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Rectangular Perspex specimen pot containing the head and part of the body of a chameleon, with it's tongue fully extended

Head of a chameleon, with tongue fully extended, and front part of its body

Hunterian Museum Collection

This collection is comprised mainly of anatomy and physiology specimens acquired after the Hunterian Collection was transferred to the Royal College of Surgeons in 1799. Material in this collection follows a similar categorisation system used in the original Hunterian Collection and is based around biological processes such as reproduction and digestion. The collection includes both human tissue and specimens from other animals.

Many specimens in this collection were prepared by famous conservators of the Museum such as William Clift (1775-1849), Sir Richard Owen (1804- 1892), and Sir William Henry Flower (1831-1899). The collection demonstrates the close links between natural history and comparative anatomy in the 20th century.

Objects and specimens in this collection have museum identification numbers with the prefix RCSHM.

Forefoot of a Duck-Billed Platypus
RCSHM/H 104.1

A pair of male and female ivory anatomical mannequins
RCSHM/Z 20

Two specimens of the shell of a purple sea snail
RCSHM/F 56.1

Bladder stone and commemorative pewter box with engraved lid
RCSHM/Z 85

SurgiCat

Explore the Royal College of Surgeons of England collections catalogue