Credit: © The Royal Society
Image number: RS.10060
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Anatomy of the porpoise
Date
1680
After
Edward Tyson (1650 - 1708, British) , Physician
Robert Hooke (1635 - 1703, British) , Natural philosopher
Robert Hooke (1635 - 1703, British) , Natural philosopher
Object type
Library reference
R64943
Material
Technique
Dimensions
height (print): 234mm
width (print): 313mm
width (print): 313mm
Subject
Content object
Description
Study of a porpoise, with details of its anatomy, based upon the dissection of the cetacean. This commenced at Garraway’s coffee-house and concluded at Gresham College in London, the first home of the Royal Society. The mammal was most likely the Harbour porpoise Phocoena phocoena. Six figures in total, numbered 1-6, variously in Arabic and Roman numerals on the plate. Figure 1 a lateral view of the whole animal. Figure 2 Section of the whole animal with viscera removed. Figure 3 The tongue, larynx and lungs. Figure 4 Detail of the opening of the larynx. Figure 5 The larynx and surrounding cartilage. Figure 6 Internal organs including stomachs, duodenum, pancreas and spleen.
Plate 1 from pamphlet Phocaena, or the anatomy of a porpess, dissected at Gresham Colledge: with a praeliminary discourse concerning anatomy, and a natural history of animals, by Edward Tyson (Benjamin Tooke, London, 1680).
Robert Hooke’s involvement is noted on p.10 of Tyson’s text: “I must acknowledge the kindness of my most Ingenious Friend Mr. Hook, and those worthy Persons, who gave me the opportunity of making the Observation; And his particular assisting me in designing several of the figures...” Original drawings for these plates survive in a manuscript [known as the “Tyson volume”], Royal College of Physicians MS/618.
Inscribed above “Tabula 1ma.” Not signed.
Plate 1 from pamphlet Phocaena, or the anatomy of a porpess, dissected at Gresham Colledge: with a praeliminary discourse concerning anatomy, and a natural history of animals, by Edward Tyson (Benjamin Tooke, London, 1680).
Robert Hooke’s involvement is noted on p.10 of Tyson’s text: “I must acknowledge the kindness of my most Ingenious Friend Mr. Hook, and those worthy Persons, who gave me the opportunity of making the Observation; And his particular assisting me in designing several of the figures...” Original drawings for these plates survive in a manuscript [known as the “Tyson volume”], Royal College of Physicians MS/618.
Inscribed above “Tabula 1ma.” Not signed.
Associated place