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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
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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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T H E H I S T O R Y O F T H E Z O O L O G
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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T H E H I S T O R Y O F T H E Z O O L O G
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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T H E H I S T O R Y O F T H E Z O O L O G
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
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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
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
T H E H I S T O R Y O F T H E Z O O L O G
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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
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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
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
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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
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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
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
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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
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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
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
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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
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
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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
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
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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.
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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
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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
T H E F U T U R E O F T H E Z O O L O G
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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
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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
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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
T H E F U T U R E O F T H E Z O O L O G I
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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
T H E F U T U R E O F T H E Z O O L O G
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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
T H E F U T U R E O F T H E Z O O L O G I
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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-
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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
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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
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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,
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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
T H E C C O M M O D T I O N N D
Trevelyan Collection were disposed of as b
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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
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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
T H E C C O M M O D T I O N N D
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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
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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
T H E C C O M M O D T I O N N D
been accessed fully, and within the past
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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
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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
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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
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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
T H E C C O M M O D T I O N N D
large specimens, are fu rth er enclosed in l
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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.
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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,
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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
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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
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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