded

prise by being brought here in Jun e

860

by H

time he is Regius Professor of Medicine in

he brought it from the Anatomical Muse

Henry

G

Liddell, Dean of Christ Church

oratory. For when a lecture consisting of 'ho

loved, was most learnedly presented to Co

Acland, and he himself barely escaped from

the Museum, this area, which, thanks to the l

been imperfectly constructed, was brought to

was in the middle of the building was skidm

Woodward.

[Skidmore was the metal-craftsman respons

area.]

T h e accommodation

in

the Anatomy

extremely limited, and a stable was use

mens; the consequent stench did not en


21/146


In passing, it is worth noting that s

have in the past possessed zoological

John's, which in the seventeenth centur

collection of 'Naturalia' in the library. Jo

of Merton College, having been impre

induced to bequeath to St. John's his own

were enclosed in tw o large chests of drawe

'Musaeum Pointerianum' of

c.

I

740~19

shells, skeletons, eggs, fossils, and plan

medals. Pointer died in I 754 and th e co

in a cold passage under th e library, gradual

of neglect and decay. In 1925, Gunther

described their sorry state, indicating

occurred since the catalogue had been p

this formerly extensive collection is a c

some of the smaller objects, at present lo

Museum of the History of Science, wher

Collection of Materia Medica (c.

1750

College. T h e latter collection was own

Warden of the College, who died in 17

natural history which were believed to

ment, some of the 1,032 specimens of whi

Jobber,

c.

I 729.

Dr. Robert Plot of Magdalen Hall



22/146

for the expanding collections of natural

favour of the proposal to build a new mus

M ay 849 and an action comm ittee was

Maskelyne becoming the Secretary of

promote the scheme for building a Unive

School of Natural Science was founded

supporters of the new museum scheme wa

the University Commission recommende

proceed with the plan to build a great

During the year 8 5 3 the University

plan the University Museum, this comm

other heads of departments. A new C

1854 to consider the question of erect

Committee s report had been approved

was appointed in 855 by Convocation a

itself, its labours transferred to the new M

offered a com petition for suitable designs

being

Benjamin Woodward of the Dublin

and Deane. Preceded by a great deal of

opposition to the plan by an anti-scienc

cribed the proposed museum as a Cockat

stone was eventually laid by the Chan

I

855, and by

I

860 the building was virtu

I t was Acland s intention that the ne

gather together the scattered scientific co


23/146


moved to more ample quarters in the Cl

recently been vacated by the University P

known as the Clarendon Science Muse

ultimately passing on to the new M useu

pletion of the new University Museum

natural history collections of the A shm

ferred there, as were the Christ Church

and

1866

nd together these collections

which today constitute the Zoological C

Museum.

1883 aw the building of an annexe

University M useum to accomm odate the

ethnological collection presented to the U

General Pitt Rivers. This building was

1886

the ethnological material from th

transferred there, leaving in the old build

antiquities of Ashmole. T h e latter co

removed in

1894

o the University Ga

now known as the new Ashmolean M

classical building built in

1845

o the

Cockerel1 and then know n as the N ew U

a large extension was added to t he north

th e designation Ashmolean M useum w

sion and ultimately to the whole build

T H E H I S T O R Y O F T H E

Z OO

L O G


24/146

would feel if a venerable ape was shown t

Huxley took heated exception, replyin

descended from an ape th an a divine w h o

truth . A wall plaque in the upper west

cates the room in which this famous con

Henry W Acland had been appointed

and in

I 8 7

a special meeting of th e Tru

for removing the scientific portion of th

Library to the new Museum in rooms in

in June 1860 they ordered that Dr. Acl

of the Trustees to plan the move which

August 1861 . T h e Radcliffe Library o

first floor rooms along the whole of t

room being equipped as a R ead ing R oo m

and periodicals, while the southerly room

tion of less used books, and the small ce

used as an accessions and w ork room.

Acland, in issuing new library regu

provision that books from the Library

fessors and other suitable persons for us

tions in th e co ur t of th e M use um , a privi

to the present day.21

T h e rapid grow th of the Library m ade

space be acquired, w hile th e Scientific Co


25/146


particular phase in the history o f the zool

t would appear that between

1860

an

teaching at the Museum was that given

Anatomy and Physiology, Dr. George R

little Medical instruction was given ther

organized some teaching in Bacteriolog

Victor C arus sent Dr. M en ge t o Acland

distinguished specialist to work on Bacte

the Museum.

In the years following the completion

the need for expansion, s a result of dem

and research facilities, led to a considerab

ments originally associated with the M

the rapid growth of the University Scien

number of complex changes in the admi

and in the allocation of space to those d

Museum. A brief outline follows of tho

ultimately to the present disposition

Collections associated with the four Dep

mology, Geology, and Mineralogy, and

Collections.

With regard to the departments orig

Museum, Experimental Philosophy (Phy

occupied rooms on the south side of th e M

T H E

H I S T O R Y OF T H E Z O O L O G


26/146

Burdon Sanderson, offered in the Museum

in Pathology with practical instruction

Department was built in

1899

and ope

Professor Van der Kolk's Pathological

purchased by the University in

864

and o

west angle of the Museum, were given int

in Pathology and transferred to the mus

Pathology. T h e Pathology Department bu

by a new building in South Parks Road, th

of Pathology.

Owing to the increase in the numbe

quiring instruction in Zoology and Bota

was erected in

1899

on the north side

occupied by the Department of Compara

larging that Department which later beca

ment of Zoology.

In passing, it may be amusing to recor

to renewed requests from students and oth

noon tea should be provided within the M

made by which Messrs. Boffin provide

West Gallery for a fortnight, but the atte

experiment

w s

discontinued.

T h e advent of the First World War cau

within the Museum and its associated


27/146


the relics of the Tradescant material for

Early

Science in Oxford . Occupation of

authorities continued through 19

I

8

the

Zoology and Comparative Anatomy, with

Professor s room, being taken over. W it h

in 19 19, Julian S. Huxley, afte r his

Oxford and was appointed Demonstrato

ment of Zoology and Com parative Anato

make any great progress with the collecti

spirit and the impossibility of procuring g

T h e Ann ual Reports indicate that t

casioned little upheaval within the M

attention was given to fire precaution

exhibits were removed from the court

safety.

A t the present time th e Entomologica

and Zoological Collections all remain

charge of their respective Cura tors and H

the years 1957 to 1959 various rooms a

corne r of the M useum, vacated by Chem

the Regius Professor of Medicine and h

Zoological Collections. Conversion and

the north end of th e Upper W est G

additional room for each of the four Sci


28/146


t h e past taken pleasure, as an amateur, in k

the Museum, and its Professors, wrote to A

position on the delegacy: 'They (the scientific

themselves; there seems to be no definite prin

rival claims, and one incessant craving

or

cha

T h e first three Keepers of the Univers

by th e M useum Delegacy, and the Keepe

the Delegates. Criticism has been made

losses which occurred in the collections

various Professors w ho later assumed resp

As indicated earlier, the original Ke

Geology, John Phillips of Magdalen (185

Keepers were the Savilian Professor of G

(1874-83), and Professor Edward Burne

was Lecturer in Anthropology in the P

lived in Museum House, in the grounds

style of the University M useum, was de

Inorganic Chemistry Laboratory being b

In accordance with a Statute of 1 88 8

required to submit to Convocation an A nn

of a General Report, Departmental Repo

turers teaching within the M useum precin

to the M useum. T h e first of these Reports

of Convocation in I 889, but previous to th


29/146


Delegacy continued in office until 1964

the various Heads of science department

care of their respective collections to

staffs (demonstrators or lecturers in eac

became in effect unofficially appointed cu

In 1951 the Hebdomadal Council set

outside representation, under the chair

Grensted, to report on the state of the co

tions as to their future care and develo

following certain recommendations in th

on the proposed reorganization of the U

mittee for the Scientific Collections in

constituted, and the Curatorships were p

March 1955 along the lines previously

Heads of Department concerned. I t was

Curators should act as Secretary to th e C o

of the Committee for the Scientific Coll

three primary functions of the Museum

a) T h e maintenance of collections

teaching, which should not in gen

6 )

T h e making v d keeping of colle

nomic and otheklines o f research.

(c) T h e public displa in the M useum

of selected exhibit which should

T I I E H I S T O R Y O F T H E Z O O L O G


30/146

and agreed to share with the Delegates

Committee also elected froin the Curato

University Museum.

At the present time the four Curator

mological Geological and Mineralogical

by their respective Faculties with the app

all serve on the Scientific Collections

related Professors and the Reader in Mine

is elected every three years to the add

Curator of the University Museum in o

activities e.g. Museum displays and to

trative matters on behalf of the Comm

wholly in accordance with those recomm

whose recommendation of the appointm

status comparable with that of other

withdrawn on the evidence of a wide dive

of those authorities concerned with teachin

itself.


31/146


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T H E F U T U R E O

Z O O L O G I C A L C O L

I N

he light of the proposed removal of

to South Parks Road which eventually to

19 70 considerable discussion was made a

use of the Zoological Collections and in

J. W. S. Pringle in a mem orandum to

mittee of th e G en eral Board gave his p

randum outlined four functions of the M us

and Entomology:

I . to preserve and properly mainta

much of it irreplaceable;

2. to provide practical instruction for u

3 to be the centre of active research

in taxonomy;

4 to provide a general educational s

local schools.

T h e Professor found it difficult to ass

to these four functions bu t considered t

T H E F U T U R E O F T H E Z O O L O G


36/146

Such a solution, found in a number

resulted in isolation of M useum staff and fr

other biological departments.

2) to rehouse the Zoological and En

a new building adjacent to the new D

policy recommended by the General B

being the cost. Such a policy would make

of Biology and though it might occasion t

material between the Zoological and Geo

to retain adjacent to the Department of

for palaeontology, this need not present u

it was estimated that to rehouse the Zo

Collections a space of approximately 60

required.

T h e Professor fur the r outlined two p

adoption of the second policy: firstly, tha

a Readership in Taxonomy be establis

Zoology and that this post should carry r

of the Zoological Collections. By this m

allay suspicions that a future Professor o

important function. T h e second propos

versity approach an appropriate body su

school of research and postgraduate instru

matics under the Reader or Professor, a



37/146

the old Zoology Department adjoinin

retained for use in connection with the B

W ith particular reference to teaching

out that the Zoological Collections would

role in the revised Honour School which

it was considered that the classes involved

I

a

course on invertebrate and verteb

2 a course on systematics and taxono

3.

a course on evolution

4 short courses on selected groups of

T h e Entomological Collections would p

further course

5 a course on special entomology by t

I n addition the Department of Zoolog

for

a

course occupying one day per w

Zoology for Geologists requiring the

Scientific Collections a course which wo

preliminary Course by all undergradu

Honour School of Geology.

W ith regard to research Professor Pri

of the staff senior workers and students ca

the Zoological Collections would require

time and tha t after the removal of the D

T H E F U T U R E O F T H E Z O O L O G I


38/146

must provide adequate space for the teach

of the Zoological and Entomological Col

sary curatorial and preparatory work und

Committee connected with the collection

I n putting forward this recommendatio

that the one disadvantage would be that co

Zoological displays were of interest bot

and were of greater value if retained in

continuation of some exhibits of this type i

desirable. T h e final paragraph of this

Committee was strongly of the opinion

proper care of the collections, the funct

Scientific Collections Committee shoul

even though part of the collections be

and envisaged that the ultimate control

would remain under the Committee.

T h e University had in

1963 4

accept

by Sir William Holford detailing the fu tur

Area and proposing general regional al

Science Area to different subject groups:

purchase by the University from Merton

on the south side of South Parks Road,

enlarged Science Area was earmarked f

When the recommendations made in 19


39/146

T H E F U T U R E OF TH ZOOLOGI

specimen requirements were being deter

plan within the future Department of Zo

ties for the relatively small numbers of

therein for meeting those requirements

position regarding use of Zoological Co

for teaching is that this relatively small nu

chiefly skeletal and spirit preparations, is h

Zoology, provision being made for a two-w

between the Department and the Muse

vary.

I n

order to ensure control of su

Collections maintain records of all mater

and all such transfers, whether on a long o

at the discretion of the Curator of the Zo

Details of Grensted s 952 recomm

early in

953

by a sub-committee of the H

ments and they suggested that it should

Professor or Reader holds the Collectio

University during his period of office , a

curatorial duties the curators and assist

in research and, to a limited extent, in D

they remain essentially members of the re

T h e Delegates of the University Muse

of Dame Janet Vaughan reported in



40/146

of the Department, Professor

J. W. S

Prin

Zoological Collections, Dr. D. Nichols,

since the bulk of the research collections w

Museum building, its importance as an an

Zoology could not be over-emphasized.

considerable doubt as to whether the arr

time, whereby the interests of the Muse

large Committee, were appropriate und

Accordingly they recommended that the M

curatorial staff of each of the Collection

Director of professorial status having ov

veloping research and teaching in taxonom

policy, and for co-ordinating building a

Museum. They felt that such a step w

interests to be better voiced on the appropr

enable it to argue its own case for develop

was particularly important at that time be

national shortage of trained taxonomists.

In 1968, after further investigation

presented to the Government their

Rep

Relation to their own and other Museums

critical of the natural history and geolog

and Cambridge Universities. When dealin

ford University Museum Collections, par



41/146

in some cases actually deteriorating and with c

present, have no hope of being brought up t

have been in the past, important and much

such, they have remained in the part-time

guidance of the professor.

I n para. I 9 the Comm ission considere

Scholars with heavy teaching duties, and

museum, cannot be expected to have the nec

the conservation or cataloguing of material

hardly use. These tasks can be successfully

curator of sufficient standing to compete e

on th e university s support, w ith adequate

their primary responsibility.

T h i s vie w p oi nt w a s he ld by t h e t h e

Collections,

Dr. D. Nichols, w h o s ta

J W S.

Pring le tha t his exper ience whil

the conclusion that the post of Curator

carr ied out by anyone having a demand

teaching an d experim ental research. C on c

an addit ional important conclusion is dra

Repor t :

T h e value of outstanding collections suc

by reference to their current use in teachin

means by which knowledge is preserved, ex



42/146

Galleries, by a committee appointed

and published by th e Dep artm ent o f Ed

committee report, chap.

I

3

p. 54, para.

university museums, recognized that som

in addition to fulfilling their functions as par

university, are of general interest and importa

T h e problem is that a University under press

ably be expected to develop and display suc

beyond its own functions, widely though t

extra-mural sense.

Para. 13 6 states

n a few but- significant cases the wider po

been recognized by the establishment of a

authority, as in the case of the Manchester

of such collections is to be realized some j

authority will normally be necessary.

Para.

3. 8

reports,

W e are convinced tha t the comparatively n

museums is avoidable and we urge on the univ

bility to pay suficient regard to the needs of

T h e U G C should bear in mind the public re

we hope that the universities will seek mo

for their museums. What we said elsewh

equally well to university museums, and whe


43/146

S U M M A R

In summing up our current activities, it can

face towards the twentieth century and are

institution.

STEPHEN ILLIAMS,irector o the

versity museum today ,

Curator

vol.

TH ntrinsic value of the Zoological

Museum is founded upon three principa

I .

their historical significance,

2. their current use,

3.

their potential fu ture utilization.

I.

T h e early antecedents of the Zool

the seventeenth-century cabinets of c

Ashmole which w ere accumulated on t

the rare and fabulous bound by a styli

nature .Zs By the year 1656, w hen th

was printed, some rudimentary artificial

had been created, and by 1836 the c

Museum had been used to form the bas

S U M M R Y


44/146

which biological material was acquired a

the various changes in the title of the in

Department of Zoology:

860-Anatomy and Physiology,

877-Human and Comparative Anat

1884-Morphological Department (as

891-Comparative Anatomy,

5-Zoology and Comparative Ana

96 -Zoology

During this time the accumulation an

teaching and research material varied as

of zoologicai science waxed and waned.

substantial portions of th e Collections bec

those purposes they had originally been i

theless still required storage space and

collections were, however, subjected in m

neglect, one direct result of such neglec

times some type material remained uncar

discovered, having remained unrecognized

I t would be unwise to dispose of such o

their use is not called for by current teac

this material is irreplaceable, some migh

expense should there occur a revival of

glected branch of the zoological sciences

S U M M R Y


45/146

Although the records and documentatio

tions material are discussed in a separate

perhaps pertinent here to remark that w

in various forms they are by n o means as

and thus create certain difficulties when o

for specific inquiries or during routine

accession. T h e necessity for rem edying p

documentation is illustrated by the former

for display or class teaching and demonstr

absence of adequate data the scientific

remained unappreciated.

2

A t the present time the zoologica

Zoological Collections is utilized in fulfill

of teaching and research. A certain amou

preparation and presentation of public d

court and galleries intended mainly for

menting the formal instruction of under

the interests of the general public. Speci

teaching within the Department of Zool

within othe r departments use being made

dem onstrations special displays tutorials

T o a more limited extent specimens are

tain extra-mural activities such as courses

S U M M R Y


46/146

process, little rationale having been applie

with the result that any acquisition pol

to the personal interests and whims of

I n consequence of this negative approac

have drifted rather aimlessly, and perhap

yet undefined destiny. T h i s situation sho

formulation of a positive long-term p

utilization of the Collections in line with

and research requirements; this would i

thorough reappraisal of aims and ideals

that the most effective use could be mad

O n e potential use of the Collections

value in future investigation and resear

or as yet unknown methods and techniq

have commenced in other similar instit

examination of old specimens, e.g. investi

ness of shells of birds eggs and related ste

the use of D D T . W hile so much m ateri

curation, and documentation, an accurat

the Zoological Collections may only be g

work has been carried out in the various

that they contain much that will prove t

to systematists and taxonomists, as for

covery within the Bell Collection of Cru

S U M M R Y


47/146

development similar to this, devoted to

upon the existing Zoological Collections

great benefit in attracting to the M useum

research, could contribute to the tasks

and enhancing their value to science.

Undoubtedly the most important, still

of the Collections must lie in the field

teaching and research. I n this context

opinions expressed by o ther workers in co

collections and materials of a similar kind

relating to natural history collections

Professor

R.

V ik of the Zoologisca M use

T h e paper, entitled T h e role of natur

versity education 27 refers to one of the

the Biosphere Conference held by Un

1968, tha t all countries belonging to the U

more systematists. I n his paper Vik state

It is obvious that for a fruitful study of sy

knowledge from such disciplines as ecology,

biometry, biochemistry, palaeontology, etc.

date in these specialities so that we know w

lies at any particular time. This is an impossib

a museum. It is therefore of the greatest im

should not only try to carry out their teachin

S U M M R Y


48/146

of great importance he was afraid that as far

history museums are concerned we had to g

fessor Vik had pointed out that taxonomy is

at the universities and therefore it was beco

emphasize taxonomy in the museums. As tax

work it is natural that taxonomic research sh

I f we spread ou r research interests too much

even a limited fraction of the necessary taxon

T h e oregoing opin ions and espec ia lly

wou ld appear to b e in keeping wi th i

col lec t ions of na tura l h is tory mater ia l

Zoo log ica l Co l lec ti ons o f t h e O xfo rd U n


49/146

TH

M U S E U M

C O

P R O B L E M S

A S S O C I

D I S P L A Y

TH

lass-tiled roof of the University

the G othic-style arches of the building p

daylight a very pleasant level of illumin

below and

also gives an atmosphere of air

this unimpeded ingress of natural light i

regard to th e preservation of certain zoo

ultra-violet component of sunlight is e

evanescent pigments and ephemeral colou

the fur of mamm als and th e wings of bu

pared specimens in spirit fare no better

and ultimate bleaching. M an y of the spe

have suffered the consequences of over ha

deleterious exposure thus th e introducti

artificial light into the exhibition cases ca

to specimens already deprived of th ek na

bility of filtering out ultra-violet light i

T H E M U S E U M C O U R

damage to such specimens, and to counte


50/146

process of topping-up must be undertake

duty which could be obviated by transfe

sealed 'Perspex' jars and replacing th e s

by oth er preservative fluids such as per ce

propylene phenoxetol, a process entailing

relabelling o f specimens w hich for each

complete. T o withdraw all such m ateri

considerably deplete the invertebrate syste

year, or longer.

O th e r mo re d irec t hazards to exhib

include damage caused by th e penetration o

th e glass roof and, fortu nately m or e rarely

display cases an d spec imens caused by th e

by high winds.

Considerable time, effort, and money

past six years in imp roving the d idactic co

mo dernizing th e general appearance o f exh

court .

A

progressive transformation has re

the previously unlit, sombre displays, with

and outmoded scientific information, by a

exhibits w hich obviate th e fo rm er necessity

by dem onstrators and ot he r teach ing staff, i

procedures adopted durin g the early years

P R O B L E M S S S O C I T E D W


51/146

Linacre Chair in 1891, organized a prog

in a demonstrable manner exhibits of co

to those of Professor Flower of the Brit

tory). He used rectangular glass jars wit

spirit specimens, whilst the dry specimen

of uniform colour and pattern. Lankest

labels and illustrative drawings into the d

retained in the exhibits present in the Mu

preparations and dissections were made by

demonstrator who later held the L inacre

and each of these represents a whole w

anatomist who in addition to his knowle

very special manipulative skill.

Professor Goodrich was well aware o

light and temperature in the Museum cou

office, introduced a measure intended to

court from the worst effects of direct sun

surface of the glass roof painted with a

partly water soluble, needed to be reappli

although providing shade, the paint also

illumination within the court, especially o

ficial overhead lighting was available in th

today-this process was discontinued so

became Linacre Professor in 1946 . I t was

T H E M U S E U M C O U


52/146

be glad to do the same for any mem ber o

communicate with me o n th e subject.' T h

met by silence as, in the following year's

wrote, 'The Linacre Professor desires ag

of expressing his readiness to make an

member of the University wishing to ha

the exhibited collections explained to h

application of the kind was made to him

offer as the present.' Considering that th

one of the most advanced displays of co

ponder the reasons

as

to why Lankester

up; however, in 899 Lankester resigne

British Museum (Natural History).

For many decades prior to 1970 th

court, where zoological material was d

crowded, the close juxtaposition of dis

exhibits obstructing circulation routes. T

the displays in their dusty dark cases, la

produced an overall effect of fusty V ic

typical of a bygone age in the history

Report' of 1952 had recognized tha t

overhaul of the displayed material in th

essential and long overdue. I n 1970 Dr.

P R O B L E M S S S O C I T E D W


53/146

ternal embellishments were removed to

clean outlines unlikely to distract the at

the specimens and texts displayed within

written and typed paper labels were repla

printed or embossed labels of a more p

coloured backgrounds and internal illumi

ing were added to cases to entice attenti

process of communicating visual inform

the refurbished cases have been dust-pro

security locks. Surveillance of the exhib

been aided by the redisposition of cases

exhibits has thereby been vastly improv

of the interior of the building can now

ground level where hitherto unbroken wa

precluded such aspects.

O n an experimental basis a series of

introduced into the central aisle of the M u

such topics as Animal Phylogeny, Eco

various mammalian groups, etc. O n e of t

displays is to confine interior labelling a

so that the specimens themselves

can

be

ponderance of labels to distract the eye. I

of descriptive labelling, the Linacre Pro

T H E M U S E U M C O U


54/146

been prepared, available in the form of sets

borrowed from the library of the Departm

Cura tor of the Zoological Collections; the

the form of duplicated 'hand-out' sheets

Museum by undergraduates and certain

additional information on the T utoria l dis

prepared with the advice and assistance o

staff in consultation with the curatoria

conjunction with the exhibits, obviate th

a demonstrator or lecturer of the topics d

can be self-sufficient in this respect. Alth

are designed primarily for the undergra

text labels appearing in the cases have bee

to the interests of the general public w ho

increasing numbers. Systematic displays o

material, and some associated specialized

remainder of the central court allocated to

T hese displays act as semi-permanent de

animal groups in a classified sequence an

acquainting the student with the range o

Kingdom : this type of display enables teac

which is beyond the general range and

departmental demonstrations and develo

P R O B L E M S S S O C I T E D

Many of the free-standing exhibits


55/146

M useum have been cleaned and renovate

some and age-darkened bases on which th

replaced by new attractive light oak plin

style of the modernized display cases su

so treated include the Iguanodon and oth

the Tunny skeleton, the mounted skins

extinct and extan t representatives of the

fine series of complete skeletons of ung

bone comparison and reference by zoolog

logists. T h e close proximity of the Geo

fossil vertebrate and invertebrate materi

arcades and galleries of the Museum c

linking the disciplines of Zoology and P

graduate student.

Around the edge of the court are pl

exhibits including some invertebrates an

but these are to be considered as only te

further rationalization and reorganization

T h e curren t overall exhibition policy is fle

when this is considered desirable or adva

It

is worth noting that a further prob

roof of the Museum : the roof causes co

reflection of light from polished plate-


56/146

T H E A C CO M MO D

C U RA TI ON O

Z O O L O G I C A L C O

T

H

E

collections of material comprisin

are preserved by m any different methods

tw o main types, the dry specimens, in

skins, skeletons, mollusc shells, birds* e

tions of invertebrates, and the pickled* pr

preservative within glass bottles and tan

requires a d ifferent means of storage, ar

ideally, each should be maintained in a

that type of material.

I n the following survey of the storag

work carried out on the Zoological Co

from Annual Reports (noted [AR]), a

tained by the unit.

The

Spirit

( Pickled ) Collections

I n 1956 Special Grant enabled th

three Vertebrate Spirit Cellars which afte

T H E Z O O L O G I C A L C O L

Within these two cellar stores the bott


57/146

shelving in single rows wherever this is pr

of double-banking of bottles the inspectio

noting of specimens requiring attention or

Bottles containing type material are signal

red adhesive tape. As specimens in regular

Zoology are now kept within that Departm

certain extent eased pressure on the limite

available, but with changing teaching req

must be made for th e return to M useum

no longer used for regular class teaching

these cellar stores is limited and little spa

accommodation of new material. I n both

quantity of material which still awaits ide

such curatorial work is undertaken this ma

separation and rebottling of mixed grou

correspondingly more shelf space.

Although th e tem perature in these cell

in the Museum, evaporation of preservati

rapid rate, necessitating regular surveilla

with topping-up of bottles as required. T h

of dust and on the whole may be consider

ideal, for the purpose they serve. At pres

T H E C C O M M O D T I O N N D

A t this time, only previously catalogued ma


58/146

attempt

w s

made to identify unnamed spe

T h e dry sponge preparations then house

display

c ses

in the court were listed in 1

Dawson, Assistant Curator, prepared a l

collections [AR].

Cnidaria (Coelenterata)

T h e store collection of Coelenterata was

specimens were identified in

1909

AR].

housed below display cases were listed.

Plaiyhelminthes

I n 1953 Miss J Hennessy and Miss N.

Departm ent of Zoology, inspected the colle

specimens, and revised their nom enclature.

not then extended to revision of labels o r ca

Annelida

T h e Polychaeta also were revised in

195

Miss Lonsdale. In 1956Dr. A. J Cain b

TH Z O O L O G I C L C O

widely dispersed number of positions,


59/146

available for workers carrying out resea

and proper security of the collections co

tained, the possibility of theft being a serio

the increasing value of shells in the co

cannot be ignored.

While some collections remain as d

example the Turton Collection of Ma

S. Africa, which includes over 400 ype

collections, or parts of them, includin

Trevelyan, and Harvey Collections, were

series for use in class work. A special Moll

set aside in which a large part of the she

where some facilities exist for work to be

W ork on e M ollusc Shell Collecti

Annual Reports, has been piecemeal: in 1

cabinet containing the Harvey Collecti

specimens arranged s a typical student

the Museum technician, supervised by

Additional drawers of the collection we

including the genera

Strombus, Murex

Ficula, Cassis, Oniscia, Harpa, Purpurea

Melo, Conus (part), and Cypraea (part),

Cephalopoda were not completed. T h e


Trevelyan Collection were disposed of as b


60/146

1950. Specimens of

Perten

from various

revised by Dr.

F

K.

N or th of the Departm

same year Dr. Cain gathered together an

British Unionacea. Between 195 2 and 1

storage cabinets were obtained and use

research collection of

epea

shells collected

also housed the Carpenter Collection of B

Molluscs, checked and relabelled by Mr.

the A.

P.

Gardiner Collection. T h e B

Gardiner Collection were boxed, labelle

Mr.

J

B. Davies, temporarily an assist

this work in 1959 with the assistance of M

1969 and 1970, under the supervision of t

a number of old cabinets containing she

molean, Harvey, and Treve lyan Collec

shells being removed and rearranged in a s

cabinets left vacant follow ing th e removal

collection of

epea

shells, and were labelle

being placed within plastic bags for pro

lacking names and data were considered t

were removed and thrown away.

At the present time the Mollusc Shell

T H E Z O O L O G I C L C O L

where necessary, restoration of the Cru


61/146

collection is almost complete; type and s

been rediscovered, mainly within the Bell C

also includes many specimens collected b

these bearing labels giving collection num

Dr. Sydney Smith of Cambridge indicat

referable to Darwin s collecting notebook

details of the relevant data on these speci

in the near future. All bottle labels from

many of which had become eroded or fade

by ultra-violet light, are preserved on file.

In 1975 the Hope Collections of dr

over by the Zoological Collections, though

cabinets housing them remain within the H

of inspecting, listing, curating, and identi

was

commenced voluntarily in January

M auro, a visitor from T h e University

large numbers o f Bell s types have been l

which also contains specimens collected b

Echinodermata

T h e entire series of Echinodermata th

thoroughly examined, named, labelled, an



62/146

ertebrates (the Osteological Collections)

A great quantity of osteological materia

skeletons, skulls, disarticulated bones,

Zoological Collections. Much of this

originally from the Ashmolean and th

Collections; subsequently, much mater

various sources.

For many years a collection of osteolo

for use in teaching by the Department

Collection' included considerable numbe

of the major vertebrate classes and was in

on this material was considerable and ne

programme of check and repair by the M

the departure of the Department of Zool

changes in the nature of the courses taugh

number of dsteological specimens deeme

now housed in that Department.

Revision of the displays in the Museu

th e old displays of comparative anatomy

the court of large numbers of skeletons

parations formerly exhibited. Such chan

congestion and difficulty in the accom mod

TH Z O O L O G I C L C O

selection of human racial types made fro


63/146

together by Professor Rolleston, is house

a collection of plaster heads and busts il

man

emoved from the floor below exhib

was for a long time stored in a service

court where it suffered even greater har

a safer place.

T h e osteological material discussed in

years been in regular if no t frequent us

large reserve of osteological material st

where for many years it has remained in

unsorted, uncatalogued, and in some in

examined since it was first placed there.

made to institute a m ore orderly storage a

stored in these loft rooms. Some addition

and in order to free cupboard and floo

heads, horns, and antlers were suspende

remainder of the material in these reserve

of crates, wooden store boxes, tins, and

groups of the various vertebrate classes a

ing or stacked upon th e floor or upon tre

to a certain extent the accessibility of th

T h e general condition of the loft store


been accessed fully, and within the past


64/146

have been compiled of m aterial held withi

generally as the result of research inquir

to questionnaires, etc., received from othe

information and data on specimens togeth

of storage of osteological material will

accession to be carried out and is part o

programme aimed at rendering such ma

inspection and research purposes.

Pisces

(Fishes)

T h e labelling and classification of the la

served in spirit commenced in

1909

un

E. S. Goodrich [AR]. T h e Annual R e

M r. M . H . W illiamson, then a demonst

Zoology, catalogued the Elasmobranchia

list of the families of the group was com

complete list of specimens held in the Co

junior laboratory technician; no catalo

attempted and the work was abandoned. I

Museum technical staff, Mr. Hull and

out the identification and accession of

T H E Z O O L O G I C L C O L

this collection was subsequently returned to


65/146

in

1973

AR].

Reptifia

A revision of the collections of spirit-pre

taken by M r. B. W . Tu ck e r and D r.

A.

bulk of the material being identified, re-b

T h e residual material still awaits identifica

I n

1953

he pickled Lizards in the co

revised [AR], the work being comm ence

research student in the Department of Z

only the family Chamaeleontidae, and th

were identified by M r. Hull, w ho also acc

Following a review of the Reptiles of t

CAR], by Dr. A.

J

Cain, Dr. W . D.

L.

many type specimens and others figur

discovered, a complete revision was mad

in the collections; the reidentified specime

in addition a systematically classified loose

was prepared, the work involving som

originated in

1955

by Dr. Mertens of t

Frankfurt, resulted in the discovery among

type specimen of the Galapagos Sea Igua

THE

A C C O M M O D A T I O N N

T h e Bird Skin Collections include u


66/146

specimens, though the exact numbers wi

the work of accessing them is completed

tions has been continued, though with

past sixty years. T h e Annual Reports fo

many specimens were added to the Card

and preparation. In 1938 the collection

named, catalogued, and arranged with the

then of Balliol College [ARJ.

In the years previous to 1951, the Bir

rather dispersed about the Museum, th

cabinets of drawers placed along the no

while the remaining orders were stored in

below the rear of the Museum Lecture R

Museum Lecture Theatre involved elim

and the birds were removed in

I

9 5 to s

room then in use as an office. T h e An

majority

(sic)

of Bird Skins were so reho

form skins remained in their cabinets in

Also in I 95 I the mounted birds of the

tained in south-west England 1845-70,

I 9

I I

and presented in

I

92 I were tran

to Bristol City Museum in order to re

THE ZOOLOGICAL COL

present time when over 12 000 skins hav


67/146

T h e task, still to be completed, has been

Hull, the Annual Reports for 1952, 19

recording the progress made.

Following the discovery of very seriou

by insect pests the Silver Collection of

dismounted in 1952 [AR]. Over half of t

tion, including some of now extinct s

destroyed as being beyond salvage treatm

maining specimens were converted to the

T h e South African birds of the Burche

and revised in 1953 by Dr. A.

J.

Cain, M

Hull with the assistance of Mr. R. E. Mo

unnamed specimens. Lists of these specime

data collated by reference to Burchell s D

lished work in an attempt to reconstruct

furnish the specimens with accurate colle

completed. Mr. Ride continued this work

type specimens were discovered [AR], a

tance of Dr. Cain.

Following an inquiry from the Briti

type specimens of South American bird

Such in 18 25 and 18 26 were traced amon


large specimens, are fu rth er enclosed in l


68/146

transparent plastic lids. As a precaution

and cupboards are kept supplied with sm

which are renewed as necessary, usually no

T h i s is normally the only maintenance req

for damage and possible repair any spe

elsewhere. T h e process of checking, ac

labelling, and rearranging the specimens

years to complete; at present over

12 00

with, approximately three-quarters of

entered in the old Card Catalogue, but ap

remains a considerable quantity of mate

University expeditions and other sources w

and incorporated into the series. T h e recen

Campbell Collection necessitated very con

rearrangement of the drawers and their c

there now remains very little room for fu

contents should this be found necessary in

matic series. Bench space originally provi

tions within the Bird Skin Store is now m

is occupied by many of the mounted bi

These mounted specimens are by their

within drawers and require a great deal

TH

Z O O L O G I C L C O

gallery

w s

recorded. Also in 1969, fo


69/146

entry to the Loft stores where many eg

covered that many eggs had been wanto

labels scattered. A special room has now

of th e former Zoology Department alloca

tions, where most of th e egg collections a

Very little curation has been carried

since the 1940s when Mr. H. B. Gray

prepared a combined catalogue of th e

Collections; this catalogue forms a chec

cabinets and drawers in w hich the eggs a

exists for th e oth er collections and alth

collectors catalogues ar e held in the M u

traceable by inspection of the contents

references given in such catalogues usua

disposition of the specimens within the c

Eggs Collections, as compared with tha t

is minimal; inspection by visiting resear

ment of Zoology or other institutions oc

and a small number of eggs are borrowe

demonstration purposes with in the Depa

The

kin

oflectims

other than Birds)

THE

A C C O M M O D A T I O N

A N D

within large storage boxes, have undergone


70/146

site to another, depending on the prevai

space, but within the last two years have

aside for their accommodation where they

order within boxes supported on simple r

mammal skins are also shelved within this

though now congested and by no means c

of providing better protection against pe

the mammal skins are generally of poor

material remains uncatalogued. Details

out on the skin collections will be found

carried out on the Mammalia, though on

localized

fauna1 collections have been wor

Mammalia

During 1947-8 Dr. A. J Cain and M r. J

revised the identifications of the large ost

Artiodactyla including the collections of

preparing check-lists of material presen

material against the various catalogues.

a comprehensive list of all specimens of

various collections, and in 1953 the spec

were inspected and listed by Miss A. B

TH E

ZOOLOGIC L

C O

material was inspected, listed, and revis


71/146

demonstrator in the D epartm ent of Zoolo

in 1958, prepared a Catalogue of the

which collection had been transferred to t

History) in 1945-6, adding information

were still present in various Oxford scie

tions. A check-list of all specimens of th

1960 as a result of an inquiry initiated

data from the British M useum Natural H

then Assistant Cura tor, in 19 67 revised a

of Proboscides and Paenungulata, and in

the specimens of Monotremata.

I n addition to work itemized, sim

research, and docum entation have been c

material or even single specimens, often

quiries received from research worker

revision of groups of material has no t su

proper accession of specimens, unless this

task of accessing much of the material r

be accomplished.

Specimen clearance

Attention must be drawn to the fact that

TH

C C O M M O D T I O N N D

a much more cautious approach has, in ge


72/146

the wholesale elimination or destruction o

worthless material. Since 1957, when as in

Report, the Linacre Professor, Sir Alister

the Zoological Collections, Dr. A. J C

distinction could be made between Col

teaching and other Museum material o

historic interest, many specimens being

the Curator has been responsible for all

of that purchased solely for class-work,

the elimination, destruction, or disposal of

bility of the Curator and of the Scienti

on which he serves.

Pests, and other hazards

Many areas of the Museum are not ideal

term storage of material liable to attack

Despite, and som etimes as a result of,

adapting various parts of the building fo

few areas which can be considered comp

attack by pests.

In the past, pest damage to specimens

with the resultant loss of rare m aterial of s

T H E Z O O L O G I C L C O

affected by rodents: bottles have been

destroyed due to having been tipped from


73/146

rats, and within the preparation rooms

of birds and small mammals, left out

by mice. Fortunately, rodent infestation

the Museum stores.

Accidental flooding of rooms has s

material in adjacent stores, and has also

moulds in the areas affected.

T h e risks presented by such hazards a

line the need for regular surveillance an

of stored Collections if this zoological

preserved for posterity.


74/146

T H E R ECO RDS A N

D OC U ME NT S R E L A T

Z O O L O G I C A L C O L

T H E

oological Collections possess a n

and catalogues of the early historic coll

in current use for, apart from enabling link

specimens and the available data, they ar

logues of such material yet available.

Copies of Duncan's Catalogue o the A

in 1836, constitute the earliest records of t

one such copy, interleaved, contains man

acquired after 1836, and a second, simila

script entries, some of which are additio

first copy although most merely duplicate

T h e records of the Christ Church Co

Day Books, and manuscript catalogues. A

mens, or even groups of specimens from

tensively revised, have had particulars

Accessions Registers of the Zoological Col

T H E Z O O L O G I C L C O

Christ Church' covering the periods 1

folio volumes of catalogues containing c


75/146

afford a source of data relating to variou

tions bearing letter and number refer

label references, for many years, were

significance or relationship to the catalo

years have proved to be of value in resto

recorded data. T w o similar volumes,

Progress and Desiderata', record spe

added to the Physiological Series chart

the organs; these contain no additional

value in cataloguing work. Also ava

notebook containing 294 specimen e

Catalogue. Mammalia', noted

H.

N. T

pencilled notes on the flyleaf 'Dr. Og

'Catalogue of Mr. Turner's Collection

Following the transfer of specimen

between I 860 and

I

866, it appears that

accompanying catalogues and that add

T h e Museum records available for the

register, 'Additions to T h e Museum

O.U.M.' covering 1867 to 1891, w

manuscript list entitled 'Ethnology O

made between I 874 and I881 and the

T H E R E C O R D S N D O T H E R D O C U

University Museum. Although the Ann

detailed reports of work carried out on


76/146

lists of specimens received by donation, e

reports and lists became far less detaile

thus the Presentation Books have becom

reliable record of donations, etc.

O th er old catalogues in current use in

and Part

I

of a manuscript Catalogue

recorded details of I I I 4 human cran

together by Rolleston, the bulk of whic

transferred to the British Museum (Nat

discovery of a slip index to the collectio

leaf catalogue listing details of the entire c

added notes indicating in which Depa

crania remaining in Oxford, copies of th

the Department of Hum an Anatomy and

It was discovered much later that a larg

Crania was retained within the Departm

Various collectors catalogues are h

collections of mollusc shells and birds eg

T h e re also exist numbers of catalogues

played or present in Museum collectio

afford no source of data on the specimen

of Testudinata , have been superseded b

T H E Z O O L O G IC L C O L L

alphabetical order of genus and species; cu r

each card should carry full data on the sp


77/146

old cards are somewhat deficient in this resp

leaf classified catalogues have been pre

groups; it is anticipated that eventually

catalogue will be prepared listing specimen

of the animal kingdom.

A separate series of registers, the Acces

was commenced in 1952; within these reg

be accessed in a manner similar to that us

logues, the serial numbers of specimens be

its associated Card Index is systematically a

Check List

o

Birds o the Wmld.

During accession and recataloguing of

made to record in these accessions regist

or data to be found in older catalogues,

continuity of records, the modem catalogue

corresponding entry in the old catalogue. T

men entries have been made in each of

registers, but a vast amount of material ye

and incorporated within the modem cata

requiring expert identification a r~ d ssocia

records. T h e Zoological Collections main

memoranda, and data on specimens and th

T H E R EC OR DS N D O T H E R D O C U

records lies in the rediscovery and verific

the Zoological Collections of type materi


78/146

to 19 56 when a search was instituted for

or catalogue of such specimens had bee

draft list of type and suspected type mate

Hull, a list which is lengthening as addit

light during routine curatorial and cata

result of the investigation of inquiries r

workers and institutions.

O n e notable deficiency in the recor

the lack of a list or index of donors to the

Donors to the Bird Skin Collection, th

has existed for some years, and in 1949 a

piled of D onors to the Mollusc Shell Co

this deficiency a new comprehensive Ind

piled, included as an appendix to this rev

hoped, prove to be of considerable as

Collections.

Zoological material has, of course,

other than those recorded in the new In

numbers of specimens have been acqu

exchange with, various individuals, instit

supply agencies for the particular purpose

collections or providing material for teac

T H E Z O O L O G IC L C O

Information Retrieval G roup of the M use

has produced a system of record cards and


79/146

in providing a standardized method o f rec

not only for museum requirements but a

t

is true that before details of collectio

necessary that they be properly iden

Zoological Collections require intensiv

tion, nevertheless

it

is clear that the

concerning the Museum Collections c

workers in related fields of study and res


80/146

G U I D E T O S O M

N A M E D C O L L E C T

Z O O L O G I C A L M A T E R

O X F O R D U N I V E R S I

Appended to this list are biographical notes on

asterisked.

Nam e a n d tjp e of collection

ow

obta

ASHMOLEANUSEUM OLL. Transferr

[includes some Tradescant material]

All types of materid

CHRISTCHURCH OLL. Transfer

All types of material

Dr. Lee's

1860-6

*W.

E.

BAL~TONOLL. Presented

NAMED COLLECTIONS OF ZOO

Nanu

a n d tjpe of collection

ow

obt

*C. and E. HOSECOLL. Presente

Skins of Birds and Mammals,


81/146

preserved Reptiles, and Invertebratee

collected in Sarawak

OXFORD NIVERSITYXPEDITIONS Presente

Vertebrate and Invertebrate

192

I

on

material of all kinds

*F. P. PASCOE OLL. Presente

Large collections of

Bird Skins c. 1,700 specimens),

Mollusc shells c. 3,504,

Crustacea, Fish, Reptiles,

Mammals, etc.

SPECIALIZED COLLECTIONS

M y c e t o z o a

Dr. W.

T

ELLIOTTCOLL. Bequeat

C r u s t a c e a

*T. ELL OLL. Transfe

Large collection of specimens

Hope D

both dry and in spirit,

1962 (s

N A M E D C O L L E C T I O N S O F Z O O L O

Name a n d type of collection H a u obtai

Mollusca


82/146

S. D. BARSTOW OLL .

S. African shells, verified

by G. B. Sowerby, and

including a number of

Presented

sowerby*s ypes

G . BARLEE OLL.

British marine shells

Bequeathe

George Ba

Exmouth,

G. D. H. CARPENTER

OL L. Presented

British Land and Fresh-water

Prof. G. D

Mollusca Carpenter,

CHITTY COL L.

Jamaican Land and

Fresh-water Mollusca

Dr. W.

T.

ELLIOTTCO LL. Bequeathe

A n extensive and well-documented

world-wide collection of shells

Alan Poole GA RD W EROLL . Presented

British shells

Ad miral Sir John HA RV EY OLL. Presented

A n extensive world collection,

but specimens lacking in data

I N T H E O X F O R D U N I V E R S

Name nd type of collection ow obta

H.

0

N. SH AW OLL. In exchan

some spec


83/146

66 species, chiefly from Fiji

and the Solomon Isles

from the

toll.

190

*Sir W. C.

TREVELYAN

OL L. Bequeath

A n extensive collection, but

genera lly lacking collection data.

Contained specimens figured in

R. B rown s Conchology

Lt.-Col. W.

H. TURTON

OLL. Presented

Marine shells from Port Alfred,

with addi

S. Africa. Includes 645 of Tur ton s

1932

type specimens

W O L W T O NCOLL.

A

collection of shells from

Madeira

Amphibia and Reptiles

Vrhomas BEL LCOLL.

D ry and spirit-preserved

Amphibia, Chelonia, Lacertilia

and Ophidia, including many

davies & hull 1976 - the zoological collections of the oxford university museum

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