A general account of the Hunterian Museum, Glasgow: including historical and scientific notices of the various objects of art, literature, natural history, anatomical preparations, antiquities, &c., in that celebrated collection / by J. Laskey.

  • Hunterian Museum and Art Gallery
Date:
1813
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: A general account of the Hunterian Museum, Glasgow: including historical and scientific notices of the various objects of art, literature, natural history, anatomical preparations, antiquities, &c., in that celebrated collection / by J. Laskey. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    ANTI-ROOM. On entering the Anti-room, the Visitor is requested to write his name and MisceO, place of abode in the Album kept there for that purpose. His attention will then be directed to two elegant Busts, the one on the left, of Gavin Hamil- ton, a celebrated Painter, a native of Scotland, sculptured in marble at Rome, esteemed a good likeness. This Bust has been presented to the Mu- seum since its arrival at the College. The other on the right is of Terra Cotta, most excellently modelled, but unfortunately unknown at present. It originally belonged to the Collection. I liese are placed on two mahogany Cabinets, which contain a vast collection of Foreign and British Insects of almost every Genus and Species. The beau- Nat. Hufa ty and rarity of many of the Species astonish the beholders, particularly the Species Papillio Menelaus, of the most brilliant vivid azure blue. Pa- pillio Priam, of the greatest rarity, as well as beauty. Papillio Jairus, with his eye-like spots, Phoelena Luna, Papillio Nestor, Papil- lio Thoas, and many others, too numerous for insertion here. On the right of the window, a small Mummy is preserved in a glass case, the painting and hieroglyphics on which are in good preservation. On the Mantle Piece are several good specimens of Gorgonia Flabellum, or Sea Fan Gorgonia, more commonly known by the name of Venus’s Fan, from the Indian Ocean. A fine specimen of the NINE-BANDED ARMADILLO, (Dasypus Novsm» c'mctus, Linn.) It is a native of South America, and received its name of Ar- madillo, or Hog in Armour, from the Spaniards. It is a harmless ino ffensive animal; feeds on roots, fruits, and other vegetables, grows very fat, and is much esteemed for the delicacy of its flesh. The Indians hunt it with small dogs trained for the purpose ; it rolls itself into a ball, and when opportu- nity occurs, rolls over a precipice, and escapes unhurt the pursuit of its ene- mies. it burrows in the ground with great expedition, having strong claws on its fore feet, with which it adheres so firmly to the ground, that if it should be caught by the tail whilst making its way into the earth, its resist- ance is so great, that it will sometimes leave it in the hands of its pur- suers. On the other side is the LONG-TAILED MANIS, (Mams Tetradactyla, Linn.) This rare animal is a native of India and Africa, is perfectly gentle and harmless, though from its being entirely covered with very large and sharp scales, it has a most formidable aspect, particularly when irritated, at which time it has the power of erecting them. Thus armed, the Tyger and Panther in vain make efforts to devour it, they can neither terrify it by their violence or crush it by their weight, and whenever they attempt to seize it they find themselves grievously wounded. Opposite the window are hung eight Glass Cases of rare and valuable IN- SECTS of the scarabeous genus, in one of which are two fine specimens of (Scar abatis Hercules, Linn.) or HERCULES BEETLE. These are na- tives of Guadaloupe; the singular long horn of this insect is toothed on each side, and beneath is covered with a substance resembling yellow plush; the proboscis below is also toothed. Between these, it is said, the insect seizes the smaller branches of trees, and by swiftly flying round, soon saws them off, for the purpose of building its nest. Dr. Shaw, in his Naturalist’s Mis- cellany, however, reckons the whole operation a vulgar error; it is a very mischievous insect, and difficult to be taken. In a corresponding Case on the right, SCARABJEUS NEPTUNUS (Nep- tune Beetle) is preserved. This insect is excessively rare. The country from which it came is unknown. It is generally believed, by most Entomo- logists, that it is the fabrication of a German or Dutch Naturalist, by taking the body of Scarabams Hercules, and the head and thorax of Scarabasus Ac- tion. As both these insects are in cases adjoining, the visitor may have the A
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