Thomas H. Huxley / by J.R. Ainsworth.

Date:
1907
Catalogue details

Licence: In copyright

Credit: Thomas H. Huxley / by J.R. Ainsworth. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh. The original may be consulted at the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh.

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    EXPERIENCES AS A NAVAL SURGEON ON THE '* RATTLESNAKE [l 846-50]. The chance suggestion made by Huxley's fellow- student Fayrer (afterwards Sir Joseph Fayrer) that he should apply for a post in the Medical Service of the Navy, determined his whole future career, and conse- quently had a momentous influence on the progress of scientific thought and research. Early in 1846 he entered the Navy, and was appointed to the Victory, for duty at Haslar Hospital, serving under Sir John Richardson, through whose recommendation he was transferred after some delay to the Rattlesnake frigate during October of the same year, in the capacity of assistant surgeon. It was also understood that he would co-operate with Macgillivray, the naturalist to the expedition. The ship was detailed for survey work in Australian and East Indian waters. During the months that elapsed between the time the appointment was promised him (May) and that of departure (December), young Huxley with unremitting energy took every opportunity of fitting himself for the work of investigation before him. Owen, Gray, and particularly Edward Forbes, gave him much in- formation and counsel which afterwards proved invalu- able. Forbes, a pioneer in the art of dredging for scientific purposes, was especially friendly, sparing no pains in explaining the technical methods employed for the capture of marine animals. From him too Huxley